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Chasma Knights
Beryl lives in a world full of toys. But these aren't your ordinary toys—they're mechanical marvels that almost seem alive! And at the slightest touch, these toys "catalyze," that is, they merge with their owner and give them special abilities.
But not Beryl. She's a Neon Knight, and Neon Knights can't catalyze.
Beryl does have a special ability that no one knows about—she's an inventor who can turn a broken toy into an amazing, new creation. When a powerful Oxygen Knight named Coro discovers Beryl's secret workshop, she wants in on the fun. But can a Neon Knight and an Oxygen Knight ever get along?
But not Beryl. She's a Neon Knight, and Neon Knights can't catalyze.
Beryl does have a special ability that no one knows about—she's an inventor who can turn a broken toy into an amazing, new creation. When a powerful Oxygen Knight named Coro discovers Beryl's secret workshop, she wants in on the fun. But can a Neon Knight and an Oxygen Knight ever get along?
128 pages, Hardcover
First published May 15, 2018
1 person is currently reading
139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
July 20, 2018
The director of the children's department has a subscription where every month Junior Library Guild sends us five usually fantastic books of their choosing.
I'm not sure what they were thinking when they sent us this one.
It seems to want to be a girly version of Pokemon crossed with Transformers where toysevolve catalyze into other things, and supposedly . . . good stuff happens. I guess. The plot's a convoluted mess, and the cotton-candy world made my teeth ache.
Hopefully the kids will like this, but for me, it was nothing but a technicolor nightmare.
I'm not sure what they were thinking when they sent us this one.
It seems to want to be a girly version of Pokemon crossed with Transformers where toys
Hopefully the kids will like this, but for me, it was nothing but a technicolor nightmare.
June 6, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
October 23, 2018
I dunno, this is probably far too deep a dive into what is in fact a very cute children's graphic novel but I've started typing & I can't seem to stop.
The art in this book is amazing; it's creative, & bright, & beautiful. I see where the story was heading but the execution leaves something to be desired. The basic idea is that the main character can't do the think that everyone else can (& is constantly mocked for it) but she can invent and fix stuff. The other main character is the best at doing the thing (people are very impressed but make fun for her for showing off) & is desperate to show everyone how great they are. Things go awry, they get angry & then make up with each other, etc. The big take away seems to be trying to say that everyone has different gifts & a friend can change your outlook but it feels like it's ignoring the main characters valid unhappiness with being different (& being harassed for it) and just saying, 'well you're great anyway so who cares if your ostracized!' It's just very clunky with some very questionable plot shifts. The characters actions never point to them learning anything (as the text seems to suggest they do) nor does the town improve or change their ways. The kids become friends but if that were the focus of the story why take up all your story space with weird drama that forwards nothing?
There's also a weird world element where the toys are clearly alive & capable of feeling pain (the first gold toy Beryl finds is clearly broken & unhappy) which is super creepy & would suggest that the major story is heading towards the town people keeping their toys and fixing them rather than throwing them away when they get bored, but no. No the town stays awful & only Beryl & Coro (sort of) care about old toys. & then there's a whole superhero thing...with stolen armor and an entirely manufactured disaster to avert... This book is just weird messages everywhere.
All said, it's still a very cute book with a very 90's cartoon story vibe, weird & a little off but well meaning over all.
The art in this book is amazing; it's creative, & bright, & beautiful. I see where the story was heading but the execution leaves something to be desired. The basic idea is that the main character can't do the think that everyone else can (& is constantly mocked for it) but she can invent and fix stuff. The other main character is the best at doing the thing (people are very impressed but make fun for her for showing off) & is desperate to show everyone how great they are. Things go awry, they get angry & then make up with each other, etc. The big take away seems to be trying to say that everyone has different gifts & a friend can change your outlook but it feels like it's ignoring the main characters valid unhappiness with being different (& being harassed for it) and just saying, 'well you're great anyway so who cares if your ostracized!' It's just very clunky with some very questionable plot shifts. The characters actions never point to them learning anything (as the text seems to suggest they do) nor does the town improve or change their ways. The kids become friends but if that were the focus of the story why take up all your story space with weird drama that forwards nothing?
