Book Info:
Mapmakers and the Lost Magic by Cameron Chittock and Amanda Castillo
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Graphic Novel
Publishing Date: April 26, 2022
Synopsis:
A young girl finds herself faced with an impossible choice–run away from her beloved valley, or unleash a hidden magic and become a Mapmaker to save her home from its new overlords.
For centuries, the Mapmakers kept peace in the Valley, but they’ve long since disappeared. Now the Night Coats hold power with an iron grip–there are only rules, punishments, and consequences. Until one night, on the run from the Night Coats (again), after breaking another rule (again), Alidade stumbles upon a secret door leading to a magical hideaway that belongs to the Mapmakers. There, she finds a map of her home and accidentally brings to life Blue, a magical creature called a memri who is meant to protect the Valley. Blue needs Alidade’s help to find the Mapmakers and save the Valley from the Night Coats!
But the Mapmakers are long gone.
Alidade has a choice: leave the Valley like she’s always wanted…or become a Mapmaker and save the only home she’s ever known.
This is the first book in a thrilling series of adventures where Alidade discovers the world around her as she goes on a fantastical journey.
Book Links:
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mapmakers-and-the-lost-magic-cameron-chittock/1139909642?ean=9780593172865
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Mapmakers-Lost-Magic-Cameron-Chittock/9780593172865?ref=grid-view&qid=1645552108185&sr=1-1
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780593172865
About the Author:
Cameron Chittock is a writer from northeast Ohio. He grew up surrounded by siblings, wildlife, and comics of all kinds. Cameron’s writing is possible thanks to patient teachers, encouraging friends, and a supportive family. His favorite stories are those of heroes and friendship. Cameron previously edited comics, including titles such as Mech Cadet Yu, the Eisner Award–nominated graphic novel New World, and Jim Henson’s The Power of the Dark Crystal. He now lives in New England and works in education. When he’s not writing, he enjoys coaching basketball, reading giant fantasy books, and sitting by the pond with his family. Mapmakers and the Lost Magic is his debut graphic novel.
Amanda Castillo is a comic artist, illustrator, and storyteller, born and raised in the Bay Area in California. Having grown up inspired by piles of manga, games about friendship and adventure, and the endless wonders of the California outdoors, Amanda went on to study illustration to hone a skill set to tell warm and heartfelt stories that could be enjoyed and remembered by someone like you! After getting into the comics world through working with Youth in Decline, Amanda has since contributed to publishers such as BOOM! Studios, Lion Forge, and now Random House Graphic. In addition to making comics, Amanda has shown work in galleries domestically and helped judge annual comics awards. When not making comics, Amanda enjoys spending time with friends and loved ones, making warm and hearty meals, learning to tend to plants, and taking in the lovely moments the world has to offer. Mapmakers and the Lost Magic is their debut graphic novel.
Cameron’s Author Links:
Website: https://www.cameronwtchittock.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronchittock
Amanda’s Author Links:
Website: https://www.amanda-castillo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandallin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandallin/
Tour Schedule:
I Love myself a graphic novel especially when it is a Middle Grade so I was excited to see Mapmakers and the Lost Magic so I signed up. A Big Thanks to TBR Tours & Beyond for giving me a spot and to the publisher for sending me an E-Arc.
I liked the Main Characters Alidade and Lewis who were like chalk and cheese. She wanted adventure and He wanted the quiet life but their friendship was so on point. I did like the initial story but found that it was missing a lot of elements that could of lifted this novel. For instance the memri tells Alidade and Lewis that the mapmakers were long gone and it was accepted. I would of love to known who these mapmakers were, why did the night coats take over Alden? Were the mapmakers magical? Why did the Night Coats rely so heavily on the villagers working in the Brick Pit and finally what actually happened to Alidade's dad? If these elements were included into the story this graphic novel would of been epic.
Best thing about the book was the artwork was stunning but my only quibble would be the script I found it at times difficult to read on a computer screen.
I have the understanding that this will be a series but it will be a series which I will not be continuing but I wish the author and artist well. For all these reasons I am giving the Mapmakers and the Lost Magic 3 stars