Last week Caramel reviewed Spy School by Stuart Gibbs the first book in the author’s Spy School series. He liked it so much that he wanted to read more of the series. And when he learned that there were graphic novel versions of the first couple books, he had to start with those. So today he is talking to Sprinkles about the 2022 book, Spy School: The Graphic Novel, written by Stuart Gibbs and illustrated by Anjan Sarkar. Sprinkles is taking notes and asking questions.
Sprinkles: So Caramel, I know you like graphic novels, and especially graphic novelizations of books you have enjoyed before. What did you think of this book?
Caramel: I liked it!
S: You did read it quite fast.
C: Yes. And I am rereading it as we speak.
S: I can see that. But I do need you to talk to me, too.
C: Okay. What do you want me to say?
S: You can start by telling me a bit more about this book. So I am assuming the book is about the same kid Ben Ripley and how he goes to a spy school, just like in the original book Spy School that you reviewed last week.
C: Yup. It is basically the same story, except it is a bit different.
S: How so?
C: It is essentially the same plot line, but it is a graphic novel version so they made a couple differences. For example in the original book the dorm rooms do not have any heating. And in this book there is heating. And Murray, one of Ben’s friends, is supposed to be brown haired, but in the graphic novel version he is blondish.
S: I see. So it is almost like a movie version where sometimes the characters don’t quite look like how you imagined them.
C: Yes, exactly. But there is nothing missing really. The story is practically the same.
S: So I am assuming that is a good thing, because you liked the original book.
C: Yes. I did.
S: How are the illustrations? Are they colorful? Realistic? Funny?
C: They are funny. Sometimes the characters make really goofy faces.
S: I think the color scheme is on the darker side though.
C: Yes, maybe because the story is supposed to be serious, because it is spy stuff after all.
S: So we watched a James Bond movie last week, because I wanted you to see the many spy film tropes. Did you recognize any of them in this book?
C: Not as much. The James Bond movie was kind of mushy. And there are girls in this book, too, and the boys talk a lot about them. But there is no really mushy stuff. Thankfully.
S: How about the trope of the main spy character trusting someone who turns out to be a bad guy?
C: Yes, actually. There is one such character.
S: And does the main character get out of hard situations in rather slick ways?
C: Yes. So I guess yes, there are some of the standard tropes. But this is written for young bunnies, and it is a lot of fun, and I really liked it. James Bond, not so much.
S: Well, James Bond was a creation of his times, and those times are now gone. And you are a little too young for his stuff. I have a feeling the Spy School books are just the right level for you, just the right amount of mystery, adventure, espionage, and stuff.
C: Yup. I agree.
S: Okay, so if you were to describe the book in three words, what would you say?
C: Hilarious, actionfull, and nerve-wracking. Things did get tense sometimes.
S: I think that is a good recap, thanks Caramel. I think you want to move on to the next book, so it is about time for us to wrap up this review. What would you like to tell our readers in closing?
C: Stay tuned for more book bunny reviews!
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