There's also a weird world element where the toys are clearly alive & capable of feeling pain (the first gold toy Beryl finds is clearly broken & unhappy) which is super creepy & would suggest that the major story is heading towards the town people keeping their toys and fixing them rather than throwing them away when they get bored, but no. No the town stays awful & only Beryl & Coro (sort of) care about old toys. & then there's a whole superhero thing...with stolen armor and an entirely manufactured disaster to avert... This book is just weird messages everywhere.
All said, it's still a very cute book with a very 90's cartoon story vibe, weird & a little off but well meaning over all.
July 1, 2023
Strong 2 out of 10
Really disliked this book, the art style was wayyy too much for me. It had more of a corporate lifeless feel and the colors were too saturated for no reason most of the time. The story was also horrible too, this book seems to play into discriminatory undertones within the real world but by disguising it for a children's book, it ends up not working out well. The "bully" character is one of the most hard-to-read, cringeworthy, and self-centered characters I've read in a long time. The bully ends up being forgiven and gets what they want in the end, despite dealing with everything the wrong way and acting spoiled/obnoxious. Bad message and ending for children in my opinion. I was left guffawed by the end, and I rarely hand out one-star ratings, but this certainly deserves it.
Really disliked this book, the art style was wayyy too much for me. It had more of a corporate lifeless feel and the colors were too saturated for no reason most of the time. The story was also horrible too, this book seems to play into discriminatory undertones within the real world but by disguising it for a children's book, it ends up not working out well. The "bully" character is one of the most hard-to-read, cringeworthy, and self-centered characters I've read in a long time. The bully ends up being forgiven and gets what they want in the end, despite dealing with everything the wrong way and acting spoiled/obnoxious. Bad message and ending for children in my opinion. I was left guffawed by the end, and I rarely hand out one-star ratings, but this certainly deserves it.
September 3, 2018
If I only based this book on the illustrations, it would rate 5 stars. The colors are bright and the creatures cute and interesting. Unfortunately, the story pulls the rating down, way down. It is so confusing. It starts without any frame of reference for the reader, which is especially bad since it is a children's book. There are references to chemicals and science, but it is all over the place so that the reader does not actually learn anything about those subjects. Basically, the story is about Beryl, who is a neon knight. She gets picked on by other knights because she cannot fly. Beryl builds things and is clever but it is difficult to know exactly what she is making and how she is doing it. Beryl meets Coro, who is a bit of a showoff. You think they are friends, but then Coro makes fun of Beryl and steals her ideas. The story-line gets a bit of a mess and then Coro and Beryl suddenly become friends and plan to work together as a team. The end. Yes, it leaves you shaking your head. The vocabulary is more advance than its target audience but older students will think it is beneath them. It is sadly a miss for me.
July 2, 2018
Beryl lives in the Chasma. She is what is called a Neon Knight, which means she cannot bond with or play with toys like the rest of the other knights can. These special toys have elemental cores that can be catalyzed with the core of the knight. But because there are so many toys, knights tend to toss old ones away and buy new ones all the time. Even though Beryl is looked down upon and cannot play with toys, she has other brilliant ways to save tossed away toys and make a special impression in the world.
Such a sweet read. I wish I had toys like these.
Such a sweet read. I wish I had toys like these.
July 10, 2020
"You're the only one I know who will like this."Here, that was how my bookseller advertised it to me (because I'm kinda the one person that goes towards what no one buys in that bookshop and stays away from what everyone else buys).
And that wasn't too far off from the truth I guess, because I really enjoyed it, while at the same time having no idea how to "sell" it to someone else.
The art is cool and colourful, but it felt very dense and complex in terms of world building for something aimed at children or teens. (Not sure of the original editor plan, but the French editor has it in a collection clearly aimed at a younger audience.)
