Amulet is a popular graphic novel series written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. The series follows the adventures of the main character, Emily, and her brother, Navin, as they discover a mysterious amulet and embark on a dangerous and magical journey. The story begins when Emily and Navin move to their late great-grandfather's house with their mother after a tragic incident. Little did they know that their new home holds a secret, as they stumble upon a hidden underground world filled with strange creatures and ancient artifacts. When their mother is kidnapped by a tentacled monster, Emily and Navin bravely enter this world to rescue her. They encounter helpful and hostile creatures along the way, including talking animals and robots.
Eugene Otto and one of his paintings. Image: Robertthedoll.org
Throughout the doll s existence in the Otto house, he was said to have vanished multiple times; and for prolonged periods when the house changed hands. Schoolchildren who became aware of this legend, said the doll would appear and disappear by the window, causing many local youngsters to give the house a wide berth.
They encounter helpful and hostile creatures along the way, including talking animals and robots. They also encounter the Elf King, a powerful ruler who desires the amulet and its immense power. Throughout the series, Emily is entrusted with the amulet, a magical artifact that grants her extraordinary powers.
I Visited a Notoriously Haunted Doll, and Bad Luck Followed Me Everywhere
I'm a relatively superstitious person. I would never walk on someone's grave in a cemetery, I believe in ghosts, and I'm careful to not walk under any ladders. So while I was on my honeymoon in Key West recently and heard about a ghost tour that involved Robert the Doll — a famously haunted doll that brings bad luck to those who visit him — I was pretty intrigued.
For an inanimate object, Robert is pretty well-known. He's been featured on several TV shows and is even toted around to various conventions that center on the occult. Eager to see what all the fuss was about, my husband, Chris, and I booked a tour with a company called Ghosts & Gravestones, which included a stop at the Fort East Martello Museum where Robert resides. While the tour was awesome, our brief encounter with Robert was . . . less than ideal. Why? Well, because he "haunted" me for about 36 hours afterwards.
Related:In order to understand the full extent of this, it's important to know Robert's sordid past. Originally given as a gift to Eugene Otto, an author and painter, by his grandfather in 1904, the two were instantly inseparable. It's said that Robert the Doll's outfit was even modeled after one Eugene wore. As a boy, Eugene would often blame the doll for accidents and misgivings, claiming, "Robert told me to do it." Seems like somewhat normal little kid behavior, right?
According to our tour guide, the real trouble started when a woman who worked for the Otto family was fired abruptly without cause. But rather than packing her bags and leaving, she reportedly used voodoo to put a curse on the doll as a form of revenge. And while it may seem pretty far-fetched to some, others believe it actually worked.
"Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness."
As an adult, Eugene became an artist. Considered by many to be "eccentric," Eugene returned to his family home in Key West with his wife, Annette Parker, after they got married in 1930. And despite being an adult, Eugene's love of Robert never wavered (legend has it that Robert sat right next to Eugene while he painted). Annette obviously wasn't a huge fan of her husband's best friend, and vice versa, so once Eugene died in 1974, Annette left Key West. She left Robert behind in the attic of the home, where he was found years later by the home's new owners. While strange things had often happened in Robert's presence before — people hearing voices, noises, and other unexplained sounds — it wasn't until he was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum in 1994 that his less-than-kind attitude went full-scale.
Before walking into the museum to get a peek at Robert, the tour guide gave us some strict rules to follow: you must greet and introduce yourself to Robert; if you want to take a photo of him, you must ask first; and you can't leave the museum without saying goodbye. While a bit weird, that all sounded doable to Chris and me, so we did as we were told. After snapping a few photos, we learned about what happens to people who don't follow the rules or poke fun at Robert. A nearby TV showed thousands of letters from people from around the world who experienced terrible luck after rubbing the doll the wrong way.
According to some of the letters, visitors have been met with all kinds of misfortune, from getting burned by hot water to missing their flights to — yep — even getting divorced. "Once he was put on exhibit, cameras and electronic devices malfunctioned in his presence, and soon letters began arriving addressed to the doll offering apologies for disrespectful behavior or asking forgiveness," says the website. "Letters continue to arrive daily."
As a respectful visitor, I thought I was off the hook. I followed the rules and was genuinely interested in learning about him. But boy, was I wrong. I made ONE comment about a grown man carrying around a doll, and my fate was sealed. As soon as I woke up the next day, the bad luck began. First, our flight home was delayed. Then, we were forced to rebook our flight because the plane was too heavy, resulting in us having a five-hour layover and getting transferred to another connecting flight. While both of these things were annoying, I also knew they happen sometimes. It couldn't have been because of a doll, right?
I realized that Robert might actually have had it out for us when we finally landed back home around midnight. The problem? Our luggage never showed up. We were told to go home and that the suitcase was probably on the next flight in. Fast forward to the next morning — still no sign of the bag. And no one on either airline that we used could locate where the suitcase was. It was simply missing without a trace. Frustrated and near tears, we decided to give into our superstitions and write letters to Robert in the hopes of reversing whatever bad luck he gave us and finding our lost bag.
However, she must learn to control these powers and protect the amulet from falling into the wrong hands. With the help of her brother and newfound allies, Emily battles enemies and uncovers the truth about her ancestors and the hidden world they inhabited. The Amulet series is known for its stunning artwork and engaging storytelling. Kazu Kibuishi's illustrations bring the fantastical world to life, immersing readers in a visually captivating experience. The series also explores themes of family, courage, and the power of friendship. Since its debut in 2008, the Amulet series has gained a loyal fanbase and critical acclaim. It has been praised for its rich world-building, complex characters, and compelling narrative. The series has won several awards, including the Children's Choice Book Awards and the Eisner Award. With each new installment, the Amulet series continues to captivate readers of all ages. It is a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and graphic novels..
Reviews for "Amulet: A Graphic Novel Series that Pushes Boundaries"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read the "Amulet" graphic novel series after hearing so many positive reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. The story felt predictable and lacked depth, with characters that were one-dimensional and unrelatable. The artwork was visually appealing, but it couldn't make up for the weak plot and clichéd dialogue. Overall, I found "Amulet" to be overhyped and not worth the hype.
2. Mike - 1 star - I struggled to understand the appeal of the "Amulet" graphic novel series. The storyline felt convoluted and disjointed, making it difficult to follow and engage with the plot. The artwork, while visually stunning at times, didn't save the overall experience for me. The characters lacked development, making it hard to care about their journey. I found myself constantly questioning the motives and actions of the main characters, which made it hard to invest in the story.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the "Amulet" graphic novel series, but I was ultimately let down by the lackluster storytelling. The pacing felt off, with slow moments dragging on and important events rushed through. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. While the artwork was beautifully done, it couldn't redeem the shallow narrative and underdeveloped world-building. I wouldn't recommend "Amulet" to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed graphic novel series.
4. Jason - 2.5 stars - "Amulet" had all the elements of what could have been a great graphic novel series, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The story started off promising, but it quickly became repetitive and formulaic. The characters lacked depth and growth, making it hard to care about their journey. The artwork, while visually pleasing, couldn't make up for the lack of substance in the plot. Overall, "Amulet" felt like a missed opportunity to create a truly memorable and engaging graphic novel series.
5. Rebecca - 1 star - Despite the hype surrounding the "Amulet" graphic novel series, I found it to be highly overrated. The story was unoriginal, following tired tropes and predictable plotlines. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The artwork, while visually striking, couldn't save the lackluster writing and uninspired dialogue. I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied after completing the series.