The best way to describe the graphic novel, Atana V01: Atana and the Firebird is that it is a mix of K. O’Neil, Swan Lake by Rey Terciero & Tidesong by Wendy Wu. In other words, it is a traditional fantasy story with female protagonists and magical elements.
The artwork is uncomplicated, with basic details. It is not flashy but not plain either (there is a lovely image at the end that is perfect in that it has both the simplicity and it holds a lot of feelings and information to push the story forward without the use of words). Things are soft, even cozy, while “bad things” are happening.
The adult reader will pick up on a few clues (such as who the attacker of the main characters is), but it is great for strong ages 8/9 to about 13/young 14 who might not be as familiar with some of the fantasy tropes. There is magic which plays a large part of the overall story (not only the fact that magic is fading and why, but how each magical group has its own way of doing and/or harvesting magic), also there is some action that includes fighting/battles (it is “clean,” just “actiony”), and the ending has a sensitive scene or two that might not be for the younger reader.
The other familiar themes are such as the misfits finding each other; naïve heroines who believe beauty too quickly such as the hot Queen (picture a 1920s glamor gown with other wordly elements and a visor-helmet-covering the upper half of the face) who seems terribly suspicious. It also runs heavy on the GLBTQ themes of same gender (female) relationships or potential relationships. And the main character probably being trans or not completely binary (she is part human and mermaid).
If I have one issue with things, if it hadn’t been for the fact a character mentions a missing father, I would assume that the population is all female-presenting and reproduction is done by immaculate conception! I am hoping that in future volumes Vivian Zhou mixes things up a little in that department. The extras at the end are a nice treat and help you get into the story more. Due November 2023, this was read via an online reader copy.