The one thing I'd say though is that I was a bit disappointed that it was a one-shot, because there's a lot of stuffs going on and a whole world created in there that could have been explored further. 🤔
December 28, 2018
This graphic novel invites readers to consider being creators instead of just consumers of technology and other products. I was a bit confused as to what exactly the Chasma Knights powers were for most of the story, I guessed it was the ability to fuse with the toys they wish to play with to make them come to life, and I was right, so the confusion I felt mostly fueled my need to finish this story to find out if I was right. Neon Knights cannot fuse or "catalyze" with toys and for this they are humilliated. Beryl doesn't let the fact that she's a Neon put a stop to her dreams of becoming a toy maker, and her missions to rescue discarded toys and make them into something greater is one of the many pauses, as readers, we should make to think about our own beliefs in what is disposable. Beryl meets Coro, one of the most powerful Chasma Knights, and changes Coro's views on what is important, even if at first she is embarrassed to be working with Beryl. Lots to take away from this engaging graphic novel.
July 19, 2018
In a world where we throw away and continually buy new things comes a tale of a Neon Knight that collects broken toys and fixes them and also makes new things with them as well. A character who does recycling! Woo!
The artist is the same one who illustrated Five Worlds and the illustrations are phenomenal in this book as they were in the other ones.
The story was okay for me. It didn't grab my attention as Five Worlds did. That being said, it is a different writer, but it was just alright for me.
The artist is the same one who illustrated Five Worlds and the illustrations are phenomenal in this book as they were in the other ones.
The story was okay for me. It didn't grab my attention as Five Worlds did. That being said, it is a different writer, but it was just alright for me.
March 28, 2022
i read this so quickly i didn’t even process the story
March 28, 2019
4.5/5
This book was great, y'all are just mean.
Let's just get to it.
What Works
CHEMISTRY LORE
If you're a grown up reading this review, you've probably taken a chemistry course or two. If it's been a while, lemme do a quick refresher to explain why this is important.
The elements on the periodic table have different degrees of reactivity when it comes to forming compounds. Some are highly reactive, some are not. This is based on the available space in the element's outer ring of valence electrons. This adds a little additional understanding to how Chasma Knights works.
Neon is a noble gas, an element on the periodic table that isn't reactive to other elements because its outer ring of valence electrons is considered to be "full". What this means is that there's no room for other elements to share electrons with them, therefore compounds cannot be formed under natural conditions. Because Neon doesn't react, Neon Knights are considered to be an odd duck in the context of the story.
Oxygen is a highly reactive nonmetal element. It's ready to bond with other elements in a heartbeat. The oxygen we breathe is comprised of O2 compounds--they don't tend to fly solo. In Chasma Knights, this means Oxygen knights can bond with anything.
Having these two gases personified in the world makes for a good contrast with how they're treated and the inherent hierarchy in the story.
And it's a neat little introduction to kids to how chemical bonds can form.
That Aesthetic(tm)
The way everything was designed hit my design sensibilities like a teddy bear's paw to my face. I need to save some of these backgrounds as reference for when I decide to make my own Squishy Characters Go On an Adventure story.
The Power of Invention
We need more STEM representation in comics, and this is a step in the right direction. Chemistry lore aside, the story's core message is encouraging innovation and invention, recycling discarded commodities in a society of ultra-consumerism. Flex your noodle and make some cool stuff!
What Needs Improvement
World building
I love the world building in Chasma Knights, don't get me wrong. But I do have questions if the parallels to chemical bonds rings true in the world's internal logic.
- Are there other noble gases that exist in this world? Are we only seeing a portion of this planet where Neon is the most commonly occurring noble gas?
- These toys are made by Toy Makers(tm)--who are they? Are these positions filled by noble gases, hence why we only see one Neon Knight? Or are noble gases such a rare occurrence that more common elements are building the toys.
- Can knights bond with each other like a Steven Universe fusion?
What I'm saying is, this story needs a sequel.
