Two of my goals this year were to read more graphic novels and to read more middle grade … so here I am, killing two birds with one stone.*

* No actual birds were hurt in the making of this blog post.

I always struggle to write reviews for graphic novels, because it feels like there’s just not as much for me to say about them, so forgive me if these are brief. The books I have for you today, though, are a little of everything … including a cheat.

By now, this shouldn’t surprise you. Technically, the third book on this list isn’t middle grade. It’s a classic. But I read it in sixth grade, while I was still in the middle grade age and phase, and this version is geared towards younger readers, so I’m still going to count it, so there. We’ll just say the magic is in the fact that it takes a classic book and makes it, dare I say, engaging and maybe even more accessible to a younger audience.

The Fox & the Little Tanuki, Vol. 1

by Mi Tagawa
Published by: TokyoPop on March 17, 2020
Genres: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Pages: 172
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss
Rating:

Goodreads Amazon

Long ago, the gods granted a few special animals great powers... but not all those animals used their magical abilities for good! Senzou the Fox Spirit in particular grew too brash and arrogant, abusing his strength until the gods imprisoned him for his bad behavior. Three hundred years later, he's finally been released, but only on one condition-- he can't have his any of his abilities back until he successfully helps a tanuki cub named Manpachi become an assistant to the gods. Unfortunately for Senzou, there's no cheating when it comes to completing his task! The magic beads around his neck make sure he can't wander too far from his charge or shirk his duties, and so... Senzou the once-great Fox Spirit must now figure out how to be an actually-great babysitter to a mischievous little tanuki or risk being stuck without his powers forever!

Middle Grade     Fantasy     Graphic Novel     Manga     Animal Protagonist    

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Many thanks to Edelweiss and TokyoPop for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Images are taken from an unfinished version and may differ from the final product.

❧ This book is about a little Tanuki, and honestly … how can you resist that cute little face?

It’s impossible. If you can, you’re a monster. Actually, this would be a really good litmus test for weeding out people to watch for. Look at me, providing a vital service for society in figuring that out. You’re welcome.

The art style in this is just freaking adorable, with a nice blend of cute and mythical.

The protagonists are animals with powers, so they sometimes take human form and they often use magic. I enjoyed the art in this and the nice juxtaposition between this adorable, sweet Tanuki and the cold, darker world that it will one day discover. Or, you know, maybe not? The whole point is there’s still hope for him, right?

❧ I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, and while this is funny, it also tugs on the heart strings.

Because animals born with magic? They’re abandoned by their parents for the sake of their family. The little Tanuki was left behind and is, for all intents and purposes, an orphan, as is the fate for every magical creature like him. And you know what? He has the nerve to not even get mad about it. Partly because he doesn’t understand and partly because he’s just such a pure soul, and I just want to hug him and protect him.

❧ This has so many of my favorite tropes!

There’s a cranky evil-doer who finds himself in an inconvenient and detestable position with no choice but to obey … and found family! And magic! And mythology and lore and really, just all sorts of good stuff.

This manga has a warm, fuzzy found-family feel mixed with an episodic, questy vibe.

The Tanuki has to grow up big and strong, after all, and serve the Goddess well. But in order to do that, he has to learn how to use and control his powers and also … you know … kind of not die? And probably help others along the way, as you do when you’re some sort of magical guardian.

❧ This was so short that it felt like the story was just getting going by the time this ended.

Which, I suppose, is kind of the nature of this format, since it’s just Volume 1. This is why I tend to read combined volumes, because really, this is just a taste, a little sample of what will be the overall story. Was I interested? Yeah. But will I remember it by the time the next volume comes out? Eh, probably not, which is unfortunate.

The Accursed Inheritance of Henrietta Achilles: Book 1

by Haiko Hörnig, Marius Pawlitza
Published by: Graphic Universe (Tm) on April 7, 2020
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Pages: 96
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Rating:

Goodreads Amazon

The life of Henrietta Achilles is about to change. After years of living as an orphan, she receives a summons to the strange town of Malrenard. To her surprise, she's the only living relative of Ornun Zol--a notorious wizard, now deceased, which leaves Henrietta with his house and everything in it.
With Ornun Zol gone, escaped creatures and misfired curses have been spilling out into Malrenard. If that's not enough, Henrietta will discover countless squabbling squatters inside her uncle's abode: soldiers, bandits, tiny monsters, and more. Then there's the matter of the strange black cat following Henrietta around . . .

Middle Grade     Fantasy     Graphic Novel    

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Graphic Universe (Tm) for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. Images are taken from an unfinished version and may differ from the final product.

❧ I’ll be the first to admit that I’m extremely picky about art style when it comes to graphic novels. So while I didn’t love the way people were drawn in this, the art still manages to be stunning and breathtaking.

It’s sort of a really weird combination. The style of art for the people just bugs me. Not all of them, either. I can’t quite put my finger on it. I think maybe because they’re so simplistic and almost cartoony, but the setting and background is so vivid and brilliant that I almost expect them to look more realistic, too. Maybe? I dunno, words are hard. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Make no mistake, though, this artwork is absolutely stunning. The sort I’d happily hang on my wall, used to impress my friends and elicit wistful fantasies of anywhere but here.

