What do you think?
Rate this book
5 Worlds #4
5 Mondes Tome 4: Le Chant de l'ambre
Think
Star Wars
meets
Avatar: The Last Airbender
! Kazu Kibuishi (AMULET) says this graphic novel adventure is "a magical journey, as fun as it is beautiful!"
In book 4, Oona Lee arrives on Salassandra determined to light the yellow beacon and continue her quest to save the Five Worlds from the evil Mimic's influence. But the beacon is encased in amber! An ancient clue says that Oona and her friends must seek out the Amber Anthem to succeed. Meanwhile, Stan Moon sends an evil Jax robot to assassinate Oona and hunts down An Tzu himself. Turns out, as An Tzu fades away from his Vanishing Illness, he's becoming someone else--someone who could tip the scales in the battle for the Five Worlds!
In book 4, Oona Lee arrives on Salassandra determined to light the yellow beacon and continue her quest to save the Five Worlds from the evil Mimic's influence. But the beacon is encased in amber! An ancient clue says that Oona and her friends must seek out the Amber Anthem to succeed. Meanwhile, Stan Moon sends an evil Jax robot to assassinate Oona and hunts down An Tzu himself. Turns out, as An Tzu fades away from his Vanishing Illness, he's becoming someone else--someone who could tip the scales in the battle for the Five Worlds!
233 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
120 people are currently reading
2744 people want to read
About the author
Mark Siegel
21 books349 followersMark Siegel was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, grew up in Paris, France, and now lives in New York. A graduate of Brown University, he is the author and illustrator of several award-winning picture books, including the graphic novel, SAILOR TWAIN, and the 5 WORLDS series. Mark is also founded First Second Books—Macmillan's prestigious graphic novel publisher.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
June 14, 2020
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
This is the fourth book in the 5 Worlds graphic novel series where Oona and her friends must light the yellow beacon. I still like the bright colours of the panels and I enjoyed the underlying themes of racism and the need for equality in this. I liked the development with An Tzu and his vanishing illness, but I wish we learned more about what that meant.
I will continue on with the series, since there is only one left, and I do want to know how it concludes.
*I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
This is the fourth book in the 5 Worlds graphic novel series where Oona and her friends must light the yellow beacon. I still like the bright colours of the panels and I enjoyed the underlying themes of racism and the need for equality in this. I liked the development with An Tzu and his vanishing illness, but I wish we learned more about what that meant.
I will continue on with the series, since there is only one left, and I do want to know how it concludes.
July 15, 2020
I'm not sure what happened here. I've been loving this series up until now. Whether it's the reading slump I've been in, or whether it's the book itself, I can't really say for sure. All I know is that this is my least favourite installment so far.
The story is still building to its ultimate conclusion. Oona Lee is working her way through the Five Worlds, lighting the beacons as she goes. Her friends, Jax and An Tzu, are still at her side. I do like that we finally got some backstory for An Tzu here, and his character is now a lot more fleshed out (which is somewhat ironic, considering his vanishing illness is still progressing).
The illustrations are still lovely and detailed, and the whole look of the book is great. I did, however, feel like there were some parts that were a bit rushed. And yet, one sequence near the end was so drawn out as to seem like filler. This made the pacing seem a bit uneven for me.
I'm hoping that the next book (which will be the last in the series) will seem a lot more substantial. After all, there will be loose plot ends to tie up and character arcs to finish. Though I didn't love this book as much as the others, I'm still looking forward to seeing how the story ends.
The story is still building to its ultimate conclusion. Oona Lee is working her way through the Five Worlds, lighting the beacons as she goes. Her friends, Jax and An Tzu, are still at her side. I do like that we finally got some backstory for An Tzu here, and his character is now a lot more fleshed out (which is somewhat ironic, considering his vanishing illness is still progressing).
The illustrations are still lovely and detailed, and the whole look of the book is great. I did, however, feel like there were some parts that were a bit rushed. And yet, one sequence near the end was so drawn out as to seem like filler. This made the pacing seem a bit uneven for me.
I'm hoping that the next book (which will be the last in the series) will seem a lot more substantial. After all, there will be loose plot ends to tie up and character arcs to finish. Though I didn't love this book as much as the others, I'm still looking forward to seeing how the story ends.
May 12, 2020
51% female speaking characters. (As compared with male only)
65 total speaking characters
31 male
32 female
2 non-binary
Read full review here:
https://geekmom.com/2020/05/the-amber...
65 total speaking characters
31 male
32 female
2 non-binary
Read full review here:
https://geekmom.com/2020/05/the-amber...
January 19, 2022
Me gusta mucho esta serie de libros. El anterior me dejó un poco fría y no me gustó por varios motivos, pero este tomo vuelve a coger fuerza y las cosas suceden de manera ágil y cada vez se suman nuevos personajes y antiguos amigos y enemigos.
Con ganas de ese desenlace.
Con ganas de ese desenlace.
May 21, 2020
Continuing their quest to light the five beacons and defeat the evil Mimic, Oona Lee, An Tzu, and Jax Amboy arrive on Salassandra to light the yellow beacon. The problem: the beacon is encased in amber! Stan Moon, aka. the Mimic, attempts to foil the protagonists’ plans by spreading disinformation about their mission, sending an evil Jax robot to assassinate Oona, and hunting An Tzu himself. In order to light the beacon—and bring themselves one step closer to saving the Five Worlds—the protagonists must decipher an ancient script. The stakes rise when An Tzu’s visions provide startling information with the potential to change the course of their mission.
Our protagonists have grown, as individuals and as a team, since they embarked on their journey. Yet, true to real life, they continue to fight inner and outer battles. An Tzu struggles with the changes he undergoes with his vanishing illness. Jax Amboy confronts his past as an android. And Oona must face her fears regarding her responsibility as the lighter of beacons.
What makes 5 Worlds my favorite YA graphic novel series, besides the compelling characters and detailed worldbuilding, is the mirror it provides to our reality. 5 Worlds never tries to preach to us, but it examines—through the world and characters—real-world concerns. In The Amber Anthem, these concerns include racism again “’em plant things [people],” betrayal and forgiveness, and the spread of disinformation. The latter is specially relevant to the world today. Much as people speculate on what the societal changes influenced by the pandemic mean for our future, the people of the Five Worlds question whether lighting the beacons will transform the Five Worlds for the better. Stan Moon takes advantage of this dissension to spread disinformation. His purpose: to ensure the people cannot trust anything they hear. As he says, “It’s not about them believing what you say. It’s about making sure they can’t believe anything at all” (p. 45).
Fortunately, the 5 Worlds team doesn’t leave us without any answers. On Moon Yatta, Oona learned to seek joy in her mission. This time, she must learn belief. Though the Mimic may try to deceive her, she must trust in the sand and in what she knows to be true. As Oona confronts her fears, we too confront the fears and anxieties perpetuated by disinformation. We too learn about the need to discern truth from lies, blind faith, and wishful thinking. We too learn to trust in what we know to be true. And we too learn that we do not need to fight alone.
Belief is born of knowledge that you’ve joined with the whole of yourself. It’s like the living fire—it can’t be faked.”
—The Amber Anthem, p. 77.
The 5 Worlds series subverts the Chosen One trope. Oona is one of three children with the power to call upon the living fire. At first, she believes that her sister Jessa will save the world. Then Oona turns to Vector Sanderson. When Oona does have to fight, she relies on mentors and friends. Now on Salassandra, she must once again rely on others so that she can light the beacon. Believing in others doesn’t make Oona weak. Rather, her trust in her companions demonstrates the power of unity and the responsibility of the individual. Each of us has a unique role to fulfill.
This series gains new meaning with each reread. The 5 Worlds team sneak in Easter eggs like the famous singer Cascadelle, who we briefly glimpse as a popular idol in book one and who returns to play a prominent role in The Amber Anthem. Books three and four overtly tell us what Oona must learn on Moon Yatta and on Salassandra. As I learned from a conversation with author Mark Siegel, each world has a theme—which means that readers can return to books one and two in search of what Oona learned on Mon Domani and Toki.
Our protagonists have grown, as individuals and as a team, since they embarked on their journey. Yet, true to real life, they continue to fight inner and outer battles. An Tzu struggles with the changes he undergoes with his vanishing illness. Jax Amboy confronts his past as an android. And Oona must face her fears regarding her responsibility as the lighter of beacons.
