Castle in the Stars: A Frenchman on Mars (Castle in the Stars, 4)

It was a fun read and the artwork was beautifully done. I can't wait until the next one from France gets to the States.

Seraphin and his aethership-mates make it to Mars and find a world teeming with strange life forms and weird versions of aetherite that solidify after you walk through a seeming puddle. Searching for the previous Prussian expedition turns up no survivors, including Seraphin’s father. But Gubbard reveals the true nastiness of his plan to get Seraphin and the others to agree to go to Mars in the first place! Seraphin is wounded and wakes up abandoned by his fellows. He stumbles upon what he thinks is a winged beast, badly injured, but still he feels the need to save the creature from being a feast to other beasts. The creature ends up being a prominent figure in a fractured Martian society, one half dying out, the other exiled to the desert.Mars is a beautifully imagined world that readers can dive into if they just suspend disbelief and let themselves be engrossed by Alice’s illustrations. There is also a poignant criticism on the pitfalls of exploration - after discovery comes exploitation - and it is a sentiment that rings true throughout history. Alice once again leaves us with a stupendous cliffhanger, and the translation of volume five is not even on the horizon yet.

I was so happy to see that the fourth book of this French steampunk graphic novel was about to be released in English. In this volume the party has voyaged to a Mars which of course has a dying civilization and mysteries which can be only hinted at. If you enjoy steampunk at all this series has been written for you!

The story is interesting though ending with a cliffhanger is a major mistake. While the art is pretty, the way he uses watercolors makes it also not stand out. It is often difficult to tell what is happening or who is doing what. The fact he lettering is black also causes the text to overwhelm the art. Overall fun steampunk concepts but weakened by art that is too pastel and thin to carry the story.

Everything in gorges and beautiful

My graphic novels collection!

Beautiful art and a great story! Have read the series several times now. I am just hoping that they translate the rest of the series!!