The Monster Sisters and the Mystery of the Stone Octopus
Gareth Gaudin
Series: The Monster Sisters
Publication Date:
15 Jun. 2021
Format:
Paperback / softback
ISBN 9781459822290
In this sequel to The Monster Sisters and the Mystery of the Unlocked Cave, sister sleuths Enid Jupiter and Lyra Gotham traverse the city uncovering clues as to why their sleepy seaside town has become overrun by giant monsters. Using the city's archives, well-read local booksellers, their keen intellects and their father's comic book collection, the girls piece together a giant conspiracy spanning centuries. The monsters cause a ruckus, the girls solve mysteries, maps are unearthed and a city is *hopefully* saved (no spoilers!).
In the final chapters of their story the Monster Sisters delve deeper into the meta-narrative of their lives when they find comic books starring themselves on their father's desk. Do the secrets of survival lay among their fictional adventures? Using real locations, true facts and witty asides, this graphic novel is as much of an adventure to read as it is for the characters to experience.
Information
Book Type: Graphic NovelsAge Group: 10 years +
Traffic Lights: Amber
Class Novel: No
Good Reads Rating: 4/5
Literary Rating: 4/5
Review
The Monster Sisters, Lyra Gotham and Enid Jupiter, are back for their next exciting instalment! The sisters are on the hunt for answers, after their hometown of Victoria, British Columbia was attacked by hoards of monsters. The girls search their father’s comic book shop for clues, and are sent on a thrilling adventure through the city!
The sisters follow a trail of mysterious ‘mirror blocks’ throughout Victoria, running into monsters and other mysteries along the way. Their hunt takes them to the bottom of the river, to the top of the town observatory, back home to their dad’s store, and even deep, deep underground!
Along the way, Lyra and Enid will begin to question what they thought they knew about the monsters attacking Victoria—Are they really attacking, or are they just looking for a home? Or, are they in fact coming BACK home? The Monster Sisters will question everything they think they know, and maybe, just maybe, they might begin to unravel the truth about everything that has been happening.
The Mystery of the Stone Octopus is a smashing sequel to the first Monster Sisters graphic novel, with all of the first instalment’s charm, wit, and metatextual humour. Lyra and Enid continue to unravel the mysteries of their home town, and are presented with some moral and ethical quandaries to ponder along the way.
The classic comic book illustration style once again gorgeously accompanies an engaging story, and the protagonists are just the right mix of funny, intelligent, and daring, with just a touch of metatextual awareness for good measure. The illustrations contain a number of hidden details and clues for the observant reader to discover, adding to an already rich reading experience.
Themes
monsters, family, fighting, mystery, history, puzzles, action
Content Notes
1. The protagonists are physically violent with the monsters they are fighting; notably, they specifically punch & restrain an opponent (p41-46). 2. Monsters: There are monsters mentioned and shown throughout the story. 3. A non-anthropomorphic ghost is referenced several times, and appears towards the end of the story (Pg 133-141). 4. Magic is referenced briefly at the end of the story (Pg 141). 5. Themes subtly concerning colonisation are referenced several times, notably at Pg 134. 6. References to ESP/physic powers are made at times throughout the story, but as with the previous instalment these could also be interpreted as metatextual commentary rather than anything supernatural
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