The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (336 Pages)

Summary: Being a samurai isn’t easy. Sixteen-year-old Chihiro Ito knows that more than anyone. Her father is renowned among the samurai, but the only thing Chihiro is known for is spending way too much time on her phone obsessing over Tatsuo Nakano, Chihiro’s idol and the first woman to be accepted into Kesi Academy, a prestigious samurai school. So, when Chihiro’s father is conscripted for service and the opportunity arises to work with Tatsuo in his stead, Chihiro jumps at the chance to prove that she’s worthy of a spot at Kesi Academy and the samurai title. Their mission: kill the yamauba demon terrorizing a village. With a legendary samurai like Tatsuo by her side, Chihiro is convinced victory is inevitable. But Tatsuo isn’t at all like the hero Chihiro imagined. Foulmouthed, quick tempered, and a terrible drunk, Tatsuo completely turned her back on the samurai way and is now a ronin working for hire as a means of escaping the grief that haunts her. Forced to work together, the two are thrust on a treacherous journey filled with epic battles and twisted conspiracies as they must put aside their differences to save the village and face the demons of the past.

Opinion: This is a teen graphic novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was packed full of emotion, fun, and action. I enjoyed seeing Chihiro's relationships with her family members and eventually see her relationship grow with Tatsuo who became like an older sister to her. The two weave an inspiring tale that is a quick and satisfying read. 

A Wizard of Earthsea (Graphic Novel) by Ursula K. Le Guin

A Wizard of Earthsea (The Graphic Novel) by Ursula K. Le Guin (288 Pages)

Summary: Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and unleashed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tumultuous tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

Opinions: This is a graphic novel adaptation of a teen chapter book. I haven't read the original and I likely won't after reading this. I didn't enjoy this graphic novel. In regards to the story, I felt like I was missing important details from the original story so the ending felt very rushed. Additionally, while the artwork was beautiful it was so dark that I couldn't see the detail that the illustrator put in the pages. It's like when watching a new TV show with a scene set at night and you have to turn your phone brightness all the way up. 

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag

 The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag (480 pages)

Summary: Everyone has secrets. Mags’s has teeth.

Magdalena Herrera is about to graduate high school, but she already feels like an adult with serious responsibilities: caring for her ailing grandmother; working a part-time job; clandestine makeouts with a girl who has a boyfriend. And then there’s her secret, which pulls her into the basement each night, drains her of energy, and leaves her bleeding. A secret that could hurt and even kill if it ever got out -- like it did once before.

So Mags keeps her head down, isolated in her small desert community. That is, until her childhood friend Nessa comes back to town, bringing vivid memories of the past, an intoxicating glimpse of the future, and a secret of her own. Mags won’t get attached, of course. She’s always been strong enough to survive without anyone’s help.

But when the darkness starts to close in on them both, Mags will have to drag her secret into the daylight, and choose between risking everything... or having nothing left to lose.

Opinion: This is a teen graphic novel that has realistic and horror elements. The illustrations are beautiful and add depth to the story. Mags and Nessa have good character development and seeing them forgive themselves for the past is really sweet. The action at the end was well orchestrated and satisfying. Getting to see Mags's uncle at the end was also a great way to wrap up the story. 

The American Dream? A Journey on Route 66 by Shing Yin Khor

The American Dream? A Journey on Route 66 by Shing Yin Khor  160 pages

The author is an immigrant from Malaysia who became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the last few years. She lives in Los Angeles, not far from Santa Monica, the end of Route 66. She decides to head out in her Honda Fit with her mischievous dog, Bug to explore The Mother Road. She hopes to learn more about what it means to be an American along the way. 

I enjoyed the book very much. The author shared her unique perspective with humor and insight. Her musings on seeing a hotel sign with the phrase "American Owned" were revealing to me. I have read other books on Route 66 but this was a fresh take on the subject for me. Her illustrations are excellent.

