(5) Sybil The Backpack Fairy Volume #2 "Amanite" by Michel Rodrigue and Manuela Razzi

Book Type: Graphic novel
Author(s): Michel Rodrigue and Manuela Razzi
Pages: 48


                                                                     Summary(amazon.com):

Nina loves having her backpack fairy Sybil around! Nina is the only person who can see or hear Sybil and the two have formed a special bond. But when Sybil unexpectedly disappears, a new fairy named Amanite shows up to take her place. Amanite brings Nina to a magical underwater world, where Nina is magically transformed into a tiny mermaid! But then things go horribly wrong when sea monsters decide that Nina look mighty delicious! Where’s Sybil when Nina really needs her?

My Review:

I have to admit, I was slightly nervous when I saw that this book is a graphic novel. I have not had much luck finding a graphic novel that captured my interest, but my thoughts changed quickly with Sybil The Backpack Fairy! When I first began reading this, I was immediately captured into the fairy/monster world. I was also able to follow this easier than most graphic novels. I was also happy that although this is the second book in a series, I was able to understand what was happening. I also loved that this is a perfect example of a Young Adult book.

This book is great for kids facing rough times in high school, and covers topics like bullying, especially amongst young girls, and also finding that balance of making your parents proud and being yourself. Nina, the main character is around 12 years old, and I find her very relatable. She is a perfect example of the conflicts of emotions that young girls face. I also love her character design; she is absolutely beautiful as a mermaid! Overall, I thought this story was beautifully designed with the young adult in mind, and was filled with amazing underwater beings! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Sailor Twain or The Mermaid In The Hudson by Mark Siegel

Book Type: Graphic Novel

Author: Mark Siegel

Pages: 400

Summary(amazon.com):

One hundred years ago. On the foggy Hudson River, a riverboat captain rescues an injured mermaid from the waters of the busiest port in the United States. A wildly popular—and notoriously reclusive—author makes a public debut. A French nobleman seeks a remedy for a curse. As three lives twine together and race to an unexpected collision, the mystery of the Mermaid of the Hudson deepens.

A mysterious and beguiling love story with elements of Poe, Twain, Hemingway, and Greek mythology, drawn in moody black-and-white charcoal, this new paperback edition of the New York Times Best-Selling graphic novel by author/illustrator Mark Siegel is a study in romance, atmosphere, and suspense. Don't miss Sailor Twain. 

My Review:

When I first found this book on Amazon, I was really excited! The plot, according to Amazon, looked interesting so I borrowed it from my local library. I was also excited because this was my first time reading a graphic novel, and it was based on mermaids! However, I was very disappointed after I finished this. 

Before I get to that, I would like to mention some of the things I did like about the book. I was really drawn in by the plot as soon as I started reading it. There was so many mysterious characters and events that I just wanted to keep reading! The images also really captivated me, and made me want to continue the book. I also really enjoyed the raunchy sailor humor, which kept my giggling. The mermaid was especially captivating and beautiful:

She was an engaging character, and I think the craftsmanship in her character, as well as her image are stunning. However, this all being said,  I had a few issues that annoyed me with this book. First off, almost every single page contained boobs, breasts and sex... I really would not recommend this book to anyone under eighteen years old; its very sexual and contains a lot of pornographic images that I found to be a bit too much, and I personally found that it ruined what could have been a great plot. Although I was drawn to the plot in the beginning, I got lost towards the middle and end, and it just got too weird and confusing. Overall, I just was not impressed, and if there is a better graphic novel on mermaids, I will try to find it. I give this book (***) 3 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Graphic Mythical Creatures: Mermaids by Gary Jeffrey (21)

Book Type: Graphic Novel
Author: Gary Jeffrey
Pages: 24

Summary:
A book on the legend of mermaids, and one graphic novel folktale.

My Review:
When I first picked this up from the library, I was really excited, since I have never read a graphic novel before, especially one about mermaids! Sadly though, I was very dissapointed. Although the contents list "The Mermaids Comb" and "Other Mermaid Tales" the book only has one mermaid tale (The Mermaids Comb). The "Other Mermaids Tale" section is about half a page of other folktales that were cut down into summaries! The first part of the book briefly, and I mean very briefly, goes over the mermaid legend, but the information can easily be found in other mermaid books. As for the actual story, the illustrations were interesting, but I found the mermaids tail be rather fat, and less sinous and graceful. I think this book had alot of potential, and could have been really cool if the auhor did more than one story in a graphic novel form. I give this book (**-***) between 2 and 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie