An interesting premise brought to life with engaging art.
Two sisters battle for their homeland, which was founded by people who rejected the rule of a dishonest monarch.
Elena, the 18-year-old general of Esterpike, is renowned for her military achievements. Elena’s sister, Per, on the other hand, is mischievous; she forges Elena’s signature to request some of the best fireworks from one of the neighboring lands. When the fireworks arrive, Per ensures that Elena is indisposed for the evening so that she might enjoy the festivities disguised as her sister, whom she strongly resembles. Unfortunately for Per, Esterpike is attacked during the fireworks display. After the real Elena is killed in battle, Per, aided by Elena’s second-in-command, Amelia, pretends to be her sister and approaches the leaders of the neighboring lands in hopes that they might provide some aid for Esterpike. Instead, she uncovers a larger plot aimed at overthrowing Unity. Chua and Chikiamco’s stand-alone graphic fantasy, set in a quasi-medieval world, has strong female characters, the intrigue of subterfuge, and vibrant illustrations. The full-color art in bright jewel tones has a manga feel. However, the presence of doubles and sudden flashbacks can make the plot confusing; readers will undoubtedly benefit from reviewing certain sections. Most primary characters read white; there is diversity in skin tone in the supporting cast.
An interesting premise brought to life with engaging art. (Graphic fantasy. 12-14)Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68415-476-0
Page Count: 160
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2020
A charming adaptation.
A miscommunication leaves Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert responsible for a plucky, effusive orphan girl instead of the boy they’d expected to help maintain their farm.
Retold in traditional manga format, with right-to-left panel orientation and detailed black-and-white linework, this adaptation is delightfully faithful to the source text. Larger panels establish the idyllic country landscape while subtle text boxes identify the setting—Prince Edward Island, Canada, in the 1870s. The book follows redheaded Anne Shirley from her arrival at Green Gables at 11 to her achievement of a college scholarship. In the intervening years, Anne finds stability, friendship, personal growth, and ambition in Avonlea and in the strict but well-intentioned Cuthbert siblings’ household. The familiar story is enhanced by the exciting new format and lush illustrations. A variety of panel layouts provides visual freshness, maintaining reader interest. Backmatter includes the floor plan of the Green Gables house, as well as interior and exterior views, and notes about research on the actual location. A description of the process of adapting the novel to this visual format indicates the care that was taken to highlight particular elements of the story as well as to remain faithful to the smallest details. Readers who find the original text challenging will welcome this as an aid to comprehension and Anne’s existing fans will savor a fresh perspective on their beloved story. All characters appear to be White.
A charming adaptation. (Graphic fiction. 12-14)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-947808-18-8
Page Count: 308
Publisher: Manga Classics
Review Posted Online: Aug. 18, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
True to this series' winning formula, an enjoyable mix of terror, comedy and romance.
When a weird midnight rite in a museum brings a hunky Incan mummy back to life, teenage Staci has a decision to make.
Tall, dark, chiseled and gifted with magical powers to boot, the stranger who introduces himself as Pachacutec, or "Chuck," puts Staci on the horns of a dilemma: Though they have instantly and thoroughly clicked, even he admits that his reanimation is dangerous and unnatural. Furthermore, Staci has a set of erstwhile friends who have been dabbling in magic, and they are so eager to drain the Incan prince of power that they've put a vicious hex on Staci to pressure her into betraying him. Even minor figures are distinguishable characters in Nourigat's monotone ink-and-wash art, and both their emotional tides and the increasingly suspenseful dramatic action are ably conveyed in the small but clear panels. The climactic face-off takes place in the can't-miss setting of an after-hours fair and leaves the would-be witches thoroughly chastened and Chuck still around for romance—plus, there's a closing "interview" in which he reveals that he's actually based on a historical figure.
True to this series' winning formula, an enjoyable mix of terror, comedy and romance. (Graphic paranormal romance. 12-14)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-8225-9425-3
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Review Posted Online: July 17, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2012
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
