Manga Classics: Les Misérables

SYNOPSIS:

Adapted for stage and screen, loved by millions, Victor Hugo's classic novel of love and tragedy set in 19th century France is reborn in this fantastic new manga edition!

Gorgeous and expressive art brigns to life the unforgettable stories of Jean Valjean, Inspector Javert, and the tragic Fantine in this epic adaptation of Les Misérables!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ This is one of the best classic stories I've read so far. and thanks to this graphic novel that I was able to read the entire story of Les Miserables. I watched the movie, and have read the story; and now, I'm looking forward to be able to see in person the musical in the future. I may also add that while reading the part of Eponine's unrequited love, I can't help myself from singing On My Own – my favorite song in the musical – especially on the part where she always see Cosette and Marius together. Just like me, I think a lot of readers would be able to sympathized with her because once or twice in their life, they have experienced Eponine's predicament.

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Manga Classics: Great Expectations

SYNOPSIS:

Great Expectations has it all: romance, mystery, comedy, and unforgettable characters woven through a gripping rags-to-riches tale. Naive Pip, creepy Miss Haversham, beautifully cold Estella, terrifying Abel Magwitch, and the rest of Dicken’s fantastic cast are perfectly envisioned in this new adaptation in this 300-plus page volume featuring artwork by artist Nokman Poon. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Whenever I visit a bookstore, I always check the classics book corner and the story of Great Expectations always catch my eye. I want to purchase a copy but what's holding me is that aside that it's thick – the size of the font is quite small – which made it hard to read. Thanks to this graphic novel, I've finally read the beautiful and poignant story of this classic.

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Manga Classics: Sense and Sensibility

SYNOPSIS:

Impulsive Marianne Dashwood and cautious Elinor are as different as two sisters could be, yet both are shattered by their father's sudden Death. Elinor's attachment to the reserved Edward Ferrars is torn asunder by family opposition and his own dark secret, while Marianne's brilliant romance with the dashing John Willoughby comes to a tumultuous end in a devastating public betrayal. Can the two sisters overcome these trials to find true, lasting happiness?

Jane Austen's beloved first novel, filled with romance, redemption and social critique, is brought to life for a modern audience in this gorgeous manga-style adaptation!

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I'm giving this 5 stars not because of the story; but because of how the illustrations done by Po Tse, and on how good Stacy King was able to squeezed into 300 pages the entire tale of this classic story. The story of Sense & Sensibility is a typical romance story, which we could still read on some pocketbook novels nowadays. If I could the story alone, I would only give it 4 stars. I neither like it nor hate it; but I admit that I like some characters in the story especially Elinor and Colonel Brandon. I was even rooting for them but in the end, Austen still paired Colonel Brandon with Marianne.

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Manga Classics: Scarlet Letter

SYNOPSIS:

A powerful tale of forbidden love, shame, and revenge comes to life in Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter. Faithfully adapted by Crystal Chan from the original novel, this new edition features stunning artwork by SunNeko Lee (Manga Classics: Les Miserables) which will give old and new readers alike a fresh insight into the Nathaniel Hawthorne's tragic saga of Puritan America. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ How odd that they keep on mentioning the Man in Black and how peculiar Pearl's personality is; not to mention that Chillingworth is really creepy. I still haven't read the novel of Scarlet Letter, and thanks to this graphic novel, I became aware that there's a sect or religion of Puritan that practices purity and simplicity. I gave this 5 stars because while reading the story - particularly the characterization - I was able to guess that there is some kind of magic or witchcraft going on; and I even suspect that Illuminati or the New World Order is involved. Moreover, the bittersweet conclusion to the love story of Arthur and Hester is a little heart-wrenching. Lastly, it also shows us some moral lessons such as no one's perfect, being honest, practice empathy, and always be forgiving.

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Manga Classics: Jungle Book

SYNOPSIS:

Heavily influenced by his childhood in British-ruled India, Rudyard Kipling created some of the most well-read children s stories in Western Culture. Book One of The Jungle Book(s) includes Mowgli s Brothers, the story of Mowgli, the abandoned man-cub who was raised by animals in the Indian jungle, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi the heroic mongoose, and Toomai of the Elephants, the tale of a young elephant-handler, and in The White Seal, we meet Kotick, a rare white-furred northern fur seal as he searches for a home where his family will not be hunted by humans. Originally published as a series of short stories for magazines in the late 1800s, the Nobel Prize-winning Rudyard Kipling would eventually publish the classic The Jungle Book in 1894."

