The Rise of Aurora West

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 8, 2015

Review

This graphic novel is set in the world of Paul Pope's Battling Boy. Aurora West is a teen-aged girl training to be a superhero with her father Haggard West, a known, and feared, hero. Together they fight monsters in Arcopolis, but Aurora knows that there is more to the story than just fighting the monster Sadisto and his clan. Her memories may hold the key to solving her mother's murder and this book sets up the story, the villains, and the heroes. Book Two, Fall of the House of West is due out in Oct. '15 and will hopefully finish the tale. This is a fast-paced, action-packed graphic novel. The style is reminiscent of old Archie comics books but with pictures in black & white. Some of the pictures bleed right off the edges of the page and the story must be carefully read, both text and pictures, to ensure that the reader catches all of the action. I recommend this for collections with avid GN readers and for those who enjoy sci-fi stories. This feels like a more grown up Zita the Space Girl (without the intergalactic travel).

Overall Book Score: good