My Review of “Afterlight: End of the World” A Time of the Faeries Graphic Novel Series by J. Corsentino

Blurb for Time of the Faeries: Afterlight is a four-part graphic novel series that explore the origins of the Faeries, the evolution of Angels and Vampires from a common Fae ancestor, and their own unique adaptations to the modern world. It follows the alliances and tensions that develop between these three species as they struggle to protect human civilization or shape it to their will. The Afterlight follows several lines of cause and effect, revealing possible versions of the Apocalypse at the hands of all three species.

In the first book, Afterlight, End of the World, we begin at the end with the Angel Apocalypse: a dying Earth, ravaged by war, now hosts only a few scattered pockets of humanity. These last survivors are being hunted to extinction by starving Angels, their energy consumed so that the Angels might live. Below ground, a small band of shape-shifting male faeries called the Phelans struggle to protect the last collection of human life in Los Angeles and a mysterious young girl who may hold the key to their survival. Above ground, as the winged forces amass to complete their genocide, a lone Angel named Halyon struggles to understand what went wrong, and why her race now hunts the very people they were charged to protect. 

ISBN 978-0-578-08548-7 
Size 98 pages 
Genre: Full color fantasy art novel

My Review:

I have to start this review talking about the graphics. In the introduction the author talks about the seven years it took to produce this book, the millions of photos taken, the changes made to them, etc. It definitely shows! There are truly no words for the art in this book: stunning and brilliant, cutting-edge and crisp, tough and sexy, and all of those together do not come close. This fantasy art novel is a fantastic modern version of angels and faeries.  

Okay, so let’s talk about the story. The writing is a bit poetic some of the time, in that it has wonderful imagery, well-chosen words, and a rhythm to the sentences. It really reads like a long epic poem in modern day words with dialogue. It is not a quick read, but you won’t want it to be. Trust me!

The world that the author built was well-created, with some paranormal consistencies to typical lore, but with many more great additions, twists which were easily followed and interesting.  As if the art and writing didn’t make this book unique enough, the story clinched it. The situations make the reader question the angels, the humans, and especially the brief mentions of the faeries, all of them. Things change continually, the story definitely keeps a reader on his or her toes. Nothing is as it seems, and I liked that. Just don’t expect to get all the answers. The introduction claims they started at the end, and promise to explain about the elusive faeries in future books.

I can’t wait :)

Excerpt

The 8 page Prologue is available athttp://www.freado.com/read/10047/time-of-the-faeries-afterlight-end-of-the-world in digital book form.

Links

http://www.timeofthefaeries.com (official website)

http://www.facebook.com/timeofthefaeries (fan page)

http://www.twitter.com/timeofthefaerie <----no trailing S at the end (Twitter)

http://www.timeofthefaeries.com/store (online store)

http://ow.ly/5WzGZ (Order The Afterlight on Amazon.com)

Joseph Corsentino
Artist/Author

Joseph Corsentino is a storyteller at heart who chooses photography as his medium. He took his passion for Science Fiction and Fantasy to Los Angeles where he began Time of the Faeries, an epic retelling of the faerie mythology. His stunning, ethereal, and realistic faeries, angels, and vampires can be seen in private collections and magazines all over the world. His first book, published by Imaginosis Publishing, is a prologue into the Time of the Faeries universe. Joseph is currently completing the four-part Afterlight graphic novel series and making appearances at conventions such as Dragon*con.
Some Career Highlights

2007 Time of the Faeries published by Imaginosis Publishing
2007-2011 Artist Guest and Artist Guest of Honor at Faerieworlds Festival
2009-2011 Artist Guest and Artist Guest of Honor at Faeriecon
2008 Artist Guest of Honor at I-Con New York
2008-2009 Artist Guest of Honor at Xanadu Las Vegas2010 Best Photography Dragon*con Artshow

Praise for Afterlight:

“Love Afterlight! Every image is amazing.” – Rhonda Nolan, Facebook

“Having been a fan of J. Corsentino for several years, I knew the photographs would be visually stunning. What I did not count on was the story being so engrossing. His vision of a dystopian world is unique and engaging.” - Karen Mercer, Amazon.com

“Well, it blew me away how wonderful it turned out to be! Great storyline and plot points and gorgeously re-mastered photographs left a taste of blood for more.” – Wildcat, Amazon.com

“I found myself jumping from the words to the fantastic images, going back and forth through the pages like a hungry wolf wanting more; and yet in the end...I smiled with a certain pleasure you only get when you’re fed the very soul of the pages within. It is an amazing and fantastical journey you will truly enjoy!” - Rhonda R. Napoleon, Beyond Fantasy Magazine