The Monster Sisters and the Mystery of the Unlocked Cave

July 1, 2019
In this promising first installment of a middle grade graphic adventure series, Gaudin introduces two spirited sisters who use their superpowers—including vine-swinging and ESP—to fight the beings attacking their hometown of Victoria, B.C. As monsters rise up from buried depths to wreak havoc, the protagonists set about saving their hometown by learning its history. And though the resulting plot is somewhat disjointed, establishing mythology at the expense of a smooth narrative, Enid Jupiter and Lyra Gotham are enjoyable protagonists with their respective “adventure checklists,” which include “emergency fruit leather” and “perpetual action frown.” With the minimal adult intervention that made Pippi Longstocking’s world thrilling, the girls take on a cadre of creatures that only they can defeat. Gaudin’s panels create wildly imagined scenarios from urban landmarks, as when a pier rears out of the water and becomes a mono-toothed serpent. Though the overstuffed story line and links to hyperlocal history may limit the book’s appeal, the memorable characters and clever visuals should propel readers to the planned sequel. Ages 9–12.

July 15, 2019
Two sisters try to solve the mystery behind monster attacks on their Canadian home. In this graphic offering, siblings Enid Jupiter and Lyra Gotham's beloved city of Victoria is plagued by such destructive creatures as a hairy squid, a giant yellow reptile, and mysterious Mirror Masons. Aided by a cache of clever mystery-solving tools, the girls swing around Vancouver Island on magical vines and find clues alongside interesting historical facts, as when Enid and Lyra see Gyro Park's large statues roar to life while readers learn about the actual landmarks. This middle-grade graphic novel has expressive and bright illustrations, housed in large and tidy panels laid out with easy-to-read text bubbles. Gaudin offers what should be a fascinating mix of intriguing elements: imaginative monster battles, fun historical facts, a gently spooky mystery, and a warm emphasis on sisterhood. Unfortunately, it has an overall scattershot feel. The girls' investigations lack clear endpoints, with one monster mystery tenuously dissolving into the next without any definitive resolution. Enid and Lyra both present white; there are few other human characters in their adventures, although the ones they encounter are exclusively white. While a nod is given to using the Indigenous names of British Columbia's landmarks, no visual representations of these peoples are shown. A quirky mystery that does not quite hit its mark. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)

COPYRIGHT(2019) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 26, 2019

Gr 4-6-Enid Jupiter and Lyra Gotham, the Monster Sisters, are rabble-rousing, smart-talking kids determined to save their hometown, Victoria, British Columbia, from an influx of creatures. Gaudin, a comics shop owner and comics creator based in Victoria, created the Monster Sisters to celebrate his own fearless daughters. In this series starter, the heroes use their knowledge of local history, a variety of creative gadgets, and their quick wits to rescue their comics collection and defeat the enormous Monster X. Enid and Lyra make a great team who play to each other's strengths and protect each other in the direst of circumstances. The art is engaging and fun, with full-page monster attacks, action-packed vine swinging, a section on Morse code, and plenty of cool maps. Gaudin makes great use of the paneling to show the girls' boundless energy. However, the author-illustrator inserts himself into the narrative in ways that may be too sophisticated for younger readers to enjoy. Likewise, some of the Canadian history is clumsily integrated into the story. The tale's resolution is mostly written narration delivered by the Perogy Cat, a character from a different Gaudin series-an anticlimactic ending for such intrepid characters in their first big adventure. VERDICT A fun but not essential graphic novel for those who love Canadian history and courageous kid detectives battling giant monsters.-Jennie Law, Georgia State University, Atlanta

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.