505

Back to three. I really was not all that interested in the stories being told about the war torn past, and nazi's, and him looking like the Wolfman from cinema instead of the wolf at the end.

It is, also, when I started commenting about how half the time I love the way the art and images change when someone is telling a fable inside of the story arc. That is almost picturesque.

I would give it a 3.5, if I could, though. Just for the entire Giving Birth scene. Because Bigsby and Blue and Snow and SIX. That woman is made of steel. ( )

My favorite number so far. A lot of people don't like the side story about WWII but I thought it was a fine Wolfman vs. Frankenstein send up. The main story ends with a nice little mystery that in hindsight was hinted at ever since the grandfather North arrived. The Cindy lead story ends up tying up some loose ends that lead into the main story line.

Meanwhile the election for mayor is held and Snow delivers. But where is Little Boy Blue? ( )

Pretty cool but feels like a transitional story than a substantial one. I'm sure it's acting as a setup for the next volume. ( )

After the intensity and depth of [b:Fables, Vol. 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers|21325|Fables, Vol. 4 March of the Wooden Soldiers|Bill Willingham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870401l/21325._SX50_.jpg|1330999], I fully expected [b:Fables, Vol. 5: The Mean Seasons|21330|Fables, Vol. 5 The Mean Seasons|Bill Willingham|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327870458l/21330._SX50_.jpg|2910] to be something of a step back, a breather. And that's exactly what we got.

That's not to say nothing happened. There's a backstory of Bigby wolf in the war, Snow White goes through childbirth, the election between King Cole and Prince Charming finally happens, and Bigby's father finally gets to meet the lady who's snared his son's heart. And of course along the way, things get bloody and wacky hijinks ensue (sometimes at the same time!).

For a relatively lighter episode, it's still plenty dark, with any number of minor characters (this time) dying and a number of rising and falling stars. We also do realize that no matter how deep we dig into the world of Fables, there's always another secret.

It's kind of crazy to think that more than a year passes throughout this book. Then again, just about all the characters are immortal, so...

Spoilers:



Secret ... Agent Cinderela? Sure! I did not see that coming, but it works.



It's funny because it's true. Bigby being a special asset using his powers in times of war--and with at least a few people 'in the know' is fascinating. I could do with an entire series of just that, honestly.



Of course Frankenstein is a thing.

On to the main story:



44 hours... is quite the time. And it's funny because she survived exactly that--getting shot in the head. And that was probably easier.



Man the farm is a weird and wonderful place. Seeing all those non-human Fables together like that is fascinating. Shrekesque even (Shrek actually predates Fables by a year... who would have thought that?).



Turns out... wolves have litters. And Snow White is awfully magical. But there's another reason they're all floaty that no one seems to pin down.

Man. Imagine floating babies.



I hope so. Well, Bigby at least. I think he and Snow are good for one another.



Birds make excellent[^ish] baby sitters.



I'm Mister... White Christmas. I'm Mister Snow.



... no more spoilers, but that was quite the twist! I want to see more of this; I want to see more of it all!

[^ish]: At the very least they can catch the babies when they fly off! ( )