Carnal: Pride of the Lions

by John Connell

The first graphic novel in the Carnal series, Pride of the Lions takes place on the continent of New Africa and focuses on three main species of humanistic animals. After the Great War decades earlier between the hyenas and the lions, the victorious and once united lion prides now lay scattered across the land, torn by civil unrest over territory disputes and food shortages. The hyena clans that survived the war were forced deep into the Earth and now live in a massive underground city under the control of a terrible witch. The buffalo race is indifferent to most other species and have walled themselves off from the rest of the kingdoms. Humans have lost their hold on the African territories long ago and live as a simple, nomadic species. The first book opens with Long Eyes, an old sapphire-eyed lion who is determined to save the lion kingdom and rescue his warrior son, Oron, who has gone missing. Long Eyes believes Oron is the key to uniting the prides. A young lioness tracker named Omi is sent out with the protection of two lion brothers to locate the missing warrior, but what they find is something that may unravel the very foundation of life for all species.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Graphic Novels Comics, Anthropomorphic

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 25, 2012

Reviews

[Ronda Tutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

FAN-ROARING-TASTIC!

Absolutely WOW! I fell in love with the book cover first because the graphics are so alluring but the story far exceeds in brilliance and creativity in this tribal quest for survival novel. The god like fierce and massive warriors will captivate you immediately at every turn of the page. Each chapter is enhanced with a visual graphic that tells the story on its own and only intensifies the already imaginative vision you have created in your mind from the author’s smooth writing.

In this story you will be memorized with the details of how a world evolved from a world of humans to a world where the destruction from the evil magic has integrated into the animal races leaving the humans scarce and the last remaining three tribal beasts, the Lions, the Hyenas, and the Buffalo to rein the lands.

Even after the Great War and a semi-peace truce which divided the African land between the species, the wicked witch still controls the Hyenas from underground with her evil magic and seeks the ultimate goal of destruction and control against the Lions and the Buffalo by stopping their main supply of food source. However, the Lion’s and the Buffalo are a lot smarter and fiercer than the Hyenas bargained for.

The story is full of action, bravery, loyalty, jealousy, pride, and drama that will have you begging for more in the end. I seriously did not want this book to end especially after the cliff hanger with fierce warrior “Oron” and cannot wait for the next book to come out in this series.

EXCELLENT READ!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this lushly illustrated book, somewhere between a novel and a graphic novel, the world is shown to be a very different place. Humans have polluted the environment and tinkered with genetics to the point where mutations have occurred, making animals more like humans – and they have hunted the humans to near-extinction. Lions and water buffalo maintain an uneasy truce; the hyenas are their common enemy. The lions have driven the hyenas underground and maintained a neutral border for decades – but now something is changing. The hyenas are coming …

It is very difficult to explain the plot of this story, which is why I haven’t mentioned much about it. I can say that this is a fascinating world that Connell has created, dark and noirish yet lush and vivid, and the illustrations – while not as numerous as a true graphic novel – provide just the right balance between the text and visual stimuli. A new mythology has been created, a new form of world, and we the readers are privileged to take a step inside and see what has been created. Watch for this amazingly creative new story – you won’t want to miss it.

[Diayll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed At:Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 5 out of 5 EPIC Controllers
Review Source: Publisher for Honest Review
Reviewer: Me




John Connell has created a masterpiece. Moreover, he has created something new and exciting in the world of graphic novels. A rich and engrossing story coupled with lush illustrations, Carnal: Pride of the Lions is a well-oiled machine that feeds on readers emotions. It will leave you angry, teary-eyed, with knots in your stomach, and if you can get past all of those emotions and reach the final page, I guarantee it will leave you well satisfied and thirsty for more. What is Carnal exactly? Think of a cross between Planet of the Apes and Thundercats. It’s what you get when intelligent animals rule the world.


In Connell’s world, humans are the bottom of the food chain. Because of their greed, bloodlust, and their constant need for technological advancement (or magic), the world slowly began to unravel. Humans gave birth to animals that now have the ability to walk upright, talk, think as humans, and gain immense power. Animals currently rule the lands with an iron fist, driving humans to the brink of extension, back to a place where they are simple nomads fighting for their chance to survive. We have all heard these stories before, that technology will become our downfall. Yet if we were to think of it as what Connell has described in his graphic novel, I would suspect none of us are ready.