This book was great, y'all are just mean.
Let's just get to it.
What Works
CHEMISTRY LORE
If you're a grown up reading this review, you've probably taken a chemistry course or two. If it's been a while, lemme do a quick refresher to explain why this is important.
The elements on the periodic table have different degrees of reactivity when it comes to forming compounds. Some are highly reactive, some are not. This is based on the available space in the element's outer ring of valence electrons. This adds a little additional understanding to how Chasma Knights works.
Neon is a noble gas, an element on the periodic table that isn't reactive to other elements because its outer ring of valence electrons is considered to be "full". What this means is that there's no room for other elements to share electrons with them, therefore compounds cannot be formed under natural conditions. Because Neon doesn't react, Neon Knights are considered to be an odd duck in the context of the story.
Oxygen is a highly reactive nonmetal element. It's ready to bond with other elements in a heartbeat. The oxygen we breathe is comprised of O2 compounds--they don't tend to fly solo. In Chasma Knights, this means Oxygen knights can bond with anything.
Having these two gases personified in the world makes for a good contrast with how they're treated and the inherent hierarchy in the story.
And it's a neat little introduction to kids to how chemical bonds can form.
That Aesthetic(tm)
The way everything was designed hit my design sensibilities like a teddy bear's paw to my face. I need to save some of these backgrounds as reference for when I decide to make my own Squishy Characters Go On an Adventure story.
The Power of Invention
We need more STEM representation in comics, and this is a step in the right direction. Chemistry lore aside, the story's core message is encouraging innovation and invention, recycling discarded commodities in a society of ultra-consumerism. Flex your noodle and make some cool stuff!
What Needs Improvement
World building
I love the world building in Chasma Knights, don't get me wrong. But I do have questions if the parallels to chemical bonds rings true in the world's internal logic.
- Are there other noble gases that exist in this world? Are we only seeing a portion of this planet where Neon is the most commonly occurring noble gas?
- These toys are made by Toy Makers(tm)--who are they? Are these positions filled by noble gases, hence why we only see one Neon Knight? Or are noble gases such a rare occurrence that more common elements are building the toys.
- Can knights bond with each other like a Steven Universe fusion?
What I'm saying is, this story needs a sequel.
March 3, 2019
Lately I’ve been interested in exploring graphic books. I like the original standalone, not those derived from comic books or established pop culture. These newer voices are harder for me to find, but I recently read one published by graphic book imprint First Second. I thought it was an independent press, but it turns out to be an imprint of MacMillan, one of the Big 5 publishers. Their website had a lot of graphic books, mostly targeted at young readers, and I requested several from the library, including this one.
Playing off a video game-like concept, the story is set in a world where people are defined by a specific element. They buy toys in the form of animals that they can merge with to gain certain powers. It’s all just for entertainment, and they grow quickly bored with the toys, discarding them often and buying something new. Beryl, however, is a Neon Knight, the one type incapable of fusing with, and therefore using, toys, making her an outcast. Instead, she collect the discarded toys and secretly fuses them together to create unique, super toys. Beryl meets Coro, a powerful Oxygen Knight who sells toys through her impressive demonstrations. The story takes off when Coro discovers Beryl’s workshop, and her secret.
Colorful illustrations in a cute and detailed style enhance this imaginative story. It took a little too long to establish how the world worked, but I could see this easily becoming a series. It works as a standalone, but as with fantasy, a good amount of time is needed to build the world. This wouldn’t be as big an issue in a series, but it’s a big narrative investment for a short standalone. At the end, the authors encourage readers to come up with their own knights, which is nice but there isn’t an established correlation between certain elements and toys or abilities apart.
I’m not sure if any of this is based on actual science. I doubt it, but it’s still a fun way to get kids interested in science, and the commentary on our increasingly disposable consumerism (driven by profit-minded manufacturers) resonated with me. It’s just the kind of unique and original book I was looking for.
