This marks my first graphic novel review (on this blog, but also, ever). I occasionally read graphic novels, and it depends on the artwork, but I generally enjoy them. This one caught my eye because, hello! "Girl" in the title, a woman wearing glasses and holding a wrench on the cover... Graphic novels are so rarely written, designed, and marketed to women. Not to mention, it's won an award from School Library Journal and multiple Hugo awards!Billed as a "steampunk fantasy adventure," it is all of those things.The story is set during an Industrial Revolution that has driven Europe to war. Scientists (magicians?) gifted with "the Spark" are coveted, trapped, employed, and used to develop weapons. Previously, a ruling family, by the name of Heterodyne, kept the peace - but they are all dead or fled.Agatha, the heroine, is a young student at Transylvania Polygnostic University, struggling to create and build mechanical objects. One hectic day, she loses the locket her parents insisted she wear all the time. As a direct result, she attracts the attention of the villain, the Baron Wulfenbach who rules the land. She ends up held hostage on the Baron's castle, an airship flotilla, where she falls into adventures and scrapes, makes friends and enemies, finally realizes her potential as a mechanical maker, discovers her heritage ... and agrees to serve the Emperor of All Cats (his name is Krosp).Witty, fast-paced and full of interesting characters both dull and bright, good and evil, kind and cruel, this is a hilarious high-octane, rolicking romp of a story. The artwork is great, veering from grey scale to vibrant as the storyline moves from present to past. The facial expressions are my favorite.It's been out for a while, so it should be at your local library. Go check it out! Wonderful adventure! I'm actually a lot further into the series than book 3 but just want to leave a general review for the series. This story has me so well engage I'm struggling to take breaks from it. I adore Agatha and all her many side kicks. Dupree is awesome and I could just go on and on naming characters I love. It's a little frustrating how long it takes to get the main elements of the story to move on, but given its over eleven years in the masking its hardly surprising.
What do You think about Girl Genius Omnibus Volume One: Agatha Awakens (2012)?
I laughed out loud at some parts of later volumes. This series is Fun.
—mimi007
I LOVE THIS SERIES. That is a horrible review but I don't even care.
—Chelsea
Finished it in a day! More than 300 pages and done!
—kellyconnolly
