Loved the illustrations and the overall plot, but I wish the story was more fleshed out with city's origins, what's alpha-energy, why are bearcats dangerous, why Linnea's father is so against grandpa and such.

A kid with a weirdly irresponsible inventor grandfather grows up in a fantasy world of giant turtles – they're used to tow fishing boats and so much more, they're so large and strong. Anyway, after the old man knocks up a flying car that uses a new kind of energy – but doesn't exactly behave itself any more than its inventor does – problems only escalate, until the danger levels are just too much to cope with. But that power supply, now – that might still be needed…

What we have is an interesting book, that doesn't quite hang together. The world-building is a touch annoying, as there are other animals and so on peppering the pages – gophers, apparently, as well as the turtles – and all the fish they are goaded and fed with. The grandfather is too one-minded to be the typical, likeable but daffy, potty professor character. And the cartoonishness of it all can get to feel a tiny bit awry when more serious themes turn up, adding some sci-fi to the piece but not really sitting that comfortably here.

Plus, this is definitely just the origin story of a quest of however many books it'll take. It might be over in a trilogy, it might take the creator decades. It looks like the first sequel is in the world, and might hit us in translation soon. But a final word that suggests the author doesn't fully know where this is going only adds to the evidence that this lacks the balance and cohesion to justify more than the three and a half stars I'm giving it.

The Inventor is the story of a young boy in a small village of MataMata. He lives with his Mother and their turtle companions. Everyone seems to have a turtle there, with different types of turtles lending themselves to different types of jobs. When the turtles grow they pop off their shell and a new, larger one is underneath, so you find turtle shells all over the place in MataMata and used for many different things. The boy, Cobalt, has a grandfather who is an inventor and Cobalt wants to be just like him. The problem is that his inventions aren't always safe...

The artwork in this book is absolutely gorgeous! Bright colors, beautiful backgrounds, and lots of cute little turtle friends. I love all the things that they use the spare shells for. I also think that it was fun that the artist slipped in some well-known characters in the background, like Ash and Squirtle. There were a few parts in the story that didn't quite make sense, but I feel like the answers will come out in the next book in the series.

The kids are going to love this book!

I did not finish this book as the story did not appeal to me as expected. The art was interesting and well done..

This was a really cute book! I adored the artwork and I loved all the cute turtles. The story was a bit dark for a kids book, I wouldn’t recommend to a child unless they’re very desensitized to blood and body horror. But for anyone older who enjoys creepy and cute things, it’s a must read! I would put a trigger warning for people who are triggered by things like blood and amputation. I myself will definitely be looking for part 2! I had a lot of fun reading this one and can’t wait to see where the story takes me next.

Ahk, this just feels so unfair. I have to admit, I’m thoroughly impressed by how wonderful <i>The Inventor</i>’s artwork and story were. Lars Henrik Erikson truly has outshone nearly every graphic novelist whose books I’ve had the fortune to read. And I am just so utterly devastated at the fact that the book is over and there’s nothing further for me to read to immerse myself in the brilliance of this world.

This is the story of Cobalt, a young inventor enamored with the possibilities of technology. He’s inspired by his very eccentric grandfather with whom the entire village has some mixed feelings toward. And really, this entire novel is Cobalt’s origin. We’ve not really embarked on the true adventure. Rather, we’re all just getting started.

Something I’ve learned over the years as I’ve delved more into reading graphic novels, and especially graphic novels for young adults, is that pacing is one of the most difficult things to manage when you’re telling a story in pictures. You have to spend multiple pages to get through a scene in a way that no one ever really has to do when they’re writing a regular novel. And despite the fact that <i>The Inventor</i> is very clearly a book that’s just the beginning, Erikson does a genuinely brilliant job of managing his pacing.

I never felt rushed through anything, never felt like I didn’t get enough story, and I never felt any irritation about any of it. Usually, that’s not the case. I think Erikson managed time-jumps expertly, both short and longer ones. He set up a brilliant story, spending just enough time with the characters and the rules of their world that you feel truly immersed and attached.

That’s a pretty amazing feat for a book that’s barely 137 pages long.

And my goodness, I could not get enough of that artwork! Every page was beautiful, adorable, and enticing. The way those illustrations pulled me into Cobalt’s world is quite possibly the most impressive feat I’ve seen in a very long time. The world building of the turtle shells alone was just so incredible. And that’s without even getting into how the turtles engage with the characters!

This story was so brilliant, the artwork so beautiful that I will literally be the first one lined up to petition Disney or Dreamworks for a film adaptation. Please, please someone make this dream come true.

And the mystery! I have so many questions that I desperately want answered, to the point that my first reaction to learning that the second book isn’t coming out until September was <i>devastation</i>. This is going to be a painful wait and I’m so upset.

But, I have to say, with a story this great, I’ll concede that it’s worth it.

This graphic novel was creative. I am in love with the town of Mata-Mata. Everything is tortoise-themed and they have tortoise pets and houses and backpacks. It's cute and creative. Add in some sci-fi mystery to the story. The chapters were short and informative but I think the author can take this to the next level and make it more meta. Can't wait for the next volume.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sending me the ARC copy in return for an honest review.

**Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this book in return for an honest review.**

This was amazing! Heartbreaking and fun, whimsical and serious at the same time ❤ I loved all the characters and omg the turtles were so fun! I can't wait to read more about Colbalt's adventures in the continuation of this! Definitely a fun read with a great storyline 😍

Thank you Papercutz and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this awesome book. What a great start of a new series! Likable characters, fantastic artwork, fast moving plot, great world-building, & a cliffhanger ending makes for a fun read. Can’t wait for the next volume to find out what happens next and am sure that my students would love this series as well.