Playing off a video game-like concept, the story is set in a world where people are defined by a specific element. They buy toys in the form of animals that they can merge with to gain certain powers. It’s all just for entertainment, and they grow quickly bored with the toys, discarding them often and buying something new. Beryl, however, is a Neon Knight, the one type incapable of fusing with, and therefore using, toys, making her an outcast. Instead, she collect the discarded toys and secretly fuses them together to create unique, super toys. Beryl meets Coro, a powerful Oxygen Knight who sells toys through her impressive demonstrations. The story takes off when Coro discovers Beryl’s workshop, and her secret.
Colorful illustrations in a cute and detailed style enhance this imaginative story. It took a little too long to establish how the world worked, but I could see this easily becoming a series. It works as a standalone, but as with fantasy, a good amount of time is needed to build the world. This wouldn’t be as big an issue in a series, but it’s a big narrative investment for a short standalone. At the end, the authors encourage readers to come up with their own knights, which is nice but there isn’t an established correlation between certain elements and toys or abilities apart.
I’m not sure if any of this is based on actual science. I doubt it, but it’s still a fun way to get kids interested in science, and the commentary on our increasingly disposable consumerism (driven by profit-minded manufacturers) resonated with me. It’s just the kind of unique and original book I was looking for.
June 25, 2021
Je me suis offerte cette petite merveille pour (à cause de ?) l’illustrateur Boya Sun que j’ai découvert grâce à l’excellente série 5 Mondes (un space opera écologique, jeunesse dont j’attends le 5è et dernier tome impatiemment). Ici, je retrouve avec plaisir son trait rond et ses couleurs acidulées et ce n’est que du bonheur 😍🍭🍬.
Chasma est un monde mignon et coloré où les jouets sont vivants et victimes de la surconsommation. Effectivement, ses habitants sont très prompts à acheter et jeter sans réfléchir plus loin que la dernière nouveauté avec laquelle « fusionner ». Fusionner ? Mais qu’est-ce donc ?! Selon le jouet, de quoi il est fait et son level, les personnes acquièrent de nouvelles capacités comme voler, se transformer, avoir un sac à dos chat, etc. Et tout le monde peut fusionner, enfin… à part les Chevaliers Néon bien sûr. Et c’est ce qu’est Béryl. Mais, notre petit chevalier ne baisse pas les bras pour autant et compte bien compenser son handicap par une ingéniosité hors du commun !
Ce roman graphique est clairement destiné à de très très jeunes lecteurs (entre 6 et 10 ans). Il aborde le problème de la surconsommation : pourquoi jeter quand, comme Béryl, on peut récupérer, réparer, ré-inventer ? Et ça, ça va créer des ingénieurs en herbe ! 😂 Responsables en plus et on en a besoin. D’autres thèmes comme l’handicap, la différence, la tolérance/bienveillance et l’amitié viennent parachever une histoire absolument adorable servit par des dessins de toute beauté.
J’ai passé un très bon moment cocooning où je m’en suis pris plein les mirettes. C’est fun et coloré, et ça plaira sans aucun doute à vos enfants (intérieurs ou pas 😂).
Chasma est un monde mignon et coloré où les jouets sont vivants et victimes de la surconsommation. Effectivement, ses habitants sont très prompts à acheter et jeter sans réfléchir plus loin que la dernière nouveauté avec laquelle « fusionner ». Fusionner ? Mais qu’est-ce donc ?! Selon le jouet, de quoi il est fait et son level, les personnes acquièrent de nouvelles capacités comme voler, se transformer, avoir un sac à dos chat, etc. Et tout le monde peut fusionner, enfin… à part les Chevaliers Néon bien sûr. Et c’est ce qu’est Béryl. Mais, notre petit chevalier ne baisse pas les bras pour autant et compte bien compenser son handicap par une ingéniosité hors du commun !
