Shannon and Dean Hale continue the fun from Diana: Princess of the Amazons with a similar upbeat tone, graphic novel for younger readers. However, this time we have two alternating points of view, which are the two Princesses of the Amazons, Diana and Nubia. Along with the talents of Victoria Yin, Lynnette Wong, and Becca Carey, the Hales made a story that is a light, but strong, read.
From what little I know of the Diana/Nubia story, Diana and Nubia: Princesses of the Amazons seems to be a more understandable (and honestly to me more believable) version of their birth/siblinghood. They were both created in their own worlds, but a wish on a special night makes their two worlds collide making one world that is a combination of their worlds. It is a fun story of sisters, with their rivalries and love. And due to the tone, it is a bit more for girls, but anyone can read. Happy, very colorful, bubbly illustrations tie it all together.
The family dynamic takes a modern twist with the Queen of the Amazon’s having an obvious female lover who reminded me of one of the mothers from Nubia: Real One by L. L. McKinney (a young adult graphic novel). Therefore, it feels like the authors are opening the door for Nubia to have her own story/stories, and one perhaps having her sent to the world of man with this mother. Yet, this book keeps it simple and does not “push” the same sex coupling. Things are staying at the fact the girls are around eleven years old and keeps it on that understanding level (especially since the reader is most likely younger than that, and is not necessary ready for that theme. Then again, it is presented in a way that makes it “normal” and not “a big deal” allowing all ages to read and be “okay” with it). Overall, the story is obvious to the adult reader: the girls must finish tasks/find items that are new to this world they find themselves in to make the timelines right again. And of course, they realize that their wish has come true by having the two of them in this world. But I can see the aged seven to young ten on the edge of their seat waiting to find out what happens.
