Category: Graphic Novel

Posted on

Today’s book recommendation: LEGEND by Marie Lu

 -Young Adult Dystopian Fiction

Today I have another YA dystopian recommendation for you! This one has been around for a bit, but there’s a reason that it (and the rest of the series) repeatedly hit the NYT bestseller list. Its appeal is timeless! 

LEGEND is a story of two remarkable teenagers who are initially on opposite sides of the law. June is a military student prodigy and Day (official name: Daniel) is a wanted criminal who excels at evading the government.

🔪Here’s the official BOOK PROMO:

*****
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
*****

While a fun romance sparks between the two main characters, the best part of this novel is the suspense and non-stop action. Every page keeps you on your toes with plenty of twists and turns. 

This is the book that launched Marie Lu’s career. The original series was a trilogy, but six years later, Lu added a fourth book called REBEL. There are also super fun graphic novels adapted by Leigh Dragoon and illustrated by Kaari. Do yourself a favor and check these out!

Happy reading!

Marie Lu Legend Series
Legend
Posted on

Today’s book recommendation: SNOW WHITE by Matt Phelan – Middle Grade Graphic Novel

I’m a sucker for both historical fiction and fairy tales retellings, and this graphic novel by Matt Phelan is a stunning combination of the two.

The timeless tale of Snow White is transformed into something brand-new when it takes place in New York City during the Great Depression.

🍎 Here’s the official book promo:

*****
The curtain rises on New York City. The dazzling lights cast shadows that grow ever darker as the glitzy prosperity of the Roaring Twenties screeches to a halt.

Enter a cast of familiar characters: a young girl, Samantha White, returning after being sent away by her cruel stepmother, the Queen of the Follies, years earlier; her father, the King of Wall Street, who survives the stock market crash only to suffer a strange and sudden death; seven street urchins, brave protectors for a girl as pure as snow; and a mysterious stock ticker that holds the stepmother in its thrall, churning out ticker tape imprinted with the wicked words: “Another . . . More Beautiful . . . KILL.”
*****

The storyline is perfect and Phelan’s drawings evoke plenty of emotion with minimal text. I loved the film noir atmosphere of the drawings, the high stakes of the fairy tale, and the perfect pacing. This was a page-turner that neither my kids nor I could put down!

You’ll want to read it over and over again. Order a copy today, and, as always, happy reading!

Posted on

Today’s book recommendation: HAZARDOUS TALES series by Nathan Hale – Middle Grade Graphic Novels

I posted earlier about reading the Thrifty Guide to the American Revolution with my boys. What I didn’t anticipate was how it opened up their desire to learn more about the war. I love seeing it, and I was quick to take advantage with Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales graphic novels.

While these books have a fictional storytelling framework, most of the information is nonfiction. These two are about the Revolution, and my boys swallowed them whole, as well as some of his others. They’re funny and silly, all while teaching about real events.

I pulled out my copy of 1776 by David McCullough, and they loved all the handwritten letter, map and newspaper reproductions. It was interesting to see the difference between the maps the Americans had, with the poorly drawn ones in the hands of the British.