Kingdom Unraveled by Mariana DiMercurio

Today's read seems to take a slightly unique direction into the kidlit realm. It's a middle grade graphic novel, which swings into the fantasy direction. What makes it unique is the main character. It's an old woman, and she's been chosen to save the world. I'm expecting humor, fun adventure, unexpected moments, and maybe, a subtle wisdom to slip inside, too.

But let's open it up and find out, shall we?

KINGDOM UNRAVELED

by Mariana DiMercurio

Andrews McMeel Publishing

Middle Grade Fantasy   /   Graphic Novel

224 pages

ages 8 to 12

COMING JULY 28th!!!

One unlikely champion. One quest to save the kingdom. Two knitting needles.

For lovers of Amulet comes a new full-color graphic novel for kids with an unlikely hero. Jo's life is changed forever when she is made the new Champion—the person tasked with saving the Kingdom from the insidious evil that's mysteriously taking over. She'll have to tap into her own bravery and wisdom and start on a quest through the kingdom unlike any other!

Jo is a 70-year-old woman who lives in a quiet life in her village, with just her knitting needles and nature to keep her company. But when a mystical guardian knocks on her door one day, Jo is tasked as the new Champion. With help from her snarky friend Roy—whose goals seem to suspiciously align perfectly with hers—she’ll have to do what no other champion has been able to save the Kingdom (and her family) from certain demise.

Featuring the exclusive, never-before-published ending to the popular online story, Kingdom Unraveled is an original graphic novel packed with humor and heart!

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Champions come in all shapes, ages, and sizes, and this calm, grandmotherly woman proves it.

Josephine, aka Jo, lives a peaceful life in her little hut out in the country and enjoys her days knitting and such. When a mysterious, spirit-like figure appears in her livingroom and tells her she's the new champion with the task of saving the kingdom, she simply agrees without a hint of fuss, gets out of her blanketed chair, and calmly takes on the challenge. The magical ax she receives sets the tone as it offers magical and powerful, fighting possibilities...but doesn't really fit to her and her small, knitting needles. With grandmotherly familiarity, she packs a few things and calmly heads out onto her journey. In one of the nearby towns, she runs across Roy, a wanted thief, and cunningly befriends him with a little bit of cleverness and heart. Together, the two continue the adventure, coming up against dangerous and deadly foes, difficult situations, and all sorts of good and bad individuals and creatures. All the while, Jo faces everything in the way she knows best...and that has nothing to do with the usual Champion heroism that everyone expects. But her subtle approach carries its own magic. The question remains, though, if she can really defeat a gigantic, very evil, and deadly beast.

This read was as warm, adventurous, and enjoyable as I hoped it'd be.  Jo embodies all those wonderful traits that seem to accompany the idea of a sweet, elderly, and slower paced grandmother. She's kind, carries years of wisdom, and is weathered by enough experience to rarely let anything bother her. While her, obvious, difference to usual heros already offers a huge stage for humor and heart, she also carries some secrets, which aren't truly revealed but hinted at. There's more to her story, but it only drips in here and there to add a small sense of mystery. Readers will be won over by her inviting and warm attitude, but still remain curious to see how she handles each situation because they aren't tame. She is up against deadly obstacles such as giant, killer spiders, dragons, wrait-like creatures and more. While Jo isn't the average hero, the opponents do carry the same danger and deadliness as is often seen in a graphic novel in this direction. Tension is there and even action, but it's tackled with a different twist. That makes this a gripping read while adding smiles, fun and heart.

Each character holds a rich background, and these aren't fully exposed but rather leave lots of room for  the series. This is especially true of her friend, Roy, who begins as a snarky theif and slowly becomes a true partner. But his tale is, obviously, just beginning as the ending brings some new insight as well as nods to more secrets. 

The graphics are well done and the text fits nicely to the middle grade audience. I was surprised how quickly this tale flows, since it's very easy to get caught up into Jo and the various problems her and Roy face. There are messages surrounding friendship, kindness, and more to match the wholesome direction, but these don't overtake Jo's adventure or plot. Rather, it adds to her character and promises more exciting adventures to come.