Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Where do I begin with how I feel about this graphic novel. On one hand, I liked that it was set in Hong Kong, and the art is good. However, there's a lot I don't like about it.
First, Chinese dragons don't have wings, and that bothered me a lot. If they were going for accuracy, they missed it completely. How do you get right that Chinese dragons don't shoot out fire, but then give them wings???
Second, the plot is a lot, and they shoved too much into the story. Loss of dad? Check. New step-dad? Check. New school and friends? Check check. Mythical being? Check. Step-dad's job and co-worker possibly evil? Check. Multiple chase scenes? Check. Doing it for science argument? Check. Plot twist that was obvious? Check. Story completed but leaves space for a possible volume 2? Check.
Third, there's too many characters that get introduced that once they do their function they get pushed to the side lines. For example, Jing is the Cantonese translator for the group, and by the end of the book she's not important. James is the myth researcher/explainer, and same as Jing by the end he's pushed to the side. The side characters don't have real agency and just do their one function which makes them uninteresting. The author tries to give them depth but having their backgrounds sad, but it doesn't change how they are used in the story.
I really want this story to go well, but the author and illustrator need to get help on authenticity and balancing the story and characters.
First, Chinese dragons don't have wings, and that bothered me a lot. If they were going for accuracy, they missed it completely. How do you get right that Chinese dragons don't shoot out fire, but then give them wings???
Second, the plot is a lot, and they shoved too much into the story. Loss of dad? Check. New step-dad? Check. New school and friends? Check check. Mythical being? Check. Step-dad's job and co-worker possibly evil? Check. Multiple chase scenes? Check. Doing it for science argument? Check. Plot twist that was obvious? Check. Story completed but leaves space for a possible volume 2? Check.
Third, there's too many characters that get introduced that once they do their function they get pushed to the side lines. For example, Jing is the Cantonese translator for the group, and by the end of the book she's not important. James is the myth researcher/explainer, and same as Jing by the end he's pushed to the side. The side characters don't have real agency and just do their one function which makes them uninteresting. The author tries to give them depth but having their backgrounds sad, but it doesn't change how they are used in the story.
I really want this story to go well, but the author and illustrator need to get help on authenticity and balancing the story and characters.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun start to a series!
I think the characters could have been developed a bit more but I do like the premise.
I think the characters could have been developed a bit more but I do like the premise.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced