Wonderfully illustrated, creepy, and entertaining. The whole time I couldn’t imagine how this duology would end but it was perfect!

3,5 This was a great sequel to the first book and possibly sets up a book three. Eye catching, vibrant graphics.

ARC from Netgalley.
2.5 Stars.
Very similar to the first as far as style and pacing. Adding new character Jae (a North Korean national who survived their "Spill Zone"), he comes to Addison and helps her with her new abilities, as well as helping saving her sister from her "possessed doll". LOL
Something about this story is intriguing, even though I don't love it.
Recommend with reservations.

I had to wait until we order this one to read it, my arc wouldn’t download. OMG was it worth the wait! I really enjoyed this one. I liked the artwork and loved the story. It was complete enough to be a solid ending, but open enough to continue if he chooses, which I really hope he does! Come back Vespertine, but leave your crazy ex this time!

I don’t read a ton of graphic novels, but it is a genre I enjoy every once in awhile, and I was excited to pick up The Broken Vow written by Scott Westerfeld and illustrated by Alex Puvilland, after adoring the first volume in the duology, Spill Zone (reviewed here). The Broken Vow picks up where Spill Zone left off, and features all the same characters plus a lot of answers to questions left at the end of the last book. It’s still creepy and strange, but some of the novelty has worn off, and I was missing the impactful emotional story from the first book. I feel like this volume was more about clarifying lingering questions, and it also had a lot less mystery and intrigue. Still, I really love the world Westerfeld and Puvilland have created, so while I am pretty sure that The Broken Vow is the last book in this series, if any future books were released I’d definitely pick them up as well.

After reading book 1, I felt like I didn't wholey understand what was going on. This volume resolved some of those issues. THere's more context. I still feel like we don't get enough contextual information from the illustrations, like the art and text don't really work together well. Even so, it's an intriguing concept to explore.

SPILL ZONE, the first half of the Spill Zone duology, blew me away. As a result I had very high expectations for THE BROKEN VOW, and unfortunately, it did not live up to them. I'd also note that THE BROKEN VOW is not at all a standalone, and you'd really need to have read SPILL ZONE to even understand what's going on in the story.

First of all - the art. Still amazing. Still creepy. I loved the art in this book so much. It definitely drew me in where the story was a bit lacking. The art definitely added to my star rating - it is just that good.

My main issue is that THE BROKEN VOW is an inferior second half of SPILL ZONE. Where SPILL ZONE was creepy and intriguing, we get to the big reveal in THE BROKEN VOW and all I could think was, that's it? It felt so flat and not well thought out. The author did do a good job of tying up the loose ends in the sense that questions are answered, but I just felt after all the emotion and drama in SPILL ZONE that the ending happened too quickly and was tied up a little too easily. There was a tiny bit of a cliff-hanger (honestly, blink and you'll miss it) which could suggest there will be more in the SPILL ZONE universe - which I'm totally there for.

All in all, THE BROKEN VOW is a necessary read after the amazing SPILL ZONE - you'll definitely want to read it for closure to the story. Maybe read back to back, it would feel like a better conclusion, but I read THE BROKEN VOW twice, and I still didn't feel very blown away by the ending. While I loved the art, and was happy to see the resolution of the story, it just didn't hold up next to SPILL ZONE.

‘SPILL ZONE: THE BROKEN VOW’ BY SCOTT WESTERFELD IS AN OTHERWORLDLY MASTERPIECE

I’m trying not to be cheesy. I’m trying not to throw out words and phrases like horrifyingly beautiful or a haunting masterpiece. You know, the basics and what every book review is like. But that’s what Scott Westerfeld’s Spill Zone: The Broken Vow deserves and what it is.

Spill Zone: The Broken Vow is a masterpiece that sticks with you long after you read it once, twice, three times. A horrifyingly beautiful world that springs out at you every page that you turn. And the kind of work that I can’t wait to one day see on my screen because you know Hollywood is itching to make live versions of everything.

Spill Zone: The Broken Vow is the second graphic novel that continues the adventures/drama/mystery of Poughkeepsie. Three years ago a mysterious event tore through and destroyed this small city, unleashing terrifying creatures/entities that haunt the town. The survivors, Addison and Lexa, live not to far from the city and can not be removed from their home despite the government’s grumbling after they quarantined the city. (Typical government cover up there.)

In typical sister fashion, at the end of the world, Addison cares for her sister and will do anything and everything that she must, even if that means going into Poughkeepsie to take dangerous photos as a means to support Lexa, who hasn’t spoken since “the event.” What Addison captures is truly bazar and beautiful.

The world of Poughkeepsie still has the remains of all it’s residents, their floating and creepy “meat puppet” bodies a reminder of the horror that happened there. It also is the home of twisted scenes and creatures that look like jaded and broken creatures from a world similar to our own but not.

The second volume continues to build on this world and explores the consequences of the Spill Zone becoming part of Addison. She’s still the same level-headed, no-nonsense, protector of her sister. Now she just has to deal with a little more inside of her. This volume also introduces a new mysterious character from North Korea, of all places, named Don Jae who has also been touched by the Spill and gained extraordinary powers from it.

