William and the Lost Spirit

February 11, 2013
On the surface, this three-part story from French duo de Bonneval (Last Days of an Immortal) and Bonhomme seems like the usual fantasy fare. William de Sonnac, a fair-haired and willful boy, runs away from home in search of his recently deceased father, who he believes is still alive. Along the way, William befriends a brawny knight and a clever goat, and is given his first taste of the often-unforgiving world, where good does not necessarily always best evil. As William searches for the mysterious “far-off lands” where his father may yet live, he meets corrupt kings, ruthless bandits, monsters, and other medieval regulars. But the tale is hardly predictable, and instead it subverts some classic fantasy tropes as it slyly broaches such concepts as atheism, violence, and the unconscious. There’s more to the book than meets the eye, and multiple readings reveal even more subtext. What does meet the eye, though, is quite nice, thanks to Bonhomme’s impeccable linework and breakdowns, as well as clean, if traditional, layouts. Ages 8–12.

May 1, 2013

Gr 7 Up-At first glance, the action-packed cover illustration of a boy and a goat riding a gryphon, escaping from a fierce green monster, seems at odds with the peaceful-sounding title. But in fact, the spirit of the art captures the spirit of the book. As William sets out to find his father (who might be dead, or lost, or both), he is joined by a knight, a troubadour, and a very unusual goat. Soon he enters a mysterious world that is populated with an amazing cast of characters, including Prester John, dog-faced men, and headless people whose faces are on their chests. The story is enhanced by Bonhomme's realistic illustrations that mix sepia tones with flashes of brilliant color, and his skillful interpretations of the magical creatures that populate this world will help to fix those creatures in readers' memories. The book is most remarkable in its layers-it is a magical adventure story, it is the story of a boy trying to find his father, and it is the story of a boy who learns difficult lessons and matures while on his journey. Many teens will be intrigued by this title because of the eye-catching cover and illustrations, and thoughtful readers will be captivated by William and grow with him as he explores his world.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2013
A sprawling, richly imagined medieval adventure follows a young boy's quest to find his father's missing spirit. Young William's life has not been simple: His father is presumed dead, his sister is missing, and his mother has remarried a new man with questionable motives. Filled with a pressing belief that his sister and father need his help, he sets off in search of them. Along the way, he is aided by a cunning troubadour, a strange knight and a helpful goat who harbors a mysterious secret. Traveling far-off lands, William and his entourage encounter strange monsters and seemingly endless challenges, faithfully pressing on in the face of adversity. This journey, however, has an unseen twist, and William learns that the world he's known--and the people within it--are not easily categorized. This epic, detailed journey moves swiftly, punctuated by largely wordless and often glaringly bloody action scenes. The attention to detail is meticulous, and helpful notes explain some of the more esoteric terms and references sprinkled throughout the narrative. Like many other adventure tales, this examines questions of good and evil, but in William's world, lines aren't so clearly drawn, leaving for an open-ended conclusion. An interesting, distinctive adventure for readers tolerant of ambiguity. (notes, discussions) (Graphic fantasy/adventure. 13 & up)

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March 1, 2013
Grades 7-10 In this French import set in medieval times, a boy searches for his strong-willed sister, who has gone to investigate the death of their father. Despite the protection of a tough ex-knight, the boy winds up in a tight spot and is consequently plunged into a fantasy world filled with Middle Ages mythological beasties and the dream logic of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. With fortitude, William manages to escape and, with his sister and protector, heads home to face his mother and the corrupt noblemen she is to marry. As is the contemporary French style, the art is intricate and gorgeously lit. The realism lends weight to the time period and the fantasy elements, though panel size is not that varied, and the lovely visuals could have used larger pages to live and breathe in. Storywise, the adventure is of a more thoughtful variety than American readers might be used to, and the end doesn't contain a classic solution as much as it offers a melancholy but satisfying closure. For readers willing to let go of preconceptions, this will provide an engaging journey.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)