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Geniuses #1
Rebel Genius
In twelve-year-old Giacomo's Renaissance-inspired world, art is powerful, dangerous, and outlawed. Every artist possesses a Genius, a birdlike creature that is the living embodiment of an artist's creative spirit. Those caught with one face a punishment akin to death, so when Giacomo discovers he has a Genius, he knows he's in serious trouble.
Luckily, he finds safety in a secret studio where young artists and their Geniuses train in sacred geometry to channel their creative energies as weapons. But when a murderous artist goes after the three Sacred Tools--objects that would allow him to destroy the world and everyone in his path--Giacomo and his friends must risk their lives to stop him.
Luckily, he finds safety in a secret studio where young artists and their Geniuses train in sacred geometry to channel their creative energies as weapons. But when a murderous artist goes after the three Sacred Tools--objects that would allow him to destroy the world and everyone in his path--Giacomo and his friends must risk their lives to stop him.
370 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
90 people are currently reading
3688 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dante DiMartino
104 books1,512 followersMichael Dante DiMartino is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. His directing credits include the animated series King of the Hill, Family Guy, and Mission Hill. He is a co-creator of the award-winning animated Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender and its sequel, The Legend of Korra. DiMartino lives in Los Angeles with his wife. The Rebel Geniuses series is his debut prose work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
April 19, 2021
"There are no easy answers, in life or in art. You're not following anyone's path now, you're forging your own. No doubt, you will find it both lonely and scary. But no one ever said having a Genius would be easy."
Wow! This book was incredible! Of course, I picked it up expecting it to be great. Why? Oh only because it was written by one of the co-writers of Avatar: The Last Airbender! I definitely was not disappointed, DiMartino has talent creating incredible stories, whether it be TV shows, or books. :)
Plot: I really loved the plot! The plot starts off with Giacomo, an orphaned boy living in the sewer. He lives in an empire ruled by the queen Nerezza. She has banned all forms of art naming them as “threatening.” She has also killed off all the Geniuses, except her Genius, and her former assistant, Ugalino’s Genius.
Now what are Geniuses? Geniuses are bird-like creatures which appear to some young children. When a child gets a Genius, they learn to harness its power through art. However, after Nerezza came to power, she killed off all the Geniuses, leaving her empire in misery.
Anyways, Giacomo is a child who didn’t get a Genius and lives alone in the sewers. After getting chased one night, he comes across a Genius. His Genius had come! But why? The children who get Geniuses typically get them from ages 1-8. Giacomo is 12. That’s odd...why did he get one so late? I still don’t have an answer, and I hope to get it answered in the next one!
After Giacomo gets his Genius, some other kids find him and they also have Geniuses! Were they not all extinct? Turns out some of them have been in hiding since Nerezza took over.
Then, Giacomo is whisked away into this organization which teaches Geniuses how to harness their power. It was quite interesting to watch this. Some harnessed the power through drawing, some through music, and even some through geometry! It was very cool to watch them learn.
But then, Ugalino shows up with his Tulpa, Zanobius. Tulpas are sculptures which are given life. Ugalino was after the Creator’s Sacred tools, mainly the Creator’s Compass. This compass is really powerful, and he wants to use its power to overthrow the empire. Of course, that’s great, but Ugalino is evil and the empire would be just as worse under Ugalino’s rule.
When the kids and adults at that organization become aware of Ugalino’s desires, Pietro, the teacher, sends the children, including Giacomo, on a race to retrieve the Creator’s Compass.
This was a really fun adventure and I enjoyed seeing these characters grow through struggles.
The plot twists were also crazy with this one. I was so surprised when Giacomo and when Zanobius
This plot was truly amazing and I enjoyed the twists. :)
Characters: I really liked the characters! DiMartino really gave them depth and made them very likable.
Giacomo: I really liked Giacomo! He is a stubborn boy, an eager artist, and a survivor! After his parents were killed by Nerezza, he escaped and lived in the sewers. After some time he comes across Mico, his Genius. Giacomo is thrilled to have a Genius, but he finds it quite suspicious that he got one despite his age. But, he accepts his Genius excitedly and names him Mico. Later, when the children with the Geniuses find him, he goes with them to this organization where he can learn to control and harness Mico’s powers. He grows incredibly when learning! He learns how to use his drawings to harness Mico’s power. Giacomo even learns how to create a solid bridge, with Mico’s help. Not only do his powers grow, but he also becomes more sociable and makes incredible friends. Through the book, he grows from a stubborn amateur artist, to a more confident man willing to risk anything to help the world, and his friends.
