Quick Review: Amulet Graphic Novel by Kazu Kibuishi

My son and I are reading a graphic novel series together. He gets to read them first and I get them when he’s finished. We both polish off each book in about an hour. There are only four books in the series so we’re hungry for more. I love a good graphic novel. I was never big into comic books but I have always loved longer , book length works. There’s something about both the visual and textual elements of them that really brings a smile to my face.  Here’s what we’re reading now:

Amulet Book 1: The Stonekeeper

Amulet Book 2: The Stonekeeper’s Curse

Amulet Book 3: The Cloud Searchers

by: Kazu Kibuishi

Here’s the book description for book 1 from Amazon: 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 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.

What did I love about this? The opening is harrowing and real, and very, very dark. I love the artwork. Perspective is very effectively used to show the world from different characters ponts of view. I love that there is a young girl who is the protagonist. I love the world-building that Kibuishi does in creating a place for these characters to exist in. A walking house, ferocious adversaries, the lure of power over others, and a mom who is not a stereotype who worries about her children and actively protects them are all bonus features. And we haven’t even been through book 4 yet. I hope to pick it up tomorrow. Only, my son gets to read it first.

Age is 9 and up but keep in mind the opening is rough.