Graphic Novel Review: Amulet (Book Six: Escape from Lucien)

I don’t know the epic tapestry that writer/illustrator Kazu Kibuishi has in mind for his Amulet series but I am along for the ride right until the very end. The latest in his series of intriguing graphic novels in the Amulet series — Book Six: Escape from Lucien — is another powerhouse example of storytelling, bringing us action and character development and various story threads that weave in and out.

The most difficult part? Remembering the stories in the intervening years between Amulet books. I should have read the fifth one to get my mind inside the story but instead, I jumped right in. Which is interesting in itself. Kibuishi, a gifted artist and writer, does not provide backstory. You’re in right with the first few pages, and I had that experience of my memory kicking in as I read — Oh yea, that’s who Emily is …. That dude looks familiar …. why is this character acting like this? Who is the Elf King again? Who wants to be Elf King? Oh yeah … and so on.

It would be too complex for me to give the story away in a review, but suffice it to say that Amulet is turning out to be a classic graphic story that makes other stories pale in comparison, and is a perfect series for middle school and upper elementary readers. The difficulty is the cost for the books. I suspect that somewhere down the line there will be an Amulet Omnibus. But the story is still unfolding.

This is actually one of those series that I have not yet brought into my classroom, for fear that the books will disappear from my shelves. My sons read the Amulet books regularly so I keep them at home. Sorry, kids. (Might be time to save up my Scholastic book points and get a class set, though).

Peace (in the power of story),
Kevin

2 Comments
  1. Hi, Just found your site through the Edublogs Challenge and added it to my Feedly list. I had my students signing up to get the new Amulet even before I received our copy. I’m already thinking that I’m going to have to get another copy because word is spreading about the series and more and more are reading it. LUV IT!

  2. I love this series, Kevin. There are so many themes of discovery of the self and of one’s (as yet) hidden powers, independence, and good v. evil that shades so delightfully into many other shades and hues. These are perfect for the late elementary on to middle school readers, I think.

    I have the series for our classroom, and I do lose some on occasion. But…there is such a buzz about the books that competing with the desire to actually possess the book is another desire to recommend the book and pass it on. One gains a kind of status for having read it and passing it on. Besides, friends know who has it and if they are next in line! So far the pass it on has been winning out a lot more often than the desire to possess.

    Amulet 6 came last weekend in the mail. I told the kids that it was coming and that I’d read it over the weekend and then let it loose to fend for itself. Kids were lined up to read it ,and had re-read Amulet 3-5 to get themselves ready for the “event.” Very cool.

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