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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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:
N/A
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The image of a knight is superimposed against a gleaming sword of honor, armor of glory, and patriotism glowing like sunlight in the wielder’s raised arm. Sara Alfageh and Nadia Shammas’ “Squire” burns this tapestry to the ground, challenging the white-centric idea of duty in a beautiful Middle Eastern fantasy world.
The premise immediately had me buying it, the art absolutely gorgeous with perfect coloring and a heavy weight to the graphic novel itself! I fell in love with the illustrations of the world, where civilization continued on as our protagonists fought tooth and nail to survive in the military.
I was always astounded and had to take a moment to think of how this reflected our modern military and the disillusioned desire to be a hero. It’s inherently selfish, but the need to be a hero is highlighted and our ragtag team doesn’t let it destroy them. In fact, Azai, Husni, Sahar, and Basem each interpret it differently and stay true to their values at the end of the day. This graphic novel brilliantly describes the difference between sacrifice and destruction, the importance of found family, and remembering what you’re fighting for.
I would love to see more world building from this universe and go into deeper research of the diverging nations’ history! I wish it didn’t feel so rushed but I completely understand this is a hard thing to navigate for visualization, but this would make the best paperback concept ever!
(Husni may be LGBT+, but it is never officially said!)
The premise immediately had me buying it, the art absolutely gorgeous with perfect coloring and a heavy weight to the graphic novel itself! I fell in love with the illustrations of the world, where civilization continued on as our protagonists fought tooth and nail to survive in the military.
I was always astounded and had to take a moment to think of how this reflected our modern military and the disillusioned desire to be a hero. It’s inherently selfish, but the need to be a hero is highlighted and our ragtag team doesn’t let it destroy them. In fact, Azai, Husni, Sahar, and Basem each interpret it differently and stay true to their values at the end of the day. This graphic novel brilliantly describes the difference between sacrifice and destruction, the importance of found family, and remembering what you’re fighting for.
I would love to see more world building from this universe and go into deeper research of the diverging nations’ history! I wish it didn’t feel so rushed but I completely understand this is a hard thing to navigate for visualization, but this would make the best paperback concept ever!
(Husni may be LGBT+, but it is never officially said!)
Gorgeous graphic novel set in partial-fantasy Arab historical setting, with girls and boys training to become squires to knights. Lots of weapon training, themes of outsider status, loyalty, military. Readers who love sword fights and fantasy or history will be drawn in immediately.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
I really loved the messages in this graphic novel - I was impressed at the depth of the discussions of empire and war and complicity. I think if you're nostalgic over the Disney Mulan film, you should absolutely be required to pick this up, because the vibes are similar but the messages are so much better.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
fast-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
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Beautifully illustrated, compelling characters, and a real and important message on the power of history, erasure, and narratives.
I felt that the first 2/3rds were medium paced and took the time to explore these questions with a heavy dose of foreshadowing, however the ending felt rushed and incomplete to me, with a lot of open threads.
Still a fantastic read, though.
I felt that the first 2/3rds were medium paced and took the time to explore these questions with a heavy dose of foreshadowing, however the ending felt rushed and incomplete to me, with a lot of open threads.
Still a fantastic read, though.