Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1)

by David Bowles (Author) Charlene Bowles (Illustrator)

Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1)

A middle grade graphic novel follows the adventures of a magical boy from Maya mythology. The first of a series based on ancient Mesoamerican myths and legends.

Sayam has always been different from other kids--he's very short for his age, his best friend is a monkey, and most curious of all: he was born from an egg! His grandmother, a witch, found him and taught him all the ancient magic she uses to help her people. So when a giant snake starts terrorizing a nearby city, Sayam decides it's time for him to use his knowledge to help others, and steps into action. But the beast might not be Sayam's biggest problem: the ruthless King Kinich Kak Ek sees Sayam as a threat to his throne. Prophecy declares that whoever succeeds at three impossible tests will be king. Monstrous snakes and impossible tests are a lot for a boy to handle, but Sayam is brave and has a loyal monkey, a wise grandmother, and magical knowledge on his side!

Charlene Bowles is a comic artist and illustrator based in Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in 2018. Rise of the Halfling King is her debut graphic novel and her work has also been featured on the covers of the award-winning Garza Twins books. She is currently developing many of her own comic projects.

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Kirkus Reviews

Starred Review

With seemingly simple yet vivid illustrations characterized by strong, dynamic lines, the illustrator develops cunning and endearing characters to populate this enticing tale. An unmissable adventure of mythical proportions.

Horn Book Magazine

Bowles highlights Mayan writing and storytelling systems, embedding references to Mayan philosophy and ethics in a thrilling, fast-moving plot.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8--In this tale drawn from Mesoamerican myth, Sayam, a stouthearted halfling, deposes a tyrant. Uxmal, a Yucatán city, thrived for a century before King Kinich Kak Ek brought it under his yoke. When the king's sorcerer, Zaatan Ik, warns him that a man not born of woman will seize his throne, the heedless Kinich begins expanding his empire and brutalizing subjugated peoples. Eventually, Zaatan Ik unleashes an underworld serpent on a city that won't surrender, precipitating the king's downfall. Years earlier, fairy-like aluxes presented Almah, a witch in nearby Kabah, with a drum that would proclaim Uxmal's rightful king--and she's been raising Sayam, an alux-human hybrid, since he hatched from an egg. As the drum sounds, a worthy ruler rises. In an afterword, David Bowles likens graphic novels to the predominantly visual hieroglyphics Mesoamericans employed in their written records. The first installment in a 10-volume series converting his Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky to a graphic format, this book reads the way that a folk tale is traditionally heard: It's fast, vivid, and action-laden. Since archetypes require little elaboration, readers freed from the burden of intricate characterization can instead attend to the story's cultural context and perennial themes. Charlene Bowles melds the stylizations of historical codices and scrolls with livelier, rounded linework typical of modern comics to create an engaging accompaniment to the concise text. Characters are all Indigenous Mayans. VERDICT An obvious buy for those that already have plenty of titles featuring Greco-Roman and Norse deities.--Steven Thompson, Bound Brook Memorial P.L., NJ

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

This first in a series of full-color graphic novels draws from the author's 2018 work for older readers, Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky. Apprentice witch Almah must complete her training by meeting the Aluxes, "mystic elfin beings who wield great magic to protect nature." She is given two items: a magical stone and a drum that will "announce the rightful king of Uxmal," which hasn't had one in a century. Years later, under the rule of cruel King Kinich Kak Ek, who outlaws witches, lonely Almah finds an egg that hatches a boy, whom she adopts as her grandson. But half-human, half-Alux Sayam is different from other humans, and his first battle, against a giant snake attacking a nearby city, garners the king's attention. When the kingmaker drum is struck, a prophecy is set in motion: whoever bests the king at three impossible tasks will succeed him. Armed with magical knowledge from Almah, a mind for reading ancient spells, and his spider monkey best friend, Sayam challenges the monarch. Expressive, boldly lined art complements simple storytelling, resulting in a respectful, engaging interpretation of ancient Mesoamerican folklore accessible for younger readers. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-13. Agents: Taylor Martindale Kean and Stefanie Sanchez Von Borstel, Full Circle Literary. (Oct.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

JC Cervantes, NYT-bestselling author of the Storm Runner novels
A tale of wonder, courage, and ultimately the power of goodness. I was completely spellbound by the imagery and storytelling. Cannot wait to see what magic is woven into the next installment!

Carlos Hernandez, author of Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe
What an amazing trick David and Charlene Bowles have pulled off in Rise of the Halfling King! Somehow, they've managed to tell a story that feels contemporary, mythic, and historical all at once. The careful writing subtly yet unmistakably evokes the Maya language and culture, while the limpid, evocative illustrations provided both grounding and a launchpad for the imagination.

David José Older, NYT-bestselling author of the Dactyl Hill Squad series
Rise of the Halfling King is a fun and fantastic adventure for kids of all ages with beautiful art and a joyful sense of upliftment. 

Reading Style
Stories from an often-overlooked culture are brought to life with colorful panels, intriguing plot and characters who jump off the pages and into the reader's imagination. —Barbara Moon

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
With giant snakes and a monkey best friend sealing the deal for lovers of fantasy and folklore...the digital, action-packed art of debut graphic novelist (and author's daughter) Charlene Bowles, [use] of vibrant colors and cartoonish character design makes this an especially kid-friendly pick. —Kiri Palm

David Bowles
David Álvarez is a graduate of the School of Design of the National Institute of Fine Arts of Mexico (EDINBA) and the winner of numerous international illustration awards. Ancient Night is his first book published in English.

David Bowles is a Mexican American author and translator from South Texas. Among his multiple award-winning books are Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico, and They Call Me Güero. His translation of The Sea-Ringed World garnered a Batchelder Honor and was a finalist for the International Latino Book Award. In 2017, David was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters.


Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781947627376
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Cinco Puntos Press
Publication date
November 20, 2020
Series
Tales of the Feathered Serpent
BISAC categories
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV012070 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, Fables | Caribbean & Latin American
JUV030100 - Juvenile Fiction | People & Places | Mexico
JUV008070 - Juvenile Fiction | Comics & Graphic Novels | Fairy Tales, Folklore, Legends & Mythology
Library of Congress categories
Mexico
Magic
Adventure stories
Kings, queens, rulers, etc
Kings and rulers
Adventure and adventures
Maya mythology
Little Maverick Reading List
Selection 2021

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