What makes 5 Worlds my favorite YA graphic novel series, besides the compelling characters and detailed worldbuilding, is the mirror it provides to our reality. 5 Worlds never tries to preach to us, but it examines—through the world and characters—real-world concerns. In The Amber Anthem, these concerns include racism again “’em plant things [people],” betrayal and forgiveness, and the spread of disinformation. The latter is specially relevant to the world today. Much as people speculate on what the societal changes influenced by the pandemic mean for our future, the people of the Five Worlds question whether lighting the beacons will transform the Five Worlds for the better. Stan Moon takes advantage of this dissension to spread disinformation. His purpose: to ensure the people cannot trust anything they hear. As he says, “It’s not about them believing what you say. It’s about making sure they can’t believe anything at all” (p. 45).
Fortunately, the 5 Worlds team doesn’t leave us without any answers. On Moon Yatta, Oona learned to seek joy in her mission. This time, she must learn belief. Though the Mimic may try to deceive her, she must trust in the sand and in what she knows to be true. As Oona confronts her fears, we too confront the fears and anxieties perpetuated by disinformation. We too learn about the need to discern truth from lies, blind faith, and wishful thinking. We too learn to trust in what we know to be true. And we too learn that we do not need to fight alone.
Belief is born of knowledge that you’ve joined with the whole of yourself. It’s like the living fire—it can’t be faked.”
—The Amber Anthem, p. 77.
The 5 Worlds series subverts the Chosen One trope. Oona is one of three children with the power to call upon the living fire. At first, she believes that her sister Jessa will save the world. Then Oona turns to Vector Sanderson. When Oona does have to fight, she relies on mentors and friends. Now on Salassandra, she must once again rely on others so that she can light the beacon. Believing in others doesn’t make Oona weak. Rather, her trust in her companions demonstrates the power of unity and the responsibility of the individual. Each of us has a unique role to fulfill.
This series gains new meaning with each reread. The 5 Worlds team sneak in Easter eggs like the famous singer Cascadelle, who we briefly glimpse as a popular idol in book one and who returns to play a prominent role in The Amber Anthem. Books three and four overtly tell us what Oona must learn on Moon Yatta and on Salassandra. As I learned from a conversation with author Mark Siegel, each world has a theme—which means that readers can return to books one and two in search of what Oona learned on Mon Domani and Toki.
May 17, 2020
Our family LOVES this series and this book did not disappoint! Complex characters, strong leading ladies, gorgeous drawing, adventure, friendship, teamwork and inclusion. So much to love!
November 27, 2020
Holy cow, these just keep getting better....and more complicated! I mean, my kid was explaining the references to events earlier in the series, so be sure to have read volumes 1-3, and a re-read would not be entirely inappropriate. I appreciated the political overtones being handled more deftly in the previous volume than the spiritual concepts are handled here, but the mix of philosophy and action is great. The big-bad is brought into sharper focus here, but my favorite part is that I still don't know what's really going on because I don't know who to trust. The reveal at the end demands the completion of the series in the highly-anticipated final volume: there is a LOT to tie-up and I can't wait!
June 5, 2020
I love this series! It is, hands down, one of the best children's graphic novel series out there. I love that each world has different requirements for light the beacons, but I also love the themes of unity and equality (so poignant to our times). I honestly can't wait for the fifth installment!
December 28, 2020
4.5 stars.
June 23, 2022
3.5, rounded up. 5W4 feels a bit like a bridge book to the finale, but it’s still a lot of fun.
September 3, 2024
But An Tzu is a
May 15, 2020
Beautiful, can't wait for the conclusion!
June 29, 2020
With only one book left in the series, there had to be some reveal by this point, I just did not know it would be one on such grand of a scale. Oona is growing in her sand dancing; I love what she adds in each book , and now I am wondering what the next world will hold. Each of these characters has grown and become so dear; I hate to see them suffer, yet their suffering has only strengthened them.
What will happen in the last book? How will it change each of the worlds, to finally be in true harmony? The illustrations are so amazing, and the concepts of the worlds are so amazing, that to see the worlds as they were meant to be will be even more amazing (I need to stop using this word).
What will happen in the last book? How will it change each of the worlds, to finally be in true harmony? The illustrations are so amazing, and the concepts of the worlds are so amazing, that to see the worlds as they were meant to be will be even more amazing (I need to stop using this word).
March 23, 2021
What a cliff hanger! I'm not sure I really understand what happened at the very end though. I re-read it twice with my kiddo and neither of us for sure understood about the . I'm looking forward to the next and final one! It's been so fun to share reading this series with my son.
