Book Three of the Amulet series, titled "The Cloud Searchers," continues the thrilling saga of siblings Emily and Navin as they navigate the treacherous world of Alledia. In this installment, written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi, the story picks up right where book two left off, with Emily and Navin embarking on a daring journey to find a safe haven for their mother. Their search leads them to the city of Cielis, a floating island in the sky populated by a civilization of technologically advanced people. They hope that Cielis will hold the key to curing their mother's mysterious illness. Upon arriving at Cielis, however, they quickly discover that not everything is as it seems. The Council of Elders, who rule over Cielis, tasks Emily with a dangerous and seemingly impossible mission – to retrieve a powerful amulet from an uncharted island in order to gain their trust.
The powerful Leon Redbeard, who has been training Emily thus far, knows that safety lies only in finding the legendary city of Cielis somewhere in the faraway clouds. Most are convinced that Cielis was destroyed in the last great battle between the Stonekeepers’ nation of Alledia and Gulfen, the nation of Elves, but Leon believes Emily’s great-grandfather Silas was just about to find it before he passed away. Using Silas’ notebooks as a guide – and hiring the unlikely Captain Enzo, his sidekick Rico, and their rickety small ship – Emily and her motley crew dare the impossible … next stop, Cielis or bust!
Though I personally found Amulet s storyline a little too drawn out and chaotic and I would have liked Kibuishi to begin drawing at least some elements together by the end of book three, I have to admit that there is a cinematic quality to his work which keeps a reader engaged. But that is the perfect fit for a fantastic story such as this and just because a character doesn t look realistic, doesn t mean that he or she looks any less menacing or heroic.
The Council of Elders, who rule over Cielis, tasks Emily with a dangerous and seemingly impossible mission – to retrieve a powerful amulet from an uncharted island in order to gain their trust. As Emily, Navin, and their newfound ally, Leon Redbeard the fox, venture into the unknown, they face countless dangers and encounter strange creatures lurking in the shadows. The trio must overcome their fears and work together to navigate the treacherous landscapes and solve the mysteries that surround them.
Review: Amulet, Vol. 1-3
Emily and her brother Navin have moved into their Great-Grandfather Silas’ house after their father dies. They and their mother are looking for a new start, but they don’t expect it to come in the way that it does. Their mother is kidnapped by a tentacled beast and dragged into another world. When Emily and Navin follow her, they discover a destiny that links them to their ancestors. Together they will meet strange new friends, face deadly enemies, and brave the darkest secrets of their own hearts. Amulet, vol. 1-3
Kazu Kibuishi
Ages 9-13; Grades 4-8
Scholastic/GRAPHIX
Volume 1: The Stonekeeper: Jan. 2008, ISBN 978-0-439-84681-3, 192 pages, $9.99
Volume 2: The Stonekeeper’s Curse: Sept. 2009, ISBN 978-0-439-84683-7, 224 pages, $10.99
Volume 3: The Cloud Searchers: Sept. 2010, ISBN 978-0-545-20885-7, 208 pages, $10.99
The Amulet series is an ambitious undertaking. In the first three books, Kibuishi begins crafting a layered fantasy adventure that features a legion of characters, a wide variety of locales, and many elements that will be familiar to fans of hero’s quest style fantasy and science fiction. The question is whether or not he will be able to tie all of those elements together at some point in order to end his series coherently. Even three volumes in, it’s hard to tell exactly where he is headed with his story. Kibuishi has offered a lot to his readers and expects them to keep up with him. That’s not a bad thing for a creator to do, but with about a year between each volume, that does mean that libraries should expect a good amount of re-reading of previous volumes.
