While I liked this book, I’m not really sure how to write about it. Hooves of Death, Volume 1 by Sam Bragg has many of the familiar themes, settings and story arcs you find in young adult literature, but it is also new and fresh. There are parts I did not like, parts I loved and one or two parts where I went “huh?” There are ups and downs. We follow one human and a few unicorns that escaped the destruction of their compound (don’t worry we all speak the same language so humans, unicorns, minions of the Horseman War can communicate) and wonder if the world has gone crazy. But then again, with Zombie Gnomes, Sasquatches and the Four Horsemen (at least one Woman)? It has.
Age wise, I wouldn’t go younger than 10 (though younger could read, I’m not sure of content compatibility), but the older side of the 10 and up would be best. But of course, adults could read, too. While it is young and cartoonish at times, there was something serious and mature about it as well. There is a lot going on and the note we end on was frustrating as I am now: “WTF HAPPENS NEXT!!!!?????!!!!!”
There are good illustrations at times. There are bad illustrations at times. There is an experience to everything. Obvious volume one of an unknown amount of titles, I think this series will be going places. I think you’ll love or hate it. If you’re an English major (or former like me) or like to find “meanings” behind everything, you will enjoy the themes. There are things about family, home, thinking before you teleport and the virtues and sins of the world. But then again, it is pretty much on the surface kind of thing. If Rainbow Bright, Walking Dead, Twilight without the romance (so far) got together and created a book, I think you would have it here.