The story takes place in the vast Serengeti of Africa. A land once sacred to all mankind but has fallen into a constant state of unrest because of a growing rivalry between the three evolved dominant species of buffaloes, lions, and hyenas each with their own hidden agenda. After losing the Great War to the lions, hyenas have become cunning, ruthless creatures determined to wreak havoc on the mighty warriors who have sentenced them to a life below ground. And unbeknownst to the animals around them, the balance of power may soon shift in their favor.

Our main character is Oron. He is depicted as a ‘God like” lion, a savior of sorts, with unmatched strength, incredible height, and whose voice “thundered as deep as war drums”. Oron was sent by the tribal leader Long Eyes, along with two of his pride sister hunters, to find food for the pack in the forbidden hyena territory. Days go by without a word from Oron or the lionesses. Even worse, a mysterious old lion travels to the tribe and describes something deeply disturbing that happens to Oron and his pride sisters. Because of this, Long Eyes has to make a dangerous decision that will go on to affect his tribe for generations to come. And without giving too much of the plot away, I must say that the story of Oron will take a sharp turn that readers will never see coming.

Not only do we get the story of Oron, but we are also introduced to well developed side character complete with unique and fascinating histories. One of my favorites is Omi, a skilled tracker who found the tribe out of sheer luck with her mother when she was only just a cub. Although she has grown and developed into a beautiful yet deadly warrior, she is still searching for her place among the other female lions. Throughout the story her abilities will be tested and her fate soon becomes tied to Oron’s.



Overall Carnal: Pride of the Lions is a phenomenal well-rounded graphic novel that completely blew me away. It was a delight to read and thanks to the wonderful folks at Sea Lion I now have a new author to place among my other favorites such as Alan Robert. The artwork is ingenious. It’s like a gorgeous painting that enhances and adds depth to the story. If you are looking for a something new to sink your teeth into next year, I highly recommend this unforgettable story.

[katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say on first impression the cover certainly drew me in !! The illustrations throughout this book are certainly memorable and fantastic !!!! The creativity is stunning and the storyline just mind boggling so detailed and intriuging -

The illustrations will leave you but to awe with the visual graphics displayed telling there own story along the way. With pictures like these your are able to easily envisage everything its just AMAZING !!!!!!!!!! This book may just give you an over active imagination lol...

In Carnal - you will be very surprised .. A world like no other !

A smooth flowing storyline - filled with pride,greed, blood lust and action packed, jealously, and lots of drama. Vivid descriptions placed forth giving the story life of its own !!!

You will be eagerly awaiting the next book, with the cliff hanger they have left us with !!!

An amazing illustrated book that will just blow your imagination into another world !!

I wont go into the book details read the blurb and grab a copy for yourself to find out the rest !!

[Jowanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must say this is absolutely amazing. The story a bit longer then I expected. It reminds me of a Native American telling a tale. It has that feel to it. Also I am reminded of Land of the Lost, but not as cheesy. The graphics are wonderful and without even looking at them you can picture it in your minds eye.
Occasionally the tenses get a little confusing. The only real problem I had with the book was wishing that my son was young enough so that I could read it to him and share the pictures. Not that ONLY 10-14 year old male children would be the only ones who would enjoy it. I am a 42 yr old female and I enjoyed it tremendously. The ending is a bit shocking and I found myself thinking "Hey what is up with guy authors!" Geez Did he take lessons from George Martin? LOL
I have told everyone I know about this, and will continue to spread the word until the next one comes along.
Please read the Blurb as I do not like to rewrite the story.
Enjoy

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if we lived in a world where animals ruled the world and the human race became all but obsolete? What if rather than humans evolving into superior beings, animals such as lions and hyenas fought for control of the world’s power? All of these what if’s are discussed and explored in John Connell’s graphic novel Carnal: Pride of the Lions.



Check out my full review: http://lifeand100books.com/2012/02/08...

[Jenny needham · Rating 5 out of 5]

review link http://madsheepno1.blogspot.com/2011/...

[Jessie Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

phenomenal artwork and really graphic and violent story, it is excellent!

[#ReadAllTheBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If pressed, I'd admit that not all anthropomorphic animal books are my style. It took me a while to get into Carnal because of this, but I have to admit... the artwork kept bringing me back. Why? Because it's freaking amazing. As far as the story goes, it's pretty much Avatar mixed with Lion King mixed with a dystopian-esque world.

