Meesh has become the Guardian of the Underworld but she
lacks confidence in her abilities. This is understandable in new heroes so it’s
nice to see she’s not an immediate expert. Meesh’s eyes turn red in the
illustrations to let readers know she’s tapping into her powers. Meesh has
several friends who are willing to help and it takes her a while to realize she
doesn’t need to save everyone by herself. Princess Nouna is a fairy who is trying
to shake off her image as a media personality. Xavier is a demon who feels less
than adequate when he compares his talents with the others. All three of these main
characters undergo growth and transformation as they try to defend the
Underworld together.
The Underworld is full of drama as a result of previous
injustices. Characters are comprised of demons, fairies, and demon-fairies and
demon-fairies are the outcasts. Assumptions and prejudices are aimed at the demon-fairies
but most of the current characters seem unaware of them. Meesh isn’t happy with
what she learns and she’s determined to make things right. A major obstacle is
the new leader of the demon-fairies is focused on revenge and doesn’t have any
plans to get along with the other creatures. A new weapon is nearing completion
that will wipe out everyone in the Underworld.
The author’s illustrations clearly show the different
settings found in the Underworld. The pictures allow readers to visualize the
forested Ponderosa, the darker world of Mount Magma, the beauty of Plumeria, and
a new underground city. The characters have distinct appearances which help
readers instantly recognize them in each scene. This may seem like a small
detail but it’s not always the case in graphic novels with creatures. There are
many unique characters throughout the story and the author uses noticeable facial
expressions to communicate a range of emotions. Several flashbacks enhance the
story and different-colored text boxes help to differentiate the past from the
present.
What didn’t work as well:
The backstory isn’t immediately evident if you haven’t read the
previous book. Meesh is Guardian of the Underworld but the meaning and
significance of that is not immediately evident. She’s the one demon able to
fly but it’s not clear what her other abilities might be. Also, there are graphic
panels without words where what’s happening isn’t clear.
The final verdict:
It’s helpful for young readers to see dynamic characters grow into
better versions of themselves. The story shares the importance of kindness and
forgiveness. Overall, this graphic novel presents a thoughtful tale and I recommend
you give it a shot.
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