Nimona: A Subversive Graphic Novel Adventure About Villainy, Identity, and Unexpected Loyalty

I had such a great time reading this graphic novel! I immensely enjoyed the art style and story of the book. Some of the general premises of it were perhaps a little obvious, but it was executed with enough twists, add-ons to the story, and strong characters that it turned out really special. Throughout the story, there were many amusing bits that were just pure gold with or without context. I think the medieval-ish aesthetic of it all with the knights, peasants, nemeses, and castles mixed with advanced technology really added to my amusement. The characters were wonderful and there were multiple really good relationships that stood out so well and made me care about the story. I would have loved to just keep reading and wanted a bit more from the ending. Luckily I wasn't too frustrated with it. Maybe because it kind of worked out story-wise and the extras at the end of the book helped (although the one about Christmas at the Institution was rather bittersweet). Anyway, all in all, a wonderful book!

I picked this up for my 8th grade homeschool student, since it is on the recommended reading lists and I wanted to add in something a bit more fun after the more traditional reads we've been covering. This is a well done graphic novel, which is easy to read and follow, and still, packs quite a bit of character development and messages. I'll admit that I wasn't sure how it'd work, but the fantasy end is well-fleshed out and adds a very nice touch. It's fun to read, packs lots of tension, some 'deeper' moments (without really going deep), and holds a very unexpected ending which leaves room for discussions and thought. Of course, it isn't the same level as something like Grapes of Wrath or Animal Farm, but it is a very nice addition, since it does grab and entertains without feeling as if there is much going on in the background. We enjoyed it quite a bit.

See this review and more at: http://idiosyncraticlibrary.com Noelle Stevenson's Nimona started out as an art school experiment, turned into a webcomic and after wild success, was published in the summer of 2015 and now finds itself as a finalist for the National Book Award. It's not hard to see why. Set in a strange kingdom that is one part medieval realm, one part high tech society and one part dystopian nightmare, Ms. Stevenson effortlessly mixes these disparate genres into an oddly familiar world that is full of contradictions and surprises. As a parent of a elementary school children and an adult who grew up in the 90s, graphic novels have generally been outside my orbit. Nimona caught my attention though. Featuring a tough, stocky girl, sprouting dragons wings, Nimona is a refreshing hero. Nimona appears out of nowhere in the lair of Supervillain Ballister Blackheart. A teenage girl clearly on her own, Nimona aspires to be Blackheart's sidekick and longs to help Blackheart battle Hero Ambrosius Goldenloin and the shadowy Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics that Goldenloin serves. At first Blackheart is dismissive, but when he discovers Nimona is powerful shapeshifter he decides to take a chance and employs her. What develops is a tale where the heroes aren't necessarily to good guys, the villains are not necessarily the bad, and a teenaged girl who likes pizza, soda, and zombie movies is also a powerful, frightening shapeshifter who is both impulsive and violent, but also loyal and brave. While the story is full of exciting scenes where Nimona and Blackheart break into the bank, blow up part of the Institute and fight both Goldenloin and the Institute guards, the meat of the story is in its relationships. A man of science, Blackheart's very beliefs are challenged by Nimona, a very powerful magical being, While Nimona brings youth and energy to Blackheart's plans, she is also impulsive and excessively violent, and needs Blackheart to guide her moral compass. Also pivotal, is the long relationship between Goldenloin and Blackheart, once best friends both turned out by the Institute to fill their respective roles as hero and villain. Instead of an empty adventure tale, Nimona has a beautiful resonance. While I thought the comic style of the graphic novel might be off putting or distracting, Ms. Stevenson's illustrations only strengthen her story. Wonderfully capturing the familiar gestures that are universal in teen body language, Nimona is no longer an unknown squire in an unknowable realm, but a relate-able girl, exploring the limits of her power, finding her strength and her humanity, and lounging on the furniture in an unending number of poses. Have a girl with a dragon heart? Introduce her to Nimona.

Leuk boekje waar de film losjes op gebaseerd is. Verpakking was heel, boekje was flink beschadigd. Jammer maar geen zin en tijd om weer helemaal terug te sturen en lang wachten op een nieuwe. (Dat was overigens wel netjes aangeboden door Amazon hoor.)

Thankyou. Item as described. Easy postage.

Ho adorato il personaggio di Nimona, anche se questo fumetto c'entra poco con la serie su Netflix come trama, mi è piaciuto molto di più della serie, la quale però mi ha fatto conoscere ed innamorare di Nimona quindi non mi sento in una posizione di poter criticare la serie più di tanto. Ma questa non è una recensione della serie e forse sono già andato fuori tema. In ogni caso personaggi molto ben caratterizzati, simpatici quando serve e profondi al punto giusto, anche lo stile non è per niente male, ha quel non so che di simil grezzo e poco curato in alcuni punti che a me personalmente piace molto usato così.

El libro llegó en perfecto estado, al día siguiente de ordenarlo. Es una muy bonita edición, perfecta para regalar o si coleccionas novelas gráficas.

Enchanting, alternative, fantasy and modern reality, jumbled in a mix thats totally Metal... life isn't all knights and unicorns.. or is it.....