Review: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (L)

Synopsis: Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Nimona is an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for villainy. Lord Ballister Blackheart is a villain with a vendetta. As sidekick and supervillain, Nimona and Lord Blackheart are about to wreak some serious havoc. Their mission: prove to the kingdom that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and his buddies at the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren't the heroes everyone thinks they are. But as small acts of mischief escalate into a vicious battle, Lord Blackheart realizes that Nimona's powers are as murky and mysterious as her past. And her unpredictable wild side might be more dangerous than he is willing to admit.(from the online description)

Review: Nimona follows the adventures of the title character as she joins the designation villain of the Country as his sidekick. It seems a simple story but as it continues, it grows in depth and complexity. Who, after all, is the real villain? Who – or what- is Nimona, and why is she with Blackheart?

While the plot is fast-paced and intriguing, with action and humor, it is the characters and their relationships that make this graphic novel so brilliant. From the first, Stevenson subverts the tropes and gives the characters a depth of personality that makes you hang on every frame. I desperately wanted a happy ending for them.

Stevenson’s art is crisp and clear and I grew to appreciate the choice of colors. It’s highly stylized and has a pleasing simplistic to it. The focus is on the characters and dialogue, not splashy colors or complex designs.

A fantastic read, all around.

It is suitable for middle-age children and above, although younger readers may benefit from guidance from an older reader due to the serious nature of some of the plot. There is no overt gore or sexual content.  

Bookmarks:  4 of 5

Awards: National Book Award, Finalist

ISBN: 978-0-06-22782-7
Year Published: 2015
Date Finished: 4-30-2017
Pages: 320