A by turns epic, amusing, and tragic caper that’s even more toastworthy (for obvious reasons) than its 11 predecessors.
Discover “a new type of god” in this final installment in the outstanding Olympians series.
Depicted eerily as an enigmatic, unclothed figure wrapped in flames, Hestia, goddess of hearth and home—and the oldest of the Olympians—narrates this strange and wild tale of Dionysos’ birth and rise. The youngest of the gods, Dionysos is conceived by a human mother and raised first as a girl then as a boy before he goes on to invent wine, vanquish death itself, and ultimately claim his seat on Mount Olympus with the rest of his immortal clan. Though not immune to tender feelings (such as when he meets the spirit of his dead mother, Semele, in the realm of Hades and when he marries Ariadne after she’s dumped by that cad Theseus), Dionysos generally comes off as a slap-happy party animal. He cavorts through the illustrations shirtless, displaying appropriately godlike charm and charisma as he dispenses his marvelous beverage far and wide and gathers followers—of both the mythological and racially diverse human variety—for wild rumpuses. “The Olympians may be deathless, but no god is as alive as Dionysos,” Hestia observes. More than any of his fellow deities, he is “a god of the people. Of humans. Because he was born of them.” The pages of this well-conceived graphic novel are laid out using an irregular grid that emphasizes some panels while retaining flow. All major characters present as White.
A by turns epic, amusing, and tragic caper that’s even more toastworthy (for obvious reasons) than its 11 predecessors. (sources, resources, discussion questions, endnotes) (Graphic mythology. 10-14)Pub Date: March 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-62672-530-0
Page Count: 80
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2021
PERSPECTIVES
A wonderful, whimsical winner.
Beetle and Kat return in another gloriously imaginative adventure.
In this follow-up to Beetle & the Hollowbones (2020), green-skinned goblin Beetle and necromanced skeleton Kat anticipate Carnival Night, when the Great Dragons will arrive with the lighting of a magical beacon. When the dragons fail to show, Kat and Beetle seek help from another dragon, physician Evelyn Drake, and her vampire companion, Dr. Delia Darlingtonia. Involved in planning aspects of the carnival, Kat’s overbearing parents pit her against another magician in a winner-takes-all competition that could see Kat lose her own abilities. Kat grapples with balancing her family’s crushing expectations and her authentic self. Beetle has her own troubles: She feels herself changing into something unrecognizable as her goblin magic grows, leading her to great lengths to repress it. As their relationship deepens, Kat and Beetle struggle with their own comings-out and redefining their move from friendship to something more. Avoiding any second-book slump, Layne’s phenomenal sequel mixes fantasy, social themes, and an inclusive and unforgettable cast with a gentle, swoonworthy romance. The worldbuilding and magic systems are complex but accessible, brought to life with stunningly rendered, vibrant illustrations. The book opens with a brief recap for those unfamiliar with its predecessor. This volume makes a fine jumping-in point, but readers would be remiss to lose out on a single minute in this world.
A wonderful, whimsical winner. (dramatis personae, magic systems, creature guide, character designs, promo art, mini comic) (Graphic fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: April 29, 2025
ISBN: 9781665907484
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Woven with magic.
A pair of twins seeks refuge—and revenge on the cousin to usurp his power.
On the day of the solstice, cisgender boy Hawke and his twin, Grayce, a transgender girl, flee for their lives when their cousin Mirelle stages a coup, murdering both their grandfather, lord of House Sunderlay, and their cousin Reyden, their grandfather’s rightful heir. They disguise themselves as initiates of the Communion of Blue, an order of women who spin the threads that bind the world. Grayce discovers belonging, purpose, and power with the Communion, but Hawke grows restless, eager for the chance to fight for justice. In her middle-grade debut, Smith (Crossplay, 2018) steeps Grayce and Hawke’s world in immersive color. The Communion’s bright blue pops, drawing the eye whenever it appears and illustrating the magical energy that entices the twins to the Communion’s mysterious and mystical activities. Dynamic panel layouts, particularly during high action sequences, give the story momentum and help communicate the tone. Characters’ facial expressions and body language capture the intense emotional shifts, from Grayce’s excitement at learning to the stabbing sorrow of sudden loss. Grayce and Hawke have beige skin and black hair, and the supporting cast includes a diversity of skin tones. Grayce’s coming-out subplot is affirming; she is met with love and support by old family and new. While the story can stand alone, the world is built with a complexity that invites further exploration and adventures.
Woven with magic. (map) (Graphic fantasy. 10-14)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-316-48598-2
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 8, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2019
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