I also really enjoyed seeing the conflict in Giacomo when I could really see that he was battling within himself. Is he good? Does he deserve to be alive? It was fascinating to watch him grow out of his doubt.
I look forward to seeing more of Giacomo in the next book!
Zanobius: Zanobius was rather interesting! As I mentioned before, he is a Tulpa, a sculpture brought to life. He was created by Ugalino, the villain. His whole life, Zanobius had been following Ugalino’s orders. These orders were like killing people, torturing people, etc. He did not realize the wrongness of his deeds, Ugalino kept telling him it was for a good cause. But then, he meets Giacomo and the others. Zanobius then realizes that maybe Ugalino isn’t all good.
It was amazing to see his conflict too, he didn’t know what was good and what was bad. I enjoyed waiting to see how Zanobius’s choices improved throughout the story.
Excited to see more of him as well!
Favorite Side Characters: There were several characters I loved, but here are my favorite side ones:
Aaminah- I found her very kind! Aaminah was the first to trust Giacomo when he came to the organization. She also can play a lot of instruments, and uses this to harness her Genius’s power.
Milena- She was really cool too! She was a bit less trusting than Aaminah, but that made her see things more realistically. Milena is a very smart girl who likes structure and plans. She used her elaborate drawings to harness her Genius’s power.
Savino- I honestly did not like him at first. Savino was the least trusting of the lot and would always bully Giacomo and call him “sewer boy.” But, he had a good sense for humor, and that counts for sometime lol. I really related to his sarcasm. And of course, at the end he grew more trusting of Giacomo, and I appreciated that!
Writing: The writing was mediocre. I honestly had a hard time getting into the story at first because the writing was quite bland. So there was nothing special about the writing, if you read this, it's going to be for the plot and characters.
To confirm, I took off one star because of the bland writing and that I had trouble getting into the book at first.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Michael DiMartino did amazing with this book!
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I AM SORRY WHAT? What did I just read? This was freaking amazing, I have no words at the moment. Review to come as soon as my brain processes.
Wow! This book was incredible! Of course, I picked it up expecting it to be great. Why? Oh only because it was written by one of the co-writers of Avatar: The Last Airbender! I definitely was not disappointed, DiMartino has talent creating incredible stories, whether it be TV shows, or books. :)
Plot: I really loved the plot! The plot starts off with Giacomo, an orphaned boy living in the sewer. He lives in an empire ruled by the queen Nerezza. She has banned all forms of art naming them as “threatening.” She has also killed off all the Geniuses, except her Genius, and her former assistant, Ugalino’s Genius.
Now what are Geniuses? Geniuses are bird-like creatures which appear to some young children. When a child gets a Genius, they learn to harness its power through art. However, after Nerezza came to power, she killed off all the Geniuses, leaving her empire in misery.
Anyways, Giacomo is a child who didn’t get a Genius and lives alone in the sewers. After getting chased one night, he comes across a Genius. His Genius had come! But why? The children who get Geniuses typically get them from ages 1-8. Giacomo is 12. That’s odd...why did he get one so late? I still don’t have an answer, and I hope to get it answered in the next one!
After Giacomo gets his Genius, some other kids find him and they also have Geniuses! Were they not all extinct? Turns out some of them have been in hiding since Nerezza took over.
Then, Giacomo is whisked away into this organization which teaches Geniuses how to harness their power. It was quite interesting to watch this. Some harnessed the power through drawing, some through music, and even some through geometry! It was very cool to watch them learn.
But then, Ugalino shows up with his Tulpa, Zanobius. Tulpas are sculptures which are given life. Ugalino was after the Creator’s Sacred tools, mainly the Creator’s Compass. This compass is really powerful, and he wants to use its power to overthrow the empire. Of course, that’s great, but Ugalino is evil and the empire would be just as worse under Ugalino’s rule.
When the kids and adults at that organization become aware of Ugalino’s desires, Pietro, the teacher, sends the children, including Giacomo, on a race to retrieve the Creator’s Compass.
This was a really fun adventure and I enjoyed seeing these characters grow through struggles.
The plot twists were also crazy with this one. I was so surprised when Giacomo and when Zanobius
This plot was truly amazing and I enjoyed the twists. :)
Characters: I really liked the characters! DiMartino really gave them depth and made them very likable.
Giacomo: I really liked Giacomo! He is a stubborn boy, an eager artist, and a survivor! After his parents were killed by Nerezza, he escaped and lived in the sewers. After some time he comes across Mico, his Genius. Giacomo is thrilled to have a Genius, but he finds it quite suspicious that he got one despite his age. But, he accepts his Genius excitedly and names him Mico. Later, when the children with the Geniuses find him, he goes with them to this organization where he can learn to control and harness Mico’s powers. He grows incredibly when learning! He learns how to use his drawings to harness Mico’s power. Giacomo even learns how to create a solid bridge, with Mico’s help. Not only do his powers grow, but he also becomes more sociable and makes incredible friends. Through the book, he grows from a stubborn amateur artist, to a more confident man willing to risk anything to help the world, and his friends.