That’s not to say that this book is a typical superhero story. It’s not and you won’t see capes and villain monologues make an appearance. Addison and Don Jae will have enemy’s. But they’ll be more of the government type, the shattered world of Poughkeeepsie, and the creatures that have broken into out world in the Spill Zone.

Spill Zone is a contemporary story set in our world and grounded in love, survival, and a need to be independent from those who want to dictate our lives. This is true for Addison’s journey, Lexa’s, and the creepy doll that Lexa has that is possessed by some creature from the realm that broke into ours that is named Verspertine. Her bond with Lexa is formed out of love, even if it’s a bit twisted and Versepertine is kind of an ass, and out of caring enough for someone to have a choice in their lives.

Personally, I didn’t expect the ending that we were given. (Enjoyed it but was very surprised by it.) But I respect, enjoy, and love the world that Scott Westerfeld and Alex Puvilland have created. It’s something straight out of a twisted dream and that can be shared/consumed by veteran and newbie graphic novel readers alike.

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a copy of this otherworldly masterpiece and experience something I haven’t felt in a while: surprise and wonder.

Great conclusion (?) to book one, I liked the way that Addison's isolation in her Spill Zone experiences is broken and the nebulous answers that are given about the whole disaster. It was interesting to see an enthralling science fiction story morph into a darkly beautiful fairytale in a way.

The Broken Vow completes an outanding narrative arc while leaving room to continue to explore the world Scott Westerfeld and artist, Alex Puvilland have created! Highly recommend this facinating tale!

Do you like sleep? No, you don’t, if you’re reading Spill Zone.

There is literally not one component of this story that is not creepy. The premise, the voice, the art…It’s the most uneasy feeling reading it. Which is why I couldn’t wait for Broken Vow.

Book one left us on a huge cliffhanger, desperate for answers. Broken Vow delivered that and more. When you thought the creatures and zombie-like bodies couldn’t get any creepier, they do!

Two sisters, one creepy doll, and a boy across the world hold our attention in this one. What’s the tie between the spill in America and the one in North Korea? More than you can imagine, I promise.

There’s not much I can say about the story other than the art is as much a storyteller as the words are. Pay attention to the use of colors and how the panels are laid out to attract your attention. Scott and Alex work well as a creative pair!

Posted to Goodreads: For a more in-depth review watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kn_LRmv9oAw&feature=youtu.be

I was very much drawn in by the art in this graphic novel. I thought the colors and the depth depicted in the panels were fantastic however the story did feel a little rushed and the conclusion wasn't really satisfying.

I read this not having read the first issue, which was always going to be a struggle. Having said that, I’ve enjoyed Scott Westerfeld’s work in the past and expected to find this no different. Instead it felt like the story was somewhat lacking. I wanted more to happen than actually did, it left me feeling quite unfulfilled. I know there will no doubt be further volumes that continue this story, but I couldn’t help but feel that a lot of this was just filler.

This second and final installment of the Spill Zone series wraps up the story quite well without the ending being too neat and tidy. It does leave a backdoor open for a potential follow-up though.

Addie's (and the reader's) questions are answered concerning the genesis of the spill, Vespertine, and more. The artwork continues to be stunning.

It’s been three years since a strange event destroyed Addison and Lexa’s hometown. The spill zone has now been blocked off by the government due to the zombie-like creatures and lethal dangers that were left behind. Spill Zone: The Broken Vow is the much anticipated second book of this series, and readers are able to catch up with the adventures of Addison and her younger sister Lexa as they learn to move on with life after the spill.

After becoming selectively mute in book one, Lexa is finally talking to her older sister Addison, and has even shared her secret about her doll Vespertine. Addison is now ready to do whatever it takes to move as far away from this town, and its strange happenings; including working for the North Korean government. However, Lexa is not as willing to leave the zone because that means parting with her friend and doll Vespertine. It’s through this struggle that readers learn Lexa and Vespertine may have had more to do with the destruction of the town than anyone ever suspected

Within The Broken Vow, readers are introduced to a new character, Don Jae, from North Korea who experienced the same strange event within his own town. Unexpectedly, Don Jae and Addison team up to try to save Lexa from a path of possible lethal destruction. As a reader, I was hoping for more background information and character development on Don Jae’s character, but I was left with many unanswered questions at the end of The Broken Vow. However, given the way the story ended, I suspect there will be a third book in the story that will tie many of the loose ends all together.

In terms of the graphic novel aspect of this story, the speech bubbles were one of my favorite visual aspects. Alex Puvilland did an incredible job using the speech bubbles to reveal personality traits of each character, but specifically to illustrate the relationship between Vespertine and Lexa. As a reader, science fiction tends to be a genre that I struggle to read in text only novels. Visualizing complex science fiction events, such as the fallout from the spill, would be difficult for me if it wasn’t for the illustrations in this story. The Broken Vow does a fantastic job using illustrations to help readers visualize moment to moment conflicts within each panel and between the gutters.

