Graphic Novel Review--Demon in the Wood by Leigh Bardugo, Ill. by Dani Pendergast

 

BEFORE HE LED RAVKA'S SECOND ARMY, BEFORE HE CREATED THE FOLD, AND LONG BEFORE HE BECAME THE DARKLING, HE WAS JUST A LONELY BOY BURDENED BY AN EXTRAORDINARY POWER.

Eryk and his mother, Lena, have spent their lives on the run. But they will never find a safe haven. They are not only Grisha--they are the deadliest and rarest of their king. Feared by those who wish to destroy them and hunted by those who would exploit their gifts, they must hide their true abilities wherever they go. But sometimes deadly secrets have a way of revealing themselves...

Discover the start of a gran and sinister destiny in this must-have graphic novel prequel to the blockbuster book series and international Netflix sensation Shadow and Bone from spectacular new talent Dani Pendergast and #1 New York Times bestseller Leigh Bardugo.

Yesterday, I found myself sitting at 79 books read, so naturally, I dive into my TBR pile for one of the shortest reads I have and what's a quicker read than a graphic novel? I picked up Leigh Bardugo's Demon in the Wood, illustrated by Dani Pendergast ready to beat my Goodreads goal from last year with a nice even number! Lol.

I read The Demon in the Wood novella many years ago when I was reading the original Grisha trilogy (which I still need to return to the -Verse for the King of Scars duology, I know, I know!) and enjoyed it! I thought it was a great insight to The Darkling before he became The Darkling. He was always a complicated character. Yes, he is pretty sinister and not good when we meet him in the original trilogy, but as the series went on, we learn he had a rough past and this prequel story gives us insight into the past. 

Eryk lived a pretty sad childhood, always on the move with his mother, Lena as they went from village to village. Not only were they Grisha, the feared magic wielders, but they wield a very dark power indeed. So they change their names, they change their pasts and always stay on the move. When winter is about to strike, they stay in a village where Eryk meets sisters, Annika and Sylvi. Annika doesn't have strong Grisha powers and Sylvi may in fact never have any, but a friendship is formed.

I truly did forget how tragic this story was. I think in part, this is why so many always loved The Darkling. Despite his darker flaws, he really was just a boy looking to find his place in the world. He wanted a place to call home, he wanted safety, he wanted friendship and it seems this was always denied to him and I was reminded of that with this story.

It had been so long since I've read the Grisha trilogy and this prequel novella, that it was almost like reading it for the first time again. I was taken by surprise by characters' actions but it fit with the story.

And can we also say just how amazing Dani Pendergast's illustrations are? I always love reading graphic novels based on novels I've read because the artwork just really comes alive when you know the worlds they are based on.

So yes, while I am so late to the game in reading this one, I have to say it was simply perfect! I felt like it stayed very true to its original novella (from my very spotty recollection that is) and gave us the best condensed version of the story hitting all the highlights with absolutely beautiful illustrations! So if you were like me and haven't read this one, be sure to have it on your TBR pile for you never know when you need a quick and delightful read to help boost your Goodreads number for the year! Lol.

Overall Rating 5/5 stars