Kazu Kibuishi is an author and illustrator known for his graphic novel series called "Amulet." The series is set in a supernatural world and follows the adventures of a young girl named Emily and her brother Navin as they discover an amulet that gives them extraordinary powers. The amulet is a powerful artifact that has been passed down through their family for generations. Throughout the series, Emily and Navin must learn to control their newfound abilities and navigate the dangerous world they find themselves in. They encounter a variety of mythical creatures, including elves, robots, and talking animals. Along the way, they must also confront an evil sorcerer who wants to use the amulet for his own nefarious purposes.
The Stonekeeper’s Curse (book 2)
But to do so, they must travel to Cielis, a city in the sky that mysteriously disappeared several years ago, to meet with the city s guardians in hopes that the guardians will help their cause. I liked the cute robots and the talking animals, which made me wonder what exactly the curse is that caused people in Kanalis to become animals; we even see one character being examined by a doctor because he was beginning to turn into a slug.
Along the way, they must also confront an evil sorcerer who wants to use the amulet for his own nefarious purposes. The artwork in the "Amulet" series is visually stunning, with detailed illustrations that bring the fantastical world to life. Kibuishi's use of color and shading adds depth and emotion to the story, making it an engaging read for both children and adults.
Kazy kibuishi amulet
I tried Kazu Kibuishi’s Amulet series for the first time back in 2015. I was introduced to him through the Harry Potter books because he’s the illustrator of my favorite editions — the 15 th anniversary editions. I love the illustrations, the scenes Kibuishi chose to highlight, and his use of color to tap into the emotion and tone of a scene or to highlight certain things. This made me want to sample more of his work, so I tried The Stonekeeper, the first book in his popular middle-grade fantasy graphic novel series.
I wasn’t blown away by The Stonekeeper, but I was interested enough to want to return to the story and, finally, I have. Recently, I reread the first book and read books two, three, and four — The Stonekeeper’s Curse, The Cloud Searchers, and The Last Council, respectively. With each installment, my interest in the story grew until I read book four and was left wanting more since I don’t have the fifth book.
Amulet, bks. 1-4 by Kazu Kibuishi (illus.)
Genre:
Pubbed:
Series:
The Stonekeeper (book 1)
The Stonekeeper’s Curse (book 2)
The Cloud Searchers (book 3)
The Last Council (book 4)
Quick summary:
Emily and her brother Navin move to their old family home with their mom after their father died in a car crash. While fixing up the house, which is in dire need of repair, Emily and Navin find a peculiar necklace that Emily takes a liking to. One night while sleeping, the family is woken by a noise that the kids’ mom investigates. She’s kidnapped and taken to a different world where Emily and Navin encounter queer creatures such as monsters, robots, and talking animals. There, the kids learn more about their family, Emily learns about the necklace she inherited, and they make new friends who help them to rescue their mother.
As the story progresses, Emily and Navin learn that more is at stake: The world is threatened by the Elf King and it’s up to Emily, Navin, and their friends to work with those who oppose the Elf King to overthrow his rule. But to do so, they must travel to Cielis, a city in the sky that mysteriously disappeared several years ago, to meet with the city’s guardians in hopes that the guardians will help their cause. But what they find there might not be the help they seek. (Goodreads)
My thoughts: (minor spoilers)
These graphic novels were fun reads, which was a nice break from the heavy stuff I was reading at the time. I was able to whisk through them on a lazy Saturday afternoon that I considered time well spent (though my family disagreed since chores don’t do themselves).
The story is fast paced and immediately swept me up in it. The first book is mainly setup for the larger story, which becomes more interesting with each book, however it was in the third book that my interest was really piqued because we begin to see other sides to characters once considered villains and begin to question the spirit in the necklace’s stone that guides and helps Emily. We are even given some backstory about stonekeepers in general. By the fourth book, I was sold on the story because it gains greater complexity there that excited me.
