Member Reviews
** reviewed from uncorrected eARC via netgalley *'*
children's graphic novel (#3 in series, recommended ages 8-12) - adventure tale with magical creatures. This is my first time meeting Suri, since I haven't read the first two books in this series (yet!), but I had no trouble following the story. I liked the light-hearted humor throughout, and that the monsters are not really monstrous, but rather misunderstood--a bit of empathy works wonders! The story moves quickly--kids will tear through these pages--and there are lots of fun surprises and funny bits throughout. This would be an easy sell to the kids at the library.
Suri’s adventure continues in book 3, and I have to say that this one may be my favorite. We learn more backstory, there is an awesome giant AND dragon, and still all the characters and action that you loved from books 1 & 2.
Cat's Cradle: Suri's Dragon is billed as the final installment of a monster hunter trilogy. Suri, a monster hunter, is travelling with a small band and trying to get a dog-like monster through the woods and to the giants because all he wants to be is a lap dog. When they come across a toll bridge with an exorbitant toll they get roped into helping the town with their "little" monster problem in exchange for being able to cross. When the monster turns out to be a dragon, Suri is convinced this is the dragon that brought her over the mountains, so she is in a race against the town and its inventors to reach the dragon before they kill it.
The story had some fun, quirky characters and some beautifully colorful artwork. The story line moved forward smoothly and had both humor and serious undertones. While I did enjoy reading the book, I don't think that this is truly the end of Suri's journeys and I look forward to seeing what other adventures Suri and the others get into.
Jo Rioux always tells a good story with gorgeous illustrations. Suri and her friends are traveling across the land, searching for the dragon that brought her to the valley ten years ago. She was left as a baby with a merchant camp, and she vaguely remembers the dragon as her friend. Suri hopes if she can talk to the dragon, she will learn about her past. First, they must get back to the valley and cross into Bridgetown, but the people of Bridgetown have other plans.
An exciting conclusion! It was so good to be back with Suri and her friends again for the last leg of their journey, and things definitely felt bittersweet by the end. I always have such fun reading these books, with the goofy band of misfits. I love the huge lapdog, Byron, and how full of himself Caglio is. The caitsiths that are following them get into some hilarious shenanigans in this one as they try to get their hands on the golden thread. We also meet some interesting new characters here, which I wasn't expecting, and we learn more about Suri's past as she searches for the dragon that saved her as a baby. The inventor character felt a bit reminiscent of an inventor in Avatar: The Last Airbender - the stories have similar vibes overall. The art style is engaging and colorful, and I always love the fun tidbits at the end. I was a little sad that parts of the plot aren't fully resolved by the end, such as my favorite caitsith in hiding revealing his secret, so I wonder if there is a spin-off series coming soon (or if this is going to be more than a trilogy now?). If so, I would love to read whatever comes next - I want to know where things go for Suri and Kolya! Would highly recommend this whole series for middle grade readers and fantasy lovers!
Suri's Dragon is my favorite installment in the Cat's Cradle series so far! Suri is still on her mission with her ragtag group of lovable characters when she comes across what she believes to be the dragon that saved her as a baby. We meet new townspeople and run into old enemies as Suri works to save the dragon everyone else wants to harm and learn more about her past. The art continues to be engaging and fun as the characters each come closer to their goal. I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
Thanks to First Second books and NetGalley for the ARC in trade for an honest review.
The final book in the Cat's Cradle series and it lived up to expectations. Graphic novel for middle grade fantasy lovers. The friends make their way ever closer to the mountains and the Monster's Cradle.
I hadn't read the first 2 books in this series and that missing context for me is the only thing that prevented me from rating 5 stars. That being said it was an adorably drawn story that I definitely recommend. I think even the most reluctant reader will love this story and I cannot wait to go back and read the first two.
I'm so glad this series is continuing! I really like Suri and am interested in her journey. I already want to read the next one!
I was so excited to rejoin the adventures of Suri and her goofy crew as they continue their quest to reach Monster’s Cradle! This magical world expands further as the group are hired as monster slayers and travel to Bridgetown to face a dragon of a problem. I couldn’t wait to see what kind of shenanigans the adventurers got into and to see if the caitsiths succeeded in obtaining the golden yarn from Suri and I was not disappointed. This volume introduced new, eclectic characters that enhance the world the author has created that made me laugh out loud. The earth-toned color palette is a nice contrast from other graphic novels for this age group and I can’t wait to read the next installment. For those who like The Five Worlds series by Mark Siegel or Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen.
Suri continues her journey to become a master monster tamer and discover where she came from. She and her companions are nearly to the mountains when they find themselves mixed up in the twisted politics of Bridgetown and a group of kooky inventors. The town is plagued by a dragon, and Suri is sure that it's the one from her distant memories, but no one will stop attacking it long enough so that Suri can talk to it. She makes up her mind to reach the dragon at any cost, not realizing that she's still being trailed by some dangerous shapeshifting monsters.
Aha! Some big reveals and humorous moments all spun together in a thoroughly engaging sequel. I enjoyed meeting Suri and her companions in the first two books, and I'm delighted that the momentum has continued in this sequel. There's just enough magic to keep things interesting and enough thoughtful moments to ensure the characters are endearing. I'll be looking forward to more books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and FirstSecond Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you First Second Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this delightful book. I enjoyed the rich illustrations, great characters and storyline. A great, fun read that I definitely recommend!
The third and final installment of the series (maybe?!)
I love Jo Rioux! I have read all their work, and I loved getting to read this one before it comes out!
I speed read this one, and a lot of things happened in it that I was not expecting! Always a great quality in a graphic novel.
There are so many fabulous characters in this series, and seeing them change for the better is always fulfilling.
I will be recommending this series to all ages!
I love the art work in this GN. The story is action packed and a fun read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
This is the 1st book in this series that I have read, so I will be going back and reading books 1 & 2 so that I can have a better understanding of the characters & their back stories.
I loved the artwork in this GN! Colorful and expressive, very much the style of GN that I like to read. The story jumps right into adventure and never really slows down.
I will definitely be purchasing for my library.
#NetGalley #SurisDragon
This is the third book in the Cat's Cradle series, and while I had read the first book, I missed the second along the way. That didn't hinder my enjoyment of the third book, and I was interested to see that some mysteries still haven't been revealed. The book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger so I'm sure we'll get another installment in the series. Fans of the series will be happy with this continuation of the story and newcomers will enjoy it as well.
Suri and friends encounter a town plagued by a dragon. She is convinced that this is the dragon that carried her over the mountains ten years ago, and insists on talking to it.
A very cute conclusion to the thrill fantasy middle grade graphic novel trilogy! Suri is finally going to meet her dragon... or is she? After her adventures and making new friends, her and her friends are on their way to Monster's Cradle. They'll face off against new monsters, vengeful dragons, and finally find the truth behind her dragon and her past. This was such a fun series to read and I loved the artwork for this series so much. It's a really fun one to read and I think that young readers will love this one!
*Thanks Netgalley and First Second Books, First Second for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*