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Thank you to the effort of those who are behind the publication of this graphic novel of The Jungle Book because through this, I've finally got to read this awesome classic book. Before, I thought that the story of The Jungle Book is only about the boy who grew up in the jungle; instead, it is a compilation of short stories. Aside from the first story, which is the well-known tale of the jungle boy, Mowgli, there are several stories that I like in this book: the story of mongoose Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and The White Seal.

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Manga Classics: Jane Eyre

SYNOPSIS:

As an orphaned child, Jane Eyre is first cruelly abused by her aunt, then cast out and sent to a charity school. Though she meets with further abuse, she receives an education, and eventually takes a job as a governess at the estate of Edward Rochester. Jane and Rochester begin to bond, but his dark moods trouble her. When Jane uncovers the terrible secret Rochester has been hiding, she flees and finds temporary refuge at the home of St. John Rivers.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ Two years ago, I was able to read the unabridged story of Jane Eyre. I fell in love with the story right away and I've finished reading it within a week without skipping any parts or pages; I even consider it number one on my favorite classic books. I also got to watched several movie adaptations of this novel: from the latest 2011 version, 1983 and yes — even the 1973 version. That shows how much I admire this classic. When I saw that there's a graphic novel published, I didn't waste any time to check out if they made a good adaptation of this well-loved novel. Thumbs up for all those who are behind the publication because everything about this is magnificent. I would definitely recommend this to my friends or acquaintances, especially those who still haven't read the book, to check out this graphic novel; so they will be also included to the the millions who got enchanted with the story.

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Manga Classics: Emma

SYNOPSIS:

Just in time for the 200th Anniversary, Manga Classics: Emma brings Jane Austen's classic tale of youthful folly and romantic exuberance to a modern audience with this beautiful, new manga adaptation. The impulsive match-making of Emma Woodhouse delivers both humor and heartache through the gorgeous artwork of manga-ka Po Tse (Manga Classics: Pride and Prejudice). - Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ I'm grateful that the publisher has given me an opportunity to download and read these amazing adaptations to manga of some of the classics. I admit that I still haven't read my copy of the novel of this particular classic book; so this manga version is a big help because I was able to read on how amazing this story is. Reading the novel version would take me at least a week or more to be able to finish because they are really long. But this manga adaptation/graphic novel really made it easier for those who want to read it because we're able to read it for several days only.

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Cimarron Girl by Mike Blanc

SYNOPSIS from Goodreads:

The story is a fictional recollection of young Abigail’s experiences on the family’s Oklahoma prairie farm. Located in Cimarron, the heart of the Dust Bowl, Abby’s first-person account chronicles key episodes each year as the depth of the drought unfolds. As she grows, personal perspectives are woven from actual events. Readers experience the challenges, sacrifices, and dreams of farmers, whose story of loss was echoed by the millions. The Brubakers struggle to hold their family farm, face harsh realities, and hope for a new start in California. A journey across the southwest over legendary Route 66 carries adventure, a chance meeting, and peels back several layers of the Great Migration.

Cimarron Girl, The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker, reflects Dust Bowl history, but moreover, it’s a story about family. When challenges are faced, virtues are to be lived. Courage, fortitude, and kindness are underlying themes at the soft heart of Cimarron Girl.

Net profits from Cimarron Girl, The Dust Bowl Years of Abigail Brubaker, will support the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis. Oak Clinic’s singular mission is to treat and empower individuals and families living with multiple sclerosis, regardless of their ability to pay.

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MY RATING: ★★★★ I admit that before reading this, I don't know anything about the history of the great depression in the 1930's onward in America. This novel is a good read because it recounts the story of the infamous drought, dust storms and depression. Even though the story is a little bit short, the intensity of those catastrophes through the eyes of a little girl could still be felt by the readers. Probably because young readers is the target audience of this book, the story is quite short. That's the only complaint I have on this. But overall, children will love this book because of the illustrations and the plot of the story.

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Superfail by Max Brunner

SYNOPSIS:

Laser vision isn't so hot when you're cross-eyed, and supersonic flight's a real downer when motion sickness keeps you grounded.

