Jackie Crofts

The last volume seemed to be building toward a conclusion, but this volume takes a step back from the main plot to show us what Adrienne Ashe's sisters have been up to while she was advancing in her quest. The stories are cute and there are some moments that show preparations are being made for the final showdown, so the fun I had outweighed the disappointment of taking a detour instead of the expressway.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents [All stories written by Jeremy Whitley]: Chapter One. Alize / show more Kaitlin Jann, illustrator -- Chapter Two. Angelica / Jackie Crofts, illustrator -- Chapter Three. Angoisse / Newt Taber and Takeia Marie, illustrators -- Chapter Four. Antonia & Andrea / Robin Kaplan, illustrator -- [Process pages] show less

After being freed from their towers by Adrienne her sisters discover their individual strengths. Some of these strengths and talents have been revealed in previous issues. But who expected the great beauty Angelica to become a superb military tactician? Nevertheless, the Black Knight is making the rounds gathering the sisters together for a final showdown with the patriarchy.

Whitley’s story illustrated whimsically by collaborators Crofts, Taber, and Kaplan, and drawn vividly by Jann, show more Marie, and Martin, continues to shine as it challenges and defies gender roles and racial stereotypes. show less

So, these four issues don't have Adrienne in them, and yet I didn't find myself minding that at all.

The first story is about Alize and how she was 'rescued' from her tower. It was definitely my favorite of the stories.

Then the rest of the stories took place after Adrienne had 'rescued' her sister. Angelica was trying to find who she is supposed to be, and that was a cool journey. Angoisse gets to go up against some loggers, oh, and then there was an-- interesting Goblin for president story, show more um, perhaps supposed to be cathartic?

And finally a short Andrea and Antonia, twins, story that was a little weird, but definitely them to a T.

It will be really interesting to see where all the strings that were left hanging in this go in the next volume. It should be pretty awesome.

I received this book via Netgalley thanks to Diamond Book Distributors and Action Lab Entertainment. show less