There are a total of 9 books in the Amulet series, written by Kazu Kibuishi. The series follows the story of a young girl named Emily Hayes, who discovers a magical amulet that has the power to save her family and the world. Throughout the series, Emily embarks on various adventures, encountering mystical creatures and facing challenges along the way. The books are filled with stunning artwork and an engaging storyline that appeals to readers of all ages. Each book in the series builds upon the previous ones, leading to an epic conclusion in the final installment. The Amulet series has gained a significant fan base and continues to captivate readers with its unique blend of fantasy and adventure.
Review of the Day: Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi
Amulet (Book One: The Stonekeeper>
By Kazu Kibuishi
Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic
$21.99
ISBN: 978-0-439-84680-6
Ages 10 and up
On shelves now Meh. Every story, whether it’s being told orally, as a book, as a graphic novel, or in a kind of performance is allowed to reuse old tropes. Particularly when the story being told is appropriate for kids, there’s a talent in figuring out how to use familiar images and objects in new and exciting ways. It’s what distinguishes the good writing from the knock-offs. The storyline that involves a hero who finds a powerful object of some sort that could be good or could be bad is one pretty classic example. Everything from The Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter brings it up, and so when I saw that Amulet (Book One: Stonekeeper), a new graphic novel series by Kazu Kibuishi also worked the idea in, that was pretty cool. Sadly the book ultimately disappointed me in terms of its storytelling and original content. It’s not a bad graphic novel by any means, but if you’re looking for a title about kids on a quest, there are certainly others I would recommend instead. Emily and Navin’s life has taken a turn for the better, or worse, depending on whom you talk to. Emily, for example, is not too thrilled that their mom has moved them into a new old house in some town called Norlen. Their mom, however, is determined to make the best of it. Ever since their father died in a car crash the kids have found money exceedingly tight and it’s time for a fresh start. That fresh start, however, is complicated when Emily finds a mysterious hidden amulet in her great-grandpa’s library and a big octopus-looking thing in the basement kidnaps her mom. Wait . . . what? It seems that things in this house are not what they seem, and before they know it Emily and Navin discover that they have a quest on their hands. Somebody wants their amulet. Someone else wants them to harness its power for good. Now with the help of a troop of small robots, these kids are ready to do whatever it takes to bring their family together once again.
A feeling of familiarity is usually noticed more by adult reviewers than by kid readers, but there’s no avoiding the sense of déjà vu in some scenes within this book. For example, Spiderwick fans will recognize the idea of kids moving into a creepy old mansion with their mother (a mansion that used to belong to an old male relative with odd otherworldly interests). Which is not to say that there aren’t new ideas as well. I don’t remember ever having seen a disgusting octopus-like creature that holds living prey in its belly in a book before. And a robot rabbit. . . it sounds familiar but not so much that I can identify the source. The plot itself is a small series of adventures, one by one, like different levels. The video game elements of such a tale do come naturally out of the storytelling, but they’re such static, predictable moments that it’s hard not to feel like the book is just an excuse for an Xbox game or upcoming action film. I dunno, maybe I’m being too harsh on it. There are some pretty amusing moments, after all. For example, when Navin gets to fly a plane the view of the steering wheel is quite clearly Nintendo-inspired. That’s probably going to be a joke kids get more often than adults (which I appreciate). I liked the repeated images of hand clasping and then consciously letting go. The art is fine, though I think I liked the book a lot more when I read it in full-color (as hand-painted by Kibuishi’s wife Amy). Generally though this isn’t the strongest comic you’ll find on the market for kids today. Serviceable, but not extraordinary.
- In case you missed it, Will Smith’s kids are starring in the movie.
- And the author had some nice interviews over at Finding Wonderland and lectitans back in June of 2007.
About Betsy Bird
Betsy Bird is currently the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library system and a former Materials Specialist for New York Public Library. She has served on Newbery, written for Horn Book, and has done other lovely little things that she'd love to tell you about but that she's sure you'd find more interesting to hear of in person. Her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of EPL, SLJ, or any of the other acronyms you might be able to name. Follow her on Twitter: @fuseeight.
The Amulet series has gained a significant fan base and continues to captivate readers with its unique blend of fantasy and adventure..
Related Posts
.
Reviews for "Key Themes Explored in the Amulet Book Series"
1. Alice - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "How many books of amulet are there". The story felt flat and predictable, and the characters lacked depth. The artwork was beautiful, but it couldn't make up for the weak plot. Overall, I found it underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - "How many books of amulet are there" was a complete letdown for me. The storyline felt convoluted and confusing, making it hard to stay engaged. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. I found myself struggling to finish the book and felt unsatisfied with the ending. I won't be continuing with the series.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - While "How many books of amulet are there" had potential, it fell short for me. The plot had promising elements, but they were executed poorly. The character motivations felt inconsistent, and the dialogue was often clunky. The artwork was the highlight of the book, but unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save it. I'm not sure if I'll give the series another chance.
4. Robert - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "How many books of amulet are there" but was left disappointed. The story lacked originality and felt like a cliché fantasy adventure. The pacing was off, with slow sections that dragged on. The artwork was visually appealing, but the overall experience was mediocre. I won't be continuing with the series.