June 1, 2020
I love this series so much!! Definitely some commentary on our current administration in this one, my only complaint is that the next one will be the last 😢.
July 2, 2020
This series gets better with each new book. The mysteries unravel and deepen, the characters have lots of growth, and the underlying message could not be more relevant.
November 24, 2020
A very very gooooooooooooood bookit's one of the books I read and I don't read that much. I don't like many books but this one takes me some where real new differnt great
December 2, 2020
Fantastic, as always. One of the Best Birthday Gifts I've ever gotten.
May 22, 2021
Love this series. And I sure did love the recap in the beginning since it's been awhile since I read book 4.
January 2, 2022
Sad to see this series coming to an end, but I did like the new reveals in this volume.
January 21, 2025
4.25 stars
September 9, 2025
I feel like these keep getting worse as they go on. I did like the ending where they all came together.
I'm still intrigued enough to see how this thing ends.
I'm still intrigued enough to see how this thing ends.
August 28, 2021
These just keep getting better and better. Love the way this volume brings in corporate media, “fake news” and the power of popular movements/mobilization. What a great text my kids to grow up with.
May 13, 2023
My blue daughter <3 I love her dearly; she looks so dashing with her short haircut. This book is an ode to the power of art in inspiring community action! Honestly maybe the strongest installment in the series. The dry ingredients have been added and the plot has thickened. We’re headed to the oven, baby!
(+ Crowley and Aziraphale cameos?? that’s so funny)
previous volumes:
1. The Sand Warrior - 5 stars
2. The Cobalt Prince - 5 stars
3. The Red Maze - 5 stars
(+ Crowley and Aziraphale cameos?? that’s so funny)
previous volumes:
1. The Sand Warrior - 5 stars
2. The Cobalt Prince - 5 stars
3. The Red Maze - 5 stars
March 17, 2022
Another great saga in the series! I love the main characters and all they are trying to achieve and the cool characters that step up to support and help them against insurmountable odds!
June 19, 2020
I love this sci-fi, space fantasy adventure series so much. The three main characters are so complex, constantly developing throughout the volumes, and finding out more about themselves as they work to save their worlds. I feel like series are always hard to talk about without getting into details from previous volumes. But I'm not at all disappointed in how this series is progressing, so if you've enjoyed other volumes, I think you'll enjoy this as well. I'm just impatiently awaiting the final volume so I can learn how it all ends! I also think this would make a great animated show.
September 29, 2020
I continue to enjoy each entry in this graphic novel series! Although this series is for middle graders I thoroughly enjoy the references spread throughout the plot. Some are pointed - for instance in this novel there are references to U.S. politicians and other happenings in the news (climate change, fake news, etc.). For a fun reference I spotted some Good Omens characters make a background appearance! A lovely hope filled ending for this entry - I look forward to the last book in this series!
July 13, 2020
I honestly think that this has to be my favorite one out of the series. Maybe it's because everything was explained at the end or maybe the story was more thought out than usual, I don't know. I just know that I enjoyed this more than the others
I want to know more about An Tzu's past. I never thought that he might be one of the felids.
What will happen to Mon Domani? Will An Tzu betray Oona? What will finally happen when all the beacons are lit? Stay tuned for book 5!!
I want to know more about An Tzu's past. I never thought that he might be one of the felids.
What will happen to Mon Domani? Will An Tzu betray Oona? What will finally happen when all the beacons are lit? Stay tuned for book 5!!
November 24, 2020
Wow. Amazing, to the very core of Graphic Novels. I'm blown away, honestly. The twists and turns are perfectly placed, and it's a beautiful Graphic Novel, beating much art I've seen. Colors on point, nicely paced, and a drama-filled, nail-biting-worthy extravaganza. Cliffhangers in place, time zoomed past me. As if I was a camera, teleported to the 5 Worlds, and I was filming Oona, An Tzu, and Jax on their crazy-cool-scary-all-in-one adventure.
June 22, 2020
A couple of the central characters turn out to be more than they seem, and closing twist leaves us well set up for the climactic episode. The art, all swirls and color shifts, continues to get even more exotic and atmospheric as the series goes along. Read on an iPad, which gave the panels a bit of a cramped look. If ever a GN needed to be folio size....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews