Geis II: A Game Without Rules

Geis (Curse of the Chosen) #2

by Alexis Deacon

The second volume of Geis picks up right where the first graphic novel concluded: with the contenders divided against their will and thrown deeper into the mysterious game. Can the alliances of power be relied upon when so many rewards lay upon the line?

Deacons' stunning illustrations carry forward the compelling and critically acclaimed narrative as the trilogy reaches its midpoint.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Bande Dessinée, Sequential Art

119 pages, Hardcover

First published December 12, 2017

About the author

Alexis Deacon is an acclaimed author and illustrator. Beegu and Jitterbug Jam, both of which he illustrated, were named as New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year. He lives in London.

Reviews

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's some contest going on run by a sorceress and this is the 2nd challenge. The remaining contenders are split into two groups and have to play a game of their own making to determine which side is the winner. The book is heavily dependent on remembering what happened in the first book and there is a huge cast of characters to keep track of. Both of these made this difficult to follow or care about any of the characters. I feel that this is a story that will only really work as a whole once it is completely published.

Received an advance copy from Nobrow and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[Rod Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to find myself fascinated by the little fantasy world Deacon has created in this series. The game to claim leadership continues with the remaining contenders divided into two teams and pitted against each other. While some contestants continue to treat it like a lark, others begin to spill blood, lots of blood. Our heroine is sidelined with health issues for large chunks, but the side characters and villains keep the story revving until Io can get back in the game

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

There is something very brilliant about Geis - we have a story with character stereotypes in the fantasy genre that feel like they should go one way but the story keeps us continually guessing as it goes a completely unexpected and very different direction. It's this dissonance that is both affecting and disaffecting; none of the large cast of characters is likable, most are acting on purely selfish or self righteous impulses, and how they interact off each other is the real heart of the story rather than the 'contest' maguffin.

Story: The contenders for the rule of Matarka have either made it back to the palace or are out of the race. The second challenge begins: contestants are marked black or white and each must create a 'mini game' where the loser has to give up their rulership token and be out of the race. A few know of how serious the race for kingship is - and the Sorceresses' deadly intent behind the geis. But they are caught up in the contender race and most deal with that as well as try to figure out how to survive the sorceress as she gains power with each death.

The character designs are incredibly unique and yet oddly stereotypical of fantasy characters. It's both fascinating and frustrating at the same time. As well, this is a story where each panel is completely unexpected - nothing in Geis follows the tried and true or the expected. Story structures are played loose and fast, characters change allegiances while acting on impulses, the most obvious part of the game isn't even close to what's truly happening, and the constant shift of alliances is unexpected and disconcerting. If that makes it sound like the book is inscrutable or weird for the sake of being weird, that's completely untrue. If anything, author Deacon takes the blandest of stereotypes and completely turns them on their head in a way that is truly brilliant.

But here's the thing: it's a book that is hard to love because the characters are so disenfranchising. You won't find typical heroes and villains here; just as with a set of real life characters, no one takes actions to please others so much as they move according to their own desires and motivations. The very loose drawings which distort/amplify the ordinaryness of the characters further makes that dissonance between average and unexpected that much more pronounced. Imagine if the random unknown background people in any fantasy graphic novel suddenly took over the story and you get the idea.

Geis is a series that will be difficult on the first read but rewarding with rereads. This gives value to the story but also may be more of a commitment that some readers will want to give. But there is something very distinct here that you won't find anywhere else. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Prescott Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fantastic. It's rare to find literature that keeps me caring about the characters, second-guessing the plot, and completely invested in the world. It's that last point I find particularly exciting. Reading Geis is like watching A New Hope or Lost: Season One for the first time. The world opens itself up to you slowly, organically. That blend of thoughtful and unexpected is hard to do, and worth its weight in storytelling gold.

Alexis Deacon uses minimal words, so his books are a fast reads. But there is so much depth and so many thrilling moments, I've found these books hold up again and again upon re-reads. Plus they are beautifully bound and crafted by Nobrow Press; a brilliant addition to any Nike.

I can't say enough good things about the Geis series. It's the best story I've read (or watched or listened to) in a long time. I can't wait for the third book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! This just keeps getting better! A beautifully simplistic fairytale has a lot going on underneath its surface. The good and evil within people battle it out in this clever instalment of a very underrated series.
5 stars is something I never give. I’ve 25 5 star out of thousands of books. But this is so surprisingly fascinating that it deserves the extra

[Lucy Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully spooky and had me thinking about it all day. The imagery was super pretty and nightmarish. I felt like I was in a dream.

[Aidan]

beautiful and exciting, this chapter ups the stakes of danger, violence, and death, without losing the charm. alexis deacon is so skilled.

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

More complicated, more darkness, equally awesome weird little monsters in this second in a DRAMATIC ONGOING SERIES. Noice.

[mkhare · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars. Reading this quite a while after reading the first volume did mean that I wasn't quite as engaged with the story/characters as before, but there were some great moments. I'm sure that re-reading this volume directly after re-reading the first would only enhance the experience further.

I really loved the concepts explored here. Io tried her best to keep people out of danger, and the gentler characters obviously complied, but the lack of 'rules' meant that everything got out of control fast. I loved how the ending clicked into place the big, dark 'joke' of the contest - Artur was no longer considered part of the white team when he lost his clothes, and Nemas became part of the black team after taking his dead brother's black clothes... Perhaps, at any time, somebody could have written something that made everyone exempt from the contest, or that made everyone on the same team (thus ending everything) but no one had the time or the mind to think to try.

