Genre: Children/Inspirational (Ages 3 to 12 years)
Pages (paper): 42
Via: Author/publicist request
Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kimber: Okay, okay. The headline for this post is a really bad take-off on one of our favorite novellas. Hint: Norman Maclean. Mom’s idea. So blame her, okay?
Anywho, we had mixed reactions to this short and to-the-point children’s book. The main reason we had mixed reactions is because one of us just finished plowing through a read that was as dense as peanut butter. And not nearly as tasty. The other was just being her Ole Curmudgeonly self. Hi, Mom.
Note: We received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
How an interplanetary ex-bodyguard with a ray gun winds up as a fruit picker with an artificial leg is the focus of this light and fluffy graphic novel by E.B. Roshan.
When we first meet Rex he’s picking fruit on a farm in the Vega system. It seems an odd choice for a former bodyguard. Think Han Solo meets Lurch in the San Joaquin Valley.
But when Sir Sarpedon returns to the farm unexpectedly and sees Rex with a ray guy, the former pretty much freaks out. Apparently fruit pickers and ray guns don’t mix. That changes when Rex saves Sarpedon from an attack by a deadly tree viper, courtesy of some smokin’ hot shootin’.
Next thing ya know, Rex is offered a chance to join Sarpedon’s security team. He takes it. And joins Sarpedon and crew members Fido and Theo aboard the Black Stone. Their job is to collect “dues” from farmers on “harvest moons” for their boss, Lord Delta. Aka: Stealing.
Turns out Sarpedon isn’t exactly a warm and cuddly kinda guy. In fact, he’s a jerk.
When the ship lands on Delta Three to meet Lord Delta, said Lord can’t be found. So Sarpedon and Rex decide to cool their jets at a local watering hole. Rex tries to rein in Sarpedon’s rude behavior and gets zappified for his trouble. After Rex recovers from his injuries, he’s offered a temp job at the bar. We’re not exactly sure what happens to him or why after that. Cuz the story just kind of walks off a cliff and dives off.
This book is like an omelet – light and fluffy. The pacing is nimble and the story moves quickly. You can read it cover to cover inside of an hour.
We would’ve liked to have read a hard copy that included color illustrations. But the PDF version provided for our Kindle was black and white only. So we won’t be rating this book. However, young readers who enjoy sci fi and/or comic books will enjoy Free. It’s a sweet, uplifting story that’s worth a look-see. It launches on January 15.
Our Rating: 3.5
E.B. Roshan is the author of the Shards of Sevia series. Find out more here.
First, a confession. Her Momness and I grabbed this book off the library shelf for two main reasons: 1) The cover. 2) One of us – I won’t say who – thought it was about a dog. I mean, hey. “Brilliant” and a black dog on the cover? Need I say more?
Well. We only had like 98 seconds to make a selection, so gimme a break, okay?
Then we got home. And started reading. Turns out one of us was way off the kibble on this book. By about a mile a half. So, listen up, Cupcake! I’m gonna tell ya what this book is really about, okay?
Kimber: Mom! Mom! I finally got myself in my very own book!! Can you see me doing back flips!?
Her Momness: “Slow down there, Kimmi. What are you talking about?”
Kimber: Well, okay. It wasn’t me exactly. But it coulda been! Cuz We Also Served is about animal heroes. You know. Like me! Or maybe my cousins! I’ll let Mom tell you more:
Pages & Paws 