URBAN FANTASY: Small Shen - Kylie Chan, Queenie Chan

Release Date: 01/12/12

SYNOPSIS:

Small Shen is the amazing story of Gold - a stone spirit and a chronic troublemaker in the court of the great Gods of Chinese mythology. A mix of Kylie Chan's brilliant storytelling and Queenie Chan's beautiful illustrations, Small Shen is a fantastic treat for fans of White Tiger. Readers will be thrilled to discover the events leading up to John Chen and Emma Donahoe's story in this wonderful prequel. Shown through Queenie Chan's stunning illustrations and comics, the story follows the stone spirit Gold's entertaining adventures throughout history. His escapades include seducing a dragon princess, attempting to steal one of the Tiger's wives, making bets with demons, and working for the Blue Dragon of the East. Eventually, as a result of his crimes against Heaven and his constant philandering, Gold is ordered to join the household of Xuan Wu, the Dark Lord of the Northern Heavens. Xuan Wu is also known as John Chen, a Hong Kong businessman. The story then follows Gold and Jade - the dragon princess - in contemporary Hong Kong. The two small shen must help guard John Chen's beloved human wife and baby daughter from demon attack. John Chen is vulnerable to attack while living on Earth, but his family are in the most danger of all...Small Shen is a unique piece of work for fans of Kylie Chan to treasure, but also a fantastic introduction to this gripping series.


REVIEW:

I’ve really enjoyed the wonderful inventive series of Kylie Chan that blends Urban Fantasy with Chinese myth in modern times yet this time, instead of focusing on current events, the reader is given a prequel as seen through the eyes of the stone spirit, Gold.

As with the series its wonderfully rich in culture, gives the reader a story with some magical twists and whilst it fills in some of the gaps hinted at in the earlier books, really manages to keep one hell of a punch to keep the reader glued. All round a cracking tale and one I was more than pleased I got to spend the time with. Great stuff and I really can’t wait to see what Kylie delivers next.

GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Odd is on our Side - Dean Koontz, Queenie Chan, Fred Van Lente

Release Date: 30/09/10

BOOK BLURB:

The second graphic novel adventure featuring Dean Koontz's hugely popular character, Odd Thomas. It's almost Halloween in Pico Mundo, and that means it's time for the annual Safe Halloween Party, hosted by Police Chief Porter. All seems perfectly normal -- until Odd catches sight of the ghost of a young girl who seems to be trying to join in the festivities. Odd's next clue that something threatens his peaceful town is the appearance of a swarm of bodachs -- supernatural beings who herald some deadly event. With the help of his girlfriend, Stormy, and some vital information from the ghost of Elvis Presley, will Odd be able to forestall disaster?


REVIEW:

An Odd title with an Odd lead character. Yep, that’s the characters name and whilst most people are aware of the Odd titles by Dean Koontz, a great many haven’t yet come across the graphic novel versions (of which this is the second) which are just as delightful. It’s definitely something quirky; it’s a title that I got a lot of fun from and it’s one that adds to the rich tapestry that Dean has woven within his writing. A seriously good piece of escapism that will please, as well as occupy the reader’s thoughts when away from its pages. Back that up with a Moreish attitude and you know that the previous novels won’t be far off a reread.