Overall rating: I’ve just averaged my scores from each little individual story which would be 3 ½ stars. But I think I’ll round up to 4 Stars since the parts between each story where fun and nicely drawn.

Netgalley Review.

First Impression: SSOOO CUUUTTEEE!!

I haven’t read any of the Mouse Guard series yet so this is my first introduction.  I totally jumped at the chance when I saw this was available on Netgalley.

The premise of the collection of stories is that a mouse is owed money by various other mice.  And she’s holding a competition. Whomever tells the best story has their debts forgiven. My only complaint, is that I’m having a little bit of a hard time telling the mice apart.

Autumn Tale- I really like the art, looks like it’s done in watercolor. Love the coloring. It’s the story of house a certain mouse gets sick.  5 Stars

Leviathian- Not sure how it’s drawn. Charcoal and pencil maybe? Either way, it’s really pretty. This story reminds me of the Brian Jacques series, Redwall. 4 Stars

Lily and Pearls Have a Bone to Pick-  Little lame but the art is cute. 3.5 Stars

Love of the Sea- Cute, no text story of mice/mermaids. 3 Stars

Over the Falls- Done in color pencils, this is very cute. 4 Stars

The Shade- Love the art and coloring. However the story confused the crap out of me. 3 Stars

The Mouse Generals-Great story, great art. 4 Stars

When moles are around- Really cute story (but average art) about a mouse and a mole who are friends. 3.5 Stars

The Thief, the Stargazer, the Hunter and the Tailor- So far, my favorite of the stories. The art is amazing and the story simple, traditional and beautiful. 5 Stars

The Veteran- This one appears to be written by the guy who writes Fables. Art is really nice. The story only ok. 3.5 Stars

Back and Forth- Love the art, but can’t tell what medium was used. Not that it matters, just curious. Story good. 4 Stars

The Timber Mice- Cute that it is sheet music. I like the art but found the text under the music hard to read so I didn’t read it because I can only really read netgallyey graphic novels on my iphone. Giving this one a 3.5 stars

Side note: I didn't realize there was an epilogue until after I had finished my review. But because I'm participating in the big Harry Potter Group read starting next week, I'm not going to have time to read the epilogue on this.

I read these comic books (and still own them) in single issue form. You can find them in book stores and on Amazon in trade paperback. I think every fan of fantasy should own copies. 

Mouse Guard would appeal to any fans of Lord of the Rings and the Rats of Nimh. Not to mention the art in the books is breathtaking and detailed.

I'm holding on to these books with plans to pass them onto my sons once they are old enough. These books are a classic and should be in the collection of every fan of fantasy. I have my fingers crossed for a reprinting in a hardback edition.