Bone Volume 9: Crown of Horns

Somehow I missed the Bone series as it was coming out, though I'd read Cerebus and Elfquest earlier. I guess by the '90s I was burned out on epic fantasy, and the "big name" graphic novels (Watchmen, V for Vendetta, etc.) really repulsed me with their old-school drawing style.

I'm sure I won't be the first to say that Bone is like the characters from Pogo, dropped into a valley-scale microcosm of Middle Earth—in terms of not only characters and action (there's a cow race, and there's also an Evil Power which invades dreams), but drawing style too. In other words, it doesn't take itself too seriously (as 99.9% of epic fantasy, including The Lord of the Rings, does), and as a result it succeeds fantastically on its own terms. It's just a show more good yarn, very well told. show less

This is the ninth and final book in Smith's Bone series. It did a very nice job of wrapping up the series, I loved it.

The book starts out bleakly; Thorn and Fone Bone have been beaten and locked in the dungeon, Gran'ma Ben is on the ramparts trying to fight off hordes of rat creatures, and Lucius is missing. This book takes us through the final battle, the search for the Crown of Horns, and the events following.

Illustration is in keeping with previous volumes and is very well done. I would recommend reading all previous volumes before this one so that you have a good appreciation for what is happening in this volume.

The book starts bleak but there is a lot of humor peppered throughout. There are a couple nice twists in the story, show more although for the most part it ends as you would expect it to end. It is a very solid fantasy and I enjoyed how it all ended. The story was nicely wrapped up.

There were some characters that I wish we had spent more time with; for example I think the character of Rock Jaw could have been used to make thing even more interesting.

Overall this has been just a wonderful fantasy graphic novel series and this installment only added to the wonderfulness. If you haven't picked it up to read, you should! It is just a wonderful series. Now I will be picking up Tall Tales and the prequel novel about Rose. I will also be checking out the future release The Quest for the Spark illustrated by Jeff Smith and written by Thomas Sniegoski (who also write the Remy Chandler urban fantasy series which I enjoy). show less

It wasn't as satisfying as I was expecting. The main climax is good, but the whole dragon side of it is over as quickly as it starts. I figured from the beginning that while the prophecy around Phoney wasn't accurate he still would fulfill it anyway in a moral change and step up. I suppose he did get a very slight moment to redeem himself. As for Bone's crush on Thorn, it's tossed to the side. 'Bone' was a good series, even sometimes great, that landed with a stumble.

The final volume of the Bone series doesn't have many surprises. All of the plots that were set up in the earlier numbers play out in a way that seems pretty inevitable, if not outright predictable. There are a few jokes, and lots of chasing and fighting. Comeuppances and rewards (including a hero's burial) are distributed according to the characters' merits established before.

I had been holding out for some exciting backstory on Ted the bug, but I was disappointed there. Maybe it's in one of the prequel supplements: Rose or Stupid Stupid Rat Tails.

I'm not ashamed to say I cried more than once while reading this book. I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending, but I think any ending (other than something totally off-the-wall) would have left me feeling the same way. The inclusion of the Christmas special satisfies my desire for completion of the series, but in context, it's rather jarring. Before I realized it was a supplemental and not part of the series proper, I was actually a little mad.

Reviewed by Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen for TeensReadToo.com

From the very first page, the ninth installment in the BONE graphic novel series starts off with a bang.

It begins with Thorn and Fone Bone, who are imprisoned by their own people, having the recurring dream of when her parents gave her away to the dragons. This time, however, the dream is clearer than before - she is able to see her mother.

With this dream, Thorn figures out that the only way for the war to end is if she finds the Crown of Horns. But Fone Bone is quick to object, since the object could just lead to an unclear end to the war.

Outside, the war has begun between the enemies - the Pawan and rat creature army led by Briar - and the city of Atheia. Although show more Atheia's army are able to force the enemy to retreat, they are still surrounded by them. With this, despite objections, Thorn understands that it is up to her to save her Gran'ma and her city, even if it could mean that it will end her life.

So as Phoney and Gran'ma hold down the fort and venture off on their own journey, Thorn and Fone Bone, along with Bartleby, are off to seal the fate of their city. Whether or not Fone Bone is right is a different story. Finding the Crown of Horns is a challenge with so many obstacles standing in their way, and what it could possibly awake is what makes this installment darker than those before.

As the first BONE graphic novel I've ever read, it definitely grabbed me from the start. For one, the art and the colors are extremely stunning. The plot itself is intriguing and compelling and is full of action and ferocious creatures that no one should ever have to encounter. The intensity of the war is balanced by the hilarious characters of Phoney and Smiley, who just put a smile on the reader's face whenever they are featured in the story.

This is a wonderful series for those reluctant to pick up a book, and BONE: CROWN OF HORNS makes for a thrilling addition. show less

Crown of Horns is the last book in the amazing Bone series. This book is the crowning point (pardon the pun) to a great series. When I read the first book, I wasn't sure I'd like the Bone series. But it sucked me into its whirlwind of wit and drama and I couldn't stop. When I finished book 6, I didn't own any of the others. Luckily, a close friend stepped in and helped me out by lending me her copies of books 7, 8, and 9. Another devout Bone reader, she and I decided that Jeff Smith should definitely write more. I mean, the ending of Crown of Horns was somewhat a cop-out. I mean, who's going to believe they actually get back to Boneville? Even if Smiley and Phoney did, I think Fone Bone should have stayed behind with Thorn and Gran'ma show more Ben.
Anyone could tell that's what he would have been happier doing. And, to tell you the truth, I think Smiley would have been happier staying behind in the valley as well. The Bone characters were amazingly three-dimensional, not just flat goof-balls that don't have any personality.
The Bone series was a great read for me. I just LOVED it. It was possibly the best graphic novel(s) I've ever read.
Thanks for reading my review! I think I'll go write Jeff Smith a letter telling him to write some more Bone books now... show less