Member Reviews
'The Sunken Tower' with story and art by Tait Howard is about a group of adventurers trying to make an escape.
Dig is on his way to the the market when his bag breaks. To make things worse, he is captured by Blood Cultists and taken into a cave. His cellmates Iana and Crina have a plan and with Dig's magic power, they decided to make their escape.
This was a fun quick read. I liked the odd characters and the bright colorful art. I'm sure there could be more adventures with these characters, and I'd gladly read them.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
A pretty standard quirky-comedy-adventure story. An orphan snatched off the street thrown together with a warrior and a worry-wart. THis unlikely trio uses their varied strengths and knowledge to escape from a plot to feed them to a monster. A simple story that follows a logical progression. Solidly entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun adventure for children. Both girls and boys will love this, due to powerful characters of both genders that children can relate to and look up to. The book is beautifully illustrated, in a quite simple but detailed art style, colourful, and reminiscent of cartoons. I loved also the LGBTQ+ relationship presented in a very normal way. The couple was cute and loving, yet totally badass at the same time and I live for this kind of representation of women. Although relatively short, the book was action-packed, from the very first pages I was hooked and on the edge of my seat, impatiently reading as fast as possible to see what happens next. The character design and scenery details were super cool as well, very fascinating and visually pleasing. Moreover, it was really funny and it made me laugh out loud a few times, grabbing the attention of the people around me who were curious as to what I was reading. I would definitely recommend this to others, and I am excited to read more about these characters and their adventures in the future. I would love to see more volumes , I think the world is truly magical has a lot of potential for a lot of different plot turns and character development. With that being said, this could also be a stand-alone, as the ending is satisfying in itself. Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me permission to read this advanced readers copy of the book as a PDF in exchange for my honest review. Grab a copy of the book starting 10th of March 2020!
Comic book type layout. Illustrations were decent enough. The title gave me no indication of what I was about to read so I was really excited.
The kid is looking for food as he is hungry. He walks around and sees all the people eating, browsing and buying things he can't get. A young kid drops strawberries on the ground so the kid picks them up and runs off. The police soon chase him. He will not drop his book. He decides that was too close a call and goes to check the garage bins. Here he sees some kind of weird lizard thing who offers him food. He throws garbage at it and then it ties the kid up.....
I cannot for the life of me see the point of the book. The more i read, the more confusing it got. I'm an adult and was lost but then maybe it wasn't for me to figure out. Maybe I'm too old for the magic :)
I wasn't a fan and didn't see the point but the artistry was lovely and i'm sure kids will like it.
Full color illustrations seem to be the key to engage most of the students in my K-4 school so this one intrigued me. The illustrations right away on page 3 make me feel like I was in a “Where’s Waldo?” or similar hide and find book. I’m not used to seeing smoking in kid’s books much any more so noticed the pipe smoking police/guard on page 8. Page 13 has an awkward illustration of the kid’s head in the stomach area of someone and then he’s getting tied up. I probably would not add this for my 4th graders due to the language and themes being a bit above their heads with blood cults, etc. The dialogue is pretty flat and I’m not quite sure the whole story of the main character even after reading it. I appreciate the LGTBQ girl-girl rep but the relationship is flat like the rest of characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free digital copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc for review.
This was a fun, quick read. I don't normally read a lot of graphic novels, but this one caught my eye! The main character, Digby (or just Dig) meets his new friends after being kidnapped looking for some breakfast. What follows is a fun adventure chronicling their escape and the interesting, decidedly unintelligent creatures that captured them. Bonus: great representation without being overt; the author didn't make a big deal out of Iana and Crina's relationship, and Dig was entirely unperturbed.
The Sunken Tower is original, funny and will attract a wide range of readers. I do not read graphic novels often but this one I was able to get through in one sitting - the story and characters kept me engaged and looking forward to the next page. Very enjoyable - 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC.
Set deep underground in a sunken city, a young wizard and his two companions embark on a journey to escape the clutches of an evil cult.
Dig is having a very bad day. His bag is broken, he can't catch a break at the local market, and just when things are looking up, he's kidnapped by a couple of Blood Cultists and taken to the underground city that serves as their base, where he'll make a tasty human sacrifice for an unspeakably horrible monster. Thrown into a dungeon, he's left to feel sorry for himself. But his new cellmates, Iana and Crina, are ecstatic about Dig's appearance. He's a wizard, which means he knows magic, which means he can help get them all out of this terrible sunken city for good! If Iana can get her hands on a sword, and Crina can remember the way to the giant tower that leads to the surface, then everything will go smoothly. That is, until the Blood Cultists catch up with them, and Dig's magical abilities are put to the ultimate test. Because Dig's been keeping a secret. And if it's found out... he may never see the surface again.
A cute, fun graphic novel that is perfect for middle grade readers who like adventure, friendship, and comedy. A quick read, this book would work well for reluctant readers.
I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just cannot get the words out for this book, so I will just write a short review instead. IT was fun! Tons of fun! About a boy who can do magic, two girls who are friends (though much more given some scenes, eep) and them getting stuck in a blood cult and having to run or else they get sacrificed. I loved the characters and wanted to learn all I could about them. I enjoyed each page, though at times it felt a bit as if I had missed a previous book (something I sometimes have with US comics/GN). I loved seeing them run through a ruined/sunken city and getting to the tower. Though that leader dude has to stop holding endless speeches, I just tuned out.
And now I definitely need more! I want to see them go to Cooktown (and eat all the food).
The art was fab!
Not my favorite graphic novel. Story was ok. Illustrations were decent. I can see where some middle grade and younger readers will enjoy this, but it was hard for me to finish it. Just meh.
This is a great quick read for mid grade readers. It is very quick-paced to keep up the sense of urgency for the escape. The characters are not really fleshed out which is my one dislike of the book.
Unusual, interesting, clever, and a same-gender relationship. I wasn’t in love, but this is definitely worth a read.
I was lucky to receive a copy of the Middle Grade Graphic Novel called The Sunken Tower by Tait Howard via Netgalley and oh my god it was so entertaining I read it in one sitting. The sunken tower is about three main characters called Dig, Iana and Crina who are banded together trying to escape a blood cult. Iana and Crina are in a relationship and I love how this has been treated throughout the story. I also love the artwork, the grossness which I think any Middle Grader or even an adult would like as well as the jokes spattered along the way and for this reason I have to award this wonderful book 4 stars. I hope we get to see more of these characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this title
The Sunken Tower is an irreverently funny, charming and quirky adventure tale about three companions forced to work together to escape from a blood cult. It is also billed as a middle grades graphic novel. These things, apparently, are not mutually exclusive. By taking a light touch to its story and tropes – The Sunken Tower manages this balance of light, quirky humour and character building.
Our leads are Digbert (or ‘Dig’ for short), Crina and Iana. Iana is large, tough, and continuously makes claims that she is a great fighter with a sword (so naturally, for more than half the tale, Iana doesn’t get one). Dig claims not to be a wizard but is familiar with spells and carries around a spell book, always heeding his mother’s warnings on the matters of magic. Finally, Crina is often sassy, sarcastic and short-tempered, but also caring and kind.
Their interactions with the villains’ are often great sources of comedy. One ‘fish person’ gives a dramatic evil speech which they simply use to make their escape for instance.
I’d recommend this title for Grades 8+ due to some cartoony violence (about the worst of which is a fish person’s green goop after being squished), and some LGBT themes that younger readers may not fully grasp.
9/10 Would definitely recommend for any middle years or high school library
3,5 stars!
Quirky and fun!
The wasn’t much to the plot, but I still found it hilarious and entertaining. The diversity was a huge plus and Dig is such a sweet, awkward character. Overall, I loved the simple, yet colorful art style and the humor. I would recommend to anyone wanting a fast, quick and humorous read!
I loved The Sunken Tower! The adventure starts with the first page and keeps you turning for more. Tait Howard’s inventive use of the comics format served the story in a truly playful way. I hope there’s a sequel in the works, because young readers will be demanding more!
This book was so cute! I love the art and the story, but could've done with a little less of the tropiness. I get that it's a kids book, but it felt a little lower age range than what it was advertised at. The casual inclusion of LGBT characters was a welcome change, it didn't feel forced or out of nowhere, and I enjoyed that aspect of things. I'd put this book closer to an 8-9 year old, rather than a 12-13 year old, though, just because it read very simply and had that kind of atmosphere to it.
Overall, enjoyed it a lot but not one I'd recommend to older readers, definitely felt like a kids book.
I seriously could not put down THE SUNKEN TOWER! Great pacing, tension, and jokes to make my almost-25-year-old brain laugh out loud when secretly reading it at work. I think I read the whole thing over the course of a lunch break and in between emails and meetings at work - shhh, don't tell my boss! It's just that good.
The art style is awesome, clean, and kept my attention. I didn't realize Iana and Crina were a couple until the end but it's great to see LBTQ+ representation that doesn't have to be some dramatic point of the story. I think it's awesome & a part of real like that middle grade readers should to see.
As for any negatives, because I was so into it, I do wish the back story was explained over a few more pages. I was interested in how everything came to be, and since the word count was heavy on those 3 or so pages, it was a little dense and visually hard to read (this is honestly me nitpicking things I'd change - the story was great.) I don't think any other young readers would care about this and I know they too will love the story!
Thanks to #NetGalley for the arc!
I only read graphic novels every now and then and The Sunken Tower did not disappoint. I enjoyed the art. It is more cartoony; but very well done.
I appreciated the quirkiness and the humor was spot on. I love when what I read makes me laugh out loud!
I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick read and a good laugh and to fans of graphic novels.
Thank you to #netgalley for an ARC of #thesunkentower.
Clever Fun
The drawing here is a bit cartoony but the dialogue is often clever and even a bit edgy. Sometimes the characters comment on what's happening, and sometimes there are some sly throwaway lines and comments about the quest adventure genre, so this struck me as more rewarding than the art style might suggest.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)