Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Fables: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham

Last year when I hosted Fairy Tale Fridays, I was recommended by both FICTION STATE OF MIND and West Virginia Red Reads to read the Fables series by Bill Willingham.  With my love of the classic tales, particularly with a modern spin, they both thought it would be the perfect pick for me.  Since then, these books have always been in the back of my mind.  Occasionally, I would check the shelves of the library or my local bookstores for the books.  I flipped through a couple intrigued, but never really knew where to start.  Then one day, I had one of those rare trips to the library without my children in tow.  Before leaving, I decided to try my luck in the graphic novel section and I got lucky!  A number of the Fables books were sitting right there in front of me.  I immediately started researching the series to find the first.  Once again, I got lucky!  Legends in Exile was there!

Legends in Exile is the first book in the Fables series, featuring the history behind the tale and the very first mystery.  As the name implies, the legends of the fairy tales we grew up with have been exiled from their home lands by a mysterious lord.  They have bound themselves into one of two communities . . . one that can live among the humans and the others who would draw too much attention among us.  They have formed their own government, justice system, and leaders.  And, they have adjusted to living in their new roles.

In the first installment, however, a shake-up occurs . . . Rose Red suffers a bloody disappearance and she is feared dead by the leader and her sister, Snow White and the "police chief," Bigby Wolf (aka The Big Bad Wolf).  They work together to discover the truth behind the mess and keep the fable community on the down-low.

Legends in Exile has definitely caught my attention and I am now on the hunt for the next in the series, Animal Farm.  I want to know what might come next, who may make the next appearance (or disappearance), and I honestly want to step into Willingham's artistic world and see how he will portray the exiles next!

WARNING:  This is a graphic novel meant for an older audience!

Have you already discovered Fables or am I the last to have picked up these books?

6 comments:

  1. I love Fables and have the entire series, including some of the spin-off books about Jack.

    But, they are totally for adults, I wouldn't want my kids to accidentally read them.

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  2. You're definitely not the last to know because this is the first I've heard of the series! Sounds great though!

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  3. I definitely want to get to this series at some point but haven't yet. Maybe this winter!

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  4. Ticia ... I wouldn't want my kids reading them either! They are definitely for the older audience! I can't wait to read more though!

    lisa :) ... You should totally check them out!

    Kristen M. ... I recommend it! I can't wait to read the next one. I may even cave and just buy them eventually.

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  5. I just recently noticed this series in the bookstore and I was quite intrigued. Sounds like I need to get started on it.

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  6. Lisa ... I would definitely recommend at least the first! I haven't received my copy of the second yet from the library, so I will keep you posted on the rest!

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