Ce roman graphique est clairement destiné à de très très jeunes lecteurs (entre 6 et 10 ans). Il aborde le problème de la surconsommation : pourquoi jeter quand, comme Béryl, on peut récupérer, réparer, ré-inventer ? Et ça, ça va créer des ingénieurs en herbe ! 😂 Responsables en plus et on en a besoin. D’autres thèmes comme l’handicap, la différence, la tolérance/bienveillance et l’amitié viennent parachever une histoire absolument adorable servit par des dessins de toute beauté.
J’ai passé un très bon moment cocooning où je m’en suis pris plein les mirettes. C’est fun et coloré, et ça plaira sans aucun doute à vos enfants (intérieurs ou pas 😂).
February 6, 2019
Chasma Knights by Boya Sun and Kate Reed Petty, 112 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. First Second(Roaring Brook (Holtzbrinck)), 2018 $18
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL –OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Beryl is a toy maker and inventor. Everyone in her world is a knight of some kind, some can do more than others, like Oxygen Knights and Sulfur Knights, but she is just a lowly Neon Knight so she can catalyze anything. When she meets Coro, things change –Coro can catalyze Beryl’s fantastic inventions. But will Beryl get the credit she deserves or is a Coro just using her to show off? Filled with adorable bright graphic novel illustrations.
I was well prepared to love this book as one of the author/illustrators has works on another series I love. However, this story was just confusing, and young readers aren’t going to understand the whole underlying periodic table of the elements theme. I didn’t understand if she was making toys or capturing them (ala pokemon), and then changing them. The illustrations are wonderful but I probably wouldn’t add this to my library. But its very wholesome, so it couldn’t hurt either.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G (0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL –OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Beryl is a toy maker and inventor. Everyone in her world is a knight of some kind, some can do more than others, like Oxygen Knights and Sulfur Knights, but she is just a lowly Neon Knight so she can catalyze anything. When she meets Coro, things change –Coro can catalyze Beryl’s fantastic inventions. But will Beryl get the credit she deserves or is a Coro just using her to show off? Filled with adorable bright graphic novel illustrations.
I was well prepared to love this book as one of the author/illustrators has works on another series I love. However, this story was just confusing, and young readers aren’t going to understand the whole underlying periodic table of the elements theme. I didn’t understand if she was making toys or capturing them (ala pokemon), and then changing them. The illustrations are wonderful but I probably wouldn’t add this to my library. But its very wholesome, so it couldn’t hurt either.
Reviewer: Stephanie MLS & Author.
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
October 19, 2018
I think young audiences who are far less likely to question world-building elements that don't make sense (*coughprettymuchthewholebookcough*) will enjoy this far more than older, middle-grade readers and above.
The positive underlying message is that even though we may not have the same capabilities as other people, everyone has their own strengths that they can utilize. The art is also cute with bright colors, so it's a treat to look at. However, the lack of any background information as to why these people (why are they "knights" if all this civilization does, literally, is play with toys (and discard them when they become bored with them)), why are the people coded to specific elements that allows them to do things and others not, why do things have metal cores, why are the toys alive and why is there apparently no moral quandary about yanking the cores out of these semi-live (?) beings and forcibly melding them into some sort of chimera toy, how this society manages to perpetuate its existence when there seems to be no rhyme or reason to pretty much anything and everything is never gone into any explanation. And that *bothers* me.
The positive underlying message is that even though we may not have the same capabilities as other people, everyone has their own strengths that they can utilize. The art is also cute with bright colors, so it's a treat to look at. However, the lack of any background information as to why these people (why are they "knights" if all this civilization does, literally, is play with toys (and discard them when they become bored with them)), why are the people coded to specific elements that allows them to do things and others not, why do things have metal cores, why are the toys alive and why is there apparently no moral quandary about yanking the cores out of these semi-live (?) beings and forcibly melding them into some sort of chimera toy, how this society manages to perpetuate its existence when there seems to be no rhyme or reason to pretty much anything and everything is never gone into any explanation. And that *bothers* me.
July 19, 2018
Beryl is a Neon Knight, the one type of human-like creature with the least social standing, and apparently, the least capacity for special powers that other knights can use to transform "toys" into super-powered vehicles, tools, and entertainment.
