Graphic Novel Review – Agatha Heterodyne and the Hammerless Bell (Girl Genius, Book 11) by Phil and Kaja Foglio (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Teen and Older
Genre: Steampunk/Graphic Novel
Length: 168 pages
Publisher: Studio Foglio
Release Date: August 14, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1890856557
Stand Alone or Series: 11th book in the Girl Genius series
Source: Gift
Rating: 4/5 stars

This is the 11th book in the Girl Genius series. This was a great installment in the series but it wasn’t quite as funny and put together as previous books in the series have been. We jump around a lot between different characters.

Agatha is at the heart of the castle and is trying to reset it with the last dying fragment she has. Her friends are in a different part of the castle trying to transfer the consciousness of the construct who protected the Wulfenbach children into a new body. Zola is determined to kill Agatha once and for all. Meanwhile Mechanicsburg prepares for war.

I will be honest here, this wasn’t my favorite Girl Genius book. The story is a bit all over the place and, while a lot of minor things happen, I didn’t feel like there were any “Wow, OMG!” moments. Also there wasn’t as much silly humor in this book and I missed that.

I am still really enjoying all the mad science and steampunk elements to the story. The illustration is incredibly well done with bright colors, great detail, and it is easy to follow.

I continue to really enjoy this graphic novel. I am getting a bit worried though about how scattered the storyline is getting. Things are getting a bit hard to keep track of and I am starting to forget some of the characters names. The ‘story thus far’ section at the beginning of the book helps a lot. It was would be nice to also have a index of pictures/names/descriptions so I can remember who is who and where they came from.

Overall this was a very well done installment in the Girl Genius series. Agatha makes some good progress in getting Castle Heterodyne running again. There wasn’t as much humor in this book and the story was a bit more scattered. I have really been enjoying the steampunk elements and continue to enjoy the full color illustration.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge