Graphic Novel Review – The Sign of the Black Rock (Three Thieves, Book 2) by Scott Chantler (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Length: 112 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Release Date: September 1, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1554534173
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Three Thieves series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“The action resumes as our three goodhearted fugitives stop at a roadside inn during a ferocious thunderstorm. Narrow escapes ensue as Grig, the scheming and selfish innkeeper, endeavors to capture the trio and secure a reward from the Queen. Tensions mount further as the Queen’s Dragons arrive at the tavern, hot on the trail of the fugitives and immediately suspicious of the smarmy Grig. Will Grig get his due? Will the fugitives escape? And why hasn’t Grig’s gentle wife spoken a word in ten years? You can bet she’s got a secret.”
This it the second book in the Three Thieves series. I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the first book, but it was still a fun read.
During a terrible storm the three thieves take shelter in a inn only to find that the Captain of the Guard has tracked them to that inn. The Innkeeper’s wife ends up recognizing the book that Dessa is carrying and Dessa gets some more info on her brother.
What follows is a lot of grab and chase throughout the inn. There is some side story involving smugglers as well. The story felt a bit like an interlude to me, it wasn’t quite as exciting as the first book in the series. However, i am curious to see where the story goes from here.
The illustration was pretty typical but easy enough to follow. The story has been easy to follow as well.
Overall this was an okay book in the Three Thieves series. There’s a lot of time spend on the characters playing hide and seek with both the owner of the inn and the Queen’s Dragons. I think younger readers will find this more entertaining than adults. I was a bit disappointed that the story didn’t make more progress.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
