GEIS : A Matter of Life and Death to the title: A Matter of Life & Death Hardcover – Illustrated, 17 May 2016

The artwork is amazing although the story is quite light. It moves along at a great pace, with some really interesting characters and some interesting world building.My main criticism is that it ends very abruptly. Although this is intended as a trilogy I think this story would be best served as an omnibus edition with all 3 books read at once. I will definitely purchase the collected book once it's released.

A birthday gift that will grow

As per title.

Great

This is the first volume in a trilogy and ends in a cliffhanger, but that's O.K. because the volume is so loaded with action, setup, tension and menace, that it works even as a stand-alone.The Great Chief has died and has left behind a contest that will determine who will be her successor. So far, so good. Fifty souls will compete and the winner will become Chief. That sounds like this will mostly be adventure-action. But, no. Or more to the point - not only. There's lots more than that going on, and lots more at stake.MILD SPOILERS. Our heroine is a young teen girl. She is of no particular account, since most of the fifty competitors are personages of some importance. The competition starts with all fifty being flung out across the Kingdom and tasked with returning by dawn. O.K. But the competition is being overseen by a tricky sorceress, and that's where things get complicated. No more hints or spoilers. We follow several contestants and the tale is sort of like Chaucer meets fantasy quest. We have connivers, nobles, heroes, cowards, merchants, lazy lumps, and so on. They look out for themselves and hobble and impede each other. Our heroine runs across most of them, and holds her own. It's all very ripping with sorcerous undercurrents.This all works in part because of the interesting choices made in terms of illustration. At first I thought Maxfield Parrish, but that isn't quite right. It isn't that busy or Deco. Think more in terms of newspaper comics from the 30's and 40's. Say, "Little Nemo". The drawing is pencil and ink, (I think), and the coloring is in faded pastel washes. The story is set in a vaguely Medieval time and place, and this mild, faded, old-ish style works very well. That said, the drawing is crisp, the characters are quite expressive, and there is fine attention to detail so that the action, even when wild and stylized, is always clear and comprehensible.This is understated and elegant stuff. The combination of art and storytelling works, the pacing is good, and there is a certain "classic" feel that underlies the tale. To my mind this is a nice and interesting find worth continuing to follow. (Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

This is a fantastic graphic novel that I look forward to passing onto younger family members as its suitable for all ages. It is an unpredictable dazzling story with gorgeous painterly images. Highly anticipate the next installments. You will not regret the purchase!

This is a beautiful graphic novel, the first in a trilogy. As ever, Alexis Deacon's artwork is absolutely stunning - absorbing, menacing, atmospheric, sympathetic. I read it through the first time gripped by the story, and then have lingered over it since to look at the pictures. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

Atmospheric and unique; if you have seen any of his children's books you will know that Deacon is a quality illustrator and writer. This is a book written for love not market forces and is an antidote to mainstream graphic novels. Pencil, ink and gouache are combined with incredible skill. Expect folkloric fantasy elements, bravery and menacing spookiness.