From the beginning, I liked the alternate world the story is set in. I liked the cute robots and the talking animals, which made me wonder what exactly the curse is that caused people in Kanalis to become animals; we even see one character being examined by a doctor because he was beginning to turn into a slug. (It’s not gruesome.) The world has a hint of steampunk to it what with the flying airships and other mechanical things and beings in the world. I like how Kibuishi presents all this in his illustrations. They make me want to visit there, despite the evil Elf King expanding his influence.
The only thing that fell short for me is the protagonist, Emily. She doesn’t stand out to me at all. I am instead more interested in the side characters, like her brother, Navin, the fox, Leon, the robot, Cogsley, and especially the Elf Prince because of how conflicted he is. I wonder if Emily gains more character development in the other installments. (There are eight books out now; I need to read four more to catch up.)
Because I’m so used to parents being absent when kids go off on adventures, I was surprised that Emily and Navin’s mother is included along. I liked that though I was annoyed by her that one time when she was fussing about germs and thought to myself, “That’s why parents don’t go on the adventures.” Lol! I also like Luger and the development he receives. Now, he strikes me as a grandfather figure along for the adventure. I was saddened by his loss of memory. I wonder how that will play out in the other installments. Overall, I like that it seems that Emily and Navin have gained a larger family while on this crazy adventure.
Art style:
I LOVE Kazu Kibuishi’s style. It’s a bit cartoony in how faces are drawn, but mostly it has a realistic quality to it. I love the most his illustrations of buildings, cityscapes (like Cielis), and the mechanical objects and characters. I also love LOVE how color is applied to the illustrations and the two-page spreads that are often breathtaking when portraying a scene or frightful when showing a villain about to start a hunt.
Of the characters, Miskit is the cutest. I keep thinking of him as a girl, probably because he’s a pink robot. I have to keep reminding myself he’s male. I also love the expression of constant disgruntlement on Cogsley’s face and the illustration of Gabilan, who seems to exude danger.
The Cloud Searchers (book 3)
In addition to the captivating story and artwork, "Amulet" explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of courage and determination. Emily and Navin's journey is not only a physical one but also a personal one as they learn to face their fears and rise above their circumstances. The "Amulet" series has received critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling and beautiful artwork. It has also gained a large following of fans, who eagerly anticipate each new installment in the series. With its imaginative world-building and relatable characters, "Amulet" has become a beloved and influential work in the world of graphic novels..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Kazu Kibuishi's Amulet Series: Influencing the Graphic Novel Genre"
1. John - 2 stars - I'm sorry, but I just couldn't get into "Kazy Kibuishi's Amulet." The storyline was confusing and I found it hard to follow along. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the artwork felt rushed and sloppy, not living up to the high standards I expected from Kazy Kibuishi. Overall, I was disappointed with this graphic novel and would not recommend it.
2. Emily - 1 star - "Amulet" by Kazy Kibuishi was a huge letdown for me. The plot was cliché and predictable, lacking any originality or excitement. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, with the characters speaking in unrealistic tones. Moreover, the artwork was subpar, with poorly-drawn characters and bland backgrounds. I was hoping for a captivating and visually stunning reading experience, but unfortunately, this graphic novel fell short in every aspect.
3. Alex - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Kazy Kibuishi's Amulet," but it failed to deliver. The story seemed all over the place, jumping from one scene to another without proper transitions. I found myself struggling to keep up with the narrative and lost interest quickly. Additionally, the characters were unmemorable and lacked any distinct personality traits. The artwork, although aesthetically pleasing at times, couldn't save this disjointed and underwhelming graphic novel. I would not recommend it to fans of the genre.
4. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Amulet" by Kazy Kibuishi had some interesting elements, overall, it failed to captivate me. The storyline had potential but felt rushed and underdeveloped. The pacing was off, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the plot. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with emotionally. The artwork, although visually appealing, couldn't make up for the shortcomings of the narrative. This book might appeal to younger readers, but as an adult, I didn't find it particularly engaging.