Vinland Saga

 

Vinland Saga Vol.1 by Makoto Yukimura

467 pages

As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid on the way to war. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his father, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band's leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Memories of his father and pride in his remaining family as well as the search for Vinland keep Thorfinn on a path of revenge.

Over all I enjoyed this volume. The pace of the story is consistent and well written and the artwork is lovely (when there isn't blood 😅). I do wish it had started at the beginning instead of starting at the present day child and then flashing back for the last 3/4ths of the book, but that is just my personal preference.

Archie Meets Batman '66 by Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci, Dan Parent and J. Bone

Archie Meets Batman '66 by Jeff Parker, Michael Moreci, Dan Parent, and J.Bone, 144 pages

I had to read this comic book with two of my favorite characters.  Batman and Robin join forces with Archie and his friends to prevent the takeover of Riverdale.  Very entertaining indeed!

Emma, Jane Austen, Art by Po Tse, Adapted by Crystal S. Chan

Emma, Jane Austen, Art by Po Tse, Adapted by Crystal S. Chan, 295 pages

In this teen graphic novel of Jane Austen's Emma, the characters of this classic novel are brought to life.  Emma's tale is one of a young girl who plays matchmaker for her friends and finds love herself in 1800's London.
Althouogh, someday, I hope to read the novel Emma, the graphic novel was a entertaining and fun read.

Manga Claus: The Blade of Kringle by Nathanial Maurunas

Manga Claus: The Blade of Kringle by Nathanial Marunas, 80 pages

This book just happened to catch my eye.  Whose fantasy does not include wanting to see Santa Claus as a superhero and a super ninja.  When an angry elf creates a bunch of ninja teddy bears that set out to destroy Santa's workshop, Santa must come to the rescue.  With his samurai swords, Santa becomes Manga Claus.  Will he be able to save Christmas in time?

Afterlife with Archie, Book One: Escape From Riverdale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Afterlife with Archie, Book One: Escape From Riverdale by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Artwork by Francesco Francavilla, 160 pages

I remember reading Archie comic books as a kid and how much I enjoyed the adventures of Archie, Jughead, Veronica, Betty and the whole gang.  I could not resist reading a horror version of the original comic books.  I love that Jughead turned into a zombie after being bitten by his dog Hotdog who Sabrina the witch brought back to life from the dead.  It was so appropriate to read this on Halloween when the setting for the book is the Halloween dance at school.  What will become of the townspeople of Riverdale as slowly people are being turned into zombies?  Can Archie, Veronica and Betty find safety at Veronica's house or will they have to leave their beloved town?

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll, 208 pages

This was a creepy teen graphic novel.  Through the woods contains terrifying tales of adventures in the woods.  Some of the tales are quite scary.  The graphic illustrations really add to the stories.  Although, some of the storylines went right over my head, I did enjoy the book.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Book One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacase and Artwork by Robert Hack

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Book One by Roberto Aguirre-Sacase and Artwork by Robert Hack, 160 pages

I really enjoyed this graphic novel.  If your familiar with Sabrina the Teenage Witch television show, then you will probably enjoy this graphic novel.  Although, this book is much darker than the show.  The book begins with the birth of Sabrina to a warlock, Edward Theodore Spellman and his mortal wife, Diana.  But, when Diana is committed to an asylum, Sabrina is sent to live with her two aunts, Hilda and Zelda.  As she approaches her sixteenth birthday, she must choose between being a mortal or a witch.  Volume 2 will be published in December, so I will be anxiously awaiting the outcome.

Hollow Fields by Madeline Rosca

Hollow Fields by Madeline Rosca, 550 pages

Hollow Fields is a well written manga series about a young girl, Lucy Snow, who mistakenly ends up at a boarding school for young geniuses.  Lucy finds trouble fitting in and discovers that low grades result in a dangerous form of detention. Will Lucy find out the secrets behind Hollow Fields and what makes the staff act so strangely?  This is the first manga book I have read that I actually read from right to left, and I must say, I did enjoy it!  Madeline Rosca does a fantastic job illustrating this novel.