A winning combination of characters, plot, and images.
A teen superhero originally from the Milestone Universe tries to get over a breakup and finds himself having an all-night adventure.
Virgil Hawkins, aka Static, discovers his heroics do not endear him to his ladylove, Daisy. He’s just about to invite her to a big music festival when she breaks up with him, leaving him feeling distraught. It’s not as if it was his choice to become a Bang Baby but rather a side effect of being caught in an overly aggressive response to a demonstration. Virgil’s circle of friends includes others with unusual gifts as well. His best friend, Rich, encourages him to come with him to the festival and forget his problems for one night, but when Virgil gets there and spots Daisy with a new guy, Static’s powers accidentally disrupt the performance. His attempt to salvage the night results in more disaster and mayhem as Static and friends clash with determined villains, while Static’s obsession with his breakup leads him to make bad decisions. The action in this page-turning graphic novel is nonstop. Giles brings his trademark strong storytelling skills and humor to this version of the character, and African American Virgil displays an engaging personality as he embraces his superhero tasks. Each member of his diverse set of friends brings unique qualities to the tale as well. The lively, expressive illustrations skillfully match the exciting storyline.
A winning combination of characters, plot, and images. (Graphic adventure. 13-17)Pub Date: Nov. 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781779510518
Page Count: 208
Publisher: DC
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2023
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes.
What happens to the world after the dust from a revolution has settled?
Friends Annie and Lee were children from very different circles when Atreus killed Lee’s father, dragonlord Leon Stormscourge, ending the uprising on the bloodiest day in Callipolis’ history. For too long the dragonriders held all the power while their people starved and lived in fear. Nine years later, a new generation of dragonriders is emerging, children selected and trained on merit, not bloodlines. Their dragons are finally mature enough for them to compete for Firstrider, a position of power that can give Lee back a small part of what his family lost. However, not only is Lee competing against Annie, but rumors are circulating that some of the royal family have survived and have dragons of their own. Everyone will have to make a choice: Restore the old regime, support the First Protector and the new caste system he created, or look for a new way, no matter what the cost. From the beginning, this book pulls readers in with political intrigue and action. What keeps them invested, however, are the complex relationships between many cast members. Choices are complex, and the consequences for all could be deadly. The world is well fleshed out and believable. Annie and Lee are light skinned; secondary characters are diverse, and race is a nonissue in this world.
Full of drama, emotional turmoil, and high stakes. (author’s note) (Fantasy.14-17)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-525-51821-1
Page Count: 448
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 23, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2019
Bound to be popular.
A suddenly trendy trope—conflict and romance between members of conquering and enslaved races—enlivened by fantasy elements loosely drawn from Arabic tradition (another trend!).
In an original, well-constructed fantasy world (barring some lazy naming), the Scholars have lived under Martial rule for 500 years, downtrodden and in many cases enslaved. Scholar Laia has spent a lifetime hiding her connection to the Resistance—her parents were its leaders—but when her grandparents are killed and her brother’s captured by Masks, the eerie, silver-faced elite soldiers of the Martial Empire, Laia must go undercover as a slave to the terrifying Commandant of Blackcliff Military Academy, where Martials are trained for battle. Meanwhile, Elias, the Commandant’s not-at-all-beloved son, wants to run away from Blackcliff, until he is named an Aspirant for the throne by the mysterious red-eyed Augurs. Predictably, action, intrigue, bloodshed and some pounding pulses follow; there’s betrayal and a potential love triangle or two as well. Sometimes-lackluster prose and a slight overreliance on certain kinds of sexual violence as a threat only slightly diminish the appeal created by familiar (but not predictable) characters and a truly engaging if not fully fleshed-out fantasy world.
Bound to be popular. (Fantasy. 13 & up)Pub Date: April 28, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-59514-803-2
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2015
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