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Cover of MONKEY KING AND THE WORLD OF MYTHS
4.42

Based on 19 Goodreads ratings

MONKEY KING AND THE WORLD OF MYTHS

by negativity or “wicked thoughts,” eventually turning them into monsters. Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, encounters the equally famous Momotaro, or Peach Boy, from Japanese folklore, forming an empathic bond even as they venture to Demon Island. They meet fox spirit Kit, along with other beasts and yokai (spirits), and together recover magical treasures while unraveling mysteries and narrowly averting war between beasts and humans. Lam again weaves a colorful and exhilarating pictorial narrative that will delight readers, inhabited by appealing characters such as Tofu\u002DBoy. Although the iconic Monkey King is eternally childlike, in the portrayal of Wukong’s hero’s journey in his human form, he appears as a young adult, perhaps signaling his interior world. Lam’s charmingly expressive and endearing illustrations add humor to this rollicking adventure\u003B Cerberus, Wukong’s constant companion and a carry\u002Dover from the first book, is adorably fluffy and rotund. "

Book Details

Publisher:Of
Published:2024-01-01
Pages:257
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9780593524

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This action-packed graphic novel adaptation brings the legendary Chinese folk hero Sun Wukor to life, plunging readers into a vibrant world of ancient gods, demons, and mythical quests. The narrative...

Our Review

This action-packed graphic novel adaptation brings the legendary Chinese folk hero Sun Wukor to life, plunging readers into a vibrant world of ancient gods, demons, and mythical quests. The narrative faithfully follows the Monkey King's rebellious journey from his stone birth to his tumultuous adventures across heaven and earth, rendered in dynamic, colorful artwork that leaps off the page. Young readers are introduced to a rich tapestry of Chinese mythology, encountering a memorable cast of deities and monsters that will spark curiosity about world cultures and classic tales. The pacing is brisk and the dialogue is witty, ensuring that the epic scope of the original story remains accessible and thoroughly entertaining for a modern audience.

What truly distinguishes this retelling is its masterful balance of humor and heart, presenting the Monkey King not just as a powerful trickster but as a complex character on a path to redemption. The graphic novel format is used to its full potential, with action sequences that are easy to follow and expressive character designs that convey a wealth of emotion. This book is an ideal gateway for middle-grade and young adult readers who love mythology, adventure comics, or stories about unlikely heroes. It’s a visually stunning and engaging introduction to one of the world's great epics, destined to inspire further exploration into the stories that shape our world.

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