Renaissance is the first book in a new graphic novel series. It’s set in the near future and jumps back and forth between locations on earth and alien planet. The story seems to follow several different family groups—human and alien—as they try to navigate both a new intergalactic relationship and an earth on the brink of destruction.

The pros: 1) the artwork is beautiful. Like, really beautiful. 2) the characters and storylines are complex and interesting.

The cons: 1) because this book is the first in the series, it is mostly exposition; the story is just starting to pick up by the end of the book and then the reader is left with a cliffhanger ending.

I can’t say that this first installment wowed me, but it did whet my interest. I’ll definitely be looking out for the next installment.