Book Review: Anzu and the Realm of Darkness
#CYBILS2024 Elementary/Middle-Grade Graphic Novel nominee
ANZU AND THE REALM OF DARKNESS: A GRAPHIC NOVEL
by Mai K. Nguyen
Viking Books for Young Readers, 2024
Ever since her obaachan died, Obon has lost its magic and Anzu doesn’t want to celebrate this holiday. She just wants to avoid the festivities. When she sees a stray dog, Anzu decides to chase it. She trips, falls, and loses consciousness. When she awakes, she is in Yomi, a Shito underworld Obaachan used to talk about. The stray dog? He is the Gatekeeper of Yomi and he wants Anzu to return to the human realm before it’s too late. Only, getting home is not as simple as she’d thought.1
audience: middle grade
tags: adventure, fantasy, comics, mythology, graphic novel
Gary Anderson (Judge, Board Member)
Nguyen’s invented world draws on elements of Shintoism and Buddhism and will appeal to readers who like mythology and fantasy, as well as those who are attracted to adventure tales. Anzu is drawn in a fairly classic comic style, while the illustrations of the Realm of Darkness denizens range from menacing to Pokemon-style cuteness. This juxtaposition emphasizes Anzu’s immersion in a complex, alien world. Nguyen’s panels vary in size depending on the intensity of the plot at various points, and the dramatic double-page spreads first surprise readers, then entice them to dwell on the image details even in the midst of chaotic plot developments.
Read Gary’s full review at his blog, What’s Not Wrong?
Rachael Owen (Judge)
I really enjoyed this book. Emotional and action-packed, Nguyen creates an atmospheric and accessible story for readers to learn more of Japanese mythology/folklore as well as share a message of how the dead never leave us.
CW: death of a grandmother, grief, racism, bullying, violence, kidnapping
Read Rachael’s full review at Goodreads
Tamara Sipes (Judge)
I loved the art style, not just the panels themselves, but the different kinds of spirits/ demons. The back of the book has a quick guide to the Kami and Yokai of Japanese folklore that are seen. This was also a great read because it showed how Anzu was struggling to find pride and joy in her heritage after being bullied. It gave the message of how brave it was to just be yourself and how you should also be kind to yourself.
Read Tamara’s full review at Goodreads
Cover image, blurb, and tags sourced to Goodreads.com