Twelve-year-old Marshall Preston is a Defective--a person with superhuman abilities that are restricted by some very human setbacks. While other kids are recruited to superhero teams, Marshall's stuck in seventh grade with a kid who can run at super speed but can't turn a corner, another with a radioactive peanut allergy that turns him into a swollen Hulk, and a telepath who reads everyone's thoughts out loud.

Defectives like Marshall aren't exactly superhero material, but when he uncovers a plot to destroy one of the greatest superhero teams of all time, Marshall and his less-than-super friends set out to prove that just because you're defective doesn't mean you can't save the day.

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ This comics has a potential to make it big because not only kids but also adults will no doubt have a good laugh while reading this. I also love the positive lesson it wants to convey to readers that it doesn't matter if we are defective or not perfectly to be a hero; all it takes it our willpower to be. From now on, I'm adding this to my list of comics to be followed.

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Atlantis: The King's Return by D.K. Combs

 

SYNOPSIS:

Ambrose. The name is not only feared, but shunned and reviled. He’s a monster sentenced to a life of desolation and loneliness, and no one but his tormentor knows his whereabouts — at the bottom of the ocean. A creature of the sea cursed because of one simple mistake…

Mari. Her life was a small happy bubble until it’s popped by the finding out that her boyfriend has been cheating on her — just as the cruise ship she’s on starts to sink! She’s sure that death is near until she drowns upon an underwater cave…and a hulking man with swirling eyes.

Seeing a chance to escape, Ambrose forces the terrified Mari to help them both, but not before ultimately changing her life…and her legs. Their worlds turning upside in the matter of minutes, Ambrose is on a mission to clear his name and Mari’s on a mission to return to land. But how can she do that when she slowly starts to fall for the dangerous, damaged man who only wants to be free…and heal her own heart in the process?

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MY RATING: ★★★ The Atlantis: The King's Return starts with a good beginning. Unfortunately there are several aspects that made the story dull in some parts. If others would like Mari and the whirlwind romance between her and Ambrose, then I'm not certainly not one of them. Another disappointment is the unexpected ending; it ended hastily that will confuse and make readers curious on what happened to some characters, and whether it will be answered on the second book.

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Lisbeth Kaiser: Rosa Parks

		Synopsis: New in the Little People, Big Dreams series, discover the incredible life of Rosa Parks, ' The Mother of the Freedom Movement', in this inspiring story. In this true story of an inspiring civil rights activist, Rosa Parks grew up during segregation in Alabama, but she was taught to respect herself and stand up for her rights. In 1955, Rosa refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her decision had a huge impact on civil rights, eventually leading to the end of segregation on public transport.
With stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, this empowering series celebrates the important life stories of wonderful women of the world. From designers and artists to scientists, all of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. These books make the lives of these role models accessible for children, providing a powerful message to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world!

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My Rating: ★★★★★ The life story of Rosa Parks is a very good way on teaching kids to treat everyone with equality. This children's book should be promoted so that a lot of young readers will be inform of the absurdity of racism. We may not be aware of it, but racism still do exist even at present. It always up to the parents, teachers, or guardians of children to teach them that whatever color or from wherever you came from, we are all coequal. Lastly, Rosa Parks' bravery and standing up for what is right also set as an example and inspiration not only to children but also to adults.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon:

Rosa Parks by Lisbeth Kaiser

SYNOPSIS:
 New in the Little People, Big Dreams series, discover the incredible life of Rosa Parks, ' The Mother of the Freedom Movement', in this inspiring story. In this true story of an inspiring civil rights activist, Rosa Parks grew up during segregation in Alabama, but she was taught to respect herself and stand up for her rights.

In 1955, Rosa refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her decision had a huge impact on civil rights, eventually leading to the end of segregation on public transport. With stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, this empowering series celebrates the important life stories of wonderful women of the world.

From designers and artists to scientists, all of them went on to achieve incredible things, yet all of them began life as a little child with a dream. These books make the lives of these role models accessible for children, providing a powerful message to inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world!

 

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MY RATING: ★★★★★ The life story of Rosa Parks is a very good way on teaching kids to treat everyone with equality. This children's book should be promoted so that a lot of young readers will be inform of the absurdity of racism. We may not be aware of it, but racism still do exist even at present. It always up to the parents, teachers, or guardians of children to teach them that whatever color or from wherever you came from, we are all coequal. Lastly, Rosa Parks' bravery and standing up for what is right also set as an example and inspiration not only to children but also to adults.

If you are interested in this book, you may buy it from Amazon: