Description: Searching for their literary hero, new parents Marko and Alana travel to a cosmic lighthouse on the planet Quietus, while the couple's multiple pursuers finally close in on their targets.

Review: The third volume of Saga has less action than the previous volumes, however, there is more emphasis on the several relationships of various characters. 
Marko and Alana remain the central couple of this volume and we watch them meet D. Oswald Heist, the romance writer who wrote the book that inspired them to move beyond their individual prejudices and be a couple. I felt that the secondary characters, however, stole the show. I loved the fact that this volume focuses even more on The Will’s growing relationship with Gwendolyn and towards Sophie, the little girl whom they saved. The Will is less robotic and this volume highlighted his humanity as he struggles with his conflicting emotions of mourning his lost love and his growing attraction to Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn also proves to be a stronger character and much more than Marko's scorned ex-fiance. 
 Vaughan also introduces a same-sex male reporters who are investigating Alana's past. I liked finding out more information of Alana, however, I wished the reporters had more depth but I'm guessing they will be developed in the next volume of this series. Staples' artwork is stunning and captures the expressions and body language of the characters so well. I do hope Volume 4 picks up the action again and I'm curious to see where Vaughan takes his space opera next.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: This volume contains strong language, bloody violence, nudity, and some images of sexual situations. Recommended for adults only.

If you like this book try: Saga Volume 4 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Alex + Ada Vol 1 by Jonathan Luna

 Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples is not the typical graphic novel that I tend to drift to, but I picked it up after reading several starred reviews. Saga is a hard to describe. I guess the best way to wrap your head around it is picturing a hybrid of Star Wars meets Romeo and Juliet with a lot of bizarre creatures and worlds.

Description: Saga is sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the universe. Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and horrific monsters, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters her strangest adventure yet... grandparents.

Review: Hazel, the newborn daughter of Marko and Alana, continues to narrate the story of her parents from an unknown point in the future. Marko and Alana, both soldiers from two warring alien races, have a forbidden romance that gives Romeo and Juliet a run for their money. On the run as fugitives from their respective races, they continue to search the universe for a safe place to live, love, and raise Hazel. Their mission is much easier said than done as bounty hunters continue to plague them and, worst of all, the sudden appearance of ex-flames (an enraged Gwendolyn, Marko's one time fiancée) and in-laws (Marko's parents seek out their wayward child at the worst possible of times, complicating his escape with Alana).
 This volume provides back stories on several significant characters, including how Marko and Alana met, as well as the history of the relationship between The Will and The Stalk, the star-crossed (and antithesis to Marko and Alana's relationship) bounty hunters hot on their trail. The stakes are raised higher with more mature content with sex and violence. The relationships are also established with maturity, being real without being romanticized. Despite the over-the-top worlds that Vaughan has created, the reason I keep coming back to this series is the human touch that is expressed with the beautiful artwork of illustrator Fiona Staples as well as incorporating universal human themes such as family and love that gives this otherwise cartoonish graphic novel substance and staying power. 
Words of Caution: There is strong language, violence, and sexual content including nudity. Recommended for adults only.

If you like this book try: Saga Vol. 3 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Alex + Aida Vol 1 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughan