Member Reviews
Overall this series is a little weird for kids. I often find they have a difficult time 'getting' it. This last volume really seems like quite a rush to the ending.
Review to be posted on GoodReads Jun 18, 2019:
Pig, Fox, and Hippo (with Van’s family) are in the final push of their adventure to find a way to save their valley from the wave of destructive fog headed its way. Can they be successful or will they just have to abandon their valley?
A satisfactory bittersweet conclusion to this dystopian adventure story that has seen the main characters grow as characters and friends. Beautiful artwork, a solution that actually mirrors scientifically sound ways of combatting real smog, and heartfelt moments make this a great conclusion to this graphic novel adventure. I don’t want to talk about things too much or I’ll spoil things. Suffice it to say, those looking for light dystopia/fantasy adventures with tender character development, inventive world building, and beautiful artwork should snatch up this whole series.
Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content. There are some perilous situations, but most usually turn out ok though there is one non-gory fatality handled tenderly.
I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What an ending! Each of the three Dam Keeper books explore so many different emotional journeys and worlds, and this last one brings it all together beautifully. Middle grade readers will find a lot of food for thought in the series about friendships, making choices, bullying, trust, dealing with authority. I'm glad I can recommend all three books to my readers now, it was a tough wait in between.
I have never read the first two books in this series, but this book was fantastic on its own! I was not sure what to expect, and the animals as characters surprised me, but it totally worked! I loved the emotions that came with this story as well as the theme of friendship and working together. I can't wait to get this for my students!
Right away the impression I got was the visuals of a Pixar movie meets the whimsy of Howl's Moving Castle.
We are thrown into the continuing story immediately. It begins with Pig abandoning his crew and their big walking ship to try to find the Mole God, who he believes is his father. We meet a random mix of other animal characters on the ship, including the Vans and their dozens of adopted children. The story mostly follows Pig, Foxy, and the hippo, who band together to save their town from an evil force.
Many pages are completely void of text, but filled with detailed illustration. A lot of of emotion is conveyed by these wordless pages.
The third and final installment of "The Dam Keeper" series brings all readers who have followed the story to a wonderfully satisfactory ending.
This middle grade graphic novel ties together the story threads and the lessons learned about friendship, hard work, and the greater good from the first two volumes. Where the first book was intriguing, and the second book was dark, this volume is hopeful, bright, and made me glad to have read the entire series. Absolutely recommended for library collections!!
Very simply this art is everything. The light and dark a parallel the story line perfectly. A must buy series for anyone that appreciates graphic art.
I really enjoyed this series. From book #1, it hooked many of my eighth graders, and I believe the final book in the series will bring the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion to readers every where!
A solid finish to wonderful series. Though, fair warning, this one will hit you right in the feels. The art remains beautiful and hauntingly evocative in this subdued kind of way that fits the narrative just perfectly and plays well with the themes of family, friendship, duty, and sacrifice as explored through Pig's quest to find his father and save his home of from the foreboding fog. The story comes full circle and ends in a way that is cathartic in more ways than one. There's tragedy, yes, but also so much love and hope. Questions are answered and missions accomplished. A very satisfying conclusion.
Oh man. I liked the first two installments, but this was wow. Such a good wrap up to the story! Now that we got all the answers, it turned out to be really deep and meaningful (but I don't want to give anything away!) And so emotional - I felt for Pig every step of the way! Plus, the artwork is just stunning - there were a few pages that I spent a few minutes really taking in - like when he enters his dad's workshop for the first time, the colors and the sunlight streaming in the window is just beautiful!
A fantastic finish to the series, The Dam Keeper is an achievement of art and story, complete with the ultimate in friendship goals..
The Dam Keeper series is just wow. Everything about it is deep, meaningful, full of emotion and there's looming darkness too. This final part makes everything perfect and I must get this series to my library. Return from the Shadows finally explains everything and we find Pig's dad, who's been trying to fight the fog from the beginning basically sacrificing everything, even Pig. I really liked the saving of the nature and somehow the comic ends up shoving the current environmental tragedy at our faces. It's awesome. I loved how Pig sees them all as damn keepers and everybody ends up helping him, even though there are sacrifices. What happens to Pig's dad is heartbreaking and I cried my eyes out. The feelings are so real, especially everything Pig feels is devastating. The hope is different kind and it only glimmers at the end, otherwise the comic is sad and hollow - and perfect like that.
The art is once again beautiful and hollow too just like the story. The combination of cute and dark works so well, not to forget the atmosphere altogether. I liked the darkness in the comic, since it's scary and suffocating. What I wanted more though, was a better explanation to the situation, since it felt slightly rushed and it took time to understand it all. Perhaps more pages would've helped or another part, since this could've worked cut in half. I hope Condo continues, since I want to read more of his comics and this would be an awesome film too! Not just a short film, but a full length one.
I'm coming to this story late - I haven't seen the first two books. But now I want to go back and start from the beginning. The story seems to be one of friendship and family, overcoming odds and coming together. But what really intrigues me is the gorgeous illustrations. The LIGHT in this book is AMAZING. I'm completely blown away by the artwork. Hope to feature the illustrator on my blog soon!