EndGames

December 15, 2018
Rounding off a tale begun in NewsPrints (2017), budding journalist Blue continues to search for her robotic friend, Crow, as the long war between Goswing and Grimmaea comes to a head.Just 17 and blind, but determined not to appear weak, Corazana Lina, newly crowned queen of Goswing, lays a fresh claim to mines needed to fuel her rapidly growing fleet of flying warships. But as Grimmaea is building an air force of its own and the mines' range is also home to a cluster of active volcanoes, widespread disaster looms...and, ultimately, strikes. Meanwhile Blue, caught between opposing armies and monarchs, weathers a rapid succession of dramatic encounters and narrow squeaks as she brings her quest to a successful conclusion at last. Exaggerated facial expressions occasionally give the figures in Xu's bordered panels an artificially stylized, manga-esque look, but the action is easy to follow, and sharply rendered background details add depth and detail to the steampunk-ish setting. The author weaves a strong anti-war message through her tale, casting righteous shade on the evil, which both sides here practice, of recruiting children for military service and playing up the importance of an independent press. Though a bit unwieldy, her populous cast features several characters with mixed ancestry (including Blue), a trans character, and one that is constructed but human in all the ways that count. An action-oriented closer, conventionally tidy at the end but distinctive for its richly imagined world. (Graphic science fiction. 11-13)

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Starred review from March 1, 2019

Gr 4-6-Fans of Xu's Newsprints will be delighted to see the characters back for this sequel. The countries of Goswing and Grimmaea are still at war, and Blue is trying to rescue her friend Crow, the war machine. She learns that he is being used to command a new generation of war machines, but she is captured by twins from the other side of the war before she can save him. Other favorite characters appear alongside newcomers, including twin kings and a blind teenage queen. This book delves deeply into the theme of gender as Blue discusses her choice to wear "boys' clothes," even though she no longer hides her identity, with a newly introduced transgender character. Another key issue is the cost and reasons for war, which are argued effectively by both sides but ultimately lead to a peace settlement. The full-color art is reminiscent of manga and feels almost retro, an effective mash-up for this steampunk-esque story. As in the first entry, the cast is engaging and the adventures are fast-paced (kidnapping, air battles, ground battles on live volcanoes, and more), though this title adds more depth to the world and characters. VERDICT Exceeding the promise of the earlier installment, this is a can't-miss offering.-Elizabeth Nicolai, Anchorage Public Library, AK

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