Pandemonium

February 13, 2012
Seifer Tombchewer is a star athlete in the boonies of the Darkling Realm, a kingdom of winged people ruled by the powerful Pandemonium clan. He’s longing for a life outside his tiny village tucked away in the mountains when he is pulled into the royal family’s intrigues, in this graphic novel by young adult novelist Wooding (Malice). The crown prince, Talon, has disappeared, and Seifer happens to be a dead ringer for him. Now it’s up to Seifer to learn to act like Prince Talon well enough to fool those closest to him and win a war. Wooding and Diaz admirably build a complex world and appealing characters. Spots of slapstick and whimsy, like a giant cat that repeatedly tries to eat Seifer, lighten a story that has war and sacrifice at its core. In his journey from smalltown jock to hero of the people, Seifer makes discoveries about himself, his family, and the royal family. Diaz’s manga-inspired art matches all the moods and loose ends that will leave readers asking for a sequel to this inventive and intriguing fantasy. Ages 8–up.

Starred review from March 1, 2012

Gr 7 Up-Seifer Tombchewer lives in a tiny village, and the most excitement he experiences is when he's playing a challenging game of skullball. One day he fulfills his desire to go beyond the mountains and see the rest of the world, but the wish comes about in an unexpected way. Seifer is kidnapped and told that he has to impersonate the missing Prince Talon, with whom he shares an uncanny likeness. As in The Prisoner of Zenda and other similar retellings of this classic story, Seifer starts making decisions very unlike the ones the prince would usually make, and these decisions increase his popularity. He also begins to fall in love with a girl who thinks he's the prince. This story is set in the Darkling Realm, a universe filled with unusual humanoid creatures. Seifer can fly, for example, and this ability is key both in skullball games and in pivotal battle scenes. While this story is fantastical and suspenseful, it is also very funny. The full-color artwork complements the writing style, and Wooding's verbal jokes are matched by Diaz's visual gags. She mixes a traditional cartoon style with a manga edge, and readers will be entranced by the colorful combination of wings, horns, and spiky hair on the characters.-Andrea Lipinski, New York Public Library

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2012
Grades 7-12 Even though he is popular in his remote village, Seifer longs to see more of the Darkling Realm. He gets his wish when he is kidnapped by palace staff and forced stand in for cruel Prince Talon, whom he resembles. Now Seifer must learn palace etiquette, face death threats, and possibly even get marriedif he can save the kingdom from invasion. Wooding's tale is an odd blend of fantasy elements and offbeat humor, anchored by a main character with an appealingly down-to-earth nature. Though some parts of the story are derivative, readers who enjoy paranormal underdogs will love that the heroes are the black-winged, horned Darklings with morbid names like Asphxia and Tombchewer. Diaz's drawings owe enough to manga to feel like modern teen fan art, but stand on their own thanks to good timing and smart layouts. The rich colors bring the world to life and keep the dark setting from feeling muddy or dim. Give this to readers who like the snark and magic of Ted Naifeh's Courtney Crumrin graphic novels.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)