Spill Zone

First book in a graphic novel duology. Fascinating and strangely compelling, this book gives the reader just enough weird to keep the questions coming. Is it an alien invasion, a government cover-up, a parallel universe leaking into ours?! Expressive illustrations, beautifully rendered. ( )

Three years ago, something weird happened in Poughkeepsie, New York. Nuclear disaster, alien invasion . . . nobody knows for sure. Addison was out of town that night, and her little sister Lexa is one of the few kids who made it out. Now, they live in their house just outside the spill zone, and Addison makes a living sneaking into the zone and photographing the weird stuff there. Though it's illegal, certain people will pay well for her art. Now, one of those investors is offering her a million dollars to go into the zone and retrieve a specific item. Of course, to do so, Addison will have to break a couple of her cardinal rules: never get off the bike, and never, ever go inside the hospital where her parents used to work.

This was right on the border of too creepy for me. There's all the weird stuff inside the spill zone, including the zombie-like remains of some of the townspeople (our heroine charmingly refers to them as "meat puppets"), and also a possibly evil sentient doll who only communicates with Lexa. But it's a compelling story, so I powered through (in the bright daylight -- this is definitely not bedtime reading for me!), only to find that this first volume ends on a pretty substantial cliffhanger. It sets up for several storylines that will continue in the next volume, including the introduction of a character from North Korea, who escaped from a similar spill zone on the same night as the Poughkeepsie spill (coincidence? I think not). The next volume isn't out until July 2018; my advice is to wait until then to read it -- if creepy dolls and dystopian disasters are your thing. ( )

Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Good
Recommended: Yes
Reading Level: Teen
Graphic novel, great colors and illustration, dystopian...chemical spill of some kind or was it an alien invasion? A few swear words including 'the f word'. Creepy dead 'meat puppets'. Addison makes enough money to take care of her little sister by photographing the spill zone. One more photo and she'll have enough money to never go into the spill zone again...oh no, what followed her out? Huge cliff hanger ending...teens will love the art in this book and the independent heroine. ( )

An unexplained 'spill', creepy zombie-like puppet people, odd creatures and a creepy rag doll who seems to know it all... SPILL ZONE is an epic start to an intriguing and story!

Addison wasn't home when the 'spill' happened and no one knows exactly how or why it happened; and no one goes back to try to figure it out. Going into the zone is illegal and forbidden. And no one goes in. Except for Addison. She has been going back to her hometown whenever she can to take photographs of what happened and what is there now - eerie talking cats, a form of electricity that glows and can chase after you and zombies that whisper warnings. It's how she makes a living to support herself and her little sister. However, she has quickly made rules for herself in order to get in and out of the spill zone safely - remain anonymous and unseen, never get off her motorbike, to stay on the main roads and never touch anything! Are just a few of her strict rules. But, when a collector of her pictures tracks her down and gives her an offer she can't refuse - an offer that can possibly help her sister who hasn't spoken since the incident. Can she risk her life in the spill zone to get what this "collector" wants?

The illustrations are quite amazing! Every frame supports the fast paced story, the creepiness, the danger and consequences that can happen if things go wrong while poking around. SO much world-building, all so naturally put together - realistic and memorable!

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading suspenseful mysterious with glowing rats, intuitive rag dolls, and post-apocalyptic worlds! Whether you're a graphic novel reader or not, there isn't anything that should keep you from picking up this book!

*I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
All thoughts here are my own. ( )

Something mysterious has happened in the area that is now the Spill Zone. No one knows exactly what, and the only people who dare venture into the territory is the HAZMAT crew and Addie. Addie lives with her sister just outside the Spill Zone. Her parents are gone, taken by the bizarre and unexplained happenings of the zone. She doesn’t know what has happened to them, but now she must do whatever it takes to take care of herself and her younger sister Lexa.

Addie risks exposure to the Spill Zone, and takes photographs of the eeriest scenes, from what used to be her hometown. The Spill zone is full of strange and frightening creatures, not to mention potential traps and dangers. Addie sells her photographs to collectors in order to support herself and her sister. Lexa herself has changed since the Spill Zone happened, and she no longer speaks. The loss of her voice is a mystery to everyone, and because of the strangeness of it all Lexa’s only friends are her stuffed animals and dolls. Vespertine, her favorite raggedy doll is always by Lexa’s side, but there’s something not quite right about that doll.

When Addie receives an offer she can’t refuse, she risks her life and goes deeper into the Spill Zone than she has ever been before. Addie doesn’t know what she will find there, or what dangers she might accidently bring back home with her.

Scott Westerfeld has masterfully created a graphic novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From just a few pages you, you are immediately “sucked” into the story, and you can’t help but worry about the strong willed and determined Addie. You hold your breath in hope that she will return home safely. The suspense is thick within these pages, and you know something dark is lurking just around the corner. Along with Alex Puvilland’s creepy and distinctive illustrations, the story truly comes to brilliant life.

The cliffhanger at the end had me literally screaming “NOOOOOO”! I was not ready for the story to stop, and I need to know what happens next ASAP. Will Addie be okay? Will Lexa speak? What’s up with the creepy doll? I highly recommend this graphic novel to lovers of sci-fi and suspense. Anyone looking for something new, different and special will not be disappointed by the creativity flowing out of this story. ( )