Medium – Book (Graphic Novel)
About the Book – Nimona is a shape-shifter, who can shift into any real creature (this includes dragons!) or human. She has a real knack for villainy, and is not afraid to get her hands/claws/teeth dirty in becoming a villain. She becomes the sidekick of Lord Ballister Blackheart – a villain who is out for revenge on his ex-friend/love interest, Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. With the help of Nimona, Blackheart begins to win the battle between good and evil, but soon it is revealed that the ‘heroes’ are not the heroes everyone thinks they are, and our villains might have to do some good to reveal the Institution’s nefarious actions.
My Rating – 5/5
My Thoughts – This book is one that has not been in my TBR pile for long, but I am so glad that I picked it up – although it should be said that I wasn’t the one who chose it. I filled in a form on a website for ‘Mr B’s Book Emporium’ in Bath with my reading preferences and books I have read and enjoyed this year, and they sent me a list of four that they thought I would enjoy. They were offering a discount if I bought all four – so I decided to go for it. I would DEFINITELY recommend their book finding service if you are looking for something new to read – it was quick and easy to do, and so far, the first of my books was definitely one I am keeping!
So, more about the book. I am not a usual graphic novel reader. I like cartoons and have enjoyed reading comic books in the past, but I can’t say that I would pick out a comic to read over a narrative book. But I loved this one. I basically sat for 1.5 hours last night and finished it off – it was one of those books that I could not put down until I had got to the end. The characters were amazing – there were only five really main characters – Nimona, Blackheart, Goldenloin, Dr Blitzmeyer and the Head of the Institution, but each were well developed. I really enjoyed the little asides when Nimona and Blackheart were together and sort of getting used to each other – getting pizza, watching movies etc. The illustrations are beautiful and the characters each have their own style, which I enjoyed. Nimona also isn’t your strightforward stick-thin heroine either – appreciated!
The storyline is wonderful and I thought the relationship between Goldenloin and Blackheart was really well done. You can’t quite tell when the novel is set – you have lots of medieval elements (knights, peasants, swords), but also futuristic technology like laser guns. The characters really made you want to root for them. I would definitely be open to more graphic novels in the future – especially those with more subversive heroines and plotlines.
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