Summer 2018, Comics & Prose:

Given I read both versions of this story last night, back-to-back, within an hour, I'm going to rate them together and double up their reviews. I stopped reading the Banished of Muirwood when it became clear you really did need to read the prequel first, and so I was about two chapters into the first book of this series when I stopped.

The comics version of this prequel involves far less novel terminology (used in the trilogy before this whole sequel trilogy collections), but it has far more art. Such as that it forsakes naming things the way we're used to them being (such as the creature being a Fear Liath, but never narrated or called one on the comic page) and yet it, also, made a better use of art in emotional moments (such as Maia giving up her life).

The prose part had so many more sweeping descriptions that did more justice to the surroundings -- the bones of the abbey where the ocean, the cavern in completion. The prose part was, thought, also, lacking a number of the conversations that took place in the comics and the entire lead-in section wtih Maia's father, the city scene with the boy, etc, are all missing entirely from the prose. ( )

**I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
I was hoping that I would like this comic. The story sounded promising and I thought the cover art was nice. Unfortunately, the cover was the best thing about it.. The story left something to be desired, and the pictures did nothing to move the story along. I won't be reading the next one. ( )

This is the first volume of a graphic novel; the fifth and final volume is scheduled for December 2015, so this should be eligible for the Hugo Awards in 2016.

Maia is the one-beloved, now banished and imprisoned daughter of the King of Comoros. Maia's offense is that her father tired of her mother, put her aside, and took a new wife.

Less well-known is that Maia, in defiance of the laws of Comoros, has been taught to read, and to do magic. Her father has also banished all the magic workers in the kingdom, and that hasn't worked out as well for him as the new wife. Comoros has grown dark and dangerous, and the king believes the magic wielders left a curse behind them. He has summoned Maia back to the palace because he's decided that she's the perfect person to undo the curse by traveling to a hidden abbey where the late chief councilor's book of magic is concealed, and use it to destroy the remaining magic.

Maia is not impressed by this proposed course of action, but eventually decides it's her own best option. She'll be free, more or less, for months, and who knows what could happen in the meantime? Especially since she has that same late chief councilor's Kystrel, a magic talisman.

I really wanted to like this. There's a lot to like about Maia--smart, independent-minded, not quick to be her father's puppet, and kind to others.

Unfortunately, the art is okay, but no more than okay. The plot so far is a bit strained and improbable. And then there's the use, or abuse, of the English language.

I'll offer only one example. There are magic stones throughout the palace that provide heat, light, and perhaps other conveniences at the request of users. Apparently they work for anyone.

They are called "leerings." There is no suggestion of any back story or context to make sense of this bizarre usage. It's not the only instance of using a word to mean something that makes no sense at all; it's just the one that made me wince the most.

Not recommended.

I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. ( )

More of the tale of Maia, from the world of Muirwood! It is not necessary to be familiar with the Muirwood Universe to dive right in and start with Muirwood: The Lost Abbey #1

Consistently gorgeous art with an admirable yet imperfect heroine who immediately wins your loyalty and has broad appeal without restriction of reader gender.

Dark and intense story, told at a perfect pace, not too fast that it overwhelms with detail, not slow and self-indulgent (the pit fall of many other graphic novels) and no spoon-feeding.

Cannot wait to follow Maia through future issues!

**eARC netgalley** ( )