A good way to get me to read something is to tell me it’s similar to The Hunger Games. When I saw Kingdom Riders promoted as a combination of Hunger Games and Amulet, I knew I needed to read it. I am so glad I did. Reading Kingdom Riders feels like revisiting a show you’ve forgotten from childhood. It’s remarkably nostalgic, while still feeling fresh, new, and perfect for a new generation of kids and young adults.
| Title: Kingdom Riders | Author: Shannon Eric Denton Illustrator: Marcus To |
| Release Date: May 14, 2024 | Genre: Fantasy / Action & Adventure / MG / YA |
| Publisher: IDW | Page Count: 208 |
Synopsis
Race through an exciting and dangerous fantasy world on the back of a toad in this wildly original combination of Hunger Games and Amulet.
Kayla is a peasant who cares little about the world outside her town or the wildly popular Kingdom Races. That is, until her best friend, Mal, finds herself in trouble and Kayla must enter as a rider to save her. But the prize for winning this series of races is more than Kayla could ever imagine. With control of the entire kingdom at stake, Kayla finds herself thrust into political intrigue and lurking danger.
Readers follow Kayla as she adventures into the wider world while putting her own life on the line for her friends, both old and new. No one has ever even finished the Kingdom Races. Will Kayla be the first?
Review:
Kingdom Riders follows Kayla, a peasant girl who lives in a small village outside a larger central kingdom. Kayla is content with her life in the village, and never thinks twice about entering the famous Kingdom Races, even though the winning would change her village life. Peasants aren’t accepted in the races without a high-born sponsor anyway. When Kayla’s best Mal gets herself in trouble, Kayla knows the only way out is for her to enter her local race. What follows is an adventure full of action, politics, and lots of awesome creatures.
Kingdom Riders is a gorgeous graphic novel that packs a punch. Though it feels familiar at times, Kingdom Riders manages to still feel unique throughout. There are pieces of stories you’ve probably heard before. There’s a fate-changing competition, a girl from a lowly village, and a forest full of outlaws. However, Kingdom Riders often eschews conventions. Could Kayla have had a beautiful racing animal passed down from her parents? You might expect that. But, no. She has a giant, colorful mudtoad.
Art:
The art in Kingdom Riders is marvelous. Sometimes colorful, sometimes fantastical, but always beautifully rendered on page. The art betters the story but doesn’t overwhelm the story or the themes. This is a great example of the writer and artist being a perfect match.
Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Kingdom Riders. It’s an excellent middle-grade graphic novel that somehow manages to evoke a sense of nostalgia while feeling fresh. Hopefully, we see more in this series in the future.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Thanks to IDW for providing me with a review copy. All the above thoughts are my own.
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