The Calling

Les enfants d'ailleurs #4

by Nykko, Bannister (Illustrator)

Max, Rebecca, Noah, and Theo have returned home, but they have left behind them a land still under threat by the Master of Shadows. And all is not well at home, either. Rebecca is dangerously ill, and a ghost that only she can see seems to be telling her that the cure is to return to ElseWhere!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Comics

56 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2010

About the author

Publicó varios títulos con la editorial Soleil en 2004, «Vermine!» y «Félicité bonaventuré» así como «Zombie Love Story», con la ediciones La Boîte Aluminium en el mismo año Dibbuks publica en España su serie «Los niños del otro lado».

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the foundation of the first one and really enjoyed the next two, so in comparison I found this one a bit disappointing. One of the things I said about the others was that they had surprising substance and complexity for such slight books. This one, on the other hand, didn't feel substantive enough. Since the opening trilogy set the stage and came to an initial resolution, this felt to me like a transitional book to open the resolution back up and set the stage for further adventures. Character growth was hinted at and things set in motion, but there wasn't enough here by itself for more than three stars. Still, if three stars is my disappointed rating, that means I like the series and plan to keep reading.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine months have past since the events of The Elsewhere Chronicles 3: The Master of Shadows. Nine months! For kids this age, that’s a lifetime. Anyway, this volume gets us off to an excellent start for this second trilogy.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebecca is very sick, Max has gotten in with the wrong crowd leaving his friends behind but Theo and Noah are still involved in Grandpa Gabe's machine and trying to get it working again. Together maybe they cans save Rebecca's life but they may have to go behind the mirror once again, where they do not want to visit.

[Lionheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rated 3 1/2 stars
Ages 12+

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in The Elsewhere Chronicles series of graphic novels by Nykko and Bannister. I discovered the first couple of books at our local library and our oldest liked them so much, I put the next few on hold right away. Now we realize that we are coming to the end of the published stories and we hope more are published soon.

This book starts up the story again after the dramatic ending to The Master of Shadows; just when we thought the connection between the two worlds was severed, the kids find a way to return. The surprising revelation about what happened to Grandpa Gabe, along with Rebecca's sickness keep the reader on the edge, wanting more.

The illustrations are terrific and the story is very exciting and engaging. Overall, we have found this series to be very entertaining and we are looking forward to reading The Parting: (The Elsewhere Chronicles #5) next.

[quinnster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy, funny, sad and hopeful are the words I would use to describe this series of books. I picked them up at the library when I was waiting for Emma the other day thinking she would like them, but the cover for The Parting was slightly creepy so I decided to read them first. Good thing I did!

I've seen the books recommended for ages 7+ and also 9+ and I think the 9+ is more accurate. The books deal with some heavy issues, like death, child abuse and terminal illness. Nothing too graphic, but heavy nonetheless. While I'm sure Emma could 'handle' it, I think we can wait a couple of years first.

But I did enjoy them! The art is reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes, especially Max. The full color books lend to the richness of the Elsewhere world that the kids find themselves in. Despite their issues the kids are bonded and only want to look out for each other and help keep everyone safe. While they are certainly brave and courageous, there are always moments of showing their age so that it's clear that these are still, despite their adventures, children.

There are still many questions left unanswered and things begin to get a little confusing near the end of The Parting, ending with a 'To be continued' cliffhanger. And yet, I can't find anything about another volume coming out anytime soon. Hopefully, that's change soon!

[Philippe Lhoste · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'ai découvert la série... avec la prépublication du tome 4 dans Spirou, les autres étant parus sans prépublication. Sentiment d'être largué.
J'ai donc saisi l'occasion de lire le début.

Sentiment mitigé...
L'histoire est relativement originale dans son approche (bon, le coup du passage entre les mondes est déjà vu, ne serait-ce qu'avec C.S.Lewis et Philip Pullman) mais assez classique dans son déroulement (quête malgré les obstacles, grand méchant des ombres).
Elle est bien faite, rien à dire, mais elle me parle peu, ne me passionne pas. Se lit sans déplaisir, mais sans frisson.

Le dessin est solide, sympa, très agréable.

[Clover White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the artwork in this series, but the plot is a little too confusing. I've read all four books to this point, and I still don't always get what's going on. My pre-literate kids love reading them for the pictures, and I guess I'm the same way!

[Rad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am going to be so impatient waiting for the next book in this series to come out. ):

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Public library copy.

[Jeremiah Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having not read anything else in the series, this was a little hard to get into. My son randomly picked this up at the library. I'd be interested enough to check out the rest.

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure why the timing seems a little off to me in this saga, but I'm still trying.

[Tate]

gg