Graphic Novel Review – Ravine Vol 2 by Stjepan Sejic and Ron Marz(5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Release Date: October 21, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1607067689
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Ravine series
Source: Gift
Rating: 5/5 stars

This is the second book in the Ravine graphic novel series and it was very well done. I absolutely love the illustration throughout and am also enjoying the characters a lot.

The evil Nebezial is still trying to control dragons and take over everything. Stein and Lynn de Luctes are mostly ignorant as to these doings and end up on a journey to the town of Wade. Here Stein hopes to fix his runeglass and get some winter gear so that him and Lynn can continue on their journey. Bonus stories about the Duchess of Corredon and about how Stein helped Peter free the city of Wade are included at the end of the novel.

Much of this novel is dedicated to Lynn and Stein traveling together and learning how to trust each other in the trials ahead. We learn a lot about Stein’s past and some of his strangeness and also learn more of Lynn’s background. Meanwhile caravans are being attacked by dragons and the Palladian King sends Antheus and Arthur to try and track down the source of these attacks.

I really enjoy the characters of Lynn and Stein; the dialogue between the two is fun and snarky. I love that they both have complex pasts and histories. The illustration really adds to the story; it is incredibly detailed, has amazing color, and the characters are given wonderful facial expressions. In fact the facial expressions on the characters in here really stand out and add a lot to the story.

My only complaint is that this story jumps around a lot. It would have been nice to have a little bubble letting you know when you were switch places/POVs. Occasionally there is a bubble letting you know you are switching location, but it’s inconsistent. There is an index of character names/pictures in the back; I wish this had been in the front because I was struggling to remember who everyone was and then I got to the back and was like “Ah ha! This would have been really helpful before I read the story!”

Overall this was another incredibly beautiful and entertaining installment in the Ravine series. I love the fantasy setting and the complex character in here. I also really love the unique and beautiful illustration style. I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy fantasy graphic novels. Now I can’t wait for the third one to release!

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge