Wiccvn Funeral Poem: In times of loss and sorrow, When tears glisten in every eye, We turn to the ancient ways, To bid our loved ones goodbye. With solemn reverence and respect, We gather together as one, To honor and remember, The life that has just begun. Into the arms of Mother Earth, We lay our loved ones down, Returning them to the soil, From which all life is grown. We speak words of comfort, And sing songs of farewell, As we release their spirit, To the realms where they now dwell. We remember their laughter, And the love they shared so freely, Their presence in our lives, Will be missed so dearly. But we find solace and peace, In the circle of life and death, For the Wiccan ways teach us, That their spirit continues to breath.
But we find solace and peace, In the circle of life and death, For the Wiccan ways teach us, That their spirit continues to breath. As the seasons change and turn, And the wheel of the year moves on, We know their spirit walks beside us, From dusk until the dawn. So let us grieve and mourn, In our own unique way, But let our hearts find solace, In the memories that will never fade.
The Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi
Two ordinary children on a mission. A mechanical rabbit and a talking fox for companions. A giant robot and man-eating demons for enemies. The Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi isn’t my type of graphic novel, but you might like its outlandish adventures and lavish illustrations.
For those of you who follow my reviews, this next statement might seem like an oxymoron: My favorite part of the series is the artwork. How many times when talking about picture books and graphic novels have I avoided talking about the illustrations? How many times have I claimed artwork not only beyond my expertise but also my interest? In Alice in Wonderland, Alice might have asked her sister, “What is the use of a book without pictures or conversation?” Me, I’m completely fine with reading books that are devoid of pictures except of course on the cover. Yet here I am claiming that my favorite part of the Amulet series are its graphics. I especially appreciated the background and would love to see them translated to the big screen. Even the character drawings drew me in, with their bold and detailed appearances. The story would have to be terrible for me to not recommend this series, the artwork is so entrancing and rich.
But, here is the problem with my recommending a series based on the artwork. When a reviewer raves about the special effects in a movie, I immediately know that the effects are probably all it has going for it. Just as every American Idol viewer knew that the moment judge Paula Abdul complimented a singer on their looks, that was probably all the singer had going for them. The next words out of Abdul’s mouth were unlikely to be, “And I love your voice.” That said, it still could be that the movie would make for light entertainment. And the singer still might make a pleasant melody. It’s just in contrast to the story or the voice, looks is what wins. In the Amulet series, I’m sorry to say, that was also how I felt about its plot. Why? Because with the huge cast of characters, I never really connected to any of them—not even the heroine, Emily. Moreover, the story reminded me too much of Star Wars and (to a lesser extent) Lord of the Rings. Mind you, I enjoyed both of these creations, but not enough that I wish to see references in other fiction to a father with a mask, a robot sidekick, elf kings, an evil stone, or a ruling council. Except for the first, none of them feel taken from other sources. Combined though, Amulet starts to feel as if cobbled together. Last is the feeling I had while reading the books that these would make better movies than graphic novels.
What’s the deal then with my recommending the Amulet series? First, there are some fun characters such as the mechanical rabbit and talking fox. Second, if one reads enough of the books one eventually starts to feel a connection to some of the characters. I even enjoyed the story in book three, where events felt less random and enough small moments occurred to allow me to care about the fate of the heroes. Third, with each sequel, there seems to be more of an attempt to create an underlying substance. Characters are being forced to make sacrifices and recognize what is the true good. Last, one could strip the conversations, and I’d still find plenty to enjoy about the Amulet series because of the artwork.
My rating? Read the set: Borrow from your library or a friend. The series is worth your time.
How would you rate this set?
Related Posts
- Why Graphic Novels?
- Teasers for the Amulet series
Related Articles
- The Stonekeeper (Amulet: Book 1)
- Kazu Kibuishi – Amulet, Volumes 1 & 2
My rating? Read the set: Borrow from your library or a friend. The series is worth your time.
For in this Wiccan funeral poem, We find strength and healing, As we honor our loved ones, And the love that is eternal..
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