Bingo 6: Hot
So the three most recent volumes of Lumberjanes (17-19) could really have fit into several categories, but I’m going to go with “Hot” because a chunk of one adventure takes place in the dinosaur age when the climate is pretty tropical, and during another adventure things get a little heated between Diana (goddess) and another goddess from a rival mythology, Freya.
I have to say, I’d gotten behind with this series because it wasn’t as entertaining for a while, but thankfully, the mojo is back. The adventures are a little more interesting, and there’s some coherent plot and character development. The basic plotline through all three volumes is that the summer is coming to end so the girls have to really get the most fun, friendship, and badges they can before they go their separate ways. There’s also some progress with the origins of the Lumberjanes and what that might have to do with whatever mysterious potentially dangerous thing has been trapped in the cave but now might be getting loose for one final stand of ‘friendship to the max’ etc. vs whatever the thing is/whatever motives or grudges it has.
The tropical dinosaur visit is part of this whole thread since Ripley’s last big goal is to see her dino buddy Jonesy one last time; each Lumberjane sets one last big goal so the gang actually splits up to each achieve their thing, although there’s also some pairing. Speaking of pairs, Molly and Mal’s wishes involve each other, and it’s kind of funny when Mal realizes basically the whole camp knows about her and Molly, and they’re the sort of official camp couple for the season, as they should be, they’re cute together. Mal’s big goal is actually really sweet and it goes all wrong but ends up going right; more than this would be unnecessary spoilers. I do think April’s big goal is repeat from a previous episode; I swear I saw that same storyline in another volume, but I could be wrong.
Besides the cutesey cozy adventures, one of the things I’ve liked about this series overall is how they deal with the supernatural mysteries; sometimes things happen that don’t’ get fully resolved but there’s some epilogue hint that at least gives the reader some closure. I’ve long liked that sort of open-ended-ness, and it leaves room for the imagination, and it gives almost a more real feeling, but also still hints at potential future threats or adventures. One mystery has to do with the camp director Rosie and he past, and exactly how strong she might be. We get a good bit of backstory, not exactly for Rosie herself (although there’s a little), but actually for the whole organization, that sets up what I hope is at least part of whatever happens next. There’s some much great possibility now with some of the founder’s background openly known, and that potential is something I like, whether it’s just dropped or taken up as a main thread.
