kgbooklog

Albert Uderzo, Asterix and the Falling Sky
(translated by Anthea Bell and Derek Hockridge)
Orion (2005) ISBN: 0752873016
Score: -2

Another solo Asterix graphic novel by Uderzo, in which the series unmistakably jumps the shark. Good (Disney style) aliens and bad (Japanese style) aliens bring their deadlocked war to ancient Gaul, each hoping to grab the secret of the magic potion to give their side an edge. Predictable events follow, and then the good alien erases everyone's memory (but not the reader's, unfortunately).

John Connolly, The Book of Lost Things
Atria (2006) ISBN: 0-7432-9885-3
Score: 1

A 12-year-old boy in WWII England follows his dead mother's voice into a world of twisted fairy tales. I have no idea what age audience this is intended for: most YA readers probably aren't interested in heroes younger than they are, but there are bits that probably aren't appropriate for younger readers (the consequences of adults "laying together" is a plot point in a couple places), and the author's other books seem to be dark mysteries.

Next Book: Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study