A fun adventure about a swashbuckling, selfish, adventurous protagonist and her frustrated and ever practical traveling companion. This is the second in a series, but functions fine as a stand alone graphic novel. Appropriate for the upper end of middle grade reader looking for a girl adventurer.

There are some class/race issues that could have been delved into deeper, but at least aren't ignored or brushed over. 

I may pick up the next one as well.

This is a fairly enjoyable historical fantasy graphic novel. I remember hearing there were some issues of accuracy or representation after reading the first one; I’m not really qualified to comment on that. I did notice a fair amount of “not like the other girls” in this one, and yet I do also like reading them.

Friday was my 7th wedding anniversary. My hubby brought home eight single issues (1-5, 7-9) of Wonder Woman - The New 52! series by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang, the new Wonder Woman Rebirth, and Star Trek: The Nex Generation - The Modala Imperative issue #1. There was a comic book vendor at the BX and hubby got something for himself (3 Spawn comics) and for the kids (each got a Superman/Batman key ring - looks like remainders from the movie-tie in).

He is a definite keeper, my husband is.

On Saturday, I had to stop by the BX for a caffeine fix prior to battling the shoppers at the commissary, so I stopped into the comic vendor's booth to see what else he had. I left with Vixen (first two issues in the Return of the Lion series), Injustice: Gods Among Us issue #11 - Showdown at the Fortess of Solitude (Superman looked amazing on the cover),  and One Million (looks like a one-off of the Justice League of America - the cover is freaking beautiful).

Damn fine comic book weekend.

I love this series so much, and I couldn't be more pleased that we are getting a third installment at some point. (Okay, well, I could be happier if A. I knew when we were getting it or the ultimate B. if it came out tomorrow.)

This was over 100 gorgeous pages longer than the first one, and I honestly can't decide which one I like more, because they're both so wonderful. This one is a bit different from the first, insofar as it is more plot-driven, with some backstory and scene changes, as opposed to the much quieter (ha) more picturesque life Delilah and Selim were living in the Turkish Lieutenant, and I know some people didn't like it as much because of that, but for me it worked because it felt like a natural organic change to the storytelling. Also it is awesome.

"I am a fancy lady and you are my footman."

When Delilah is framed as a spy by an English Officer, her and Selim travel to London to clear her good name.  Only things don't go as planned and her passion for revenge puts pressure on her friendship with Selim. So with the lies building and time running out, Delilah needs to clear her name and protect the Crown's officer before France tips the balance of war in their favor.  

I have been waiting for The King's Shilling to be released since 2011 when I read the first book, Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant.  Which I was lucky enough to win a copy of from the writer, and illustrator, Tony Cliff.  I instantly fell and love and have been following the build of for the release of the second installment since.  In fact I carved out an entire morning on my day off just so I could sit down and enjoy it without any distractions, and I had barely put it down before my flatmate had picked it up.  

Without a single doubt, King's Shilling was worth the wait.  It was everything I love about this first Delilah Dirk graphic novel, and more.

Just like the Turkish Lieutenant, the entire story is told from Selim's point of view, and author Tony Cliff, throws us into the story.  Though honestly it's just another day for Delilah Dirk and Selim.  For me I felt like the story started off and high note and ended with a promise for the future with these two.  It was nice to get a longer, in-depth, story arc for the second installment now that we've been introduced to the characters.  There was no back stepping in this book to remind us how the characters met.  You are just thrown straight into the story and expected to keep up.  Personally I liked that, but that means the first installment, Delilah Dirk and the Turkish Lieutenant, must be read before starting this second book. 

Never once did I feel like story lagged.  There were a few quiet panels where we get a little look at where Delilah came from and the people who turned her into the adventurer we met in the Turkish Lieutenant. I enjoyed the journey that Tony Cliff took us on and was glad to see a few more pages in this book compared to the first.  It was also nice to see things get a little personal for Delilah.  Which isn't something we really saw in last installment.

Selim had definitely grown since the last book as well, Delilah was her usual self, which was a bad thing per say.  She was already a strong a character and at the start of the book she was consistent with where we left her.  Which was good, but for the plot kind of bad.  Confused?  Good, I don't wanna give any spoilers away.  But, Selim, he has grown since he first met Delilah, so has their friendship.  You can see the trust they have in each other and just how comfortable they are with one another.  Also it was nice to see that Selim has learned to read Delilah to know what will happen when her plans, like the usually do, don't got quite as planned.

The artwork was wonderful once again as well.  Tony Cliff is an amazing illustrator and I always take a little a longer to catch on the detail in each panel.  He draws sarcasm so well. Which is good since that is Delilah's main form of communication.

By the end I was said to see the back flap getting closer, but I honestly felt like everything was tied up pretty well.  I feel like Delilah and Selim's friendship grew into something stronger through this book, because Delilah realized just how much the man means for her.  Most of all I love the fact that ending was open so we could possible get another installment.  Which probably means another wait, but for Delilah Dirk and Selim, I think I can do.

I totally recommend Delilah Dirk to anyone who loves the Indian Jones movies.  That was the reason I took a chance on the first book, because the tag line said she was the female version of Doctor Jones. There is action, adventures, laughs, and lots of Victorian things.  It's honestly a wonderful read and I adore them very much!  What more could you want than a sword fighting Victorian Lady and her always there with the save Turkish Lieutenant?