A Light in the Darkness, a Lock in the Door

September 1, 2020
A ragtag crew heads back into a magical house in this follow-up to The Accursed Inheritance of Henrietta Achilles (2020). After being flushed out of a skyscraperlike tower due to a burst pipe, Henrietta leads a group of bandits and soldiers back inside to fix the pipes, save the village from the flood, and continue their hunt for the hidden treasure. It's not all fun and games though, as Henrietta faces moments of doubt; she's unsure how to properly wield the keys she inherited as the wizard's heir. While the group splits up and experiences various attacks and mishaps, Henrietta forges ahead and finds a boy made of candle wax who promises to help her--but danger lurks around every corner. The striking illustrations are both clear and whimsical, bringing to life the wondrous creatures and imaginative magical elements that fill the story. Rife with humorous moments, this graphic novel is overall a delight. However, the presence of a dozen or so major characters makes it hard for them all to shine, and the clunky introduction of some characters' backstories during the war years ago muddies the otherwise tight, action-packed plot. For those interested in unravelling the additional secrets introduced in this installment, a cliffhanger ending fortunately promises more to come. The cast appears mainly White and mostly male. The action and wonder never stop in this intriguing sequel. (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)

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