Ahh!! I wish there was another volume out already! This graphic novel follows a boy who dreams of being an inventor and the trils and tribulations he goes through on this journey. We watch as he conquers his limitations head first with his friends and chases his dreams. Very fun read.

**I received a copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this opportunity.

I had so much fun reading this graphic novel. The art was amazing, and perfectly suited the story being told. I was engaged with the design of the characters and also of the world. It seemed like a lot of effort was put into that. I also had a lot of fun with the story. I liked the main characters, and really enjoyed seeing them interact with the world. I also liked that they all had a turtle, with very little explanation of why they did. It was fun and interesting, and I would definitely continue with the series.

Pros:

Amazing art and turtles.

Cons:

Timejump and the accident.

Don't get me wrong, I love reading about disabled characters and I think that their representation is very important. However, as a librarian, I hesitate to recommend to children a graphic novel with a drawing of charred bones and muscles instead of a little boy's legs. Plus, there was a page of a teenage boy lying in his bed in his underwear, so the readers can clearly see what remained of his legs. It's a beautiful drawing, but I'm not sure if I should give this book to little children. Might be too graphic?

I'm just not sure.

I think this graphic novel was done really well - the story didn't necessarily really interest me personally, but I think the appeal for others is there. This story would be good for kids who are really interested in science, but maybe a bit too young for Dr. Stone. The images inside are very cozy, the turtles and how the inhabitants live along side them was adorable. I do think the story skipped over the important part of the main character losing the ability to use his legs, and how he dealt with that. Overall I think this is a good educational-ish graphic novel, maybe for a children on the bit older side of tween or young teen, due to the nature of the main characters accident.

Thanks to #NetGalley for an advance e-copy #TheInventorVol1TheDangerousDiscovery by Lars Henrik Eriksen to read and review.

beautiful illustrations and amazing representation. it was sweet, short and interesting, however i wish it was a little longer so that we could of had a bit more plot

This is a cute one. Fun middle grade. I loved the art. The bright colors and uses of title shells everywhere from small to do huge they are roofs of houses. With a sweet boy as the main character. I am coming realize that I really love graphic novels that take place in the sea side. And the cooky little inventions are quite fun. I think this would be a good book for girls and boys at a middle grade reading level.

This was so fun! I love when graphic novels are inclusive - and this one focuses on a disable main character! The art was brilliant, the story had such heart and energy, and I can't wait to see how things develop over the course of the series!

This is like watching an anime, the artwork and coloring quality are super pro. The light effects are amazing. This volume sets up the world, great world-building, the main character's origin story, and explains the incident that led his grandfather to exile.
There is the mystery of energy and different powers. Also the necessity of energy. The town has a symbiotic existence with turtles and that makes the world unique. Although the main character looks as selfish as his grandfather his journey has just begun and I am certain there will be character growth. Ends with him leaving in search of his grandfather.
The accident is a little violent (burned legs) but it's not about being depressed about it, it's about fixing things later.
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this e-Arc.

A full color graphic novel with an attractive cover, tells the story of Cobalt.

Cobalt is a boy who lives in a turtle obsessed village (I loved the turtle shell shaped roofs!) called Mata-Mata, with his mom Magnolia.

His grandpa, who’s an inventor, lives there too and Cobalt loves visiting him and showing him what he’s been working on because Cobalt wants to become an inventor too.

But one day, Cobalt tries to operate one of his grandpa’s machines on his own. It has a dangerous power source and what happens next, changes his life forever.

This leads to and ends with Cobalt going on an adventure, I’m excited to see how this adventure goes and what else happens in the next volume!

Thank you Papercutz and NetGalley, for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

(Thank you to Lars Henrik Eriksen, Papercutz and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC)

This graphic novel was such a quick read with both beautiful art and characters but also a nice story about Cobalt and his grandpa Alfred. I loved the mystery of what Alfred was working on and I also loved how Cobalt continued to invent things as well as searching for Alfred towards the end and I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series.

This graphic novel is perfect for anyone who likes to invent things or just wants a quick and easy read with a little bit of mystery and lots of adventure in a really cool world. I would totally buy this for my younger cousins to read.

The only downside is that it ended on a cliffhanger and that I need more! Otherwise really liked this graphic novel!

Inventing spirit, adventure and turtle amazingness gives this one originality and a promise of tons more excitement to come.

Cobalt wants to grow up to be just like his grandfather, a man with a knack for creating awe-striking inventions. But when an invention goes very wrong, Cobalt's life is flipped upside-down. He's determined to continue his dream, but with his grandfather missing and the town facing a new dilemma, he's facing a new adventure.

This read packs energy, imagination, and good vibes in the direction of family and friends. The inventions offer a sense of creative wonder. a hint of fantasy, and a tad bit of humor, giving the perfect atmosphere to let the plot fly in the most amazing ways. But then, the setting itself is fun—a fishing town filled with gigantic turtles. Everywhere. The illustrations are bright and lively, and let the situations come across in a way which draws in and keeps the sense of excitement high...even in the more tense moments.

The creativity in these pages is very entertaining and lets dreams take flight. The characters aren't really fleshed out, yet, since this first volume is more about laying the foundation, but it's obvious that Cobalt is going to be a character to root for. And his turtle. Got to love the turtles. I was a little disappointed to see the bullying side of his grandfather, and that without a hint of wrongness or remorse, but this might lead to more in the future. It definitely promises to be quite the upcoming tale.

I do hope that Volume 2 releases quickly after this first one, and not just because it's a fun tale. This first book lays the setting and background for the upcoming adventure. It is interesting and does a good job at laying the foundation for what's to come. I received a DRC and can't wait to see where the story goes from here.