Crystal Cadets (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

*I received this book as an eARC from Lion Forge and Roar Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Crystal Cadets
Author: Anne Toole
Illustrators: Katie O'Neill, Paulina Ganucheau
Recent Release Date: December 23, 2015

Synopsis: Tantalizing and lively - Booklist Cadets Go! Join this team of darkness-fighting, world-saving, power-packed teen girls from all over the world on their first adventure! Zoe has always felt out of place; her foster parents are great and all, but she's long felt like something was missing. That is, of course, until she discovers a mysterious gem left to her by her birth mother and her whole universe gets flipped around! When the crystal grants Zoe mysterious powers of light she becomes the Diamond Cadet, and she's not the only one; suddenly she's meeting new friends who shoot flames and glowing green arrows. It's all fun at first, but when The Darkness possesses Zoe's foster parents her only choice is to join this wild group of action-hero girls, traveling the globe to defeat The Darkness and find a cure!"

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Review: This comic book is the beginning of a new "magic girls" series. It follows the tropes of the type of storytelling, but tries to bring it to the modern times. If you like popular "magic girls" series like Sailor Moon or Steven Universe, you'll probably enjoy these. There's diversity!

Each character has a unique weapon and a unique animal they ride. There's also The Darkness. Each character seems to have a color associated with them. Gems are also present. And of course, fantastical transformation outfits. There's also a cool command center.

I really enjoyed the team building story. Parts were definitely cheesy, but there's a cool groundwork for a fun and interesting world and story. I would watch this as a tv show. I give this graphic novel a 3/5. I probably won't continue following it, but if you are looking to absorb as many "magic girls" stories as you can, this one will not disappoint. 


--PAUL