Member Reviews

this was a really cute book and i really enjoyed it. i didn't think i would love this as much as i did since this is a children's book/ middle grade but I think adults would enjoy this too

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this novel.
Such a great story with defined characters and a great plot.
What drew me in the most was how fleshed out the characters were
The writing style was fluid and relateable.
The cover was fascinating as well.
A reviting read overall
Definitely recommend adding this to your TBR!

Was this review helpful?

This is a cute book with pictures and a make-believe story for kids. The story was very sweet and heartfelt. This text discusses the feeling of sadness and the amount of help one needs to get through it. It also touches on being a mother, being a child, and has a touch of playfulness.
Nola was a really enjoyable person and very courageous. The artwork is very pretty and the adventure in a pretend world is enjoyable and interesting.

Was this review helpful?

It’s Nola’s 8th birthday, the first one without her mother. Naturally, she doesn’t feel like celebrating, but her dad made her a cake and a special gift: Her late mother’s music box. This gift lifts Nola’s spirits a little bit. Listening to its music makes her feel closer to her mom again. But suddenly, the music box moves, and a little voice from within breaks through the music. A tiny girl inside the box is asking Nola for help. Nola’s curiosity takes over, and against better knowledge, she follows Andrea into the magical world of Pandorient: A world full of otherworldly creatures. But there is no time to explore and understand. Andrea’s mom is very sick, and Nola is the only one who can help. Can Nola help Andrea’s mother and find out how all this is connected to her own mother?

Well, this one was shorter than expected. We are basically running through this graphic novel, just like Nola is, to find a way to help Andrea and her mom. I had to catch my breath at the end from all this excitement. I’m left with plenty of questions, just like Nola, but this seems like a first-chapter kind of thing that leaves you hungry for more. This world deserves exploring, and I want to be part of it. I’m glad I don’t have to wait long for the next parts because books 2-5 are already out.

I think the best thing about this graphic novel was the illustrations. They were just so hilarious at times that I had to laugh out loud. They captured the character’s shock in certain moments in this extreme way that reminded me of mangas, making a situation so silly and funny.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a nice surprise. I was not expecting it to be a real interesting story. Even as an adult I enjoyed the mystery in this story. I would like to see this as a regular book, I would definitely read it! Good for all ages.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful illustrations, touching story, cute concept. Quick, easy, cozy read. 100% recommend for all ages. The story is adorable and written with love and care. The characters are adorable and the world building is simple and sweet. I just wish that it was longer. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books!

Was this review helpful?

After losing her mother, Nola discovers that her mother's music box is a portal to another world, one that her mother had visited many times. After a bit of mistaken identity (the residents assumed Nola was her mother because they look so much alike), Nola is able to help her new friends Andrea and Igor's mother using skills with natural medicine her mother had taught her. It seems that their mother, Mathilda, had been poisoned, and the children are determined to find the culprit. Will they be able to solve the mystery?
This is a quick, fun read with very pretty art! The story was pacey and flowed well, and should keep readers engaged. There are hints that not all is well in Pandorient to make us intrigued enough to want to continue the series, but the ending wasn't an annoying cliffhanger, and I appreciated that. I would've enjoyed this as a kid!

#WelcometoPandorient #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I know this is for children so perhaps my opinion doesn't matter but I personally didn't feel very connected to this world or story. I can see that the art improved a lot in the next volumes and it's not like I don't like it here but that also affects a bit of my interest in the story, since that is the way that is told to us.
I would honestly still read more of this and I don't even consider it bad, it was just a bit of a lukewarm start and I was expecting to fall in love with the world more.

Was this review helpful?

The first thing that stood out to me was the gorgeous art! It was a good book and a fast read. I liked the story of another world inside a snow globe but that was about all. Overall I felt something lacking, the story pacing felt off somehow. The plot/mystery felt surface level. I had high hopes going into the book and was let down. Middle grade me would have enjoyed the story but quickly moved on to something else.

Was this review helpful?

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

Welcome to Pandorient by Carbone was an exciting and pretty graphic novel for kids about a young girl who receives a mysterious music box of her late mother's, which leads her to another world full of new friends and maybe some enemies too.

I enjoyed the artwork in this graphic novel a lot. This was a quick read and I think it would be enjoyable for kids of many ages as it is a fun story and not too wordy. The plot wasn't anything extravagant, but I'll chalk that up to it just being the first in a series focusing on introducing the world and the characters.

All in all, I liked this one and think it will be well received with young people.

Was this review helpful?

This graphic novel has been translated from the French original and I understand it's part of a series. This is a cute story about a girl experiencing grief. She receives a music box and finds a new world. The artwork is gorgeous. I would read more of this series.

Was this review helpful?

I really liked this book. The illustrations are enchanting, warm, and inviting. I also really liked the premise and all the ‘creatures’ in the book. The main characters were very likable and cute. Pandorient is teeming with novelty and culture. The story also tackles grief and loss in an age-appropriate manner. I really liked the themes of friendship and siblinghood. The only thing that bothered me was the simplicity of the writing and dialogue. The plot is more suited to a more complex and richer writing style. Still, I can’t wait to find out what they will get up to next.

Was this review helpful?

The first thing I'll note about this is the art. It has a very whimsical aesthetic that helps ground the story. I would consider this a middle-grade comic and as such it handles even difficult topics with a light hand. I appreciated that there is a full story in this first volume of the series even though this also was a drawback in that it made the pace of the story feel rushed and caused the narrative to be a little shallow in places where it could have been more. That said, it is a great story for kids that want something adventurous and interesting without much complexity. It has enough hints and depths to be worth the read.

Was this review helpful?

First, I would like to say that I love how colorful this graphic novel's artwork is. "Welcome to Pandorient" is Carbone's first book in the Music Box graphic novel series. It was first published in French and is now finally available in English. The story revolves around an eight-year-old girl named Nola who misses her mother. Receiving a unique music box/sphere that used to belong to her mother, Nola began a whimsical adventure within that unique music box.

Was this review helpful?

I adored this! Such a sweet beginning to what promises to be an absolutely remarkable story. The characters were sweet and kind and already dealing with so much hardship and I can't wait to learn more about the magic of Pandorient! Definitely recommend this for lovers of Garlic and the Vampire.

Was this review helpful?

Nola’s father gave her a sphere for her birthday, inside was a little girl writing ‘Help Me’. The sphere was not a normal music box and before she knew it, she ended up into Pandorient.
Carbone has written a touching story, which touches on a delicate subject of the death of a parent and the emotions of grief.The version was originally written in French and eventually in English. Welcome to Pandorient is one of five, I plan to read the series once they become available in English.
A student studying French would benefit from reading the graphic novel in the French version. Moreover, the graphic novel would appeal to any age reader and The images created by Giije kept my attention throughout the story. I am a colorist and I appreciated the color palette that helped to tell the story.
Thank you Artist and Colorist: Giije, Writer: Carbone, Europe Comics, NetGalley for the privilege of reading this novel.

Was this review helpful?

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
It's Nola's birthday and she is not happy about it because she recently lost her mother. Her father gives her a snowglobe music box that once belonged to her mother. When she plays the music box, a small girl appears inside, leading Nola to Pandorient, adventure, and learning about her mother.
This graphic novel has beautiful, colorful art and the story is wonderful. It is the perfect setup for a series and gives a brief introduction to the world of Pandorient.
This book is great for all ages. It does mention the recent loss of a parent, so that is something to be aware of.

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful story that makes you wish for more and wonder how it continues. I really loved the art style and characters.

Was this review helpful?

A young girl receives a mysterious orb for her birthday. With the twist of a key, she is whisked away to a different world, where she finds herself on an adventure.
The artistic style of "Welcome to Pandorient" reminds me of a Studio Ghibli film. This alone was enough to win me over, but then the author had to go a great a fantastic story. With equal mix of heartbreaking, and heartwarming, this story will be wonderful for readers of all ages.
I am particularly excited to add this book the the middle school library. Many readers come looking for a door into another world, this book will be perfect for them.

Was this review helpful?

A really beautiful Graphic Novel for all fantasy fans!

„Welcome to Pandorient“ is my first read of the year and I really enjoyed it.

The Grpahic Novel is about Nola who got from her father a music box for her 8, None of them knows that a secret world is hidden inside the music box and that her mom was also part of that world.

First of all I really liked the drawing style. The colors matched really good with the story and gave it a cozy feeling. It gives me the same vibes as the legend of Zelda.

The story itself was pretty short but perfect for beginner readers. I also really liked that in the end of the book is a little glossary with some difficult words.

Thank you to NetGalley and Capstone for this Arc!

Was this review helpful?