Scan barcode
iancarpenter's review against another edition
I'm likely not the audience. The art is spectacular but the story dips too YA-ish for me.
tikaani786's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who read manga to help them to read novels graphic novels have always been an amazing read for me. This book was very interesting and you really get curious on what happened to Walt mostly once you find out more from his tapes. I found the ending a little predictable though which was sad but they also give you an ending with more questions then answers. I can see why graphic novels can be difficult for some people to read because the narrative bubbles can be hard to figure out. But this book was a decent graphic novel. The thing about this graphic novel that I feel was the most interesting is the story, because its about a world hidden within our own with secrets and danger that seems to be coming into our world.
hdbblog's review against another edition
4.0
Well now, this was a treat. I've been on a graphic novel reading binge lately and, as much as I love a vibrant panel, the first thing that caught my eye here was the stark black and white inking. This is the story of Nate. Of his move to a new place, of finding a mysterious recorder, and of discovering that there are things out there well beyond what we can imagine. I would have thought that I'd want this story told to me in color. Honestly though? Now that I've read it I can't imagine it any other way.
The art in these panels is stunning. It's crisp, the faces are realistic, and it suits the mood of this story perfectly. While this is a little darker than most YA graphic novels out there, it places one foot firmly in the world of Fantasy. The pages are populated with all manner of both interesting and slightly unnerving characters. The world that Nate finds has quite a different type of soldier. Squirrels, rag dolls, and bugs, they are all pawns in this ongoing battle. It makes this story magical, and slightly eerie.
Highly recommended! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
The art in these panels is stunning. It's crisp, the faces are realistic, and it suits the mood of this story perfectly. While this is a little darker than most YA graphic novels out there, it places one foot firmly in the world of Fantasy. The pages are populated with all manner of both interesting and slightly unnerving characters. The world that Nate finds has quite a different type of soldier. Squirrels, rag dolls, and bugs, they are all pawns in this ongoing battle. It makes this story magical, and slightly eerie.
Highly recommended! I thoroughly enjoyed this.
lostboylit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mel_morm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
When Nate moves into a new town and into a new house, there are the usual feelings about leaving things behind. He meets Tabitha, a girl his age next door and Nate's dad lets him pick his own room in the house. When Nate pries up a board in his room, he finds an old tape recorder with his name on it.
The tape recorder tells the story of Walt, a boy who lived in the town and stumbled upon a supernatural mystery. It seems that in the woods near town, there is a hidden kingdom. There are talking bugs, animals and toys and Walt has to figure out who he can trust. Walt's recorded story ends and Tabitha tells Nate he disappeared many years before. Nate and Tabitha become threatened by the mystery of the past and have to confront it.
This is a great and pretty serious middle grade graphic novel. It's dark and spooky, and was perfect for the dark October evening that I read it. The art by Greg Ruth is detailed and quite good. There are ominous crows and a strange doll boy named Tom among others. It's a good story and deserves to be read by anyone who likes a good creepy mystery.
The tape recorder tells the story of Walt, a boy who lived in the town and stumbled upon a supernatural mystery. It seems that in the woods near town, there is a hidden kingdom. There are talking bugs, animals and toys and Walt has to figure out who he can trust. Walt's recorded story ends and Tabitha tells Nate he disappeared many years before. Nate and Tabitha become threatened by the mystery of the past and have to confront it.
This is a great and pretty serious middle grade graphic novel. It's dark and spooky, and was perfect for the dark October evening that I read it. The art by Greg Ruth is detailed and quite good. There are ominous crows and a strange doll boy named Tom among others. It's a good story and deserves to be read by anyone who likes a good creepy mystery.
kathaphira's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hayleybeale's review against another edition
3.0
Following two boys, Nate in the present day and Walt several decades ago, this is a sinister and quite creepy graphic fantasy - there's something about the doll character's blank, shiny face that is very disturbing. The b&w illustrations are very detailed and almost photographic, but so small that I felt I didn't see everything. I also found the plot a little disjointed - I kept thinking I'd missed a page though I hadn't. Both these meant I felt confused, particularly during the climax.The few pages, where the illustrations fill the whole spread, rather than being confined to the frames are very powerful. I liked the relationship between Nate and Tabitha, though I thought the less conventional Walt was more interesting. The ending suggests a sequel but I'm not sure I'll be bothered.