Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Cemetery Girl: Book One - The Pretenders

Cemetery Girl: Book One - The Pretenders
by Charlaine Harris and Christopher Golden

Having been a fan of Charlaine Harris' novels for many years, and also of Christopher Golden's TV series tie-in novelizations for just as long, I was pleased to see this graphic novel (with illustrations by Don Kramer) on the "new books" display recently and gave it a shot. I'm very glad I did. This is billed as the first in a three-part graphic novel storyline. A young woman is dumped in a cemetery and left for dead, but awakens not long after with no memory of who she is except for the knowledge that somebody wants her dead. Hiding in the cemetery, she gives herself a new name, cobbled together from various tombstones, and takes up residence in an unlocked but surprisingly comfortable crypt. This would have been enough of an existence, befriended by the elderly cemetery keeper and a curious woman from the neighborhood. But Calexa Rose Dunhill's life is far from simple. She seems to have the ability to commune with recently departed spirits, and when she witnesses a ritualistic slaying in the cemetery after hours, she finds herself bound inexorably with the spirit of the murdered girl. Her struggles to achieve justice for this young victim, without exposing herself to further danger, is the theme of this installment. Well written, with excellent art. I look forward to the remaining two parts in upcoming months. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library

[If you enjoy this, the libraries now have a growing collection of graphic novels based on contemporary urban fantasy authors' works -- check out those graphic stories based on novels by Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher and/or Laurell K. Hamilton.]

[ official Video Trailer for "The Pretenders" ] | [ official Charlaine Harris web site ]


Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

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