Wires and Nerve, Volume 1

February 13, 2017
A muted palette of black and denim blue lends a bleak, sooty undertone to the world of Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles in this graphic novel spinoff. This time, Meyer focuses on Iko, Cinder’s cheeky sidekick and an assassin agent sent to hunt down the wolf-soldier hybrids that are plaguing Earth. Unlike some of the previous novels, this story doesn’t require preexisting knowledge of the series, easily catching up fans and new readers alike with capsule introductions to Cress and other members of the Rampion crew in a prologue. Iko is an entertainingly flippant yet formidable heroine, a former servant droid who now inhabits an escort’s body and takes on bloodthirsty enemies as though she were invincible. (And compared to her other fairytale friends, she is.) Yet, Iko is left questioning her own humanity, misreading romantic tension with a royal guard and perhaps finding disturbing commonality with the wolf-soldiers who have one goal in mind: to force Cinder to cure the mutations that turned them into monsters. Holgate’s dynamic, stylized artwork handily balances the story’s action and humor while bringing Meyer’s world to vivid life. Ages 12–up.

March 1, 2017

Gr 7 Up-The "Lunar Chronicles" continue in this entertaining graphic novel sequel to the existing volumes. This follow-up to the futuristic fairy-tale retellings centers on Iko, cyborg mechanic Cinder's best friend. Acclimating to her human body, the android is trying to help Queen Cinder of Luna ease tensions with Earth by hunting down rogue wolf-hybrid soldiers who were once enslaved by Cinder's evil stepmother and have now been banished to the green planet. Joined by other familiar characters (Cress, Winter, Thorne), loyal Iko defends the new queen against her enemies. Fans will be able to jump easily into this narrative and will welcome the protagonist's humorous commentary and the friends' camaraderie. Newcomers will be helped by a prologue that introduces all of the main characters and flashbacks that are sprinkled throughout. This first volume in a duology is split into seven chapters, each action-packed and fast-paced. The romantic tension building up between Iko and a protective royal guard not only is juicy but also speaks to deeper themes-humanity, loyalty, prejudice, sovereignty, and more. The blue and white monochromatic art lends itself well to the setting: a futuristic Earth and the Lunar kingdom. VERDICT The diverse cast, the charming dialogue, and the clean design make this sci-fi fantasy sequel a must-have for graphic novel and YA collections.-Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

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