Graphic Novel Review – The Captive Prince (Three Thieves, Book 3) by Scott Chantler (3/5 stars)
Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy/Graphic Novel
Length: 116 pages
Publisher: Kids Can Press
Release Date: September 1, 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1554537778
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in the Three Thieves series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 3/5 stars
“Book three of the acclaimed Three Thieves graphic novel series begins with Dessa, Topper and Fisk, still on the run from the Queen’s Dragons, stopping to make camp for the night. While collecting firewood, Dessa happens upon a kidnapping and manages to boldly rescue the captive boy and bring him to safety.
Once out of harm’s way, the boy reveals that he is Paladin, the crown prince of Medoria! Upon Paladin’s safe return to his kingdom, his father, King Victor the Fourth, decrees three days of celebration in tribute to the three heroes who have saved his precious only son.
Dessa, Topper and Fisk know they are taking a risk by remaining in the castle for all that time, but how can they refuse the king? And to make things trickier still, is the charming prince falling for Dessa?”
This is the third book in the Three Thieves series. So far I liked this book even less than the previous two. There just isn’t a lot that happens here.
In this book Dessa and crew happen upon a kidnapping and Dessa stops it only to find that the young man she rescues is a Prince. The King wants to hold a celebration to honor the Prince’s rescuers but our three thieves are worried about staying in one place the whole time and getting caught by the Queen’s Dragons.
I found the whole storyline to be a bit boring and kind of pointless. Again we make a tiny bit of progress in the whole story about Dessa finding her brother. Most of the time is spent traveling and then watching Dessa and crew at the celebration.
The illustration continues to be well done but pretty typical comic-like artwork. It’s okay but not spectacular.
Overall this wasn’t my favorite graphic novel. I just thought it was a bit boring and that the story doesn’t make much progress. It’s a very simple storyline and I think younger kids will enjoy more than adults.
My son is 10 years old and has read all the books in the series. When I asked him what he thought he shrugged and said “It’s okay, I didn’t love it”. That sums up pretty well how I am feeling about this series so far. Right now I am unsure whether or not I will continue with it.
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