I would recommend this series to all readers middle grade and above; especially those who prefer science fiction/horror stories. Readers who enjoy The Walking Dead would especially appreciate the plot and illustrations within this series. If you have not read Spill Zone (Volume 1), now would be the perfect time to get caught up on this series, as Spill Zone: The Broken Vow will be available on July 10, 2018.

I was granted an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Addison was changed after getting too involved in the Spill Zone. She soon finds out that she is not the only one. Don Jae also was changed, but he is from North Korea. There are people who are interested in Addison and Don Jae, because they want the same powers that they seem to have gained. Will Addison and Don Jae be able to keep the secret of their change from these people? Why has this happened twice in different parts of the world?



The Broken Vow is the second book in the Spill Zone graphic novel series. Although the primary story has been wrapped up nicely, Westerfeld has also left an opening for additional stories in this fantastic world. I was really looking forward to this book, since I gave the first book five stars, but I finished it feeling deflated. It is still a good book, but not as wonderful as the original. The Broken Vow should only be read by those who have read The Spill Zone already.

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC to review!*
This follow-up to Spill Zone had a lot to live up to. I absolutely loved the mystery and creepiness of the first volume, and I thought that this one sort of lost that. I almost felt as if too much information about the Zone was explained and the reveal wasn't as intriguing as I would have hoped. I also would have liked a little more on Addie and Don Jae's powers in general, because I found myself hoping there would be negative consequences for Addie touching the "dust" but none ever came about. That being said, I really enjoyed getting to meet Don Jae and having his backstory explained, and I did like the twist involving Lexa. I thought the art within the Zone was wonderful and creepy but wasn't a huge fan of the way it depicted the regular world. The lettering with Vespertine's dialogue was also cool, but a bit hard to read at times. Overall a fun and action-packed closing to the duology, if less ominous and intriguing than the first book.
Rating: 3.5/5

Review that will appear on GoodReads on Jun 26, 2018:

Picking up where the first book left off. Government agents are keeping tabs on the strange North Korean young man they photographed levitating. That young man, Don Jae, is feeling more and more that he needs to go see this Zone for himself, so he sets out to find the photographer. Addison is looking to make it big by delivering the item she took from the Zone for the North Koreans along with her normal photos to the collector, but she is now experiencing some strange senses. Lexa’s friend that talks from and animates her doll, Vespertine, is now known to Addison and Addie’s determined to figure out where Vespertine came from and what she wants with her little sister. And things are about to get even more interesting in the Zone.

There are some very satisfying answers to many things provided in this sequel while also leaving enough mysteriousness so as not to spoil the weird feel of the Zone. If this were made into a movie it’d have to be quite long. There’s the North Korean’s end game to follow, while Don Jae’s back story and his own personal quest are laid out as well. There’s Addison figuring out all the stuff she can do now because she touched the dust in the Zone. Then there’s Lexa’s secret, and Vespertine’s history to tell, and the big huge climax…and a most curious epilogue. And yet despite all that stuff going on, Westerfeld and Pullivand manage to tell it sufficiently in just a little over 200 pages of text and images. Now that’s impressive. If you enjoy the New Weird genre (aka near future scifi stuff that mixes in some supernatural/horror/mystery/psychological thriller) you will want to hunt down this series. It’s a little creepy, a little bit like nothing you’ve ever seen before, and a lot of scifi mystery that keeps you turning pages.

Notes on content [Based on ARC]: About 18 mild swears and 2 strong swears. No sexual content. There are dead people floating around, which, along with the talking doll and a person sharing a body with another being, certainly up the creepy factor (though they aren’t bloody or anything). One illustration shows a disemboweled animal. Some warfare is recounted that results in deaths, but again they just “hang out” and aren’t bloody. Two people get scratched up in a battle with only minor wounds.

<i>I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

I'm still kind of surprised by how much I love this series!!! I haven't liked Westerfeld's other works but this series is quick-paced and attention grabbing! I loved the character development in the second book, and all answers we got to the questions brought up in the first book.

But also, if creepy dolls haunt your nightmares, this might be one you should skip because dang, the artwork in this is vivid and haunting.

I admittedly came into this story blind. I hadn't read the first Spill Zone, but curiosity got the best of me, and I'm glad that it did. Thanks to Westerfeld's storytelling, I wasn't lost for long at all. I not only quickly understood the world he crafted, but quickly became immersed inside of it.

There is much to enjoy here, but I was a fan of two things. First, the artwork for everything related to the "spill" is excellent, and gives a very clear sense of forces, and creatures that clearly are not of our earth, yet are also try adapt to existence in this plant as two very, very different worlds clash. Second, the ending very successfully manages to hit that hard-to-reach spot where the Spill Zone series could satisfactorily end here just as easily as it could journey into further volumes.

Consider this a strong recommend from me. I will definitely see if I can add this and its predecessor into my library's graphic novel collection.