Two sequels that show that you need to continue with a series to find out what they are all about are the theme of this review. Just read Doña Quixote one and Squire & Knight one before you read these two, but no real spoilers here, only teasers to make you want to!
Doña Quixote #2 Flight of the Witch by Rey Terciero and illustrator Monica M. Magaña was a graphic novel that I did not care for as much as I did the first book of the series. The rating of 2 is actually more of a 2.75, just because it is a good series for the strong aged 8 and up and is a great book for representation but did not “click” over to a 3. The story arc (learning you need friends/help) is not new, but overall the story did not feel as strong as it could be. Plus there was one story point I thought was a bit mature, even if it was not “glorified.” And while the ending was interesting (and had some good humor), there were a few questions left unanswered. The illustrations (as it was in book one) are fun, bright, colorful and clever.
Now a similar thing happened with the series/book Squire & Knight V02: Wayward Travelers by Scott Chantler. However, it is a more pure 3 than Dona Quixote was. This is an interesting series for those who like magic, mystery and adventure wrapped into a realistic setting. This time our Squire and that not so bright Knight must take a Goblin Child to the Wizard School. There are adventures, misadventures and lessons. Things are fun, and have action, but things are not always as fleshed out as I would like them to be. Such as the giant mosquitoes. They are on the cover, but not really “there.” Yet, things are good for the 10 and up crowd. The illustrations are sepia and busy, and much of the time, as they are lost in the forest the majority of time, the scenery does not change making them sometimes hard to see/read.
Both of the titles are currently available, but I read them as online reader copies.
