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Another Kind by Trevor Bream

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had a lot of fun with this, think a blend of X-Men/ Government cover up only with cryptids and creatures from folk lore. This young adult graphic novel features a group of kids Omar, half Yeti; Newt, a reptilian, the mute Clarice, a Selkie, Jaali, a were-bear, Sylvie, a will-of-the-wisp and Maggie, (Poseidon's kid?). I liked them all but I really wish they had made Newt a Grey not a reptilian. There are strong antisemitism underpinnings for them (though you wouldn't know that if you only looked at the wiki and some of the other sights) Even I didn't know that until I saw other reviews and went looking. MY original reason (before I had two) for not wanting a reptilian was there have been multiple murders (including child murders) hooked into that bit of conspiracy theory so it felt uncomfortable seeing it in a kids' book.

The kids are relatively happy living in the desert in a secret government compound until someone they trust has plans to turn them over to the villain of the piece. The kids get away and go on an Odyssey to find a place where they can live freely without fear.

Along the way they find other cryptos, get wrapped up in all kinds of craziness and are forced to confront their natures. Sylvie and Omar get most of the screen time being the eldest (16 at least since Omar can drive) but we get all their histories. Claire, being mute, is the least well drawn of the group as we get very little backstory for her. I liked that Sylvie is a will-o-the-wisp. Now there's a faerie you don't see often.

I enjoyed this. The art is fantastic. I'd like to see further adventures (and I still wish Newt was a Grey)



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