The action and wonder never stop in this intriguing sequel.
A ragtag crew heads back into a magical house in this follow-up to The Accursed Inheritance of Henrietta Achilles (2020).
After being flushed out of a skyscraperlike tower due to a burst pipe, Henrietta leads a group of bandits and soldiers back inside to fix the pipes, save the village from the flood, and continue their hunt for the hidden treasure. It’s not all fun and games though, as Henrietta faces moments of doubt; she’s unsure how to properly wield the keys she inherited as the wizard’s heir. While the group splits up and experiences various attacks and mishaps, Henrietta forges ahead and finds a boy made of candle wax who promises to help her—but danger lurks around every corner. The striking illustrations are both clear and whimsical, bringing to life the wondrous creatures and imaginative magical elements that fill the story. Rife with humorous moments, this graphic novel is overall a delight. However, the presence of a dozen or so major characters makes it hard for them all to shine, and the clunky introduction of some characters’ backstories during the war years ago muddies the otherwise tight, action-packed plot. For those interested in unravelling the additional secrets introduced in this installment, a cliffhanger ending fortunately promises more to come. The cast appears mainly White and mostly male.
The action and wonder never stop in this intriguing sequel. (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: Nov. 10, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-72841-287-0
Page Count: 120
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A solid introduction for budding lovers of the Bard.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
The timeless tale of the young and disaffected Danish prince who is pushed to avenge his father’s untimely murder at the hands of his brother unfolds with straightforward briskness. Shakespeare’s text has been liberally but judiciously cut, staying true to the thematic meaning while dispensing with longer speeches (with the notable exception of the renowned “to be or not to be” soliloquy) and intermediary dialogues. Some of the more obscure language has been modernized, with a glossary of terms provided at the end; despite these efforts, readers wholly unfamiliar with the story might struggle with independent interpretation. Where this adaptation mainly excels is in its art, especially as the play builds to its tensely wrought final act. Illustrator Kumar (World War Two, 2015, etc.) pairs richly detailed interiors and exteriors with painstakingly rendered characters, each easily distinguished from their fellows through costume, hairstyle, and bearing. Human figures are generally depicted in bust or three-quarter shots, making the larger panels of full figures all the more striking. Heavily scored lines of ink form shadows, lending the otherwise bright pages a gritty air. All characters are white.
A solid introduction for budding lovers of the Bard. (biography of Shakespeare, dramatis personae, glossary) (Graphic novel. 12-18)Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2019
ISBN: 978-93-81182-51-2
Page Count: 90
Publisher: Campfire
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
A warm, sweet, lovely tale of a world readers will want to live in.
In a not-so-distant future where changing one’s physical features is as easy as purchasing nanobot mods, Sunati falls for Austen, a girl who always looks the same.
Since Austen never changes, Sunati admires what she assumes is her bravery and confidence. As Sunati and Austen chat more, Austen bluntly asks Sunati if she only wants to get to know her more because of her medical condition, which prevents her from using mods. As they gradually grow closer, Sunati learns how to interact more respectfully with those who have overactive immune systems as well as to share her feelings more honestly. Austen, in turn, learns to trust Sunati. This beautifully illustrated slice-of-life tale that shows two young women of color getting to know each other and creating a relationship is so warm and charming that readers will hardly notice how much they are learning about how to better interact with folx who are different from themselves and the importance of not making assumptions. The story also successfully weaves in agender, genderfluid, and asexual characters as well as the subjects of parenting and colorism into the natural arc of Sunati and Austen’s developing story. The soft, romantic artwork evokes hazy watercolors. The speech bubbles are predominantly pink and blue, and the varied layout will maintain readers’ interest.
A warm, sweet, lovely tale of a world readers will want to live in. (Graphic romance. 12-18)Pub Date: May 19, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4998-1110-0
Page Count: 256
Publisher: Little Bee Books
Review Posted Online: March 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
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