Firelight (Amulet #7)

Gr 4-6--Emily continues the struggle to free Alledia from years of conflict and to understand her powers as a Stonekeeper. She and her allies believe that accessing lost memories can help them get to the heart of the war they are fighting. Who exactly is their enemy, the Elf King? The lost memories of his son, Trellis, may have the answer. Meanwhile, Emily's brother Navin continues his role as Commander of the Resistance, traveling toward the elf kingdom of Valcor. Characters are drawn manga-style, with wide eyes and spiky hair. They populate detailed and epic Alledian landscapes, depicted in rich jewel tones of red, blue green, and purple. Quick cuts between panels, many of them wordless, create a cinematic feel. Whimsical robot and animal characters such as Cogsley, Dagno, and Enzo add some humor to the largely dramatic and serious tone, which makes for complex and abstract plot lines. Our heroes travel into memories, find memories buried in those memories, then learn that most of them are manipulative illusions. Nothing in the Amulet universe is ever what it seems. Those who have read the entire series will enjoy these complexities, but those unfamiliar with the previous installments should catch up before picking up this volume. VERDICT "Amulet" fans will find the same vivid illustrations, endearing characters, and sophisticated plotting as in previous volumes.--Lisa Goldstein, Brooklyn Public Library