From the very first few pages, I just absolutely fell in love with the overall art style of this. Despite not particularly liking how the people are drawn, it also didn’t make me love this any less, and I’m definitely looking forward to another volume.

❧ The story takes place in a giant, old castle they want us to think is creepy, but really, who wouldn’t want to live here?

Okay, other than the protagonist, but pffft, what does she know? I actually can’t tell you a whole lot about the castle, because … well, discovering it is sort of the point. And I hope you like surprises because … SURPRISE! It’s probably not quite what you expect. I sure didn’t.

While we’re not formally introduced to them, this volume introduces an eclectic and quirky set of characters that I couldn’t help but love from the start.

I’m actually really looking forward to officially meeting them, and I’m sure there’s some shenanigans to be had with them. There was a bit of chaos … okay, well, there was a lot of chaos in the second half, yet it was still easy to follow and made me laugh. Seems like this will be a series that’s packed with mystery and magic (with a sprinkle of humor), and I am all for that.

❧ At its core, this book is about family secrets and a little girl growing into a role that seems too big for her.

Which, if I’m honest, is really what the best middle grade books are about, right? I love getting to see kids be heroes and conquer things they don’t think they can, because kids need to see that. They sometimes doubt what they’re capable of unless they’re reminded.

The main character is also a reluctant hero. She has absolutely no idea what she’s getting herself into.

I mean, neither do we, technically. But by the end of the book, she (and the reader) will have a pretty good idea. The book does feel like it kind of just … ends? Which was a little bit frustrating, because it seemed like it was getting to the really good part (and that’s how they get you, isn’t it?). Still, this seems like it’ll be a really fun story and definitely my type of book.

Manga Classics: The Count of Monte Cristo

by Stacy King, Nokman Poon, Crystal S. Chan, Alexandre Dumas
Published by: Udon Entertainment on April 1, 2017
Genres: Graphic Novel, Historical
Pages: 401
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Rating:

Goodreads Amazon

A Conspiracy and a miscarriage of justice turn the gentle Edmond Dantès into an implacable agent of fate:
The Count of Monte Cristo
. Obsessed by vengeance and empowered by providence, the Count avenges himself on whose who have wronged him - but is this justice, or is this hubris? In the end, does even the Count know?
Alexandre Dumas' skillful narrative combines intrigue, betrayal, and triumphant revenge into a powerful conflict between good and evil. Now this exciting saga, rich and diverse, takes on an entirely new life in this Manga Classics adaptation!

Graphic Novel     Historical     Classic    

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Udon Entertainment for an eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

❧ The gorgeous artwork on the front is what originally caught my eye about this book, and on that front, it certainly delivers.

I don’t remember much about The Count of Monte Cristo other than high-level plot points and characters, since I read it in sixth grade. What I do remember was that it was tough to get through and super boring to me. Says the person who was also reading Lord of the Rings at that age and had a much better time with that.

While still being a historical fiction and retaining the overall themes and structure of the plot, this book does a wonderful job of presenting it in a way that looks almost more modern, easily consumable, and much more engaging.

Part of that, I’m sure, is the difference between reading a graphic novel and reading a book written a very, very long time ago, when it was a challenge to see how long a sentence could go without a period (and authors, clearly, took this challenge very seriously). The artwork, though, felt very clean and modern and easy to follow, and it’s every bit as pretty as the cover suggests.

❧ There’s this constant, ongoing argument about whether kids should be forced to read classics, and you know what? This is the best of both worlds.

Does it leave things out from the original? Sure. What exactly, I couldn’t tell you, because, as I said, it’s been a while. But of course some things are going to have to fall to the wayside in order to change mediums, so that’s to be expected. The overall story and the message and themes, as far as I can remember them, stayed the same. Best yet, it was like discovering the story again, in a whole different format, and even though it felt familiar, it was still something somewhat new.

While the story relies a little too heavily on exposition in some places, the overall plot seemed easier to follow and more accessible to younger audiences.

When I was a mid-grade reader, I was always interested in the plot of classics, but ugh, all those words just got in the way. And I usually like words, but just … not these words, thanks. Not arranged like that, at least. Kids seem to love graphic novels, and I love the idea of meeting them where they’re at and presenting the classics in a format they seem to gravitate towards.

❧ There are a lot of threads (as there were with the original), and it’s sometimes hard to follow.

That being said, I do believe it was easier to follow the graphic novel than the book, though I don’t know if that’s because of my age when reading them or the differences in the books themselves, so take that with a grain of salt. From very early on, it’s easy to see how the count is manipulating things and laying seeds, even if you don’t know what his plan is beyond “revenge,” so there’s a nice air of mystery and plotting that’s particularly fun when told through art rather than words.

Chat With Me

Do any of these graphic novels speak to you? Read any good mid-grade graphic novels you’d recommend?