Spindrift

This is a review for the webcomic "Spindrift" by Elsa Kroese
Spindrift
For the latest page go here:Spindrift - Latest Page

Question: What do you get when you put  a soap-opera, high-fantasy, interesting family dynamics, a spunky heroine, angels and demons, your favorite comic books, militant warfare, with the internet in a blender and then hit "Liquify"?

Answer: You get the beautiful and wonderfully illustrated web-comic "Spindrift".

Set in a plane of existence, far far away, "Spindrift" is populated by people with wings that appear on demand, tribal animal-like nomads tattooed with strange symbols, and of course their meddling gods. What does "Spindrift" mean? That you'll have to find out for yourself.

The story bounces between the beautiful-winged Alar people and the tribal nomads the Ilidrei, and a young woman, Morwenna, who's a cross between both. Abandoned by her mother to be raised in the home of her armor-smith uncle and cousin, Morwenna has been segregated to not have wings like the rest of the Alar. But for her Ilidrei father, who's facing civil war among his people, the key to saving them lies in gaining an upper advantage, even if that means jeopardizing the family Morwenna would do anything to protect.

I can say proudly that I've been a fan of "Spindrift" for over a year, and every time there's an update I run as fast as my wireless mouse can get me to it's gorgeous pixels. I can just sit there and drool over every page for an hour, it's that good. The time and effort that's put into this comic is amazing and it shows in the quality. Sometimes, updates are delayed due to the authors busy schedule, but she's always conscientious about letting them know ahead of time.

Now, I do have a confession to make. I've only started reading comics/graphic novels seriously for the past two years, and searching out web-comics for the past year. That being said, I'm seriously addicted now, and it's like my soap-opera where every week is "Cliffhanger Friday".

Unlike a full-fledged comic book, where everything is spiffy and printed and ready to buy, this one is different. Like most web-comics, they're a product of love for the story and artwork being presented. Updates for "Spindrift" are usually every Thursday, sometimes every two-weeks.There's no knowing for sure who will be the star of the page each week, and the unresolved plot line means that you're always in for a surprise.

The expanding roles and depth to each character is a treat in itself, and I can only say that I await eagerly for the next installment. If "Spindrift" is ever professionally published and printed as an omnibus or volume series, I would be more than happy to put my money where my mouth is and buy a few hardcover copies. Autographed, of course.

Spindrift is also on Facebook, Twitter, DeviantART, and on the web. Sneak peeks and line-art of the comics can be found on their DeviantART group page.

-BurnTheMidnightOil

This is a review for "Zero Sum" by B. Justin Shier, Amazon Kindle Edition.
Available here:Zero Sum by B.J.Shier

"Did you know for the low cost of twenty thousand souls you could be the proud owner of a Kraken?" - Dieter Resnick

It's the aftermath of the first real battle in Dieter Resnick's life.
Elliot College is in shambles after the shadowy organization known as Talmax attacks without warning, leaving friend and foe alike, dead. As a result, Dieter's training in the elite magus squad IKAM is sped up, and it's do or die trying to survive orientation.

In the second book of the Zero Sight series by B. Justin Shier, we're plunged deeper into the world ruled by magic, vampires, were's, and old wrongs. Unfortunately for Dieter, it's a little more complicated than that.

For one, he's hearing a freaky-sounding voice in his head, and it isn't entirely friendly when it comes to his self-preservation or that of others.

For two, Dieter's weft-link with Rei Acerba, the vampire Princess, is acting up, making him feel out of control of his emotions, and igniting blood-lust he's frightened will become too easy to accept.

And third, oh yeah, he's the only one that can save the world.

"I love this one. He beats himself up ahead of time." -Gaston Spinoza.

Enter the mercenary Spinoza, whose idea is "Pain = Gain" is synonymous with "Learning Skills = Broken Bones." He pushes the Lambda house to face a stark reality: War is not for the indecisive or the weak-willed. As the elite group of students train together, they learn that the only way to survive this war is to rely on each other.

Shier leads us further into the world of the Conscious, the Magi, and the use of Mana or magic, to you Imperiti (humans). The study of war leaves little time for socializing, something that Dieter wishes there was more of between him and his weft-partner Rei.

But when a surprise attack is the only means to destroy Talmax's hold in the desert Southwest, a cross-country road trip to Las Vegas could turn ugly before the Lambda house can even make it past Elliot's gates.

The only complaints I really have about this book is the editing. I wish Shier was hiring for one because I'd do it in a heartbeat, but I hope to God he gets one soon. He's gotten better than last time but there are still a few tweaks needed in the continuity and spelling department. Other than that, it's a well imagined story and describes the pitfalls of new relationships and coming to terms with one's identity in a way that is relatable to a young adults and teenagers. There are still unanswered questions about Dieter's past, what's in store for his future, and if he can trust the people that are teaching him.

I'm looking forward to the next installment and the expanding world of Elliot College and whether or not Dieter will survive the next semester. Saving the world? No problem. Graduating? We'll see...

B.Justin Shier well written blog can be found at http://www.bjshier.com

-BurnTheMidnightOilReader