Comments for Voltron Force Volume 1: Shelter from the Storm

Voltron Force Volume 1: Shelter from the Storm: 05/14/14

I try to post reviews of books in a series in the order of publication. It doesn't always happen that way. Maybe I start the series out of order, as I did with Diane Mott Davidson's mysteries. Or sometimes things just get away from me and I think I've posted a review, when I haven't even written it yet. That's the case with Voltron Force Volume 1: Shelter from the Storm by Brian Smith.

In this case, part of the delay is due to how I got the book. It was a publisher nominated title for the 2012 CYBILs. Although there's no rule against publishing reviews during the first round reading, I prefer to wait until the winners are announced in February. It lets me stay focused on the task at hand &emdash; rendering down a very long list into a short list of the very best that year has to offer.

Partly too, I must admit to some inner turmoil with posting a review. See back in the day when Go Lion was first imported, dubbed, and mutated into Voltron: Defender of the Universe I was a huge, raving, lunatic fan. We're talking a fan fic writing, fan art drawing, cosplay playing fanatic. So after reading Shelter from the Storm for the CYBILs, I spent a few months readdressing my fandom by watching both Go Lion via Crunchyroll and Voltron via Netflix. And I've decided both versions are fine, but the wacky import (and its spinoffs) is more fun.

So that takes us back to volume 1 which introduces a new generation of characters. There was also a new cartoon which I haven't watched (yet). Presumably most of the introductions are done via the cartoon, leaving very little work for the book. Basically, it's here they are, here's which lion they fly.

The only character I have a problem with is Princess Larmina. Niece my ass. That is not a niece and aunt relationship going on there. And where did singleton Allura get a sibling so she could have a niece? Are the creators just too grossed out by single motherhood? One of those handsome men she's been battling alongside with should just own up to being a little closer than close, if you know what I mean.

Other than that oddity it's the typical younger generation wanting to jump right in and the older generation being reluctant to let go. And the bad guys not caring whom they're fighting.

And despite my misgivings I enjoyed every last page.

Five stars

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