Arena by Holly Jennings Book Review

From the Movie Stay Alive about a video that kills you the same way as your virtual character to anime such as Long Horizon, Sword Art Online, and No Game No Life where you get stuck in a video game, the idea of a virtual reality life had always interested me. Arena was no exception!

Who doesn't want a bad ass female lead who is PoC?! Kali Ling is such a strong character that I was highly surprised. Most female leads are made with one goal in mind: to get/impress the boy; that they are very poorly written, with bland or even cliche personalities, that you can't even tell them apart. But not Kali. She wants to take down the Virtual Gaming League and to do that she needs all her focus. That isn't to say that she doesn't get the boy, however. There is romance for all of the people that like a little love story. Although, I could have done without. She is such a headstrong character that I think having a love interest in such a crucial time of war is not only unnecessary, but also very inappropriate.

But all in all, Jennings did a wonderful job at creating a world of virtual reality that you can just submerge in!



I give this book 4 1/5 virtual deaths out of 5!

**** I was given this book for free in exchange for this review from bloggingforbooks.com****

 

Perspective In Action By David Chelsea Book Review

 As an artist inspiring to be a storyboard artist, character concept designer, comic artist, and animator, I just had to get Perspective in Action. David Chelsea is so well known in the field that when I saw that BloggingForBooks had one of his books in stock I jumped at the chance! To learn perspective, which is a subject that not only I, but other artist, have trouble mastering, from someone with such respect is an honor. 

Enough about praising Mr. Chelsea, it's time to talk about this book. To start off with I love the way Chelsea set up the format! To have it in the form of a comic book is such a fun and interactive way to learn! When I was reading and working along with it, I in no way felt like I was reading a textbook-- which technically it is.

 The book is set up into seven easy follow along chapters:
1. Basics

2. Beginings

3. Anamorphosis

4. Cabinets of Wonder

5. Six Point Perspective

6. Stereo Perspective 

7. Motion Perspective

 Each chapter starts off with a page explaining what they are about and what you will learn. From there it goes into the comic format which I already talked about. Each chapter has examples which encourages you to follow along. 

All in all, Perspective in Action by David Chelsea is a wonderful book that I think every young learning artist needs!

I give this book 4 1/5 Six Point Perspective shots out of 5   

**** I received this book for free in exchange for this review. ****