Last of the Sandwalkers

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

Review Date: August 11, 2015

Review

A graphic novel about bugs on a quest, this book could not be any better. With the right mix of good and evil, snark and sentiment, humor and sincerity, this graphic novel is fantastic. It begins with a guide to identifying beetles as it introduces the cast of characters in the story. There are journal entries from the protagonist Lucy as the quest begins with a research expedition as the cast sets off on a mission to determine if there is life outside of their city New Coleopolis. The book is as good as any human explorer's travelogue as Lucy struggles to assign meaning to the things experienced on this mission. And the mission goes wrong, of course or there wouldn't be a continuation of the story and more chances to find meaning, and the heroes desperately try to return home. Along the way, they discover things about each other, themselves, and the greater world outside of their sheltered little home. The villain, Professor Owen, is evil indeed as he attempts to keep his fellow New Coleopolites in the dark about life outside of their city, reminiscent of the Emperor trying to control the resistance by those pesky Jedis. And the copious endnotes are fascinating to read chapter by chapter or at the very end as the reader realizes that he has learned quite a bit about the insect world by the end of this tale of adventure and discovery. Highly recommend for any collection with GNs and for consideration on the 2015 Cream of the Crop list.

Overall Book Score: excellent