I think young readers will follow the obscure story because the simplified description sounds like regular life - people acquire toys and use them until they are broken or used up, and then get new ones. Beryl, inhibited from exploiting the toys because of her sub-standard special capacities, instead repairs them and invents combinations of them.
It's a fairly useful metaphor, packaged in a candy-colored universe with cute pet-creatures and various quaint vehicles, buildings, and landscapes. There's a friendship story where early suspicion and betrayal finally give way to collab0ration, cooperation, and mutual appreciation.
Which means this will work best for 7- to 12-year-olds, I suppose.
I think young readers will follow the obscure story because the simplified description sounds like regular life - people acquire toys and use them until they are broken or used up, and then get new ones. Beryl, inhibited from exploiting the toys because of her sub-standard special capacities, instead repairs them and invents combinations of them.
It's a fairly useful metaphor, packaged in a candy-colored universe with cute pet-creatures and various quaint vehicles, buildings, and landscapes. There's a friendship story where early suspicion and betrayal finally give way to collab0ration, cooperation, and mutual appreciation.
Which means this will work best for 7- to 12-year-olds, I suppose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2018
Chasma Knights is a wonderful graphic novel for young readers. The main characters are great models for kids, they are inventive, kind, independent, and brilliant. I enjoyed Beryl and Coro’s developing friendship. It was awesome to read a story with a positive female relationship at its core, plus these two characters are hardworking, determined makers. My only qualm is that the world building and toy system are a little confusing, I can imagine a lot of it going over the heads of young readers- emphasizing early on that to catalyze a toy simply means to use it or turn it on would help a lot. The illustrations are cute!!! I loved the adorable toys, I hope the toys get a lot more screen time if there are sequels in the works (MEOWPACK needs a storyline!).
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
June 13, 2019
Confusing but cute. I really liked the theme of reusing discarded materials and repurposing waste, but the worldbuilding was very unclear. There's like... Brandon Sanderson-style alchemy going on? It's a cool concept, but seems like it would need to appeal to an older audience than the sugary sweet Candy Kingdom colored world suggests. In theory, I love the blend of girly and sciencey, though, like a grown-up Interstellar Cinderella or anything Princess Bubblegum of Adventure Time. I also didn't really get what Toys ARE (are they alive???) or how anything works...? Agh! Just needs some more solid set up and I'd be super into it.
May 16, 2018
This is a very cute graphic novel about discovering what you are good at. It follows Beryl a Neon Knight and her journey through bullying, making a new friend, losing the friend, and finally figuring out what it means to accept yourself.
In the Chasma Knights society different knights are held in different esteem. Beryl is part of the lowest group, the Neon Knights, they are looked down upon because they can't "catalyze" with toys like the other Knights. It sounds confusing, but it is so cute and well worth the read.
A great new graphic novel in what will hopefully be a series. I will definitely be recommending this at the library.
In the Chasma Knights society different knights are held in different esteem. Beryl is part of the lowest group, the Neon Knights, they are looked down upon because they can't "catalyze" with toys like the other Knights. It sounds confusing, but it is so cute and well worth the read.
A great new graphic novel in what will hopefully be a series. I will definitely be recommending this at the library.
Read
May 19, 2021I unfortunately have no idea how to rate this. The art is wonderful and colorful and inviting, and the story is...confusing. More than once I checked to see if I had accidentally skipped pages because the story made little sense. There is a lot going on with a bullying element, a friendship element, a “we all have our own unique gifts to offer” element, a “it’s better to repair than constantly buy new” piece, something about chemicals and catalyzing? And toys, but they’re alive? All in about 100 pages. I feel like maybe I need to ask a younger reader to explain it to me because perhaps I’m overthinking it?
June 10, 2021
This book excels in design and imagination. Personally I love Boya Sun’s illustration style and color palettes. The world construction is a little confusing but I think this is more of an issue for older readers not kids. I think kids will just accept this world of chemical combinations and making.