The elements that tie all three books together so far are Emily and her brother. Emily discovers that she is a Stonekeeper, a person chosen to wield a magical stone. The problem is that the stone’s motives are not as benign as they might first seem. She soon discovers that she will have to work hard to master the stone’s power or be in danger of allowing it to master her. Navin, on the other hand, quickly shows himself to be a resourceful young man and a deft pilot, though readers are never quite told how he learns the skills that he displays. There are a multitude of additional characters who both help and hinder Emily and Navin’s quest, including an evil Elf lord who is consumed by the power of his stone and the mysterious fox Leon Redbeard who helps train Emily to control her stone. With so many characters to keep straight and with the children’s quest taking them over so much territory, a character guide and a map would have been useful inclusions. Kibuishi’s art is more than up to the task of bringing life to the land of Alledia, where the story takes place. He has a slightly cartoonish style when drawing characters, so none of them look overly realistic. But that is the perfect fit for a fantastic story such as this and just because a character doesn’t look realistic, doesn’t mean that he or she looks any less menacing or heroic. Kibuishi’s settings, though, are where he really shines. Whether the adventurers are flying through the clouds or trekking through the forest, whether they are exploring the bowels of a house or walking the back alleys of a city, the paths they travel seem to leap from the page, imbued with life and alive with vibrant colors.
Though I personally found Amulet’s storyline a little too drawn out and chaotic and I would have liked Kibuishi to begin drawing at least some elements together by the end of book three, I have to admit that there is a cinematic quality to his work which keeps a reader engaged. The action scenes move the book along quickly, leaving readers breathless until the plot pauses for a moment to allow them to catch up. Then it’s off again, daring readers to follow. I can guarantee that older elementary school and middle school readers will eat this series up, because I’ve had to repair quite all of the very-well-loved copies of Amulet at the school where I volunteer. A great choice for fantasy fans looking for a long, complex series. This review is based on a complimentary copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Scholastic/GRAPHIX. Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews
SHARE:About Snow Wildsmith
Snow Wildsmith is a writer and former teen librarian. She has served on several committees for the American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association, including the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award Committee. She reviews graphic novels for Booklist, ICv2's Guide, No Flying No Tights, and Good Comics for Kids and also writes booktalks and creates recommended reading lists for Ebsco's NoveList database. Currently she is working on her first books, a nonfiction series for teens.
Book 3 opens with open betrayal. Prince Trellis, the evil, so-far unstoppable Elf King’s son, decides he’s “sick of hearing [his father’s] voice,” and will obey him no more. His mysterious – and overly frightened – companion Luger is convinced that Trellis has sealed their death fate. Meanwhile, the Elf King hires infallible Gabilan the Assassin to hunt down the new Stonekeeper Emily and her unlikely crew, which includes her widowed mother, brother Navin, and a devoted brigade of robots and animals. If Gabilan has to kill Prince Trellis to get to Emily and company, so be it, the Elf King decrees. Someone obviously needs a parenting lesson or two!
"The Cloud Searchers" delves deeper into the mythology of the Amulet world, revealing more about the origins of the amulets and the dark forces that seek to possess their power. The artwork in this book is stunning, with vivid illustrations that bring the story to life and captivate readers of all ages. As with the previous books in the series, "The Cloud Searchers" explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the strength of friendship. It reminds readers that superheroic qualities can be found within the most ordinary of people and emphasizes the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of adversity. The third installment of the Amulet series is a thrilling and action-packed adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With its engaging storyline, vibrant artwork, and relatable characters, it's no wonder that the Amulet series has captivated fans around the world. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the series, "The Cloud Searchers" is a must-read for anyone looking for an immersive and exciting graphic novel experience..
Reviews for "The Emotional Journey of the Protagonists in Book Three of the Amulet Series"
1. Jane - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Book three of the amulet series". The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with little character development. The story seemed to jump from one event to another without any clear connection. Additionally, I found the artwork to be lacking compared to the previous books in the series. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unsure if I want to continue reading the rest of the series.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I can't believe how underwhelming "Book three of the amulet series" was. The story was confusing and hard to follow, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. The new elements introduced in this book felt forced and unnecessary, leaving me feeling frustrated and unsatisfied with the direction the series is heading. I struggled to finish this installment and I'm not sure if I will continue reading the rest of the series.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "Book three of the amulet series" was a major letdown for me. The plot felt repetitive and predictable, without any new and exciting twists like the previous books had. The dialogue was lackluster and cringe-worthy at times, making it hard for me to become invested in the story or the characters. Overall, this book failed to capture the magic and charm that the series initially had, and I was left feeling disappointed and uninterested in continuing with the series.