Graphic Novel: Dark Wraith of Shannara

This title is author Terry Brooks' first venture into the graphic novel format. Based on his wildly popular Shannara series, this book follows magic user Jair Ohmsford as he battles the forces of evil to save his friends.

The main attraction of this book lies in the detailed fantasy world that the author has painstakingly created. The world of Shannara is set in the far future, eons after humanity nearly destroyed itself through chemical and nuclear apocolypse. Magic has seeped in to fill the gaps where science was lost, and elves and other fantastic races have risen in power to vie with humanity for supremacy.

Jair is a half breed;the magic of the elves runs in his veins, for he is a descendant of a great elven bloodline. His unique power is the wishsong, a dangerously seductive magic that seeks to destroy him each time he uses it to accomplish his will. In this book, Jair must walk the fine line between using his magic for good, and falling forever into the hands of the dark druids. His quest is to destroy the last scraps of the Ildatch, a maelevolent parchment imbued with the ultimate evil. Fans of sword and sorcery fantasy will dive into this well written graphic novel; I recommend it for those who like tales of dark faeries, quests and battles of good vs. evil.

Graphic Novel (fantasy)

Grades 10-12

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Graphic Novel: Silverfin

Why two images for this post? Well, the very popular graphic novel (right) is based on the equally excellent young adult fiction title (left). I couldn't decide which format I preferred, so I'm reviewing both versions of the book here.

Charlie Higson's fiction novel was published in 2005, to the joy of Bond fans everywhere. Released just prior to the film Casino Royale, the book describes the childhood of James Bond. Starting with his teen years at Eton, Higson follows Bond as he makes the transition from a clever and adventurous boy into a hardened government spy.

Kids who love espionage and thriller novels will definitely want to pick this book up, in either the fiction or the graphic novel version. Both are fast paced reads focusing on action, with plenty of military technology, betrayal and action. I expect that the entire Young Bond series (three more titles exist in the fiction format) will be made into graphic novels, with a possible movie deal in the works.

Graphic Novel/Fiction

Grades 9-11

Click here to check out the Port Moody Public Library's catalogue.