The concept of an "exiled circle" or a "ghost talisman" has its roots in various mythologies and folklore around the world. An exiled circle refers to a group of individuals who have been banished or separated from their community or society due to their actions or beliefs. This exclusion can be seen as a form of punishment or isolation imposed on those who are deemed to be a threat or a danger to the established order. In some cultures, an exiled circle is believed to have supernatural powers or abilities, which are often seen as a result of their separation from the larger society. These individuals are often considered to be outsiders or outcasts, and their presence is often seen as a source of fear or unease. On the other hand, a ghost talisman is an object that is believed to possess magical or protective powers against ghosts or evil spirits.
Dark Night of the Soul: The elves catch up and overpower Emily and her team. The Amulet tries to take control while Emily is weak and Luger prepares to kill her on the spot.
Bad Guys Close In As Navin and the Resistance regain possession of the house, and as Luger separates from Trellis who had been showing signs of compassion to go after Emily alone, intent on killing her, Leon informs Emily that if she gave control to the Amulet she would become like the Elf King evil and capable of transforming into a monster. Choosing Act Two A Fox named Leon who has been warding elves off their tail since their arrival leads the team and the hospital patients into the underway railway system.
On the other hand, a ghost talisman is an object that is believed to possess magical or protective powers against ghosts or evil spirits. In many cultures, talismans or amulets are used as a means of warding off or appeasing supernatural entities. The concept of a ghost talisman can be traced back to ancient beliefs and practices, where it was believed that certain objects or symbols had the ability to repel or control spirits.
Review: Amulet. Book Two: The Stonekeeper’s Curse
Emily and her brother Navin are heading to Kanalis to find a cure for their mother, in this continuation to Amulet: The Stonekeeper. Amulet. Book Two: The Stonekeeper’s Curse
Kazu Kibuishi
Publisher’s Age Recommendation 9-12
My Suggested Age Recommendation 8-14
Graphix, September 2009, 978-0439-84682-0 (hc) 978-0-439-84683-7 (pbk)
224 pp, $21.99 (hc) $10.99 (pbk) Navin and Emily are in race against time. The poison is seeping into their mom’s system and she is getting sicker and sicker. Kanalis is being overtaken by the elves and the antidote is hard to get – at the top of Demon’s Head Mountain. Emily sets out to find the antidote, but in her quest must struggle against the power of the amulet. It is begging her to submit to it and to let the amulet rule over her. Emily must use her tremendous will to maintain her power over the amulet. While Emily is searching for the antidote, Navin learns that Emily is supposed to die and he chases after her to change the course of her future.
While many of the loveable characters from volume 1 return, there are many new characters introduced in this volume. There is Leon, a brusque warrior, who is supposed to help Emily control her powers. The cursed citizens of Kanalis and some of the evil elves. Kbuishi has drawn a vivid story, but for those readers stumbling onto this series late in the game, or for those readers, like me, who read volume one ages ago, there is little to help catch readers up. It might take a while for readers to get into the story as they try to figure out what came before. Even so, it will only be a matter of time before readers are rooting for Emily and her brother. Emily remains an exceptionally strong woman. Readers can’t help rooting for her as she uses her tremendous will to harness the power of the amulet to save her mother and Alledia. There is a rich sense of adventure and intrigue in this story.
The artwork is superb. There are many fantastical creatures, and yet, readers will discern the different emotions – sadness, fear, strength – giving these characters a human-like feel. The country of Alledia and its characters come alive. Readers will eagerly line up for volume 3 to see if Emily, her brother and their new found friends will be able to save Alledia. This review is based on an advanced reading copy supplied by the publisher. All images copyright © Scholastic. Filed under: Reviews, Uncategorized
SHARE:About Esther Keller
Esther Keller is the librarian at JHS 278, Marine Park in Brooklyn, NY. There she started the library's first graphic novel collection and strongly advocated for using comics in the classroom. She also curates the Graphic Novel collection for the NYC DOE Citywide Digital Library. She started her career at the Brooklyn Public Library and later jumped ship to the school system so she could have summer vacation and a job that would align with a growing family's schedule. On the side, she is a mother of 4 and regularly reviews for SLJ and School Library Connection (formerly LMC). In her past life, she served on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee where she solidified her love and dedication to comics.
Catalyst: They arrive in Kanalis. Luger, Trellis and a band of elves are nearby, ready to execute their plan and capture the children.
This belief in the power of talismans or amulets continues to persist in various cultures and is often associated with superstition and the desire for protection against unseen forces. While the concepts of an exiled circle and a ghost talisman are distinct, they share a common theme of supernatural power and the idea of supernatural entities. In both cases, there is a belief in the existence of forces or beings that are beyond the realm of normal human experience. Whether it is the power of a banished group or the magical properties of a talisman, these concepts reflect the human desire for control and protection against the unknown..
Reviews for "The Secrets Within: Unveiling the Mysteries of Ghost Talismans"
1. Shannon - 2/5: I was really disappointed with "Exiled Circle or Ghost Talisman". The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable and lacked any real tension or excitement. I found it hard to connect with the story and found myself losing interest halfway through. Overall, it just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Greg - 1/5: I have to say, "Exiled Circle or Ghost Talisman" was a huge letdown. The writing was amateurish and filled with cliches. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters or their interactions. The pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening, and the ending was unsatisfying and left loose ends. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written story.
3. Emma - 2/5: I found "Exiled Circle or Ghost Talisman" to be quite dull and uninspiring. The world-building was weak and lacked depth, leaving me with more questions than answers. The story felt disjointed and confusing at times, making it hard to follow. Additionally, the writing style was average and failed to engage me as a reader. There are far better fantasy novels out there that I would recommend over this one.