Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom by Sangu Mandanna
4.0
Journey... The Magic Paintbrush... now Kiki Kallira with added culture.
Stories about drawings coming to life have always fascinated me. A 'wish fulfilment' idea, like books becoming real in Inkheart, but with pictures.
I read this first Kiki book soon after watching Ms Marvel with my oldest. So to see cultures represented that we don't often see in fiction was again, very welcome. Having grown up in a multicultural town with Hindu friends, I was aware I knew little of their beliefs/background/stories. This would have been helpful growing up, to be able to ask them about these characters and narratives.
Kiki herself is also a great creation. A worrier. Not the usual 'hero'. She's almost OCD in her need to 'check' things, worried a burglar will get in and hurt her mum, she has to return home to check, even when out with a friend having fun.
Wrapping her worries inside her own artwork, her own created worlds and characters, her internal fears and quirks are going to be tested when her pictures find their way to becoming real... and not just the characters she rather likes. She's put mythological bad guys in their too. Who now feel very real once Kiki is transported to her own creation of Mysore.
Adventure and fantasy, with Kiki's nature at the heart of the narrative, it's a different hero and a very visually compelling world. Especially seeing Kiki in her rainbow unicorn pyjamas throughout. She's not hard to identify with, and there's a range of characters from sugar-hating lions to witches to appeal to all.
Fast-moving and refreshing, one for ages 9-13.
Stories about drawings coming to life have always fascinated me. A 'wish fulfilment' idea, like books becoming real in Inkheart, but with pictures.
I read this first Kiki book soon after watching Ms Marvel with my oldest. So to see cultures represented that we don't often see in fiction was again, very welcome. Having grown up in a multicultural town with Hindu friends, I was aware I knew little of their beliefs/background/stories. This would have been helpful growing up, to be able to ask them about these characters and narratives.
Kiki herself is also a great creation. A worrier. Not the usual 'hero'. She's almost OCD in her need to 'check' things, worried a burglar will get in and hurt her mum, she has to return home to check, even when out with a friend having fun.
Wrapping her worries inside her own artwork, her own created worlds and characters, her internal fears and quirks are going to be tested when her pictures find their way to becoming real... and not just the characters she rather likes. She's put mythological bad guys in their too. Who now feel very real once Kiki is transported to her own creation of Mysore.
Adventure and fantasy, with Kiki's nature at the heart of the narrative, it's a different hero and a very visually compelling world. Especially seeing Kiki in her rainbow unicorn pyjamas throughout. She's not hard to identify with, and there's a range of characters from sugar-hating lions to witches to appeal to all.
Fast-moving and refreshing, one for ages 9-13.