I also really enjoyed seeing the conflict in Giacomo when I could really see that he was battling within himself. Is he good? Does he deserve to be alive? It was fascinating to watch him grow out of his doubt.
I look forward to seeing more of Giacomo in the next book!
Zanobius: Zanobius was rather interesting! As I mentioned before, he is a Tulpa, a sculpture brought to life. He was created by Ugalino, the villain. His whole life, Zanobius had been following Ugalino’s orders. These orders were like killing people, torturing people, etc. He did not realize the wrongness of his deeds, Ugalino kept telling him it was for a good cause. But then, he meets Giacomo and the others. Zanobius then realizes that maybe Ugalino isn’t all good.
It was amazing to see his conflict too, he didn’t know what was good and what was bad. I enjoyed waiting to see how Zanobius’s choices improved throughout the story.
Excited to see more of him as well!
Favorite Side Characters: There were several characters I loved, but here are my favorite side ones:
Aaminah- I found her very kind! Aaminah was the first to trust Giacomo when he came to the organization. She also can play a lot of instruments, and uses this to harness her Genius’s power.
Milena- She was really cool too! She was a bit less trusting than Aaminah, but that made her see things more realistically. Milena is a very smart girl who likes structure and plans. She used her elaborate drawings to harness her Genius’s power.
Savino- I honestly did not like him at first. Savino was the least trusting of the lot and would always bully Giacomo and call him “sewer boy.” But, he had a good sense for humor, and that counts for sometime lol. I really related to his sarcasm. And of course, at the end he grew more trusting of Giacomo, and I appreciated that!
Writing: The writing was mediocre. I honestly had a hard time getting into the story at first because the writing was quite bland. So there was nothing special about the writing, if you read this, it's going to be for the plot and characters.
To confirm, I took off one star because of the bland writing and that I had trouble getting into the book at first.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Michael DiMartino did amazing with this book!
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I AM SORRY WHAT? What did I just read? This was freaking amazing, I have no words at the moment. Review to come as soon as my brain processes.
Want to read
February 4, 2016A BOOK??? By??? Michael Dante DiMartino???? Half of Bryke??? Creator of the greatest show in history?????? Yes please?????!!!!!!!???
Read
October 17, 2016Mini review:
DNF
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately I didn't like the writing style.
Still recommend.
DNF
I received this E-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately I didn't like the writing style.
Still recommend.
October 19, 2016
I received an eBook arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I love Avatar: The Last Airbender and was super excited to learn about this book by one of the show's co-creators. It is a little like Avatar with having an interesting world. Artists are basically able to perform magic using shapes. They do this through the usage of Geniuses, an animal companion with a magical gem. The Supreme Ruler, however, has made it illegal for all Geniuses to exist (except hers, of course). Our main character, Giacomo, recently finds out he has a Genius and needs to figure out what to do about that. He is an orphan and an artist. I think the world Mr. DiMartino built was well executed and everything was explained well enough for the Genius system to make some sense. The book also has some wonderful illustrations to help you picture both the magic and what the world and characters look like. I really love the illustrations.
That said, I am not a huge fan of the writing style, the characters, or the plot. The writing is very simple. I understand that it is a children's middle grade novel, but everything is so simply stated, straight and to the point. It gets dull to read very quickly. Action sequences follow this style, being very quick. I want more action in my action, please.
The characters felt very flat to me. They weren't really dynamic or interesting in anyway. We have the poor orphan boy who discovers his secret powers, the girl who finds him and is super nice to him, and an older boy who is reluctant to let him into the group and gives him a hard time. The adults don't really want to explain much because they can't be too helpful for the sake of mystery in the plot/series. Overall they were just very generic and not relatable to me
The word generic stretches over to the plot line as well. I won't spoil much but it is a plot line one expects when one discovers secret powers and there is an evil government preventing the public usage of them. Sure, the world itself is interesting, but I am not very intrigued to find out how good guys win in the end and how that happens within it.
I'm going with 2 stars, as in "it was okay" because the world and illustrations are really great, but the rest, not so much.
