Salem Brownstone: All Along The Watchtowers (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I gave this book four stars based mainly on the artwork. It was fantastic! The storyline while being interesting was sub par to the art; in the end it is anticlimactic. The story follows a man named Salem who just inherited his father's estate and responsibilities to protect an orb. If the orb falls in the wrong hands the world would be doomed, being destroyed by mysterious spiritual beings. This is of course not all to the book. The concept is great, the characters are fascinating and diverse, and the dialogue is amusing. I don't want to give too much away, but it seems that there should have of been more to the story. I do think I would recommend this book because it is different from other graphic novels in style and (in some parts) story. It is a good summer read, but that may be all it is. I'll admit I bought this book solely for its cover, which is stunning, but having read it I am thoroughly pleased that I did so. While there are bits of the story that I didn't get or didn't seem to fit, the way the characters interacted, the gripping nature of the tale and the utterly stunning illustrations made this irrelevant. It's tone reminds me greatly of the Lemony Snicket books with all those little oddities in character, place and story that I just find completely enchanting and irresistible, particularly when they're given such a beautiful Gothic twist as they have been here. I feel this is one of those books you just have to try to see if its for you, and I do hope it is as it is a beautiful addition to any collection.
What do You think about Salem Brownstone: All Along The Watchtowers (2009)?
What can I say? It appeals to the goth boy in me. I was smitten...
—MamaJo
With art like this, I am willing to overlook a lackluster story.
—sedua
Great illustrations, but story didn't quite live up to it.
—luke
