Customer Reviews

Vogelein: Clockwork Faerie

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When reading Vogelein I was reminded of the sense of simple joy and wonder that came over me when I first read Jeff Smith's Bone series.

Like Smith, Irwin manages to mix a sweetness that recalls the power and simplicity of one's earliest exposure to fairy tales with a deeper, darker and more mature story that will grip the adult audience on an entirely different level while still being completely suitable for children. It is the kind of story that one can grow up with, taking new bits and pieces from each reading and from the time and place occupied in life.

Irwin also mines some of the same territory as Neil Gaiman, reworking selective bits of a wide variety of old myths into her own modern cosmology. Her hard work and genuine desire to create a unique world that lives and breathes is evident in the small touches. The subjects she has worked into her story range from mythology to horology (the study of time pieces).

This first effort from Irwin shows great promise. Through its distinctive artwork and tightly woven story telling, she has crafted a wonderful introduction to her creation. With her dedication to quality and wide appeal to readers of all ages let us hope that the next issues become available soon.

Today at a comic sale I picked up Jane Irwin's Vogelein for a song. Fae in an urban setting is a weakness for me, so I gambled I might like it. At the time, I didn't notice the blurb on the back cover by Charles De Lint, which would have clinched it for me anyway. "Vogelein is a sweet and fresh take on contemporary fairy tales."

It is a beautiful story, with bittersweet dark overtones as the main character learns to live with the changes and difficulties she faces as a Clockwork Faerie who needs to be wound every day. Her life has been long, and wrought with tragedies. She has met and been dependant on people, good and bad. And she meets a fae, bitter with what the world has done to him. I for one, can not wait for more!

If you want to try it for yourself, you can read the first chapter on the author's website:
[...]
((Apparently I'm not allowed to put the website, but if you do a search, you'll find it))

This story belongs on any bookshelf next to Gaiman's Neverwhere, Sandman, De Lint's Newford, or a Changeling: The Dreaming collection. This is one for the dreamers.

The great reviews of Vogelein I've seen in library journals and around the web are all true.

Vogelein is wonderful in every way -- expressive art, grippingly well-paced storytelling ... it's a treat to read, and I can't wait for the next volume to come out.

I have not read many graphic novels, but I did enjoy this one. It was a good story line, and you really gain a sense of the character's personalities. I just wish more happened in the book, but I guess there is a sequel that may fill in some of the blanks I was left with.

Vogelein is beautiful, art and writing combine to form an excellent story of this delicate Clockwork Faerie.

The second volume just came out, so make sure to pick up Old Ghosts too!