I haven’t reviewed a graphic novel in quite a while, so I figure it’s time that I dabble in that genre/art form again. The one I picked up recently is a YA, fantasy/superhero sort of story with a combination of prose and illustrations which gets an immediate hold on the reader and will not let go. With robots, selkies, and enchanting music, there’s a little bit of everything for all the speculative fiction fans out there. For this review, I will be discussing Skooter Girl, written by Darielle Mac and illustrated by Dell Barras.
Amber is a beautiful, confident, and talented young woman living on the Tir Na Nor (the magic Isle) with her father, a prophetic music instructor and prominent member of their village. Her birthday has come and she is finally turning sixteen; as is the tradition in her village, she is now, technically, an adult. Little does Amber understand, reaching adulthood comes with adult responsibilities. So when Amber learns that her father’s plans for her are different from what her heart is telling her is right, she must make the most difficult decision of her life so far: stay with her father and follow through with his plans, or go out into the world and discover what she wants out of life.
Image retrieved from Amazon
Will Amber make the right choice? What adventures await her as she enters womanhood? And what is the mysterious disease infecting the wine grapes of the nearby land of Colorfulnation?
Darielle Mac has created a magical world with elements of the futuristic and the mythical. I’m just dying to learn more about it, and not just the magic or how it works; I want to know more about the socio-political structure, the geography, and the history. I especially want to see more about the selkies. I love the original selkie legend—The Secret of Roan Inish is one of my all-time favorite movies—and I wonder what Mac will do with this increasingly-popular topic. All that might be a little overwhelming for the targeted audience, but when stretched over a series of graphic novels, I’m sure that we’ll learn much more about all these areas by the final book.
Dell Barras’s illustrations also pair perfectly with Mac’s world. They are beautifully vivid and eye-catching, incredibly high quality. I got a very good idea of the flora, fauna, and other natural wonders of Mac’s world, and Barras brings the characters to life. I found the scenes at sea to be especially well-illustrated; the shading and realistic depictions of the ocean and its creatures are astounding.
Each of Mac’s characters is unique and well-developed: Finn, the overprotective but loving father; Carin, the friend who always has Amber’s back; Bran, the love-struck and perhaps delusional son of the banker; and Pete, the goofy but well-meaning robot are just a sample of the wide range of people you will meet in Skooter Girl. They are all a little too cheery for me at times, but I can understand Mac wanting to start this series on a more positive note in order to encourage readers to continue with the rest of the series.
Amber is, in my opinion, a great role model for YA readers. She’s spunky, confident, and take-charge as well as the best friend anyone could ever want. She grabs the future by the horns, and not because of some guy like certain princesses we know (I’m looking at you, Ariel). Instead, Amber is determined to do what is right for her as a well-rounded, successful, and happy person. She shows YA readers, especially young women, that you can’t just wait for someone to hand you a destiny; you must go find it.
While Amber is an excellent character and I’m sure she will make a great hero for this series, my favorite character is Uncle Luc. He’s the cool uncle who will let you do what you want so long as you don’t hurt anyone and it’s in your best interest. It also doesn’t hurt that he reminds me a lot of Belle’s father from the Disney cartoon Beauty and the Beast. He’s inventive, funny, a little eccentric, and over-the-top when it comes to his gifts—just what anyone would be looking for in a long-lost relative. I am looking forward to seeing how he might help, or hinder, Amber’s adventures.
Skooter Girl is an excellent introduction to Amber and her world, especially for teenaged and young adult readers. That being said, I have a minor complaint about the book. The first is where it ends. I know it’s part of a series, but I was so wrapped up in the plot that when it suddenly stopped, I was disappointed. It seemed as though the story had just picked up and then cut off during what could have been a build-up to the climax. Still, I feel as though I can forgive Mac this flaw because I know it’s “to be continued.” I just want it to continue immediately! I love that Mac throws us right into the world without too many explanations to slow down the narration, but the abrupt ending almost killed me because I was so absorbed in it.
Overall, I highly recommend Skooter Girl by Darielle Mac. It’s great not just for YA readers or graphic novel enthusiasts; fans of fantasy and science fiction, along with a little mystery, will find this book right up their alley. It’s a story about magic and technology, love and corruption, and, most of all, discovering oneself outside of how others define us. You won’t be able to put it down until you’re finished, and the end will leave you anxious for more.
You can buy Skooter Girl as an e-book and in print on Amazon. As with most illustrated stories, I suggest buying a print copy in order to best experience the wonderful images.
Do you know of any books I should read? E-mail me at thewritersscrapbin@gmail.com and let me know!
Designed by Stephanie Hoogstad circa 2011