Juniper Mae: Secrets of the Guardian Knights

Juniper Mae

by Sarah Soh, Tim Fraser

Juniper Mae returns! The energy crisis continues in Tykotech City and a new president threatens the existence of the forest and the Tama-Tama community.

Juniper Mae now visits the forest every weekend to spend time with her new friend Albie and his fellow Tama-Tamas. But when Juniper Mae takes her inventions to another level, the friends suffer a clash of ideas. While a new president takes charge in Tykotech City, drastically changing the cities energy policies, Albie and Juniper Mae are confronted with their intertwined history. And upon discovering more details about how humans and Tama-Tamas once lived side by side the two friends must reconcile their differences and work together to outsmart a new terrifying threat to both the forest, and the city.

The next installment in a fast-paced adventure story packed with science, friendship and lessons on community.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics, Picture Books

64 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2024

Reviews

[Richard Howlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure! Cool gadgets! Evil doers!

This is the second book in this kids graphic novel series, and we return to Tykotech City to join Juniper and Albie on their quest to become Guardian Knights, and protect the forest.

This book is aimed at kids around 7+, but my 5 year old would still appreciate the story and characters, even if he doesn't understand some of the more complex words.

Stories about knights and battling monsters are often written with a boy as the protagonist, so it's great to read a story of this kind with a clever and strong willed girl taking the lead.

Another great gateway comic from Flying Eye, allowing kids to seamlessly transition from picture books to comics!

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art was lovely and charming, but the storytelling left a lot to be desired.

[Larakaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's like Hilda meets Amphibia with a sprinkle of Owl House

[Ellie Nother]

really cool

[Lost Lare · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is pretty and the world is immersive and beautiful. I think my problems is that the story didn't feel too linear. At the beginning of the story we get information that isn't too relevant to the current main story and we get backstory that isn't entirely relevant either. This information spread out in those pages is mostly set up for the third book, which will likely not be out for a while. This results in a story that isn't too straight forward or linear. I think the core is decent, should Juniper fix a broken bug bot they found? Will she manage to take responsibility for it? How will Albie feel about it? Spoiler he does not like it and they fight about it. This is fine. The problem I have is that their fight is so brief I had to reread it to understand why Juniper was upset in the first place and I still really don't feel it. Scenes like this need to breathe. I wonder if the story could have just been simplified to just the plot of the Juniper/Albie relationship, chasing the bug, and fighting the wolf moving the foreshadowing stuff at the end. For the age group this would thrive best with the simpler the story the better.

All this said I am not an early reader, I do not work with early readers, and I do not have any early readers in my life, so heaps of salt. I think if I were a kid reading this is a story I would love it. I will say if you are like me (adult who reads art for fun) maybe get this from your library before you purchase.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

„Джунипър Мей 2: Тайните на рицарите-пазители“ е продължението на хитовата графична поредица, излязло на български от издателство „Книгозавър“. Хибрид между комикс и картинна книга, историята надгражда случилото се в първия том и предлага още повече приключенски дух, въображение и визуална магия, докато говори на младите читатели за приятелство, самоотверженост, любов към науката, грижа към природата и... ни напомня да си имаме едно на ум спрямо мотивите на власти и корпорации! Прочетете ревюто на „Книжни Криле“: https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/202...

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Juniper Mae graphic novel. I could write a whole review about how much I love the Tama-Tama but I won’t. This sequel builds on the themes and word building of the first beautifully, adding life to the Tama-Tama village and community, history and lore to Tychotech city and the history of the guardian knights. A female-centric, techy, eco conscious world with femme heroes? Amazing. This leads beautifully onto whatever comes next. Please don’t make me wait another year for it, though!

[Philip Coulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my daughter (4yo)*. Great art. Really promising story, but it ends up with a bit too much narration on threads outside of the main plot.

It might have been better either leaving Kaya and Mr Onyx aside until the next episode, or making the book slightly longer so there was time to show rather than tell.

*I actually got it out of the library for my 8yo son, but decided he was probably past it. In truth it probably falls in the 5-7 range, like Hilda but not quite as good

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much Flying Eye Books for the new Juniper Mae graphic novel! I really enjoyed being back with Juni and her friends! There’s so much gorgeous tech and invention in these stories. Juniper is a gorgeous main character and she stands up for what’s right! Gorgeously done - there’s some double spreads in this that I just wanna fall into!

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up!

albie i would die for you

somehow even sweeter than the last book, this one had a nice punch of a little more humor in its writing and panelling! the page where the little robot and juniper and gearing up to fight while albie - quite contentedly - hides is literally so cute and endearing.

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting and vibrant in both its artwork and storytelling. This series is filled with adventure and some brilliant messages about humanity’s impact on the world around it. A great one for younger readers.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I defended the fist volume of this series by saying it was more like a picture book than a graphic novel. This time the use of narration and the lack of dialogue feel more like very passive and ineffective story telling. Pretty but not well told.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

[Jes Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, the art is incredible and the storytelling is lacking

[Ree P · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute art

[Hana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love for this to become a cartoon

[Black Flamed Candle Books 🕯️📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t wait for the next volume!

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Does a lot of world building with not a lot of story. love the large format because it shows off the art so well.

[Chloe (thebookgiraffe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Gabz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second installment in the adventures of Juniper Mae, now exploring the depths of the forest to figure out more about the knights of legend.

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are lovely, and this volume has way more plot than the first book. But the pacing feels a bit off. I think this format works best for young readers.

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't recall the first book being this basic (it's been over a year). However, I still think the Tama-Tama are super cute. And don't worry Albie, hiding is a completely valid option. I rather liked the beast but he is now in the wrong hands and I thought the bug bot was adorable. I will keep reading this series.

[Aurora · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is for sure the standout here. The story is a bit weak and disappointing by comparison. To make things worse, this installment felt very “middle volume” syndrome; not much happens beyond setting things up for the next volume.