Knife's Edge: A Graphic Novel

April 15, 2017
The Dodge siblings return to the high seas in search of treasure.In this sequel to Compass South (2016), white, redheaded twins Alexander and Cleopatra Dodge, 12, have discovered not only the whereabouts of their missing adoptive father, but also the truth about the two items--a knife and a compass--bequeathed to them by their mother, Hester. The twins, their adoptive father, a white man, and Capt. Tarboro, a black man, set off aboard the Almira for the Marshall Islands in search of a vast treasure. Along the way, the twins learn more about the enigmatic Hester and her ties to their archenemy, the fearsome pirate Felix Worley, who is racing them to the treasure. Larson's tale takes an insular turn within this volume, offering exciting back story for her well-established cast of characters. With a keen eye on Cleo, the lone girl trying to carve out her place among a shipful of 19th-century men, Larson further explores gender roles and identity. Richly colored illustrations breathe life into the rough seas and tropical locales; however, readers must use a discerning eye for sartorial differences to keep the nearly identical-looking twins straight. As in its predecessor, every question answered leads the twins to more questions to be asked, and it ends with a breath-catching cliffhanger. An action-packed sophomore volume, with no loss of wind in its sails. (Graphic adventure. 8-13)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 4-8-Picking up after the events of Compass South, this high seas novel set in the 19th century finds twins Alex and Cleo reunited with their father. Using the watch and pocketknife recovered in the last book, Cleo learns the coordinates for the treasure they've been seeking, and Captain Tarboro agrees to set sail for it-in exchange for a portion. Still followed by the pirate Felix Worley, the group stop for supplies in Hawaii, where they pick up an old friend, Luther, and are pursued by Louisa, Worley's right-hand woman. A wreck reunites them with people from Tarboro's past, but family loyalty is tested by a decision Cleo makes. Full of adventure and some adolescent angst, this is a fast-paced, absorbing tale. The characters, including the villains, are fully realized, with detailed backstories and motivations. Mock uses panels in various sizes to heighten the drama, effectively shifting from close-ups to wide shots. The palette is rich, changing to match the mood of the narrative, and the characters are expressive. VERDICT With exploits and intrigue aplenty, this story will appeal to anyone who loves a rollicking good read. Though this is a stand-alone, those who are familiar with the previous book will get more out of this second installment.-Tamara Saarinen, Pierce County Library, WA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2017
Twelve-year-old twins Alex and Cleo (Compass South) continue to search for their fabled family treasure. Tensions grow between the siblings, but they must work together to survive pirates and a shipwreck. This second volume of the nineteenth-century-set graphic-novel series travels from San Francisco to the Marshall Islands, extending the diverse cast and again examining issues of gender, race, and class amid high-seas adventure.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)