For me, the artwork was one of the best parts of this read. Connell is pretty skilled and his artwork brings a really lovely touch to the story. The animal-people in the story are originally descended from humans and witches, so Connell tries very hard to make them both animal and human-like at the same time. Omi's artwork accomplished this part exceptionally well, and I was reminded of the character Neytiri from Avatar mixed in with a little Julie Bell/Boris Valejo. (And yes, if you're into hot cat girls, Omi is rather nice looking if you don't mind lion faces.)

Story-wise, it took me a while to get into. There's a lot of jumping between points in time, as characters remember things that are important to them and to the story. It does help, however, that there's a pretty good idea here and there's hints at various story lines and plot points. I'm somewhat convinced that some of the magic mentioned in the story might actually be science, although this is just my own personal theory. I'm rather interested in seeing if this is the case, especially since it means that we might get some nice creepy scenes of various animal/human characters slinking around abandoned medical and scientific facilities. (OK, I admit it, I'm a sucker for anything that explores abandoned places.) Even if it is magic and not science, there's still a chance for this, as humans did and still do exist in this series.

When I did get hooked into the story, I was fully drawn in. The last part of the story was rather surprising and a little sad, but it did serve to stir up my appetite for the next book. I don't think that I'll love this as desperately as I have Storm Born or Pariah, but this was a darn good story with some freaking great artwork in it. It might not necessarily be my thing, but it's incredibly well done.

4 out of 5 stars

(e-copy provided by Sea Lion Books)

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Albert

*Beware of possible Spoilers*

I had mixed feelings about this book. It had some things that I really enjoyed and other things that I didn’t care for.

First, the good.

The art was fantastic. The story takes place on the African Serengeti. The main protagonists are lions, however not the lions that we know today. Instead, they are lions that have evolved into a sort of caricature of a human. They walk on two legs. They have hands. However, they also have the faces and tails of lions. The art captures both the human and feline sides very well. There’s similar artwork for both hyena and buffalo although the lion is in the majority.

The story is good. As with their body, the lions have a mixture of animal and human motivations. Bravery, jealousy and pride mix with an overwhelming need to survive. Exactly as I’d expect from an anthropomorphic lion.

Next, the not so good.

Perhaps the most annoying part of this book was the way the text was presented. Most of the artwork is dark as you’d expect given the subject matter. So, the text was white on a dark background. It’s not easy to read especially if you’re reading it from a computer screen.

In addition, the story itself was, let’s say familiar. The noble lions being brought to the brink of starvation due to the cruel and conniving hyenas. It almost reads like a dark version of The Lion King.

http://openbooksociety.com/article/ca...

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I would describe the book less as a graphic novel, as it's not a comic book in the conventional sense, and that's what I was expecting, "Carnal: Pride of the Lions" tells the grim story of one particular pride of lions led by Long Eyes, who has a son, Oron, and all the prides are at war with the hyenas, who have been given a nice updated treatment here, similar to what "Lord of the Rings" did for Elves to get rid of the image in people's minds of the little shoemaker elves or the Rice Krispies cereal mascots. Lions and hyenas are both depicted as humanoid with some healthy anthropomorphism going on, as well.

Ultimately, it's an interesting, action-packed story and you will come to care deeply for Oron in particular, who has a rough go of things. The illustrations are also beautiful and there aren't too many of them that it breaks up the flow of the story, but enough to keep the experience visual, as well as some extras at the back of the book.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I have to say that the art work in this book is amazing, absolutely beautiful. Carnal is about a futuristic tribe of lions who have morphed into almost human in appearance, the story is not a happy one. The tribe must fight for its existence and that means wars, death and destruction. Many other races have morphed also, the fighting and deceit are brutal. Power is wanted by all.

Starvation is another real threat to the pride and the reason for the best of the best leaving to find the reason for the beasts they usually hunted not being available to them any longer. The drawings really bring the story to life, I only read the preview, but the book kept my interest. If you enjoy graphic novels I believe this is for you. Check it out.

[Bella]

Fantastic story, amazing art. I will own the print version of this book when it becomes available!

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I reviewed this on No Flying No Tights.

[Ana]

*sample provided by Sea Lion Books.