Robin Robinson (1)

In the wake of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, Isabel is a sheltered society girl, largely ignored by her socialite mother (who only cares that she keeps her dress clean) and her sculptor father (who gets caught up in his work). But it turns out the earthquake wasn't just a natural disaster; it was partly the result of a war between the Seelie and Unseelie, and Isabel gets caught up in the conflict. She finds help from a thief named Benjie and a Seelie called Button, and together they show more work to return a powerful necklace to the Seelie princess.

Quotes

"You never know what's around a corner until you take the turn." (19)

"Our worlds aren't separate...just because [the Veil] separates us doesn't mean we don't affect each other." (44)

"But they're wrong, not us. We're not worthless or useless." (154)

"Ruling is not about finding a use for others....It is about making yourself useful to them." (186) show less

A rare, self-contained story that satisfyingly wraps everything up! Sometimes, no matter how much you like the world and that characters (as a reader or as a creator), you need to know where to stop, and I am so glad Scott knew where to end this. Isabel goes on her journey and matures and learns a little, Benji gets what he wants, and the cruel Unseelie King is dethroned and a new one is appointed so that balance is restored.

I loved Button, and the designs of all the fairies. I love when show more aliens/otherworldy creatures are not typically humanoid, and Scott certainly delivered in her variety of design. The colors are lush and gorgeous, and the fight scenes are clear.

Two small issues: there wasn't really any nuance between the Seelie and the Unseelie - both sides are cruel and capricious, and both sides are beautiful. It would have been nice to explore that a little, and it was almost touched on when Cruscan(?) had his villain speech about how he was a stone spirit and literally carrying the city on his back, but that was it.

And when Spine was appointed Unseelie Queen, I expected and was looking forward to a transformation, but I didn't like the one she underwent. Basically, she became more conventionally beautiful: softer features, more flowy hair, less clothes. She was a general before, and it would have been nice to have that reflected in her final appearance.

I really appreciated that Isabel and Benji were just normal kids, not some kind of hidden royalty or fairy hybrid. show less

The story begins with a tragic war between Seelie and Unseelie, battling over a dangerous necklace and the depredations of humans. But the war does not only affect the fairy world...it affects the other side as well.

In the human world, Isabel lives like a shadow. She feels unnoticed by her mother, except to be scolded into proper ladylike behavior. When she is sent to spend the summer with her distracted, artist father, she at first hopes to have more of a life, but quickly finds things are show more just as awkward. Wandering into the forest at night, she comes across a strange creature, wounded and dying. The Seelie messenger gives Isabel a necklace and suddenly she is transported to a magical - and dangerous - world.

There she will make new friends and enemies, including another human, a Filipino boy named Benjie. Isabel will discover that she is capable of more as she finally has the chance to explore her inner strength and risk everything to keep her promise to the dying Seelie. Along the way, readers will pick up clues to the identify of Isabel’s city - San Francisco, after the great earthquake - as well as exploring the complex, beautiful, and deadly world of faerie.

The art is lovely, presenting a huge range of varied Seelie and Unseelie creatures, never making them attempt to appear like humans and yet keeping them from looking grotesque. Isabel is a sturdy girl with shoulder-length brown hair and brown skin, apparently of Hispanic heritage. Benjie refers to his Filipino roots, explaining that he was left behind in the earthquake after his parents died because he was Filipino.

Verdict: While most young readers probably won’t pick up on the historical references, at least until they read the extra end comic about the historical research behind the book, they are sure to devour the exciting and beautifully-drawn story. Hand this to fans of Amulet and Zita the Spacegirl.

ISBN: 9781250152558; Published 2018 by First Second; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There isn't much that makes me happier than seeing strong female lead characters in a kid's graphic novel. Set after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, Isabel is raised to become a proper little lady by her emotionally detached mother. Isabel would like to stay in the city surrounded by familiar sights instead of heading off to the country to stay with her artist father. She would also like a little adventure, a little show more independence, and to get her hands dirty once in a while. Her first night spent alone at her father's house doesn't end up a lesson in loneliness and patience, but instead lands Isabel on a journey that tests her bravery.

Isabel meets her first faerie, a Seelie messenger on a mission to deliver an important and magical necklace. After becoming gravely injured, Isabel is tasked with continuing the mission with the help of Button, a sort of mushroom-looking faerie. Together, they travel through both sides of the veil to outrun the Unseelie guards and to find the mysterious Miyori who is believed to be able to change the course of the war. Along the way, Isabel and Button befriend a human thief named Benji who is living on the faerie side of the veil. Throughout all the twists and turns, dangers and fears, Isabel and her two friends work together to finish out their mission.

A fun adventure story with relatable characters and beautiful artwork, City on the Other Side, is a great read for younger children. The story moves on quickly enough to keep kids interested and Button's humorous character keeps the story from becoming too dark. show less