Wingbearer

by Marjorie Liu, Teny Issakhanian (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Raised by bird spirits in the Great Tree, Zuli has spent her life surrounded by magic. When a mysterious force endangers the birds, Zuli sets off on an epic adventure to figure out how to stop it and ends up learning about herself along the way. This beautifully illustrated and colorful graphic novel is sure to captivate young fans of fantasies like the Amulet series.

A young girl must stop a threat to her magical world in this epic graphic novel from New York Times bestselling author Marjorie Liu and remarkable debut illustrator Teny Issakhanian. Plus don’t miss the spectacular sequel, Wingborn, out in fall 2023!

Zuli is extraordinary—she just doesn’t realize it yet. Raised by mystical bird spirits in the branches of the Great Tree, she’s never ventured beyond this safe haven. She’s never had to. Until now.

When a sinister force threatens the life-giving magic of the tree, Zuli, along with her guardian owl, Frowly, must get to the root of it. So begins an adventure bigger than anything Zuli could’ve ever imagined—one that will bring her, along with some newfound friends, face-to-face with an ancient dragon, the so-called Witch-Queen, and most surprisingly of all: her true identity.

This captivating middle grade graphic novel, the first of a series, is perfect for fans of the Amulet books and the Wings of Fire series.

A Junior Library Guild Selection * A New England Book Award Finalist * An ALSC Graphic Novel Selection *

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062741158
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/01/2022
Series:	Wingbearer Saga , #1
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	41,857
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Marjorie Liu is the New York Times bestselling author of the Monstress series, illustrated by Sana Takeda. She also writes for Marvel Comics, including Black Widow, X-23, and Astonishing X-Men. Marjorie teaches comic book writing at MIT, and divides her time between Boston, Massachusetts, and Tokyo, Japan.

Teny Issakhanian is an Armenian American illustrator, building worlds and stories as a storyboard artist and visual development artist in the entertainment industry. She has worked on a multitude of shows at animation studios including Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks Animation Television, Disney Television Animation, and the Jim Henson Company. Teny graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and the ArtCenter College of Design. She is based in Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

★ 01/17/2022

Young Zuli, Black and apparently human, doesn’t know where she comes from or who, exactly, she is. Raised by bird spirits at the Great Tree, where birds’ souls go to be reborn after death, Zuli (along with owl companion Frowly) ventures into the living world to discover why souls have stopped arriving and why the Tree itself has grown “a leaf without a soul.” There, they find a fantastical, cinematically portrayed world of decrepit ruins, lush forests, and sweeping plains, populated by goblins, wraiths, and griffins—all under siege by the Witch-Queen, who plots from afar to capture Zuli after she embarks on her quest. Liu (Monstress, for adults) crafts a compelling, brave, and joyful protagonist in Zuli (“Is it going to hurt?” Zuli asks, before heading forward after Frowly says yes). Debut artist Issakhanian renders painterly illustrations with luminescent, vibrant colors that convey captivating magic and energy. Though lettering, with overly horizontal balloons and clunky tails, sometimes proves distracting, this epic fantasy adventure with a classic feel demands a follow-up. Ages 8–12. Agent: Duvall Osteen, Aragi. (Mar.)■

Publishers Weekly

This fantasy graphic novel hits all the right notes of excitement, danger, and cool magical elements in one short volume.

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Deeply expressive. [Issakhanian’s] use of lush, vibrant colors gives each scene an ethereal glow.

Booklist

★ 03/01/2022

Gr 5–8—Zuli, a Black child and the only one of her kind, lives in a sacred tree that holds the souls of birds that have died and are waiting to be reborn. Zuli was raised with love by the Wings, the guardians of birds' souls, who taught her to work with them. The birds' souls tell her their stories as she helps them move on, which always makes her wonder where she came from and what the world is like beyond the tree. One day, everything changes—birds are dying, but their souls aren't returning to the tree to be reborn. The Wings, ever protective of Zuli, reluctantly let her leave the safety of the tree to find out what's happening. She encounters mystical creatures, frightening situations, and surprising revelations about her origins. Zuli's companion, Frowly the owl, adds some humor to this dramatic story. Liu (Monstress) creates a dreamy, thrilling narrative. Issakhanian's artwork is the perfect complement to the story; the illustrations are gorgeous, the facial expressions dynamic, and color deftly depicts the ethereal spirit worlds, contrasted with the more dramatic worlds and creatures Zuli visits. VERDICT This beautifully rendered tale of searching, mystery, and danger will appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy stories of adventure and discovery.—Carla Riemer

School Library Journal

Liu crafts a compelling, brave, and joyful protagonist in Zuli. [An] epic fantasy adventure with a classic feel.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Thrilling. This beautifully rendered tale of searching, mystery, and danger will appeal to fantasy readers who enjoy stories of adventure and discovery” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Wondrously constructed. Nail-biting stakes, staggeringly good action sequences, and characterization and world-building as rich as in any prose novel make this series opener an effortless recommendation.” — New York Times Book Review

“Deeply expressive. [Issakhanian’s] use of lush, vibrant colors gives each scene an ethereal glow.” — Booklist

“This fantasy graphic novel hits all the right notes of excitement, danger, and cool magical elements in one short volume.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"A captivating middle-grade debut. Daring and magical." — Shelf Awareness

From the Publisher

Wondrously constructed. Nail-biting stakes, staggeringly good action sequences, and characterization and world-building as rich as in any prose novel make this series opener an effortless recommendation.

New York Times Book Review

"A captivating middle-grade debut. Daring and magical."

Shelf Awareness

Deeply expressive. [Issakhanian’s] use of lush, vibrant colors gives each scene an ethereal glow.

Booklist