Coro and Beryl’s friendship is tested by their differences, but ultimately their mutual respect wins out.
The plot is not fully fleshed out but it is a fun, quick read that is sure to stir your imagination with Beryl’s gift of toy design.
Take it from my kids— this is a book that they have checked out at least 4 times to read again.
Coro and Beryl’s friendship is tested by their differences, but ultimately their mutual respect wins out.
The plot is not fully fleshed out but it is a fun, quick read that is sure to stir your imagination with Beryl’s gift of toy design.
Take it from my kids— this is a book that they have checked out at least 4 times to read again.
May 28, 2018
They didn’t have kids’ comics like this when I was growing up, but it’s my pleasure to read them now with my own children. The details are hard to summarize (and a bit confusing), but this story is about the journey of accepting who you are and the friends you make along the way. Pretty standard fare for a kids’ / YA tale, but the amazing art and fantastical setting make it feel unique and piquant. My favorite graphic novels lately, like “Chasma Knights” and “Cucumber Quest,” have been for kids. Very fun and highly recommended.
November 6, 2017
The illustrations were not my favorite, a little too washed out and round-cartoony, it reminded me a bit of a softer Pokemon. I liked that the main character is a girl, and the layout of the graphic novel panes. I thought the story was a bit confusing.
I felt overall that it might be appealing to younger readers, but the story would probably be something that children age out of and do not remember well.
*eARC Netaglley*
I felt overall that it might be appealing to younger readers, but the story would probably be something that children age out of and do not remember well.
*eARC Netaglley*
April 24, 2021
This is such a fun idea, and a fun little world, but this brief graphic novel doesn't have enough space to make it work. As a result, everything is confusing and meaningless. I'd give this more leeway if it was the first book in a series--in which I get a feel for what this world is, to have it further fleshed out down the line--but this seems to be a standalone and, as such, just doesn't work. Loved the art though.
July 5, 2022
Needed a palette cleanser from my usually reads so I picked up a handful of junior fiction graphic novels from the library and this was one of them.
The illustrations and colors are gorgeous, but the story is confusing even for me. I couldn’t imagine a younger kid reading this and understanding toys catalyzing
But overall it was nice to look at and had a positive message that’s all I really can expect from graphic novels
The illustrations and colors are gorgeous, but the story is confusing even for me. I couldn’t imagine a younger kid reading this and understanding toys catalyzing
But overall it was nice to look at and had a positive message that’s all I really can expect from graphic novels
November 17, 2023
I loved the art and colors but the story and characters were poorly executed. I felt like the big overarching message was "you can still be wonderful and great in your own way even if it's different from other people" but the steps getting there was convoluted and caused more problems and questions than answers. I got Steven Universe vibes from the story/art and while I loved SU I unfortunately have to give this book a 2/5 star rating.
June 19, 2018
An adorable graphic novel for kids! There’s a Pokemon-esque vibe to the consumerism theme here, as well as a wonderful maker bent to it all. While the themes/morals may be a bit too in-your-face for older readers, this’ll definitely be a fun one to recommend to patrons. The world itself is so colorful and fun I wish we had had more time! Or a series...
August 20, 2018
It took me a minute to grasp the difference between the different kinds of Knights; but, overall, I enjoyed the message of, 'everyone is different, and we all bring something to the table that makes us special.' I liked the illustrations; Boy Sun created the world of Chasma beautifully without missing any details. My favorite character is the bird <3.
August 11, 2019
This is a story about a creature that can't integrate itself with other objects and feels left out because of it. The people in this book fuse with "toys" to do fantastic things. The main character, instead of doing this, creates new and interesting toys. You'll have to read to find out how this influenced their character arc.
November 24, 2019
It was okay , I think in general it was a good book but I think it was a little too short and maybe there should be more books , like sequels to it. It was overall a good book but like I said it was a little short for me. I also really enjoyed the art and illustrations , I think they were really cute and well drawn.
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