I love Avatar: The Last Airbender and was super excited to learn about this book by one of the show's co-creators. It is a little like Avatar with having an interesting world. Artists are basically able to perform magic using shapes. They do this through the usage of Geniuses, an animal companion with a magical gem. The Supreme Ruler, however, has made it illegal for all Geniuses to exist (except hers, of course). Our main character, Giacomo, recently finds out he has a Genius and needs to figure out what to do about that. He is an orphan and an artist. I think the world Mr. DiMartino built was well executed and everything was explained well enough for the Genius system to make some sense. The book also has some wonderful illustrations to help you picture both the magic and what the world and characters look like. I really love the illustrations.
That said, I am not a huge fan of the writing style, the characters, or the plot. The writing is very simple. I understand that it is a children's middle grade novel, but everything is so simply stated, straight and to the point. It gets dull to read very quickly. Action sequences follow this style, being very quick. I want more action in my action, please.
The characters felt very flat to me. They weren't really dynamic or interesting in anyway. We have the poor orphan boy who discovers his secret powers, the girl who finds him and is super nice to him, and an older boy who is reluctant to let him into the group and gives him a hard time. The adults don't really want to explain much because they can't be too helpful for the sake of mystery in the plot/series. Overall they were just very generic and not relatable to me
The word generic stretches over to the plot line as well. I won't spoil much but it is a plot line one expects when one discovers secret powers and there is an evil government preventing the public usage of them. Sure, the world itself is interesting, but I am not very intrigued to find out how good guys win in the end and how that happens within it.
I'm going with 2 stars, as in "it was okay" because the world and illustrations are really great, but the rest, not so much.
December 22, 2018
Giacomo lives in Virenzia Italy a place where art and having a genius art muse creature is forbidden. When he finds one and is found by other kids who have one, he embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. Can he survive against perils and save the world from those willing to destroy and rule it? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good and action-packed book which is a first of a series and written by the co-creator of Avatar the Last Airbender and the Legend of Korra. If you like action-packed stories like this with art and more, definitely check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good and action-packed book which is a first of a series and written by the co-creator of Avatar the Last Airbender and the Legend of Korra. If you like action-packed stories like this with art and more, definitely check this book out at your local library and wherever books are sold.
November 19, 2016
I picked this book up from the library and after reading 3 chapters of it, I was immediately hooked.
Rebel Genius is fast paced from the start, very action packed and full of adventure! It had a very unique concept as compared to other fantasy novels and I loved the use of art and illustrations to help guide you through the story. It also has a wonderful cast of characters and it focuses a lot of friendship. If you're looking for a fantasy book without much romance, this is the book for you!
As this is the first instalment, there are some parts where it feels a little undeveloped and some parts of the story was predictable but I'm excited to see how the story will improve in the next book! Definitely pick up a copy of Rebel Genius if you're looking for a refreshing take on a YA fantasy novel.
Rebel Genius is fast paced from the start, very action packed and full of adventure! It had a very unique concept as compared to other fantasy novels and I loved the use of art and illustrations to help guide you through the story. It also has a wonderful cast of characters and it focuses a lot of friendship. If you're looking for a fantasy book without much romance, this is the book for you!
As this is the first instalment, there are some parts where it feels a little undeveloped and some parts of the story was predictable but I'm excited to see how the story will improve in the next book! Definitely pick up a copy of Rebel Genius if you're looking for a refreshing take on a YA fantasy novel.
May 24, 2016
Filled with puzzles and illustrations this exciting unique surprising novel takes place in the middle ages, with artists as heroes. I will be eager to see where he takes the next one.
May 22, 2017
What sold me into buying and reading this book? That the author is the co-creator of the second best animated show known to mankind?!(Teen Titans is still #1 to me #sorrynotsorry)
BING! BING! BING!
Now, without trying to label this as the next A:tLA, or dare I say, better, the overall story seems like you've read it before: You have Giacomo, an orphan, with a knack for drawing and art, in a world, where having a Genius, a birdlike creature that represents the artist's essence and spirit, is outlawed and punishable by death. Suddenly--BOOM! a Genius flies into his face (literally), and from there, you have your first installment to a surprisingly gripping trilogy!
Like I said, before, in a general aspect, this book does read familiar, but that doesn't make it bad or less enjoyable. But how DiMartino wrote his characters, it makes you care for them off the bat; like with Avatar--except Savino(an asshole with a backstory to convey sympathy, but is still an asshole. IMO *shrugs*), but this is a personal review, in the end.
Also, the world of Rebel Genius is an inspiring twist on the Renaissance Era where, on top of art, everything is centered around shapes, and you see that more profoundly in the artwork strewn about the book, which are equally phenomenal to look at.
But don't go buying and/or reading this book JUST because of who the author is and not look at the synopsis or something (though, on the real, I kinda did that.); read it because it actually very nice and a faster read than I originally thought.
ALSO: Just because this book deals with birds, don't go assuming: "It's just like Miss Peregrines..." IT'S NOT!
BING! BING! BING!
Now, without trying to label this as the next A:tLA, or dare I say, better, the overall story seems like you've read it before: You have Giacomo, an orphan, with a knack for drawing and art, in a world, where having a Genius, a birdlike creature that represents the artist's essence and spirit, is outlawed and punishable by death. Suddenly--BOOM! a Genius flies into his face (literally), and from there, you have your first installment to a surprisingly gripping trilogy!
Like I said, before, in a general aspect, this book does read familiar, but that doesn't make it bad or less enjoyable. But how DiMartino wrote his characters, it makes you care for them off the bat; like with Avatar--except Savino(an asshole with a backstory to convey sympathy, but is still an asshole. IMO *shrugs*), but this is a personal review, in the end.
Also, the world of Rebel Genius is an inspiring twist on the Renaissance Era where, on top of art, everything is centered around shapes, and you see that more profoundly in the artwork strewn about the book, which are equally phenomenal to look at.
But don't go buying and/or reading this book JUST because of who the author is and not look at the synopsis or something (though, on the real, I kinda did that.); read it because it actually very nice and a faster read than I originally thought.
ALSO: Just because this book deals with birds, don't go assuming: "It's just like Miss Peregrines..." IT'S NOT!
Want to read
April 26, 2019The guy who co-created possibly the greatest show ever wrote this you say, why don't mind if I do.
August 16, 2016
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
2.75 Stars Overall. My heart cries a little. So close. This book was a long john doughnut that somehow never got the custard filling. You still got a doughnut. Score. But, that filling would have made it awesome.
As a big fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was super excited to not only find out DiMartino was writing a new fantasy series but that I also was approved for an advanced reader's copy (Thanks, Netgalley!). The description was interesting enough, if not a tad confusing, but I figured that would all be evened out in the first couple chapters. I'm sadly disappointed that I did not truly enjoy this book, because I think it has potential. The characters and the setting just didn't shine as much as they could have. The plot and the magical elements often left me confused, as I had trouble connecting the dots. Perhaps someone more mathematically inclined could follow all that geometry. Thank goodness there were pictures.
I do think that a younger reader would gobble this book up, though. A reluctant reader for sure, especially one who excels in math and science and doesn't think that art is for them. I think the message of trying your best is great to include in middle grade fiction, and that sometimes things don't work out. I was pleased to see that DiMartino did not skip the darker elements that could have easily been glazed over.
But, I never felt connected to any of the characters. While being somewhat fleshed out and nicely diverse, their actions felt staged and flat. We never get a true look at the Evil Government, and the parental figures are all sort of skeezy. I kept trying to picture everything in the AtLA world, and I think this would have worked better as an animated series. The action sequences were rushed and something that probably came off a storyboard. And I'm still not entirely sure what happened in some places...
Ugh, I'm so sad that I didn't really like this one... I'm still going to purchase it for my younger readers at the library, because I think this will be a hit with the 8-12-year-olds. It has good potential to make kids curious about many things: math, art, the Renaissance, and maybe even ornithology. This book can open up new worlds for readers, so that's definitely a plus.
2.75 Stars Overall. My heart cries a little. So close. This book was a long john doughnut that somehow never got the custard filling. You still got a doughnut. Score. But, that filling would have made it awesome.
As a big fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was super excited to not only find out DiMartino was writing a new fantasy series but that I also was approved for an advanced reader's copy (Thanks, Netgalley!). The description was interesting enough, if not a tad confusing, but I figured that would all be evened out in the first couple chapters. I'm sadly disappointed that I did not truly enjoy this book, because I think it has potential. The characters and the setting just didn't shine as much as they could have. The plot and the magical elements often left me confused, as I had trouble connecting the dots. Perhaps someone more mathematically inclined could follow all that geometry. Thank goodness there were pictures.
I do think that a younger reader would gobble this book up, though. A reluctant reader for sure, especially one who excels in math and science and doesn't think that art is for them. I think the message of trying your best is great to include in middle grade fiction, and that sometimes things don't work out. I was pleased to see that DiMartino did not skip the darker elements that could have easily been glazed over.
But, I never felt connected to any of the characters. While being somewhat fleshed out and nicely diverse, their actions felt staged and flat. We never get a true look at the Evil Government, and the parental figures are all sort of skeezy. I kept trying to picture everything in the AtLA world, and I think this would have worked better as an animated series. The action sequences were rushed and something that probably came off a storyboard. And I'm still not entirely sure what happened in some places...
Ugh, I'm so sad that I didn't really like this one... I'm still going to purchase it for my younger readers at the library, because I think this will be a hit with the 8-12-year-olds. It has good potential to make kids curious about many things: math, art, the Renaissance, and maybe even ornithology. This book can open up new worlds for readers, so that's definitely a plus.
July 13, 2016
A hella enjoyable MG fantasy adventure, featuring genuinely surprising twists -- will absolutely be recommending it to my nieces and nephews.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for the ARC!
June 14, 2017
I am so impressed with this book! I loved every second of it! There are definite influences of the Italian Renaissance in the setting through the artwork, architecture, and names. The writing is full of action, mystery, and magic, and of course, the characters are absolutely delightful. They feel like real people, varied and interested, changing and growing all the time, each with their own secrets and agendas.
Giacomo is an orphan, living on the streets, when he mysteriously acquires a Genius, a little bird that is a companion to artists to inspire their imaginations and give them magical powers of creativity. But the evil ruler, Nerezza, sends her soldiers to kill all the Genius birds and their artists, and Giacomo and his new little friend are on the run. Giacomo teams up with some other artsy children, and they go on a quest to find an object of magical power to bring Nerezza's evil rule to an end.
One of the best things about this book is the unique magic system based on art forms, including sculpture and music. As the children begin learning Sacred Geometry and how everything in the universe is created from those shapes, they learn that everything is connected, and their magical power and strength all stems from the True Creator. Then the children can work together with their Genius birds to create shapes, draw forms, and use those to heal, to destroy, or to create images and material forms. It's interesting especially because it's based on real geometry and art techniques. I loved reading all about it!
I could definitely feel an "Avatar: The Last Airbender" influence in the structure of the story, and I loved it! A bunch of kids with magical powers team up, and go on a quest to stop an evil ruler. They are still learning how to use their magical abilities. Some of them are prickly and mean at first, but gradually warm up and start to trust each other. All of them have secrets and/or a damaged past that spurs them onward. It's great stuff, and there's a reason this kind of story structure works so well!
But Rebel Genius is definitely its own story, with a unique magic system, a totally different world setting, and a new set of characters that are not at all derivative of ATLA. Similar structure, but a completely new story.
Another great thing about this story is that there are puzzles, codes, and delicious mysteries everywhere! I do adore a good coded enigma!
I can't wait to read the rest of this series!!
Giacomo is an orphan, living on the streets, when he mysteriously acquires a Genius, a little bird that is a companion to artists to inspire their imaginations and give them magical powers of creativity. But the evil ruler, Nerezza, sends her soldiers to kill all the Genius birds and their artists, and Giacomo and his new little friend are on the run. Giacomo teams up with some other artsy children, and they go on a quest to find an object of magical power to bring Nerezza's evil rule to an end.
One of the best things about this book is the unique magic system based on art forms, including sculpture and music. As the children begin learning Sacred Geometry and how everything in the universe is created from those shapes, they learn that everything is connected, and their magical power and strength all stems from the True Creator. Then the children can work together with their Genius birds to create shapes, draw forms, and use those to heal, to destroy, or to create images and material forms. It's interesting especially because it's based on real geometry and art techniques. I loved reading all about it!
I could definitely feel an "Avatar: The Last Airbender" influence in the structure of the story, and I loved it! A bunch of kids with magical powers team up, and go on a quest to stop an evil ruler. They are still learning how to use their magical abilities. Some of them are prickly and mean at first, but gradually warm up and start to trust each other. All of them have secrets and/or a damaged past that spurs them onward. It's great stuff, and there's a reason this kind of story structure works so well!
But Rebel Genius is definitely its own story, with a unique magic system, a totally different world setting, and a new set of characters that are not at all derivative of ATLA. Similar structure, but a completely new story.
Another great thing about this story is that there are puzzles, codes, and delicious mysteries everywhere! I do adore a good coded enigma!
I can't wait to read the rest of this series!!
July 12, 2016
This is only the second middle grade novel I've read this year and it was pretty awesome. Even though it says it right on the cover, I somehow didn't catch that the author is one half of the creative team behind Avatar: The Last Airbender until right before I read it. You can definitely see that influence here, and this is JUST AS FUN.
October 13, 2016
Review originally posted on Mostly YA Lit:
Note: This review is written by my husband, Evan.
Rebel Genius, the new middle-grade fantasy novel by Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra creator Michael Dante DiMartino has a very unique central character, Giacomo. He’s 12-years old, homeless, and he’s an artist in the land of Virenzia, where art has been effectively outlawed by the evil Supreme Creator Nerezza.
I should probably note that a lot of characters are killed in this book, so keep that in mind if you're reading with any younger or more sensitive kids.
The ideas in Rebel Genius are super cool. DiMartino has created a fascinating world in which art and music are, quite literally, magical. In Virenzia, when somebody is an artist, they have a Genius as a companion. Each person’s Genius takes the form of a different kind of bird, and these birds carry gems that connect the artist to the life-force of the world. Unfortunately, Nerezza has killed all of the Geniuses (at least, all the ones that she knows about), causing the artists of the world to become Lost Souls.
The action begins when Giacomo unexpectedly finds out that he has a Genius. He joins an underground rebellion of artists looking to overthrow Nerezza and bring art and beauty back into the world.
The story is great, and the action sequences especially stand out. However, the writing (especially the dialogue) is a little wooden, so Giacomo as a character doesn’t quite come to life like Aang from Avatar does.
My favourite parts of Rebel Genius involved Zanobius, who is a living statue, created and controlled by the power-hungry Ugalino. Zanobius is like a Golem or Frankenstein’s monster type of character, and his scenes raise the stakes by changing the central theme of the book from “What does it mean to be an artist?” to “What does it mean to be a person?”
Overall, despite the characters being a little weak, I was hooked by the world of Rebel Genius, and I will definitely be on board if DiMartino gets the opportunity to continue the series.
Note: This review is written by my husband, Evan.
Rebel Genius, the new middle-grade fantasy novel by Avatar: The Last Airbender and Legend of Korra creator Michael Dante DiMartino has a very unique central character, Giacomo. He’s 12-years old, homeless, and he’s an artist in the land of Virenzia, where art has been effectively outlawed by the evil Supreme Creator Nerezza.
I should probably note that a lot of characters are killed in this book, so keep that in mind if you're reading with any younger or more sensitive kids.
The ideas in Rebel Genius are super cool. DiMartino has created a fascinating world in which art and music are, quite literally, magical. In Virenzia, when somebody is an artist, they have a Genius as a companion. Each person’s Genius takes the form of a different kind of bird, and these birds carry gems that connect the artist to the life-force of the world. Unfortunately, Nerezza has killed all of the Geniuses (at least, all the ones that she knows about), causing the artists of the world to become Lost Souls.
The action begins when Giacomo unexpectedly finds out that he has a Genius. He joins an underground rebellion of artists looking to overthrow Nerezza and bring art and beauty back into the world.
The story is great, and the action sequences especially stand out. However, the writing (especially the dialogue) is a little wooden, so Giacomo as a character doesn’t quite come to life like Aang from Avatar does.
My favourite parts of Rebel Genius involved Zanobius, who is a living statue, created and controlled by the power-hungry Ugalino. Zanobius is like a Golem or Frankenstein’s monster type of character, and his scenes raise the stakes by changing the central theme of the book from “What does it mean to be an artist?” to “What does it mean to be a person?”
Overall, despite the characters being a little weak, I was hooked by the world of Rebel Genius, and I will definitely be on board if DiMartino gets the opportunity to continue the series.
November 11, 2016
-POTENTIAL SPOILERS-
I was really surprised by how many people didn't like this book. Okay, it's a childrens' book, but it can't help that. I think it was quite well-written for a childrens' book, and for some who indiscriminately reads them with ease, that's saying a lot.
A lot of people were comparing to this author's big creation, Avatar, but I didn't think that was very fair either. Yes, there were definite similarities, and while I would've liked it to be a combination of both serious topics and funny scenes like Avatar does, I feel like it's only fair to judge both things separately.
My thoughts? I liked it! I thought the idea was really good, and while it's obviously not a new one, the author manages to take it into a new direction. Makes me wonder what my Genius would look like?
I also thought the plot about a world where art is banned is an appropriate book to read in this day and era in America, for obvious reasons. I won't say what I'm referring to, but you all should get it.
Overall, I thought it was a fairly solid book, and I'm eager to pick up the second book when it arrives. Hopefully all my questions will be answered in that one, and hopefully we'll meet some writer characters!
I was really surprised by how many people didn't like this book. Okay, it's a childrens' book, but it can't help that. I think it was quite well-written for a childrens' book, and for some who indiscriminately reads them with ease, that's saying a lot.
A lot of people were comparing to this author's big creation, Avatar, but I didn't think that was very fair either. Yes, there were definite similarities, and while I would've liked it to be a combination of both serious topics and funny scenes like Avatar does, I feel like it's only fair to judge both things separately.
My thoughts? I liked it! I thought the idea was really good, and while it's obviously not a new one, the author manages to take it into a new direction. Makes me wonder what my Genius would look like?