I love that Eloise is still here, and as a cat to boot, (we sure lost a lot of characters this volume, though perhaps they are not gone for good!) but I'm unsure as to what actually happened with the 'Sacrifice' spell. I continue to adore the art and the colour work (especially when it is used to differentiate between characters and locations). I will definitely be purchasing the next volume when it arrives!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

With new souls filling her, the sorceress steps up her game. Matters get more confused as she finds a new and creative way of turning the court against each another. Io is suffering from poison as well as the geis. While she tries valiantly to protect her chosen band of allies, you can see how greatly she’s outmatched by the murderous Nemas.

The story is action packed, unexpectedly funny and terrible as the body count gets ever higher. I found myself sorry for the desperate Nemas, still thinking that he can stay alive until the end of the contest. But this installment reveals him as more than a cold-blooded psychopath without conscience or morals. He has a past that shows his tender heart and concern for someone other than himself. While it seems impossible that he can team up with Io, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did form a tentative truce…if only against the sorceress who is their mutual enemy.

I’m still not a big fan of the illustrations but they’re growing on me. It’s a distinctive style, with sometimes subtle and careful use of color and line.

[Jill Jemmett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The competition continues in this second book in the Geis series. Everyone in the kingdom is competing to become the leader. However, only a couple of people know that they will fight to the death. Anyone who doesn’t win the competition will be killed. In this story, everyone is divided into two teams, either black or white. Alliances are broken as the stakes keep getting higher.

This is a fast paced and action packed story. There was more tension in this story because the stakes of the competition were raised. The fact that only some of the characters know that the competitors are destined to be killed also increased the tension.

I love how each character has a distinct appearance and style. Sometimes when a graphic novel has an extensive cast, it can be difficult to differentiate between the characters. It’s easy to tell these characters apart in this graphic novel.

Geis II is a great graphic novel! I hope the story will continue because it ended on a cliffhanger.

Thank you Nobrow for providing a copy of this book.

[Buj · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second installment was generally better than the first. The paneling and pacing are still pretty jarring and can take you out of the story at times as you revisit panels to see if you missed something, but Deacon's art is just really soothing and, despite that, ripe for this chaotic, magical medieval setting. The characters had more personality (entertaining though superficial) and substance (though minimal), and the stakes are raising, which makes for a more promising finish. I'm also surprisingly interested in how things end for the antagonist featured on the cover (for the life of me, I can't recall his name). Hopefully Deacon's disjointed layouts and narrative clean up a bit more for the final installment.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. Book 2 picks up right where the first one left off, time to start the second test to decide who will be the next chief. There is a lot of plot going on here too much to summarize without giving any spoilers. But needless to say, the sorceress, in charge of the tests, has more at stake than the participants know. All of the main characters are in deep peril and there is a lot to be said about life, magic and will. The book ends with the third test ready to start.

[Kristina Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what it is but I just LOVE this series and find myself very invested in whats happening. I love the different challenges, I love Deacon's world-building, I love the characters, and I love the hazy art style. To me, this was stronger than the first book with some very impressive illustrations this time around. I have seen people say that they felt this volume was disjointed or confusing but I did not find it hard to follow. Hopefully it won't take as long for the next volume to be released!

[Marek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the first volume feels like introduction, this volume is packed with action, drama, twists and turns. Second challenge is even deadlier for our beloved characters and if you think you know what will be on the next frame – you're wrong. It's beautiful bizarre and odd, so is the art – from color scheme to animation style drawing. Can't wait for third final volume and maybe one day – a complete edition.

[Anne Mey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un combat entre deux équipes où chacun peut inventer un jeu et ses règles, on perd des participants encore dans cette deuxième partie de la sélection. Et au milieu de tout ça la jeune fille, déjà marquée, continue d'essayer de rassembler les gens, de les soutenir pour qu'ils survivent le plus longtemps possible malgré une adversaire redoutable, se servant de coups bas. Le dessin est toujours aussi sympathique et l'action bien menée, à quand le 3ème ?

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those series I can't wait to read the next installment of and also can't wait until I can read them all together. Deacon's art, with its soft but clear lines, the muted pastels of his coloring, expressive lettering, and tense magical plot create a fever dream derived from the darkest children's stories, but retaining its own unique shape, characters, and story.

[Sri Gopalan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first part, and liked it. The second was just too disjointed. I liked the 'hazy' illustration style, but at the end of the day, the continuity of the plot disintegrated as I read it. Maybe the third book will bring everything back together to coherence, but for now, I rate it 1.

[Dolores · Rating 5 out of 5]

The series really takes off with this second book. It's time for the second challenge and it's a doozy. Half of the contestants are pitted against the other half--but most don't even know what kind of game they are playing. Edge of your seat reading.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

deceptively simple colour schemes and charming pencil drawings reveal one of the best stories i've ever had the pleasure of following. complex and intriguing, with art that guides the eye along irresistibly

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot developed more fully here. Character development was less developed in this one.

[Lainy122 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cool story, I love the way it is unfolding. Completely different from anything else I've read, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[bibliosaurus rex · Rating 5 out of 5]

much better than the first ahh this one was a treat

[Polly]

Wearing the heavy clothes

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of don’t know why I got book 2 after having found book 1 lackluster. And we end on another cliffhanger, but this time it doesn’t seem like book 3 exists… so, great.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story, beautiful illustrations, a great continuation from the first Geis. Looking forward to part 3.

[Sanna Suova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiinnostavat hahmot, dialogi täynnä tunnetta, tarina vetää mukaansa, hieno piirrosjälki. Suositus myös tälle jatko-osalle.

[Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engrossing and yet so unresolved.

[Lorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with part 1 the illustrations are super beautiful; gorgeous, gorgeous colours and playful images - so enjoyable. The story is fun, but I found it really hard to remember what was going on and had to dig out part 1 again to get my bearings - I suspect you would get more from the trilogy if you read them altogether. Looking forward to reading the final part.

[Jon Hewelt · Rating 4 out of 5]

ReRead 21 September 2021