The Great Cow Race (Bone, Volume 2)
by Jeff Smith
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jeff SmithBrand: GRAPHIX
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-08-01
ISBN: 0439706394
Number of pages: 144
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780439706391
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of The Great Cow Race (Bone, Volume 2)
Book Review: Don't bet on the Mystery Cow...
Summary: 5 Stars
I know that it seems that I have moved away from reviewing cinema lately and have deeply transformed into this graphic novel reader, but it couldn't be further from the truth. With my recent move, I have found ore time to be able to crack into these dusty books that have been sitting on my shelves for some time and fully experience the bizarre, yet imaginative, worlds that they boast. I have witnessed the death of a superhero, the curse of a video, and now I am excited to say that I unknowingly jumped into the second chapter of Jeff Smith's Bone series. I don't know how this happened, but instead of starting from the beginning, I found that I actually owned the second book of his series, aptly called "The Great Cow Race". Unfamiliar with Smith's linear storytelling technique, I jumped into this novel expecting to understand everything that was laid before me. I was unwittingly wrong.
"The Great Cow Race", for those that have missed the number two on the spine, is actually the second compiled book of Smith's adventures with his loveable, yet strangely built, main character Fone Bone. As this is the second book, I was unfamiliar with the origins of the "Bone" characters, but fell instantly enthralled with their lifestyle and storyline. What makes this second chapter enjoyable is the level of magic, evil, and "paths of fate" that obviously lay before our characters. There is mystery, suspense, and some genuinely funny moments as our characters do classic nare-do-well things and thus have to deal with the consequences. For a child, this book is about a fixed cow race between the people of the village, Phoney Bone, and Granma Ben, but what kept me interested was the subsequent back-story that opened a more sinister and coincidentally fantastical element.
As I read more graphic novels, my eyes are beginning to focus on more than just the words and pictures, but also the background themes and events. "The Great Cow Race" demonstrated more than just a humorous race with cows, but a la Harry Potter, a darker element at work that is constantly behind the scenes. The last few frames of this story, the conversation between Granma and Lucius, sent a pulse of excitement through my spine as well as goose bumps over my arms. The thought of a possible war brewing and an unfamiliar structure made me want to immediately get the next of the series. Alas, first I must see how it all begins. I must get the first book and start with the origins.
As I review this great book, I must admit, Scholastic has done a great job and a poor job all at the same time. The great element is the coloring of this edition. I remember seeing the Bone series at a bookstore in town and was rather unconnected with the black and white storyboards, but now, with the ample use of grays and whites, coupled with the "cartoonish" reds, blues, and greens, you have a story that both illustrates the humor as well as the danger. The bad is that I never read this story with a child in mind. Outside of the coloring, the story itself is not ... at least in my eyes ... one for those that are young. There are scary beasts, eerie dragons, and again, that unknown element, that may not be suitable for the suggested "Grade 4" reading level. Maybe I am behind the times, but outside of the actual cow race, there wasn't much that I believe those at a "Grade 4" reading level would enjoy. Personally, I found the story coupled with the images a unique read, but would a youthful reader find the same? Maybe, maybe not.
Overall, I thought this was a great story. I am very eager to read the first in the series as well as see where Smith goes with these obviously troubled characters. I am excited to see where the future "war" will bring us and how closely Smith related Tolkien's ideas to a more graphic level. For those interested in a younger fantasy genre, this is a quick read as well as a mis-marketed book. I loved turning the pages and discovering a twisty ending that leaves you wanting so much more! While I didn't find myself laughing as much as other critics have mentioned, it wasn't what I wanted from the story. I wanted mythical characters combined with a level of fantasy, and needless to say, I was not disappointed. Bring me more Bone!
Grade: ***** out of *****
Summary of The Great Cow Race (Bone, Volume 2)
The cornerstone of GRAPHIX, our new graphic novel imprint, BONE is the incredible comic book saga of an unlikely hero who must save an idyllic valley from the forces of evil.
In THE GREAT COW RACE, volume 2 of this 9-book epic, Fone Bone and his cousins plan to return home after visiting the village of Barrelhaven with Thorn and Gran'ma Ben. But Phoney risks everything on one last get-rich-quick scheme for the town's annual Great Cow Race. As usual, Phoney's plans go disastrously awry, and Boneville seems further away than ever. Meanwhile, ominous signs indicate that a war is brewing, and Fone finds himself helping his friends defend their valley from a formidable enemy.
In THE GREAT COW RACE, volume 2 of this 9-book epic, Fone Bone and his cousins plan to return home after visiting the village of Barrelhaven with Thorn and Gran'ma Ben. But Phoney risks everything on one last get-rich-quick scheme for the town's annual Great Cow Race. As usual, Phoney's plans go disastrously awry, and Boneville seems further away than ever. Meanwhile, ominous signs indicate that a war is brewing, and Fone finds himself helping his friends defend their valley from a formidable enemy.
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