The Gamayun Tales series of graphic novels introduces young readers to Russian folk tales. Readers will find many familiar elements such as witches, magic, and royalty in these tales, but the stories are interesting and fresh, since most readers are usually only introduced to European folk and fairy tales in elementary school. The illustration in this book is a simple, appealing style with an abundance of color, and the illustrator gives thought to the settings and backgrounds in his work, rather than neglecting them to focus only on the people and action. This attention to detail makes the stories that the characters travel through all the more engaging. This is a graphic novel with cultural relevance and substance that will hold the interest of a young audience.

Review of a Digital Advance Reading Copy

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Nobrow

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore:  A few verbal threats;a character uses human skulls as decoration; a character uses disembodied hands to perform menial labor; report of characters attacked by a monster;a man whips a horse to make it go; characters are pushed into a hole a few times; a fight between a character and animals, no major injury;characters are turned into animals by magic; a few fights with swords and bows with no major injury; a character cuts himself intentionally with a sword; a character sees creatures that resemble zombies;a decapitated head is displayed on a spike; characters push another from a deadly height.

Sex/Nudity:  A man kisses a woman’s hand; characters flirt verbally a few times; characters kiss.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death (parent); kidnapping.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

An adult drinks alcohol.