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Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 9, 2021
33 people are currently reading
567 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hale
146 books14.2k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
December 11, 2021
I've read any number of Amethyst mini-series, series, one-shots, cameos, and reboots over the years -- DC keeps trying to make her a true franchise -- but this original graphic novel aimed directly at children is probably my favorite version. My only complaint is I wish it were longer so it didn't have to rush through the story quite so much. Because it does cover a lot of ground, reintroducing Gemworld, having Amaya (Amethyst) get lost and found during a trip to Earth, making friends and recovering lost memories, and facing a monster to save the world. I'd really like to see a sequel where the characters have a chance to catch their breath.
May 10, 2022
An Amethyst comic for kids. Princess Amethyst is a royal brat who is sent to Earth as punishment. But without her magic she forgets who she was. Three years pass before she's brought back to Gemworld where things are going poorly. There's a creature called Flaw who is threatening all of Gemworld. This is a simplified version of a story that ran through the original Amethyst comic from the 80's. The story is full of strong female characters. It's perfect for younger children.
November 18, 2021
3.5 stars
Life lessons hidden amongst a gemstone-world filled with heart and humor... a great graphic novel to share with a young reader.
Artwork: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Characters: ★★★
A disclaimer: I am barely knowledgeable on the DC Comics universe. I have enjoyed reading several of the young reader graphic novels coming out of DC, but all of my enjoyment and review base comes from face-value reviews—I do not have any prior knowledge/opinions on the characters in each series.
Amaya, princess of House Amethyst in Gemworld, is in trouble. A powerful young girl with a lot of ability and not a lot of life experience, she accidentally creates a huge mess in her parent's castle and breaks their largest protector gemstone.
She wasn't ready for the consequences of her actions...
Amaya needs a reality check—so her parents send her and an adult caretaker to Earth for a while. It's supposed to be for one week.
But then, 3 years later, we meet Amaya as a middle schooler and to our surprise, she's lost ALL of her memories of her time on Gemworld. Something is afoot.
With magic, memory, and family all tying together into one purple-tastic adventure, this graphic novel was a ton of fun.
I thought the artwork for this one was beautiful. I loved the artist's play on the all of the purple tones of Gemworld, and the fun style of all of the panels for each plot point.
Amaya and her antics were interesting. As a mid-20s adult, I'll admit I had a hard time really staying invested in her journey...but this seemed to really be an age thing, as the story itself and the plot progression did not have any issues in it. Just too young for this particular reader.
I recommend to anyone with a young one at home who's interested in comic book worlds! (And for anyone who loves purple, obviously.)
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
Life lessons hidden amongst a gemstone-world filled with heart and humor... a great graphic novel to share with a young reader.
Artwork: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Characters: ★★★
A disclaimer: I am barely knowledgeable on the DC Comics universe. I have enjoyed reading several of the young reader graphic novels coming out of DC, but all of my enjoyment and review base comes from face-value reviews—I do not have any prior knowledge/opinions on the characters in each series.
Amaya, princess of House Amethyst in Gemworld, is in trouble. A powerful young girl with a lot of ability and not a lot of life experience, she accidentally creates a huge mess in her parent's castle and breaks their largest protector gemstone.
She wasn't ready for the consequences of her actions...
Amaya needs a reality check—so her parents send her and an adult caretaker to Earth for a while. It's supposed to be for one week.
But then, 3 years later, we meet Amaya as a middle schooler and to our surprise, she's lost ALL of her memories of her time on Gemworld. Something is afoot.
With magic, memory, and family all tying together into one purple-tastic adventure, this graphic novel was a ton of fun.
I thought the artwork for this one was beautiful. I loved the artist's play on the all of the purple tones of Gemworld, and the fun style of all of the panels for each plot point.
Amaya and her antics were interesting. As a mid-20s adult, I'll admit I had a hard time really staying invested in her journey...but this seemed to really be an age thing, as the story itself and the plot progression did not have any issues in it. Just too young for this particular reader.
I recommend to anyone with a young one at home who's interested in comic book worlds! (And for anyone who loves purple, obviously.)
Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 25, 2023
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (DC Comics) for promotional purposes.
What an adorable graphic novel for kids!
I’ve read many books in DC’s Graphic Novels for Young Adults line, but this was my first one from their Kids line. I thought this was just as good as the YA ones.
Going into the story, I didn’t have any particular expectations because I am not familiar with Amethyst and Gemworld. But after reading this, I’m thinking I should start looking into her and Gemworld because she’s pretty cool and Gemworld sounds like an amazing place.
I loved the characters. Amaya (Amethyst) was well developed. She was so sassy and mischievous at the beginning, but matured throughout the story. Her friends Autumn and Topaz were also memorable.
The artwork and style were so cute. It worked perfectly for a younger audience. The colors used to represent the different worlds and characters were stunning. In particular, the pastel purple used for House Amethyst was so pretty.
The only thing I didn’t love was how rushed the ending was. All of the problems were solved so fast. I would have liked to seen the ending stretched out more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable graphic novel that kids (and some adults) are sure to love!
What an adorable graphic novel for kids!
I’ve read many books in DC’s Graphic Novels for Young Adults line, but this was my first one from their Kids line. I thought this was just as good as the YA ones.
Going into the story, I didn’t have any particular expectations because I am not familiar with Amethyst and Gemworld. But after reading this, I’m thinking I should start looking into her and Gemworld because she’s pretty cool and Gemworld sounds like an amazing place.
I loved the characters. Amaya (Amethyst) was well developed. She was so sassy and mischievous at the beginning, but matured throughout the story. Her friends Autumn and Topaz were also memorable.
The artwork and style were so cute. It worked perfectly for a younger audience. The colors used to represent the different worlds and characters were stunning. In particular, the pastel purple used for House Amethyst was so pretty.
The only thing I didn’t love was how rushed the ending was. All of the problems were solved so fast. I would have liked to seen the ending stretched out more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable graphic novel that kids (and some adults) are sure to love!
February 21, 2023
I loved the original comic series, which this is very different from, but I think this was a great take, and the story honestly made more sense as a younger protagonist (the original premise where she was 13 in our world but adult in Gemworld was kind of icky, with the romance elements).
January 4, 2022
10-10
100-100
1000-1000
GREAAAT
READ THIS BOOK NOW
100-100
1000-1000
GREAAAT
READ THIS BOOK NOW
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November 23, 2021I can't say I ever followed the original comic books about gemworld, but I know Shannon Hale, and love her writing, so I was wiling to give this book a try.
It was so much fun.
The basic story of a bratty princess who gets sent to earth to make her behave better is a great way to get her to make friends with an earth girl, so that when she returns to her how, years later, she is a changed girl.
The dialogue is bright and sparkling. The main character, Amethyst and her best friend, Autumn are relatable, despite being magical and in a different magical kingdom.
Good strong female characters.
It was so much fun.
The basic story of a bratty princess who gets sent to earth to make her behave better is a great way to get her to make friends with an earth girl, so that when she returns to her how, years later, she is a changed girl.
The dialogue is bright and sparkling. The main character, Amethyst and her best friend, Autumn are relatable, despite being magical and in a different magical kingdom.
Good strong female characters.
November 27, 2021
I really liked the art in this one! The story was cute, I loved the characters and their friendship. I kind of checked out at the more world-building details tbh, so I didn't really follow how the crystal network or whatever worked into the conclusion, but I was just here for the cute artwork and fun story.
January 5, 2022
My sister's book I got for her on Christmas, that I read anyways.
April 27, 2023
Overview:
Amaya is a princess of House Amethyst in Gemworld. She is a troublemaker and brings her brother into her pranks. They have fun but one prank ends up causing their parents to make the decision of sending Amaya to Earth. Meaning she has no magic. Three years later, after settling into her new life with her friend, Autumn by her side. A prince from another realm pops up and brings her back to Gemworld. Little does she know, Gemworlds fate is in her hands.
