MG Graphic Novels- Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter + The City on the Other Side

Posted June 7, 2018 by shooting in Book Review / 22 Comments

Today I’m here with two middle grade graphic novels. I highly recommend the first one – and I think it’s good for YA lovers too – and the second was just okay, but I think younger readers would enjoy it more than me!

middle grade graphic novel

Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter by Marcus Sedgwick and Thomas Taylor

Review by Lauren

Source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add to Goodreads): Scarlett Hart, orphaned daughter of two legendary monster hunters, is determined to carry on in her parents’ footsteps—even if the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities says she’s too young to fight perilous horrors. But whether it’s creepy mummies or a horrid hound, Scarlett won’t back down, and with the help of her loyal butler and a lot of monster-mashing gadgets, she’s on the case.

With her parent’s archrival, Count Stankovic, ratting her out to T.R.A.P.E.Z.E. and taking all the monster-catching rewards for himself, it’s getting hard for Scarlett to do what she was born to do. And when more monsters start mysteriously manifesting than ever before, Scarlett knows she has to get to the bottom of it and save the city… whatever the danger!

Review for Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter

I just adored Scarlett Hart and I cannot wait for more in this middle grade series. While it’s targeted for MG readers, I highly recommend this for anyone who loves YA as it often felt more YA than MG, just in terms of the writing. The wonderful Marcus Sedgwick branches into the world of MG with this graphic novel, illustrated by Thomas Taylor. Taylor was actually the illustrator for the original edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and I can see that in his work here. Scarlett even reminds me a bit of a Ginny Weasley, with the red hair and fierce attitude.

via GIPHY

Scarlett is an orphan living in her parents’ estate with the butler and cook/housemaid, who also happen to be married. I just loved Mr. and Mrs. White, the aforementioned “guardians” of Scarlett. You could tell that they loved Scarlett very much. After all, Mr. White even goes monster hunting with Scarlett because she’s underage and it’s illegal. This means that Mr. White has to go in and get the details of a monster hunt – what monster, where it’s at, how much to capture/kill it – and then he has to be the one to bring back evidence (either a photo or the actual creature). Scarlett can’t enter the Royal Academy for the Pursuit and Eradication of Zoological Eccentricities (T.R.A.P.E.Z.E.), so Mr. White is the “face” of their hunts. Someone is on to Scarlett though and they are determined to keep him from ever hunting monsters again, even though she’s very good at her job!

Again, I can’t wait for the next book in the series as this one leaves on a tiny bit of a cliffhanger, though I wouldn’t necessarily even call it that. The main problem in this book is cleared up, but there is information that was revealed that means at least one more book to come and more trouble for Scarlett!!

Two new MG graphic novels- Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter + The City on the Other Side #ontheblog #bookbloggers Click To Tweet

middle grade graphic novel

The City on the Other Side by Mairghread Scott and Robin Robinson (Illustrator)

Review by Lauren

Source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary (add on Goodreads): The first decade of the twentieth century is coming to a close, and San Francisco is still recovering from the great earthquake of 1906. Isabel watched the destruction safely from her window, sheltered within her high-society world.

Isabel isn’t the kind of girl who goes on adventures. But that all changes when she stumbles through the invisible barrier that separates the human world from the fairy world. She quickly finds herself caught up in an age-old war and fighting on the side of the Seelie — the good fairies.

Review for The City on the Other Side

This was one of those books that was just okay to me. There were aspects that I really liked though. As a graphic novel, I thought the illustrations were done really well and it was interesting to see how the different fairies were depicted. Also, I thought it was interesting how the book was set soon after the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco (and this is important to the book!)

Isabel was a strong character – someone who felt like she went unnoticed by both of her parents, so when she’s tasked with delivering an important necklace to help the Seelie fairies (the good fairies), she is determined to get the job done! Despite these positives, I just didn’t really get into the book. It might be because it’s really meant for a younger, more middle grade audience, but I can’t say for sure. It’s not bad by any means, but it didn’t always keep my attention. Granted, the book is a graphic novel, so it’s a relatively quick read and that always helps!

I would suggest this one for boys and girls around 11-13. Slightly younger readers might enjoy it too!

22 responses to “MG Graphic Novels- Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter + The City on the Other Side

  1. This post really brings me back to my teenage years, you know having the time to just escape to a different reality AKA books! These graphic novels look GREAT! Thanks for sharing!!!

  2. I just listened to an audiobook edition of my first MG in forever. I thought there weren’t any that would hold my interest as an adult, but I was wrong. Actually, both of these sound pretty promising. I can see why the first one really grabbed you. Hope you don’t have to wait long for book two.

  3. Both of these sound interesting, I think it’s cool the second one is set after the 1906 earthquake. Great reviews as always!

  4. That is interesting that Thomas Taylor was actually illustrator for the original edition of Harry Potter! I still want to read all of the Harry Potter books someday. You always do the best reviews!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  5. The Scarlet Hart book looks wonderful. My two are getting into graphic novels, so this might interest my daughter. Thanks for the recommendation.

  6. Sorry you couldn’t have enjoyed City on The Other side a little more Lauren. The illustrations look great but I don’t think the storyline overall would be able to hold my interest. Scarlett Hart Monster Hunter sounds like such a wonderfully fun adventure and a book that a wider age group would enjoy as well. There’s been so many editions from the Harry Potter series that it’s difficult to keep up but I remember those gorgeous first editions, they’re so difficult to find now. Will definitely be grabbing a copy, I love the artists connection and the MG YA crossover adventure. Wonderful reviews Lauren, really enjoyed them ♥♥♥

  7. Scarlett Hart: Monster Hunter sounds wonderful Lauren. I think the only graphic novels I’ve read so far we’re only Japanese manga so I think I’ll definitely get try one of these stories one of these days. Awesome review!

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