I absolutely adore all things Paige. She is a brilliantly witty writer, so when I read on twitter she would be writing Mera's story, I was over the moon! I have only read a handful of graphic novels over the years, but I am quickly becoming a fan! This GN was definitely a fun read!
Rating: ★★★★
Authors: Danielle Paige
Publisher: DC Entertainment
Format/Source: Netgalley ARC
From GoodReads: Mera is teenage royalty, heir to the throne of Xebel, the other not-so-lost colony under the sea. But Mera is destined to wear a different crown, that of Atlantis. When the inhabitants of Xebel plot to overthrow their homeland of Atlantis, Mera is sent to kill the heir to the throne, Arthur Curry. As the unrest between their colonies grows, Mera and Arthur unexpectedly fall in love...will Arthur Curry be the king at Mera's side in Atlantis, or will he die under her blade?
Mera by Danielle Paige is an astonishing story that explores themes of duty, love, heroism and freedom, all through the eyes of readers' favorite undersea royalty.
HERE'S WHAT I THINK...
This review will be rather short, as the GN was a quick read. I have never read any of the original comics, so I was going in with only the movie, mythology love and mild general knowledge of who Mera is, and the "story" of Aquaman.
I instantly loved the idea of a bad ass underwater princess/queen. I am a sucker for the Princess saves the day trope, and adding any kind of water to that - I'm sold. Mera was an interesting character. She was immature to be sure, but that was true to her age. She was also brave, headstrong and full of kindness, potential and heart.
I don't feel like that the story lines are as in depth and complicated in this tale as it is in a typical novel. The story revolves around Mera, who is now in the Queen in Exile, and her
journey from under the sea, to the land, and back. There is a constant feud between her people of Xebel and Atlantis, so of course we have a star crossed lovers trope in there, for good measure. If I'm honest - I really didn't care. Arthur and Mera are a favorite of just about everyone, so the over used trope is easily overlooked and forgiven.
The main characters are likeable, but Arthur can be very over the top at times - Mera puts him in his place a few times during the story. This made them more relatable for me. Boys can be dumb, and girls can be leaders. It was refreshing to see this antic play out between the two chracters.
The writing was what I expect of Paige, though it did feel a bit more middle grade dialogue at times, instead of the YA we are used to. I actually enjoyed this aspect - as comics and GN should be accessible and easily understood for the younger age range.
The art was beautiful, and by far my favorite part of the book. The characters were drawn well, without the over sexualization. Bryne did a wonderful job bringing them to life for a younger audience, and I will absolutely be adding this to my classroom reading list!
TL;DR
Mera: Tidebreaker is a fast paced, enjoyable read that is easy for anyone unfamiliar wit the the story or Graphic novels. Paige and Bryne make a great team, creating a story that opens up a new generation to the beauty of the comic world. With characters that are likeable and relatable, Paige draws us into a world that spans land and sea, a love that all can root for, and a heroine that girls everywhere can love. If you are looking for an adult version of the story, this book is not for you - However; if you are like me and LOVE to see young people succeeding in being badasses, pick this up and devour it now! If the story doesn't make you stay, the artwork definitely will! 4/5 stars!
About the Authors:
Danielle Paige lives in NY. Before turning to YA, she worked in television & was nominated for several Daytime Emmy's. Dorothy Must Die is her first novel.
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