Piper Blog Tour: Review

Hey guys! Welcome to the last stop in the Piper Blog Tour! Enjoy!

Authors: Jay Asher and Jessica Freeburg

Illustrator: Jeff Stokely

Genre: Graphic Novel

Rating: 4

BOOK DESCRIPTION

One girl's fairy-tale prince becomes her worst nightmare in this eerie graphic-novel retelling of the Pied Piper legend from Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why.

Bestselling author Jay Asher and co-author Jessica Freeburg brilliantly reimagine the classic Pied Piper legend as a powerful story about loneliness, love, and vengeance.

Long ago, in a small village in the middle of a deep, dark forest, there lived a lonely young girl named Maggie. Maggie is deaf and is shunned by her village because of this. Her only comfort comes from inventing stories and dreaming of one day finding her fairy-tale love.

When Maggie meets the mysterious Piper, it seems that all her wishes are coming true. Spellbound, Maggie falls for him and plunges headfirst into his magical world. But as she grows closer to the Piper, Maggie discovers that he has a dark side ... and an even darker past. Will the boy of Maggie's dreams end up being her worst nightmare? 

Review: I'll have to admit I've never been one for graphic novels. You'll find that this is the first review I've done for one. Despite the fact that I don't like them I was intrigued by this story. I've actually never heard the story of the Pied Piper so I don't have much to go on for comparing and contrasting the original to this retelling but I defiantly enjoyed it.

What I loved even more then the story however, was the art work. It has absolutely incredible art. It's very important that if a book has pictures that they are clear and carry the story, especially since most of the plot comes from the pictures and not the words. As they say, a picture tells a thousand words. This book doesn't fail in that area. There were times I was confused because I'm not necessarily used to reading graphic novels but the pictures helped me figure out what was happening and get back on track. 

The main character in this story is named Maggie and she's deaf. I absolutely love this aspect of the story. I watch(ed) Switched at Birth and I've always been super into deaf characters and culture, I'm also taking sign language right now. The villagers treat her terribly (kinda like Belle, she's beautiful but odd) but she still is kind and nice, She doesn't believe even the worst of people are worth nothing. Truly a character to look up to.

The piper is a very interesting character. He's kind to only those he thinks deserve it. He also steals children... So yeah. I honestly wish there had been a redemption ending for him, but that's just me longing for more fluff. I do however, understand where the authors were going with this "real world" type ending instead of your everyday fantasy-fairytale.

I overall really enjoyed it. It had great plot and characters. if you're into graphic novels (Or even if your not) you should defiantly give this book a shot.

AUTHORS BIO

Jay Asher's debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, has regularly appeared on the New York Times bestsellers list during its first decade in print, selling over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone. The Future of Us, his second novel, was co-authored with Printz Honor winner Carolyn Mackler. His third novel, What Light, will be released in October 2016. His novels have been translated into thirty-seven languages. He lives with his family in a California. Follow him @jayasherguy. 

Jessica Freeburg is the author of paranormal fiction (Living in Shadows) and narrative nonfiction works focused on creepy legends and dark moments in history including Monsters of the Midwest, Fight for Survival, and Collapse and Chaos. To blend her love of writing with her passion for history and the paranormal, Jessica founded Ghost Stories Ink, a group of authors, illustrators, and filmmakers who visit historic locations and perform paranormal investigations for creative inspiration. She also serves as the assistant regional advisor for the Minnesota Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Follow her @JessicaFreeburg.

ILLUSTRATOR BIO

Jeff Stokely is the co-creator and artist of Eisner-nominated comic series The Spire. He is the artist of acclaimed series Six-Gun Gorilla and Jim Henson's The Storyteller: Witches, The Reason For Dragons.