"The WWII-era Soviet Union provides a treacherous setting for this well-crafted military thriller.... This throwback to classic European war comics should satisfy military buffs, and promises teen crossover appeal." --Publishers Weekly

"A gripping, action-filled story.... The artwork is top-notch and the script is very well done." --Arcadia Pod

"The Lions of Leningrad captures a critical time during World War II with dramatic flair." --Foreword Reviews

"Van Rijckeghem does a great job as a storyteller. By choosing teenagers as the protagonists rather than adults, he is able to show the affect of the extremes of war on the innocents.... The artwork is also incredible. Du Caju uses color and light to help portray the mood of the story. Before the siege begins, there are lots of bright colors. However, as winter and the siege sets in, the art turns darker, with grays and blues. The detailed drawings, especially the emotions on the faces of the characters, really help bring them to life.... The Lions of Leningrad is a great graphic novel [and] is highly recommended." --GeekDad

"If you are looking for a graphic novel that provides an overview of the siege of Leningrad, The Lions of Leningrad fits the bill. In addition to the military assaults dealt by German forces, the narrative incorporates the oppression of the NKVD and the terrible intensity of the Russian winter. The four main characters and their relationships leave much to be desired, but the illustrations and narrative effectively convey numerous aspects of the horror endured by the residents of that city." --The Fandom Post

"It is both a coming-of-age story and a vivid - and sometimes chilling - account of the 872-day blockade of the Soviet Union's second largest city and the costliest, most gruesome siege in history.... It's an interesting story of friendship, loss, betrayal, and the human will to survive. Jean-Claude Van Rijckeghem writes a riveting - if perhaps a bit overwrought at times - coming of age story, and the illustrations by Thomas Du Caju are nicely drawn and colored in a classic comic book style." --A Certain Point of View, Too

"The Lions of Leningrad is an engaging read with all the leads being likable and readers really start to care about these teens as they struggle with the general challenges of growing up along with simply trying to survive in a war-torn city where everything including food is a scarce commodity. Caju's artwork is fantastic, with scenes of fiery explosions igniting the page and the period-era cars, clothes, and vehicles looking like true-to-life replicas. Between the intriguing story and superb artwork, this is a great book. Recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, great comic-book art, or who just wants to read a great story!" --The Newest Rant

The Lions of Leningrad

is a good war story, because it gives us a perspective we don't usually see - that of kids, who are as affected by war as anyone. It gives us an interesting look into a society that might be fighting a great evil - Nazism - but wasn't exactly free itself, and we can see parallels with our own country, unfortunately. It's exciting in parts, tragic in others, and Van Rijckeghem does a nice job focusing on the human spirit throughout. There's a bit more going on than in a more regular war story, and that adds a nice layer of intrigue to the plot. It's a cool comic. -- Atomic Junk Shop