Name: Amala's Blade
ISBN: 9781616553326

Steve Horton

Chris Warner

Michael Dialynas

The kingdom of Naamaron is bitterly divided into warring factions, Purifiers and Modifiers, with both sides fearing the Great Vizier's deadliest assassin, Amala. With a price on her head--and a ghost monkey on her back--the future of both kingdoms may rest in her bloodstained hands! Collects the entire miniseries and Dark Horse Presents stories and includes a never-before-published Amala's Blade story, an art gallery, and creators' notes! * Debuted in the award-winning Dark Horse Presents. * Featuring art by Michael Dialynas from Superior Spider-Man Team-Up Special #1. "Swashbuckling fun for the whole family."--Comic Book Resources

Spirits of Naamaron

Amala's Blade

Yoomi

I am always interested in strong female leads, especially ones that can kick some ass. And that fact that Amala looks a little rough around the edges was appealing. The challenge in a limited series is that you don't have a lot of time to introduce characters, develop relationships, build worlds, and give closure. Not to mention, tell a good story while you're at it. This presents some problems here. We are literally thrown into the middle of a fight into a world that is on the brink of war. The modifiers, who have embraced technology and modified themselves so much, are almost more tech than human. The purifiers have maintained a separate existence from the technology they employ in their every day lives.

My first question was why? Why do these two sides hate each other so much? Just because they are different? Wouldn't be the first time and maybe it doesn't matter. But as I read on, the more questions I had and not enough answers. Why was she afraid? What was she running from? Responsibility? And what exactly was she supposed to be? And what is it with these ghosts that haunt her? At first it seemed they were just in her head, as if the blood of her victims were a permanent stain on her psyche. But later it is unclear.

Some questions are answered in the extras at the end. I understood Amala a little more, where during the rest of the story, I didn't have much sympathy for her. I'm on the fence about this book. I don't love Amala but the world Steve Horton has created is interesting enough that I wouldn't mind reading more, especially if he is going to delve into the history of it.

Amala's Blade Spirits of Naamaron