Thoughts:
The art was stunning and I love the cover art. But the book just wasn't doing it for me. It wasn't that I disliked the book but it was bland. I didn't feel like there was any conflict that Amaya had to go through because they were so overpowered. Autumn was just there. She didn't do anything besides give Amaya company.
I liked the story line but I just thought there could have been more that happened in it.
Amaya is a princess of House Amethyst in Gemworld. She is a troublemaker and brings her brother into her pranks. They have fun but one prank ends up causing their parents to make the decision of sending Amaya to Earth. Meaning she has no magic. Three years later, after settling into her new life with her friend, Autumn by her side. A prince from another realm pops up and brings her back to Gemworld. Little does she know, Gemworlds fate is in her hands.
Thoughts:
The art was stunning and I love the cover art. But the book just wasn't doing it for me. It wasn't that I disliked the book but it was bland. I didn't feel like there was any conflict that Amaya had to go through because they were so overpowered. Autumn was just there. She didn't do anything besides give Amaya company.
I liked the story line but I just thought there could have been more that happened in it.
December 5, 2021
This is the most fun I've had with the series since its She-Ra-esque original. I miss the magical girl element of the 80s version, but this retains the vibe better than other variants.
January 14, 2022
This was so so so good! It gave me all kinds of I Hate Fairyland vs the 80’s vibes and I was living for it! Do I want this to be more than just a one-shot book? YES!! I need more from Gemworld! Like, this could be an incredible television show!!
Come on DC! Make this happen, please!
4.5⭐️
Come on DC! Make this happen, please!
4.5⭐️
December 9, 2021
Beautiful, maybe the prettiest graphic novel I've ever read. Shannon Hale has done it again!
April 9, 2022
It's a cute book! I like that it doubles as a fantasy escape, with a young girl exploring this secret fantasy world she's apparently the princess of, while not going out of its way to make her Earth life miserable. Really, the biggest problem with Earth is that she couldn't bust out a magic sword and stop the bullies without being sent to detention. But Amy brings along her best friend Autumn, who wants to escape her home with all the drama surrounding her parents' divorce, and the OGN clearly tackles this feeling of wanting to escape your troubles and dive into magical fantasy lands full of cute monsters and spells and swords and castles and whatever-else-you-can-dream-of.
I like how much of the book is spent exploring. Sure it has some obligatory action scenes against giant crystal bug monsters, but most of it is a tour of "Gemworld". Exploring the castle, hanging out with your friends, dancing and making jokes. It sells you on the wonder of this world and the beauty surrounding you. Bonus points for it not being about some big scary evil monster destruction world-ending whatever, but instead coming down to ideas of trust and love. The art is the best part of the book for sure, from the soft shading and wide colour pallet to the goofy joy on Amy and Autumn's faces every time some new fantasy trope gets introduced and they realize... yes, they DO get to explore a castle! I appreciated the goofy humour playing with the expectations of Earth and Gemworld, and how the art was able to deliver this world of crystal kingdoms that was colourful and extravagant while also having some weight to their drama and governance.
If anything I think the final third of the book is the weakest, trending towards too many big speeches and in-universe political bickering. I wanted to see more of the characters adventuring, meeting new people, exploring the world, but it needed a driving mystery of "the Flaw" to keep the plot going and I started tuning it out. I ended up liking the twists and turns it took, and the final resolution to the plot was solid, but it took the wind out of my sails after how much I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the OGN.
I like how much of the book is spent exploring. Sure it has some obligatory action scenes against giant crystal bug monsters, but most of it is a tour of "Gemworld". Exploring the castle, hanging out with your friends, dancing and making jokes. It sells you on the wonder of this world and the beauty surrounding you. Bonus points for it not being about some big scary evil monster destruction world-ending whatever, but instead coming down to ideas of trust and love. The art is the best part of the book for sure, from the soft shading and wide colour pallet to the goofy joy on Amy and Autumn's faces every time some new fantasy trope gets introduced and they realize... yes, they DO get to explore a castle! I appreciated the goofy humour playing with the expectations of Earth and Gemworld, and how the art was able to deliver this world of crystal kingdoms that was colourful and extravagant while also having some weight to their drama and governance.
If anything I think the final third of the book is the weakest, trending towards too many big speeches and in-universe political bickering. I wanted to see more of the characters adventuring, meeting new people, exploring the world, but it needed a driving mystery of "the Flaw" to keep the plot going and I started tuning it out. I ended up liking the twists and turns it took, and the final resolution to the plot was solid, but it took the wind out of my sails after how much I enjoyed the first 2/3 of the OGN.
May 15, 2022
This was cute. I enjoyed reading it as I read it. We have Amethyst, a bit of a troublemaker and a spoiled brat, being a Princess of Gemworld. After her last antics, her parents send her off, with a guardian, to Earth for one week to adjust her attitude. But of course, all goes awry, and it's three years before she returns. I liked the growth of Amethyst. And the illustrations were poppin' off the pages. Asiah Fulmore is brilliant. While I may have wanted more, I would still recommend this for those who like your princess stories with colour.
November 4, 2021
RTC for blog.
Thank you to the publisher for my earc.
Thank you to the publisher for my earc.
January 7, 2022
Very cute story, easy to follow, fun illustrations. Elementary grades interest level.
March 28, 2022
An interesting story about a girl with crystal powers.
August 4, 2022
Art was really cute and story was interesting, especially liked the twist at the end.
May 3, 2025
I enjoyed this as my introduction to the character Amethyst, though aspects of this did seem fairly similar to the endless number of fantasy/real world graphic novels out there.
September 29, 2025
Cute book!!
December 8, 2021
Easily the best Amethyst comic not by Mishkin and Cohn.
June 3, 2023
Great art, super cute and funny!! Probably better for 9 yeard and up, the back and forth between worlds could get confusing.
September 4, 2025
Star Butterfly
December 12, 2021
Super cute middle-grade graphic novel about Amethyst's origins. Pacing was a bit rushed at times, but overall the friendships here are too precious and the art is so pretty!
June 12, 2022
Princess Amaya of House Amethyst has pulled one too many pranks and is being sent out of Gemworld to Earth for one week as punishment. But while their with her caretaker Trina, something goes badly wrong in Gemworld, they lose connection and Trina and Amy forget all about where they came from. Three years later Prince Topaz breaks through the barrier and brings Amy and her best friend on Earth, Autumn, back to Gemworld to help restore things. But what can one princess who totally forgot Gemworld do?
I don't know anything about the DC Comics characters in this, but it was a fun fantasy portal story and I didn't feel lost at all jumping into it with no background info. I liked the growth they managed to show in Amy in just a few pages. Gemworld is an imaginative world to explore. And Autumn and Topaz are great sidekicks. Hand this to graphic novel fans, portal story fans, and fans of stories of kids saving the day.
Notes on content: No language issues beyond some playground name calling. No sexual content. Amy plays some rather messy pranks that she later apologizes for. Magical creatures are absorbed into a sword when stabbed (they just look like bugs and it isn't gory). Amy stands up to some bullies on Earth.
I don't know anything about the DC Comics characters in this, but it was a fun fantasy portal story and I didn't feel lost at all jumping into it with no background info. I liked the growth they managed to show in Amy in just a few pages. Gemworld is an imaginative world to explore. And Autumn and Topaz are great sidekicks. Hand this to graphic novel fans, portal story fans, and fans of stories of kids saving the day.
Notes on content: No language issues beyond some playground name calling. No sexual content. Amy plays some rather messy pranks that she later apologizes for. Magical creatures are absorbed into a sword when stabbed (they just look like bugs and it isn't gory). Amy stands up to some bullies on Earth.
December 31, 2025
Zo tof om een prinses tegen te komen uit een magische wereld die niet alleen voorbij de eerste indruk van een eng monster kan kijken, maar ook besluit dat ze net zo graag haar unieke zelf is in de gewone wereld zonder magie als een magische prinses. Extra punten voor de coole beste vriendin en de mooie tekeningen!
June 29, 2022
It was very interesting i have never really heard about prinesses Amethyst till now. If you love Dinana prinesses of the Amozon's you would love this book too.
June 1, 2024
Loved this!
November 18, 2021
Storytime:
It was yesterday, and I was in town shopping when I really should have been careful and not spend any more money. But I was on my two week break from work before the big Christmas rush, and I felt like being frivolous and I wanted to find some books and comics, what can you do?
Anyway, I wasn't having much luck in the comic-finding department. Suddenly I remembered I could look in my local comic book shop - yes, my small English town has one, I used to be surprised by that, too - and so I did. Again, bafflement and disappointment won out.
But then what should catch my eye, but the small, purple, cute and kiddie spine and cover of 'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld', authored by none other than Shannon and Dean Hale (art by Asiah Fulmore). I was stunned - I was certain there was no recent 'Amethyst' comic since the Amy Reeder line. Yet there was this little title, placed on a big shelf in between big DC and Marvel trades and omnibuses, like a literal hidden gem that was made for me to find. It's like destiny...
Okay, I'm being overly dramatic. Point is: I bought the graphic novel, adding up to an overall nice and fruitful day in continuously consuming and supporting girl power media, and I read it that very night, and liked it (I shouldn't have doubted!). The end.
'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld (2021)' truly is an adorable, magical princess-y children's comic with heart. In this rendition of the DC heroine, Princess Amethyst - or Amaya - is nine-years-old and lives in House Amethyst in Gemworld. The magical prodigy is a cheeky troublemaker and a spoiled brat who is always playing pranks, accompanied by her younger brother Quartz.
One day, when one of her antics goes too far and a part of the powerful House Amethyst keystone is damaged - along with part of her palace - her parents ground her...to Earth! To attend school there! (Why hello, 'Star vs. the Forces of Evil')
With the palace mage Citrina as her guardian, Amaya is sent off to the dreaded, nonmagical Earth. Feeling guilty, and as a way to prove that he is strong, Quartz gives her a play-sword with a sliver of the Amethyst keystone attached to it before she leaves. The sword transforms into a tiny pendant on Earth.
This trip was supposed to last only a week.
Three years later, Amaya/Amy and Citrina/Trina have forgotten about Gemworld, and magic. Their link to their realm is gone; the Amethyst network connection was too weak and their separation was too long. Amy is an ordinary middle school girl, minus the purple hair, and Trina is her aunt, as far as she believes.
Then, basically, while dealing with school bully boys, Amy and her friend Autumn suddenly get pulled in through a portal to Gemworld by young Prince Topaz. Both girls' clothes transform into cool and colourful royalty garb on arrival. Monsters made of crystal - originating from one big monster known as Flaw - are terrorising Gemworld. Everything is chaotic and out of balance. Only Amy's sword - now a big and ensorcelled weapon - can defeat the flawlings.
As she starts to remember her past life and the ways of Gemworld - and of being a magical warrior princess - how she can save her true home - and her parents and brother - becomes clearer and clearer to Amy/Amaya. With the help of her friends Autumn, the fashionable and spirited POC who is also dealing with her parents' divorce, and Topaz, the shy and initially-lonely techno nerd and wiz, this twelve-year-old princess can achieve her destiny. Even in between sleepovers!
So fun and nostalgic! 'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld' is a gem for all ages. It's a joy. A nice, different little edition to the lore of Princess Amethyst in comics and other media. I'm extremely glad I decided to go to my hometown's comic book shop that day, and discover its existence.
