Scullion: A Dishwasher's Guide to Mistaken Identity

by Jarad Greene

Overview

“As quirky and fresh as a D&D campaign with your best friends." – Ashley Poston, author of Geekerella

In celebrity-obsessed Timberwood Village, the great warrior Riqa is an icon who’s about to throw the wedding of the century, and local teens Darlis and Mae are just two humble dishwashers. Until, that is, Riqa mysteriously disappears and an unsuspecting Darlis is mistaken for her! It seems like an honest mistake, until he realizes that these two troll siblings want to capture and hold him for ransom, with Mae getting caught in the mix-up. To get out of this predicament, these dishwashers will have to get their hands a little dirty. Armed with only their wits and Riqa’s book, The Fair Maiden’s Guide to Eating Your Captor for Breakfast, can Darlis and Mae give their captors a run for their money?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620107539
Publisher:	Oni Press
Publication date:	07/21/2020
Series:	Scullion
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	794,083
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Jarad Greene is a cartoonist who loves creating fantasy, adventure, and memoir comics for kids and young adults. After many years in humid and sunny cities in Florida and South Carolina, Jarad currently finds himself in the foggy and peculiar train town of White River Junction, Vermont, where he works for The Center for Cartoon Studies. He does love to bake, but isn’t too fond of doing the dishes. He’s been told he looks a bit like Tom Hanks, or maybe a Jonas brother, but he has yet to be chased by the paparazzi... or trolls. Take a peak at what’s on his desk @JaradGreene.

Editorial Reviews

05/25/2020

In the village of Timberwood, residents are abuzz preparing for superstar nuptials: Prince Chapp’s wedding to Riqa, a member of his royal guard and local celebrity author of Fair Maiden’s Guide. A cog in the celebratory wheel, royal scullion and aspiring baker Darlis must not only prepare for the wedding but also train newcomer Maewyn. Two converging story lines thrust Darlis into a complicated situation: Riqa leaves the kingdom to pursue Prince Chapp, who is investigating a bridgeside troll development, while trolls Grubble and Petey try to make a big score to escape a life of labor. When the trolls mistake Darlis, wrapped in linens and clumsily sporting a bowl atop his head, for Riqa, they attempt to abduct and ransom him for profit as Mae pursues the trolls to rescue Darlis. The story relies on coincidences and dramatic irony to propel itself forward, and Greene leans into this cartoony style with simplified features, exaggerated gestures, and flat colors. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (July)■

Publishers Weekly

"Scullion is the adventure story I always craved as a kid; it’s full of laughter and heart."

Tillie Walden (Spinning)

"Scullion is a genre-bending fantasy of the best kind."

Ashley Poston (Geekerella)

"Uplifting and entertaining, Scullion is a cheerful comic fantasy adventure."

Foreword Reviews

05/01/2020

Gr 6 Up—A case of mistaken identity results in shenanigans in this amusing fantasy. It's the weekend of the wedding of Prince Chapp and esteemed warrior Riqa, and all of Timberwood Village is agog, none more so than Riqa superfans Darlis and Mae, who work as scullions (dishwashers) in the castle. On his way to work one morning, Darlis agrees to transport some linens to the castle, but he stumbles and gets tangled in them. To a pair of greedy, slow-witted troll siblings, he looks just like Riqa, and the pair kidnap him. Caught in a comically inept ransom scheme, Darlis and would-be rescuer Mae will have to outwit their captors if they ever hope to return home. This humorous, plot-driven narrative emphasizes that heroes can come from anywhere. Greene's wholesome, low-stakes adventure demonstrates, too, that problem-solving and quick wits can save the day over violence and bloodshed. Darlis and Mae are appealing, as are the quirky trolls. The cartoon illustrations are rife with humor, and variations in panel design and layout add visual interest. Certain aspects of the art, such as pupil-less eyes, may not click with all readers. VERDICT Hand to teen graphic novel enthusiasts looking for a light, funny fantasy read.—Pearl Derlaga, York County Public Library, VA

School Library Journal

2020-04-12
A boy, captured by confused trolls, leads his captors on a daring adventure.

In the medieval town of Timberwood lives Darlis—a scullion in the kitchen of his idol, the Great Warrior Riqa—where he dreams of being a royal baker. Troll siblings Grubble and Petey have come across the bridge into town with schemes to get rich. In a slapstick case of mistaken identity, they confuse a harried Darlis for Riqa and kidnap him for ransom. When Mae, Darlis’ new friend and co-worker, makes her way to the forest where he is being held in an effort to rescue him, the trolls capture her as well. Meanwhile, the betrothed Riqa sneaks out of the castle—where she’s been sequestered during the royal wedding weekend—in search of her prince. With Timberwood in a tizzy over the uncertain outcome of the wedding, our heroes must fight to escape from the forest. The two storylines converge, and shenanigans ensue. Readers looking for a light adventure may enjoy this story with an intrepid male character who looks up to a woman warrior. Greene uses a bright palette of reds, purples, and greens, deepening the shades to emphasize the more suspenseful scenes. The light line strokes work well with the amusing tone. Darlis is white while Riqa and Mae have tan skin and purple and orange hair, respectively; the prince is black.

A pleasant fantasy. (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews

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