The art here is stunning! I'm so impressed with the way that even though it's not a movie it still manages to leap off the page.

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC. I’m a huge fan of graphic novels, and am quite curious to read it and see how it holds up to the film, and will update my review with links promptly upon reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for this ARC.

This story is well known in my household and the movie is frequently watched. I was not disappointed while reading this beautiful graphic novel. The story and art style are preserved so wonderfully. They even included Irish and Norse runes, as well as our favorite song about Pangur Ban. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to anybody who enjoys mythology, beautiful art, and animals who save the day.

Red-headed Brendan is the youngest monk at the Abbey of Kells, under the command of his uncle, Abbot Cellach. The monks fear the Viking attacks that have beset other Celtic abbeys, like the one that drove Brother Aidan, a master illustrator of holy books, from Iona and to the Abbey of Kells. The abbot wants to concentrate on building a wall to forestall the Viking horde, but Brother Aidan instead trains the boy Brendan in illustration and calligraphy.

I’ve never seen the 2009 animated feature The Secret of the Kells, although I’ve long wanted to; that means this review is based strictly on the exquisitely illustrated graphic novel. Brother Brendan encounters not just other monks but forest folk, including the fairy Aisling. I adored this book, and I cannot wait to see the film that inspired it. The book contains two additional tales from the Book of Kells universe.

As to the actual Book of Kells, created about A.D. 800, readers can see an hour-long video on it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuEF3GUhi6Q&ab_channel=IanLimbaga

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley & The Publisher for allowing me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book has a very pretty art style, which immediately captured my attention. The entire book is beautiful to look at, and of course it would be, since its predecessor is an animated film. I actually had no idea it there was an animated film, until just now when I searched for it. I think this both assists in the art style, and takes away from the story.

As I read, I felt like the book was "skipping around" a little. I'm assuming this is where they cut down on things to keep the book short & sweet, and the story might work/flow better in the animation. Since I have the unique perspective of having no idea about the film version, this left me a little confused from time to time, but ultimately able to piece things together. That being said, I do wish it was a little longer and gave more of the story surrounding our story.

Overall, I'm giving this 4 stars!

I have seen other movies by this studio but not this one so I was excited to read the graphic novel! It was lovely and I also enjoyed the bonus stories! Thank you netgalley for the arc!