Comics Roundup #25: “Geis: A Matter of Life & Death”

And here’s the first graphic novel I read this year.

Geis: A Matter of Life & Death by Alexis Deacon (illus.)

Genre:

YA Fantasy

Pubbed:

2016

Series:

Geis (book 1)

Goodreads summary:

As the great chief matriarch lay dying, she gave one final decree: Upon her death there would be a contest. Having no heir of her own blood she called on the Gods. Let fate decide the one truly worthy to rule in her place. The rich, the strong, the wise, the powerful; many put forward their names in hope of being chosen. But when the night came . . . only fifty souls alone were summoned.

Book one in gripping action, supernatural, and historical fantasy graphic novel trilogy where souls battle in a contest to become the ruler of an island. (Goodreads)

My thoughts:

I picked up this graphic novel series because I often see it featured on Nobrow’s Instagram account. I follow them on IG because I really like the look of their books. When I saw Geis, pronounced “gesh” (it’s a Gaelic word that means taboo or curse), at the library, I immediately grabbed it up out of curiosity.

The story is interesting and entertaining. Basically, potential leaders are gathered to compete in a contest to see who will succeed the dying chief matriarch and for the first part of the contest, which this story is about, they are spread all over the land by a sorceress and must find their way back to the castle before dawn to show that they know the lands they will rule.

I enjoyed reading about the different adventures and seeing how the gesh is entwined in the story. We read from several characters’ perspectives as they race back to the castle and see how the competition affects them. But despite the entertainment from the adventure, I wasn’t captivated by the story because there wasn’t much more to it than that. There is one character that does stand out, and I’d like to learn who exactly she is. She’s the character shown on the cover of the book. I plan to continue with the story just for her.

Art:

I didn’t like it. It’s not the kind I usually like. The shapes and figures are more like sketches in some areas and the color tones are muted and quite bland. I…it didn’t work for me, but I like that the panels are easy to follow and I could tell what’s happening.