A review by monstrouscosmos
The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Characters: 8/10
Relationships: 8/10
Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Plot/Intrigue: 9/10
Internal Logic: 8/10
Entertainment: 8/10
Overall: 57/70, 4*  

I'm definitely not the target audience for this as someone first reading it in my 30's LOL but I chose to read it to fulfill challenge prompts, and I'm glad I did! it's a very quick read, and packed with action. definitely something I would have been really drawn into as a middle-grader, and reading it as an adult made me feel nostalgic for the things I did actually read at the time (ex Goosebumps, Animorphs, etc). I wasn't expecting
cosmic horror,
but it was done in a really interesting way that seemed age appropriate. 

my biggest issue is that as an adult stories where children are tasked with quests beyond their comprehension make me really angry. I definitely needed these kinds of stories growing up, especially as someone who was very adult-ified before my time, but in hindsight I also would have benefitted from more narratives where children dealt with very difficult things (ex grief) without needing to have the entirety of the world resting on their shoulders. it feels like a manipulative trope generally, and
the amulet being so cloying
really exemplified that manipulation for me. 

if I ever need to read middle grade or graphic novels for a challenge in the future I'll probably read further into the series!
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