Twitter
    Shindig
    • Reviews
      • Game Reviews
      • Tech Reviews
      • Book Reviews
    • News
      • Game News
      • Tech News
    • Features
    • Games
      • Reviews
      • News
      • Indie Games
      • Guides
      • Games by Platform
        • Nintendo
          • Nintendo Switch
          • Nintendo 3DS
        • PlayStation
          • PlayStation 5
          • PlayStation 4
          • PlayStation VR
          • PlayStation Vita
        • Xbox
          • Xbox Series X|S
          • Xbox One
        • PC
        • Mobile
    • Tech
      • Reviews
      • News
    • Books
      • Reviews
      • Manga
      • Comics
    • Film & TV
      • Film
      • TV
    • Collectibles
    • More
      • Humour
      • Food
      • Music
      • Art
      • Competitions
    Twitter
    Shindig
    Comics

    Book review: Peach and the Isle of Monsters

    Matt RyanBy Matt RyanApril 21, 2022

    Peach and the Isle of Monsters doesn’t waste any time getting started. Within a couple of pages, we have a good sense of Peach: a strong and lively young woman, though one bullied by her peers for her unusual name and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her birth (she was found inside a peach, a la Momotarō). When her adoptive father gives her a sword and then suddenly tells her to leave his home—“I realize I may have sheltered you too much my child. It is imperative that you go out and find your own way in this world.”—she sets about a new life as an adventurer. First stop: Monster Isle, to reclaim assorted goods stolen from the townspeople.

    Related: For another spunky heroine in a very different sort of adventure, Aster of Pan by Merwan is worth a look.

    The adventures that follow are full of danger, excitement, and opportunities for Peach to prove herself. For a book aimed at younger readers, she’s the perfect heroine: fierce and determined, but also compassionate, kind, and a little naive about the wider world. It’s just the right combo for a fun coming-of-age adventure, and also paves the way for different, better solutions to problems than simply jumping into a fight. The vibrant art, characterised by bold lines and blocky colours laid over parchment-esque texturing, brings Peach’s adventures vividly to life.

    They’re certainly exciting, from fleeing bears to fending off ancient, magical creatures while sailing with a crew of pirates, with a good dose of lightheartedness and warm moments to balance out the action. That said, pacing is messy: The Isle of Monsters covers two separate (but related) outings, months apart, and each somehow manages to feel both drawn out and incomplete. Scenes that are relatively inconsequential in the scheme of things—in terms of both plot development and the atmosphere that a well-crafted quiet moment can build—often overstay their welcome, while the most dramatic, climactic moments are over in a flash. Peach is a wonderful heroine, but she’s surrounded by a forgettable supporting cast, and I can’t help but think a more focused story would land better (and neatly pave the way for a second volume).

    It probably won’t become a must-read on many people’s bookshelves, but Peach and the Isle of Monsters is an enjoyable enough outing, especially for its target 8 to 12 age group. The young at heart might be put off a bit more by the uneven pacing and dull secondary characters, but Peach herself is a delightful and inspiring protagonist, with exciting adventures to undertake and a bold art style to bring them to life. 


    Peach and the Isle of Monsters by Franco, Agnes Garbowska, and Zac Atkinson. Published by Action Lab Entertainment; available now.

    A review copy was provided to Shindig by the publisher.

    Action Lab Entertainment Agnes Garbowska Children's Comic Review Comics Franco graphic novel Zac Atkinson
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Matt Ryan
    • Website
    • Twitter

    Matt is a writer based in Wellington. He loves all things pop culture, and is fascinated by its place in history and the wider social context.

    Related Posts

    Across the Grooves creators’ End of Lines explores a climate-induced apocalypse

    January 21, 2022

    Saga returns in January with a double-length issue #55

    October 12, 2021

    Review: Banned Book Club

    8 November 19, 2020
    What's Hot

    Here’s the full song list for Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival

    June 23, 2022

    Here are the full track lists for Taiko no Tatsujin: Drum ‘n’ Fun and Drum Session

    August 10, 2018

    Here’s the full song list for Let’s Sing 2023 with Hits from Australia and NZ

    September 30, 2022

    The problems with Fire Emblem Fates’ same-sex marriage

    July 2, 2015
    Latest from Twitter
    My Tweets
    Affiliates
    Contact Us

    Feel free to drop us a message!

    Email: [email protected]
    Twitter: @ShindigNZ

    Friends of Shindig
    DigitallyDownloaded.net
    The Spinoff
    Tech-Gaming
    • Contact
    • Reviews Policy
    • Write for Shindig
    © 2023 Shindig Media. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

     

    Loading Comments...