dlrosebyh 's review for:

Realms: Issue 1 by Yeri Vallejo

1.5

mysterious fast-paced

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Firstly, I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me a free e-ARC of Realms in exchange of an honest review.

David is astonished to discover his older sister Meghan waiting for him in the parking lot after a particularly stressful day at Pensatucket High School. Meghan hasn't gone home since she started college, estranged for years from their mother, Joanne, following their father's death. 

She claims, however, that she has a surprise for you today. They drive back to David's house, where his best friends are waiting to celebrate his birthday, unknown to him. Meghan and David almost miss the unnoticed bundle on the doorstep as they walk up the front way. He was stumped by the following questions: who had brought it? And why is that?

David opens the package after being persuaded by his pals to do so, revealing a huge blue pendant on a silver chain. The gift is strange to say the least, with no message attached and no messenger in sight. Furthermore, the blue stone in the setting begins to shine, and as time passes, it becomes increasingly brighter. 

David enlists the help of his sister, friends, and their eccentric Aunt Noelia, a historian and expert on antiquities and rarities, to figure out what the weird blue pendant means. The inquisitive crew has no idea that what they discover would change their lives forever and put David's courage, resilience, and strength to the test.

Don't get me wrong: the graphics, drawings, craftsmanship, and characters in this book were all fantastic. It was only the execution that didn't wow me; I felt like I needed a prequel to understand this novel while reading it. Even now, I'm still perplexed by this book. It lacked a backstory, and the lack of a plot turned me off. 

Despite my disdain for it, I may read the second issue to see if the plot improves.