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mel_morm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
When Nate moves into a new town and into a new house, there are the usual feelings about leaving things behind. He meets Tabitha, a girl his age next door and Nate's dad lets him pick his own room in the house. When Nate pries up a board in his room, he finds an old tape recorder with his name on it.
The tape recorder tells the story of Walt, a boy who lived in the town and stumbled upon a supernatural mystery. It seems that in the woods near town, there is a hidden kingdom. There are talking bugs, animals and toys and Walt has to figure out who he can trust. Walt's recorded story ends and Tabitha tells Nate he disappeared many years before. Nate and Tabitha become threatened by the mystery of the past and have to confront it.
This is a great and pretty serious middle grade graphic novel. It's dark and spooky, and was perfect for the dark October evening that I read it. The art by Greg Ruth is detailed and quite good. There are ominous crows and a strange doll boy named Tom among others. It's a good story and deserves to be read by anyone who likes a good creepy mystery.
The tape recorder tells the story of Walt, a boy who lived in the town and stumbled upon a supernatural mystery. It seems that in the woods near town, there is a hidden kingdom. There are talking bugs, animals and toys and Walt has to figure out who he can trust. Walt's recorded story ends and Tabitha tells Nate he disappeared many years before. Nate and Tabitha become threatened by the mystery of the past and have to confront it.
This is a great and pretty serious middle grade graphic novel. It's dark and spooky, and was perfect for the dark October evening that I read it. The art by Greg Ruth is detailed and quite good. There are ominous crows and a strange doll boy named Tom among others. It's a good story and deserves to be read by anyone who likes a good creepy mystery.
kathaphira's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
Following two boys, Nate in the present day and Walt several decades ago, this is a sinister and quite creepy graphic fantasy - there's something about the doll character's blank, shiny face that is very disturbing. The b&w illustrations are very detailed and almost photographic, but so small that I felt I didn't see everything. I also found the plot a little disjointed - I kept thinking I'd missed a page though I hadn't. Both these meant I felt confused, particularly during the climax.The few pages, where the illustrations fill the whole spread, rather than being confined to the frames are very powerful. I liked the relationship between Nate and Tabitha, though I thought the less conventional Walt was more interesting. The ending suggests a sequel but I'm not sure I'll be bothered.
ioana_singh's review against another edition
Got confused between the two timelines
kevin_shepherd's review against another edition
3.0
so there's Crow's Woods, The Kingdom, Buttonfolk, Buglings, Woodlanders, The Shadows, Laamia Trees, The Gate Key, The Gate Tree, Haloran, Curly Bill, Pettibone, The Vespertine, Tamalane, The Barrowlands, Owlrider Clans, Whining Moss, Mousefoot Tribes, Tupperton, Laamia Berries, Morphic Fields, Apelings, Mount Larkin, The Saltless Sea, Willow Women, Baron Tick, Mikken, The Vale of Isobel, The Great Accord, Buttonton, The Outlands, Harker's Drop, Walt, Nate, Tabitha, Ten Men, The Barrowood, The Giant Soldiers, Twirken's Beard, Jeff...
AAAAAAARRRRRGGGHH!!
The artwork is fantastic, but the plot line seemed just a tad convoluted. I feel like I would have enjoyed the story more were it set in a less complicated landscape. As it is, it's as though Harry Potter joined forces with a hobbit on a quest to Oz. Not that that is a horrible thing, it's just a lot to remember.
AAAAAAARRRRRGGGHH!!
The artwork is fantastic, but the plot line seemed just a tad convoluted. I feel like I would have enjoyed the story more were it set in a less complicated landscape. As it is, it's as though Harry Potter joined forces with a hobbit on a quest to Oz. Not that that is a horrible thing, it's just a lot to remember.
amotisse's review against another edition
5.0
J'adore les bandes dessinees!
In Australia they are called comics or graphic novels.
So popular in France, where all age groups and genres are catered for, they seem less common here or maybe it is more of a niche?
Will be looking this one up to see if there is more to come.
Great mystery and suspense and an interesting world.
My son loved it too.
In Australia they are called comics or graphic novels.
So popular in France, where all age groups and genres are catered for, they seem less common here or maybe it is more of a niche?
Will be looking this one up to see if there is more to come.
Great mystery and suspense and an interesting world.
My son loved it too.
sunshynne's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it! I checked it out of the library based on the cover and I'm glad I did!