Cinebook the 9th Art: Berezina book 2 (of 3)

PAPERBACK
Authors: Frédéric Richaud, based on the novel by Patrick Rambaud; illustrated by Ivan Gil
Age: 15 years and up
Size: 21.7 x 28.7 cm
Number of pages: 64 colour pages
Publication: September 2022

ISBN: 9781800440715

£9.99 incl VAT

Moscow is now in French hands, but a large part of the city has burned down, and it’s been emptied of all food, fodder and warm clothes. Even as winter approaches, and against the advice of his generals, Napoleon insists on staying, convinced that the Czar will soon surrender to him. But both soldiers and civilians increasingly suffer from hunger and the cold, and the terrifying Cossacks constantly harry any troops sent out to forage for food … 

Completely forgot about this series and I reviewed volume 1 back in May. You can see that here (along with a link to the previous 3 volume series that will knock your socks off!

https://hoopercomicart.blogspot.com/2022/05/cinebook-ltd-berezina-book-13.html 

You get to see Napoleon having a bath but...what he's doing with that hand I will not even think about! This is not about set-piece battles but about the characters, incidents and skirmishes. 

All of the scenarios are well written and the characters draw you in to their lives and struggles and the problem I have is that if I describe them it will spoil your read. I've read through it twice now and I would recommend it just based on the story but then there is the art.

One reason I never touched Napoleonic wargaming is because of the uniforms -but that is what attracts a lot of people to that era. The colours, minor details and getting the uniforms accurate has to be spot on because there are people out there who will tear you limb-from-limb if you have six buttons on a tunic instead of eight! The civilian costumes are also spot on and the various settings, including the retreat, are wonderful. 

Again, I will mention the colourists -Albertine Ralenti and Elvire De Cock. Their work adds atmosphere as well as authenticity and despite what anyone says colouring and doing so correctly is a skill and this duo are skilled. All of this behind a magnificent cover. A series to be recommended.