I found a snippet of Sorceline and thought it sounded good. When I found it, it took me at least three tries to start. There were several, “Wait? Did I miss something?” moments before I was able to get into the flow.
This is an odd little book. There were some storyline bumps that I thought were just me, but reviewers on Goodreads agreed. I think the issue for me is that Sylvia Douyé, graphic novel was translated. And my “reading ear” sometimes has trouble with that. The story also feels to jump around, the ending was rushed and based on a plot point that felt out of the blue. Some of the points that made the book slightly off are also what makes it familiar and what kids enjoy reading. Take your pick which one is Harry, Ron (hint, he has red hair) and Hermione. Draco is there, only this time as a mean girl. Maybe even a same-sex love interest, if one sided. There are some assumptions that we know what cryptology is, or what some cryptids are.
Sorceline is a young girl that has been chosen to study cryptology at a hidden school. She makes friends, frenemies and there a love interest or two. The cast is not overly diverse (Arlene the only person of color). Outfits tell personality: the “goth” love interest, the “goth” girl, and the rest are all out of School Uniform 101. The professor is a bit clueless (or so we are led to believe), there is only one other person/teacher at the school (who is an obvious stereotype vampire), and one scene that was a bit intense for the rest of book (which is not humorous, due to the mystery element, but is lighter than this section would suggest).
However, the illustrations of Paola Antista are adorably dark-cute, and even funny at times. Very traditional graphic novel/comic looking, they are cozy while you are following magical creatures and involved in a mystery. There are a lot of details, lots of colors and lots of just lots. They are familiar and new. The colors let you know the mood the author wants to create. They tell the story where sometimes text is lacking.
The age range, which I felt was all ages when I started, but that one scene (plus, there are several images of serpents that are oddly realistic even in a cartoonish form) that makes it ages 10 to 14. I am not sure I want to read book two, yet I also wonder what is next.