Easter eggs: Amy has a Wonder Woman poster in her bedroom on Earth. And one of the lanes in her neighbourhood is called Winston, after her surname in the original DC comics (I don't know what her surname is in this version of her character; is it Winston?).
Plus, I'm loving the implication that House Amethyst is a matriarchy, with Amaya's mum clearly shown to be in charge of most things.
Final Score: 4/5
It was yesterday, and I was in town shopping when I really should have been careful and not spend any more money. But I was on my two week break from work before the big Christmas rush, and I felt like being frivolous and I wanted to find some books and comics, what can you do?
Anyway, I wasn't having much luck in the comic-finding department. Suddenly I remembered I could look in my local comic book shop - yes, my small English town has one, I used to be surprised by that, too - and so I did. Again, bafflement and disappointment won out.
But then what should catch my eye, but the small, purple, cute and kiddie spine and cover of 'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld', authored by none other than Shannon and Dean Hale (art by Asiah Fulmore). I was stunned - I was certain there was no recent 'Amethyst' comic since the Amy Reeder line. Yet there was this little title, placed on a big shelf in between big DC and Marvel trades and omnibuses, like a literal hidden gem that was made for me to find. It's like destiny...
Okay, I'm being overly dramatic. Point is: I bought the graphic novel, adding up to an overall nice and fruitful day in continuously consuming and supporting girl power media, and I read it that very night, and liked it (I shouldn't have doubted!). The end.
'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld (2021)' truly is an adorable, magical princess-y children's comic with heart. In this rendition of the DC heroine, Princess Amethyst - or Amaya - is nine-years-old and lives in House Amethyst in Gemworld. The magical prodigy is a cheeky troublemaker and a spoiled brat who is always playing pranks, accompanied by her younger brother Quartz.
One day, when one of her antics goes too far and a part of the powerful House Amethyst keystone is damaged - along with part of her palace - her parents ground her...to Earth! To attend school there! (Why hello, 'Star vs. the Forces of Evil')
With the palace mage Citrina as her guardian, Amaya is sent off to the dreaded, nonmagical Earth. Feeling guilty, and as a way to prove that he is strong, Quartz gives her a play-sword with a sliver of the Amethyst keystone attached to it before she leaves. The sword transforms into a tiny pendant on Earth.
This trip was supposed to last only a week.
Three years later, Amaya/Amy and Citrina/Trina have forgotten about Gemworld, and magic. Their link to their realm is gone; the Amethyst network connection was too weak and their separation was too long. Amy is an ordinary middle school girl, minus the purple hair, and Trina is her aunt, as far as she believes.
Then, basically, while dealing with school bully boys, Amy and her friend Autumn suddenly get pulled in through a portal to Gemworld by young Prince Topaz. Both girls' clothes transform into cool and colourful royalty garb on arrival. Monsters made of crystal - originating from one big monster known as Flaw - are terrorising Gemworld. Everything is chaotic and out of balance. Only Amy's sword - now a big and ensorcelled weapon - can defeat the flawlings.
As she starts to remember her past life and the ways of Gemworld - and of being a magical warrior princess - how she can save her true home - and her parents and brother - becomes clearer and clearer to Amy/Amaya. With the help of her friends Autumn, the fashionable and spirited POC who is also dealing with her parents' divorce, and Topaz, the shy and initially-lonely techno nerd and wiz, this twelve-year-old princess can achieve her destiny. Even in between sleepovers!
So fun and nostalgic! 'Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld' is a gem for all ages. It's a joy. A nice, different little edition to the lore of Princess Amethyst in comics and other media. I'm extremely glad I decided to go to my hometown's comic book shop that day, and discover its existence.
Easter eggs: Amy has a Wonder Woman poster in her bedroom on Earth. And one of the lanes in her neighbourhood is called Winston, after her surname in the original DC comics (I don't know what her surname is in this version of her character; is it Winston?).
Plus, I'm loving the implication that House Amethyst is a matriarchy, with Amaya's mum clearly shown to be in charge of most things.
Final Score: 4/5
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