A lot of people thought this graphic novel was so, so, but I LOVED IT! Perhaps because it is so very my kind of thing. Fantasy worlds complete with strange creatures - check, vast empires that aren't a carbon copy of European medieval cities of our past - check, adventure - check, mystery and magic - check, check. I'll admit that the characters aren't the greatest, but among everything else that was so wonderful, I easily let it go in favour of enjoying this fantastic world that Sylviane Corgaiat & Laura Zuccheri made. The artwork!!! It is beautiful and vivid and imaginative. Every frame is a smorgasbord of things to look at, from vast cities to lush forests and desert landscapes to snowy ones, it is a feast for the eyes. I want to re-read it and just take five minutes for each panel - its that detailed and beautiful. The imaginative world-building is top notch here too. Something that felt like it was somewhere between a Studio Ghibli film, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, among many other sci fi and fantasy out there. Although it had a lot of obvious influences, it still manages its own unique world and story. I truly appreciated its effort to honor the fantasy and sci fi that has come before, but also forge its own path. Easily going to be among my favourites and I look forward to seeing what else these two ladies have to offer (at least the ones that have been translated).
