THE COBALT PRINCE

Sisters reunite to lead the charge against a disembodied, mind-controlling evil in this second episode of the 5 Worlds series following The Sand Warrior (2017).

Following a string of chases, captures, escapes, and visits to several worldlets, young Oona Lee and her older sib, Jessa—the latter reeling under the realization that she had been tricked by the insidious Mimic into leading the opener’s treacherous attack—catch up to one another on Moon Toki to reaffirm their bond and to employ their Sand Dance magic to prevent the Mimic from freeing its long-captive heart. Already notable for exotic locales and an extravagantly diverse cast, this series adds more of both in its latest outing (included among the new characters are some plant people and a frisky but helpful blob of sacred oil named Ram Sam Sam). Some panels are still too small to hold the dialogue and larger-scale action comfortably, but the pacing is quick and fluid, and the dancing carries a suitably otherworldly air. Climactic victory comes at the cost of a wrenching sacrifice, but it clears the way for the main quest to save the ecologically stressed moons from ruin. (The final panel hints that a side jaunt may be up next, however.)

The adventure continues, growing grander of scale and if possible even more lavish in visual detail.