"Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold" is a captivating novel that delves into the mysterious and dangerous world of magic. Written by an acclaimed author, this book follows the story of its protagonist, Shawn James, as he unravels the secrets of a centuries-old curse. The curse, known as the "Curse of the Fold," is a powerful enchantment that has plagued Shawn's family for generations. Passed down from one generation to the next, the curse has brought nothing but misfortune and tragedy, leaving a trail of broken lives in its wake. Shawn, being the latest inheritor of this curse, bears the weight of his family's history. As the central character, Shawn James embarks on a thrilling quest to break the curse and free himself and his loved ones from its clutches.
John Holbo 11.30.10 at 5:10 am
Expanding from there, I ve actually been quite impressed with a lot of Scholastic s graphic novel lineup the Bone prequel by Smith and Charles Vess, the Good Neighbors series am a big fan of Ted Naifeh, the artist , Kibuishi s Copper. Kid enters strange magical world, turns out to be The Chosen One With A Special Power, has to fight the Dark Power with the help of a small band of fellow fighters and scrappy sidekicks.
As the central character, Shawn James embarks on a thrilling quest to break the curse and free himself and his loved ones from its clutches. With each step of his journey, Shawn encounters a variety of magical beings, ancient artifacts, and dangerous obstacles that test his courage and determination. Throughout the narrative, the author skillfully weaves a captivating tale of self-discovery, friendship, and redemption.
Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet
Here’s my pre-X-Mas best books for kids #1 top recommendation: Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series. Volumes 1-3 are out so far. So start with The Stonekeeper [amazon]. How they can sell a 200 page full-color graphic novel for under $7 and turn a profit is beyond me.
You can find preview material here. One word about the prologue to volume 1: it’s disturbing because the dad dies. My daughters (ages 6 and 9) almost gave up because that scene upset them so much (note to self: don’t die in car accident). But then it turns into a ripping yarn with a girl hero. Both girls are now of the considered opinion that the Amulet books are ‘the best books ever’.
Check out the rest of Kibuishi’s site – his gallery gives a good sample of his style. I’m thinking about buying my daughters a print for their wall. Maybe ‘the walking house’. Which is the final page from The Stonekeepers. I’ve enjoyed the Kibuishi edited Flight books for several years already. Here’s the preview page for vol. 7. “Premium Cargo” is the best story! Daisy Kutter was good Old West Steampunk fun, but Amulet raises the bar. Not that the story is new. Kid enters strange magical world, turns out to be The Chosen One With A Special Power, has to fight the Dark Power with the help of a small band of fellow fighters and scrappy sidekicks. But it really bounces along in a clever and good-hearted way. Solid dialogue, distinctive characterizations. Nice mix of humor and seriousness and action and sweeping visual spectacle. Stylistically, and world-design-wise, Kibuishi owes a lot to a lot of folks, from Jeff Smith to Hayao Miyazaki. But he’s got his own style, for sure, and it’s a distinct pleasure just to flip through the pages.
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Dave Maier 11.28.10 at 6:09 pm
Amulet is okay — I’ll check out v.3 when the library gets it — but for my money Flight is the real treat. Of course I’m not 6-9 years old, so ymmv.
grackle 11.28.10 at 9:42 pm
Thanks for the tip! Ordered for the grandchild as soon as I saw this. I’m especially grateful for your kids recommendation.
Helen 11.29.10 at 12:50 am
Does anyone have any good ideas for the mid-teens?
John Holbo 11.29.10 at 1:19 am
Hi Dave. Yeah, “Amulet” is definitely for kids, but I really enjoyed it a lot more than I enjoy most stuff aimed at this age. A lot of little things go right. Example: I read it out loud (6-year old can’t read yet, 9-year old isn’t fully up to speed) and find it’s really easy to do a different voice for each character. Good writing. Somehow it manages to hit that “Raiders of the Lost Ark” sweet spot of genre cliche that feels clean and direct rather than just done-before. (“Bone” meets “Laputa: City in the Sky”.)
Also, it’s unpredictable. I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict the heroine wins through in the end, and saves the world. But, three volumes in, I have no idea how that’s going to happen.
Also, I find it seriously difficult to find enough books with girl heroines. Also, boys will like it fine because, as in any fantasy story, there are plenty of good boy characters, too.
Helen, I don’t really know. I think by the mid-teens it depends a lot on the individual teen-ager.
ArC 11.29.10 at 11:30 pm
Yes, I love Amulet and Kibuishi’s other books. Expanding from there, I’ve actually been quite impressed with a lot of Scholastic’s graphic novel lineup: the Bone prequel by Smith and Charles Vess, the Good Neighbors series (am a big fan of Ted Naifeh, the artist), Kibuishi’s Copper…
John Holbo 11.30.10 at 5:10 am
Haven’t tried “Good Neighbors”, ArC – will have to give it a look-see – but I agree that Scholastic is doing surprisingly well with the “Bone” stuff, as well. I am strangely lukewarm on “Copper”, despite liking everything else Kibuishi does.
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The reader is immersed in a world brimming with vivid descriptions and captivating prose, allowing them to feel connected to Shawn's experiences and emotions. The author effortlessly creates a sense of urgency as Shawn races against time, facing numerous challenges and dangers to find the key to breaking the curse. Along the way, Shawn forms unlikely alliances and faces devastating betrayals, making the story even more engaging and unpredictable. Moreover, the book delves into deeper themes, exploring the nature of power, sacrifice, and the consequences of one's actions. This adds complexity and depth to the narrative, elevating it from a mere adventure story to a thought-provoking tale. "Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold" is a page-turner that will keep readers hooked from start to finish. With its intriguing plot, well-developed characters, and engaging writing style, this novel is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. Whether you are a long-time fan of the genre or a newcomer, this book offers an immersive and enthralling experience that is sure to captivate and entertain..
Reviews for "The Dark and Mysterious Aesthetic of "The Curse of the Fold" by Shawn James"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold". The story was confusing and poorly executed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect with any of them. The pacing was slow, and there were too many unnecessary scenes that didn't add anything to the plot. Overall, I was bored and frustrated while reading this book.
2. Andrew - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold", but it fell flat for me. The writing style was overly descriptive, and I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The plot was lackluster, and the twists felt forced and predictable. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with more questions than answers. I had a hard time finding anything memorable or noteworthy about this book.
3. Jessica - 1/5 stars - "Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold" was a complete letdown for me. The characters were forgettable, and their actions seemed inconsistent throughout the book. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The writing was clunky and lacked finesse. This book was simply not enjoyable, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
4. David - 2/5 stars - "Shawn James: The Curse of the Fold" had potential, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts dragging down the overall flow of the story. The book also suffered from repetitive descriptions and excessive details, making it feel bloated and tedious to read. The character development was lacking, and I found it hard to connect with any of them. I hoped for a thrilling adventure, but unfortunately, this book fell short.