Cover image for Pretty deadly. Volume One, The ShrikePretty Deadly volume 1: The Shrike by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Emma Rios

Reviewed by: Sarah Baker, Circulation

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Suggested Age: Adults

What is the book about?: It’s the Wild West, and a travelling show has come to town.  A girl in a vulture cloak tells the story of how Death fell in love and had a daughter. But it’s not just a story – it’s the truth.  Ginny stalks the land, her face marked like a skull by daddy Death.  A beautiful but deadly woman named Alice seems to be searching for Ginny, but also for something called The Binder. Which Sissy, the girl in the vulture cloak, just pick-pocketed from a red headed man.  Sissy’s companion, a blind man named Fox, tries his best to keep her safe but this might be beyond him.  And the truth – about Fox, about Sissy, and about Death – may just break the world.

My Review: Many months ago, I saw this series recommended by Wil Wheaton.  After a quick glance, I knew it was something I had to read.  Alternate history, Death as a being and not just a force, magic, badass women, and amazing artwork.  It was a wonderfully spun yarn.  The narration comes to us by way of Bunny, a talking skeleton of a rabbit, who is telling the story to Butterfly.  The different points of view weave together nicely. but the reader is still left with plenty of questions (Who is Jack Coyote, really?  Will we learn more about Molly Raven?  Do they have a Ladyhawke thing going?  And what’s the deal with Sarah?) that will hopefully be explored in future volumes.
This is definitely not for younger readers!  Violence, nudity, cursing.

Rating: 5/5

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About FDL Reads

FDL ReadsWelcome to FDL Reads, weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.  Librarians (and possibly some other guest reviewers) review all types of books, from children’s picture books, young adult favorites, to the latest adult thriller, and share their thoughts each week at fondulaclibrary.org. If the book is owned by Fondulac District Library (or another local library), you’ll see a direct link to the catalog entry and whether or not it is available.  If it is checked out or at another local library, you will be able to place a hold as long as you have your library card and PIN numbers. As with any book review, these are our opinions…we disagree amongst ourselves about books frequently.  We all have different likes and dislikes, which is what makes the world an interesting place. Please enjoy, and keep on reading!