Graphic Novel Reviews: Shadecraft, Vol. 1

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Shadecraft, Vol. 1

Written by: Joe Henderson

Illustrated by: Lee Garbett

Publisher: Image Comics

Format: Softcover, 144 pages, Color

ISBN: 9781534319820

Ages: 13 and up

Zadie Lu is an awkward teenager. She gets bullied at school during the day and is constantly getting in trouble at home at night. Ricky, her older brother, was involved in a tragic car accident a year ago that left his body in a coma and his family heartbroken. Zadie’s mom refuses to give up hope that he will return, but Zadie is tired of being referred to at school as the sister of the “coma kid.”

One night, Zadie‘s emotions get the best of her and her feelings explode into a massive cloud of shadows that starts attacking her. Just when things are looking grim, the shadow of her brother appears and fights back the angry storm of shadows, causing it to retreat. Zadie cannot believe it was her that caused the shadows and  that she somehow brought Ricky back from the beyond. The next day, she’s approached by a woman posing as a school guidance counselor. This woman wants to train her to better understand her powers and how to control the shadows in the art of what she calls “shadecraft.” Zadie goes along with the training and unexpectedly unlocks mysteries about her family’s history in the process.Shadecraft is an extremely fun read. Henderson and Garbett have artfully crafted an entertaining and interesting book that has bits of fantasy, angst and a whole lot of shadows! This book is perfect for public and high school libraries in need of titles for their YA graphic novel sections and is sure to circulate.

Jonathan Khan
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