Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot—and two ordinary children on a mission.After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids’ mom … kids’ mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.
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this book is the best
I thought of this book because it has a lot of magic and adventure
amazing
It’s really more like 3.5 stars. And my entire problem can be summed up in this: too fast-paced. Now, normally, fast-paced is a good thing, but in this case I felt like there was very little time to get to know the characters or their personalities before we’re thrust into the middle of all the action. Which, can sometimes work, I just didn’t feel it for this particular book. I wanted more exposition, more details on the personalities of Em and Navin.
But that is, ultimately, my only complaint. Was it enough to turn me off entirely? No. Will I be picking up the second book? Yes. I’ll just probably be waiting to get a coupon or have it go on sale.
I gotta say though, there was another odd thing about this book for me- not a bad or good thing, just something that’s never really happened before. In any book with siblings, unless one is entirely evil, I’m always more likely to resonate with the eldest sibling. I’m the oldest, so I usually find the eldest sibling a very easy character to understand and immediately get into the head of. In this case, I’m loving the younger sibling, Navin. I AGREE WITH NAVIN SO MUCH. Yes, I think the voice is skeevy too, Navin. Yes, Navin, I think this makes Em a Wizard as well. Yes, Navin, I agree with you.
The artwork is nicely done, but nothing wowing. There are several really really gorgeously done panels and some that are just eh. It all kind of averaged out to: nicely done. The storyline isn’t entirely original, but this is a little darker than I was expecting for the age group I think this book was aimed at (Middle School, I thought), but that’s not a criticism. I would definitely feel comfortable giving this book to my younger cousins to read, darkness and all. I think they’d be really into it, actually, I usually find Middle School books tend to sugar coat things too much. Some kids prefer it, but I think a lot of them are able to handle more than most adults are willing to think as far as maturity level in books goes. Maybe that was just me as a Middle Schooler, though. So I’ll be picking up the 2nd book eventually, and keeping this one on the list of potential birthday/Christmas presents for the young ‘uns.
it was a great book
it is the beginning of a great series
When I purchased this, I didn’t know it was a graphic novel. have never read a graphic novel. Being a grandma-aged person, I liked it. I think it would be great resource for kids to read that think they don’t like to read. After reading this one, I would read one again.