Books › Amulet
Amulet
The Stonekeeper's Curse (book 2)
224 pages
A breathtaking, high-stakes plunge into a shadowy fantasy metropolis where a young hero must wrestle with the dark temptations of her own power.
What it feels like
Reading this graphic novel feels like stepping into a sprawling, cinematic fantasy epic where the stakes are deeply personal and the danger is ever-present. The pace is relentlessly propulsive, driven by a desperate quest to save a parent, yet it still finds moments to marvel at the wondrous, shadowy architecture of its magical world. The tone balances earnest sibling loyalty with the creeping dread of a corrupting magical force, creating a mood that is both thrilling and slightly spooky. With sparse dialogue that lets the breathtaking, moody illustrations do the heavy lifting, the story immerses you in a universe of walking houses, robotic allies, and sinister elves. It is a perfect fit for young readers who love immersive, high-stakes adventures where courage is tested by the very magic meant to save the day.
- Mood
- wondrous
- perilous
- shadowy
- cinematic
- Tone
- earnest
- urgent
- adventurous
- hopeful
- Pace
- propulsive
- Themes
- burden of destiny · sibling loyalty · corrupting power · found family · courage under pressure
- The writing
- Sparse and punchy dialogue that steps back to let sweeping, cinematic illustrations carry the emotional weight and action.
- The arc
- Moves from desperate panic to save a loved one into a resolute, if daunting, acceptance of a massive magical responsibility.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers and fantasy lovers who crave high-stakes adventures, mysterious curses, and visually stunning world-building.
Content notes
- sick parent
- fantasy violence
- mild peril
- scary creatures
About the book
Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi returns with his mysterious world full of new allies... and old enemies! Emily and Navin's mother is still in a coma from the arachnopod's poison, and there's only one place to find help: Kanalis, the bustling, beautiful city of waterfalls. But when Em, her brother, and Miskit and the rest of the robotic crew aboard the walking house reach the city, they quickly realize that seeking help is looking for trouble, dangerous trouble.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Amulet
See why they match
Mighty Jack and the Goblin KingBen HatkeA breathless, visually stunning rescue mission through a perilous fantasy realm where courage and sibling devotion are the ultimate magic.
The nameless cityFaith Erin HicksA kinetic, rooftop-leaping adventure about bridging deep cultural divides in a bustling, war-torn metropolis.
AvatarGene Luen YangA cathartic, spirit-guided journey into the heart of a fractured family that offers long-awaited answers and emotional closure.
ExplorerKazu KibuishiA kaleidoscopic collection of bite-sized graphic adventures that crack open the thrilling, sometimes spooky, allure of the unknown.
AvatarVariousA warm, nostalgic return to a beloved world, filled with the familiar banter and quiet moments of a found family on the road.
BoneJeff SmithA masterful bait-and-switch that lures you in with slapstick comedy before sweeping you away on a breathtaking fantasy epic.