I also thought the plot about a world where art is banned is an appropriate book to read in this day and era in America, for obvious reasons. I won't say what I'm referring to, but you all should get it.
Overall, I thought it was a fairly solid book, and I'm eager to pick up the second book when it arrives. Hopefully all my questions will be answered in that one, and hopefully we'll meet some writer characters!
December 4, 2016
I received by copy for free through Goodreads giveaways. This book states it's for ages 8-12, however I would recommend 10-12. It's relatively long for the average reader, but for bookworms out there, I would recommend it. There are small sketches throughout which is great for the visual person. I will be donating this to the school library I run to get some more use out of it. I'm sure the kids will love it.
June 22, 2020
*2.5 stars
I had very high expectations, and they weren't met. Also felt that the plot was prioritized over the characters, which normally doesn't do it for me. I understand that I'm not the target demographic, but I still thought it could be better.
I would also say that this for a more "mature" middle grade audience since there's quite a bit of killing and violence described on page!
I had very high expectations, and they weren't met. Also felt that the plot was prioritized over the characters, which normally doesn't do it for me. I understand that I'm not the target demographic, but I still thought it could be better.
I would also say that this for a more "mature" middle grade audience since there's quite a bit of killing and violence described on page!
August 1, 2016
I did enjoy the whole concept of Geniuses and the arts. This is a really good introduction for this new fantasy series but I found some things sloppy, especially at the beginning, but it all tied up nicely at the end. I definitely want to know where the story goes!
January 23, 2017
I like good book and some mystery because start kid doing and move like soul in body but he in old man and he don't know what look like body or face then meet man and little give problem he ask to him was old man but he was kid because inside old man's body.
August 26, 2017
Obviously DiMartino knows how to create a really good story. I think is a great first book, with tiny little flaws. It is a children's book, kinda hard for children to really understand (like ATLA). The beginning wasn't very good, but as you keep reading it gets better.
July 1, 2025
IM TOO EXCITED FOR THIS 1/2 OF BRYKE IS MAKING A NOVEL AND IM JUST TOO MUCH IN HOPES OF IT BEING SOMEWHAT AS AMAZING AS AVATAR AND FML THE COVER IS SO GOOD AND WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW SYNOPSIS
Want to read
October 30, 2016Written by the co-creator of ATLA and LOK !!!!!
January 6, 2025
I can hardly imagine I am the target audience for the book as I am about to graduate college, but I think I would’ve loved this book as a kid. The concept of art being magical is unique, and it’s neat how the book included sketches to incorporate that art aspect (it also made it easier for my 3 brain cell brain to visualize things). You can tell that a lot of research went into the book. I read the afterword and the story takes elements from the Italian renaissance, Buddhist imagery, Jewish folklore, and the concept of sacred geometry??? Seeing imaginary worlds based on real events and existing mythology is always so entertaining to me.
Not to mention I didn’t see the plot twist coming AT ALL???? It came out of nowhere. One could perhaps even argue it was poor writing but I enjoyed it.
And the betrayal?? The suspense??
The characters, however, are 12 years old (because it’s a book for children) which makes them immature and they seemed one dimensional. I never found myself really rooting for any of them.
All in all I think this book deserved more hype with the pre-teens when it came out, and if you enjoyed Avatar the last airbender you may enjoy this book (although to a lesser degree) which was written by one of the co-creators.
Not to mention I didn’t see the plot twist coming AT ALL???? It came out of nowhere. One could perhaps even argue it was poor writing but I enjoyed it.
And the betrayal?? The suspense??
The characters, however, are 12 years old (because it’s a book for children) which makes them immature and they seemed one dimensional. I never found myself really rooting for any of them.
All in all I think this book deserved more hype with the pre-teens when it came out, and if you enjoyed Avatar the last airbender you may enjoy this book (although to a lesser degree) which was written by one of the co-creators.
May 22, 2017
Not bad for a first time book. But being a fan of both the Avatar series I was hoping for more.
Read
September 23, 2020It was an amazing book, I love when art comes to life, and I can't wait to read the next one. Happy reading!
September 1, 2017
WHY ARE PEOPLE NOT READING THIS
February 7, 2017
As an avid fan of AVATAR:THE LAST AIRBENDER I was excited about this book. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to the hype for me. Rebel Genius tells the story of Giacomo, who lives in a world where art is both magical and forbidden. Small birdlike creatures called Genius bond to artists and help them to turn art into magic. These creatures are outlawed, and being caught with one can mean a fate worse than death. So, when Giacomo bonds with his own Genius, his life is changed forever.
It's an interesting concept: Art is Magic. But, the pace of the book is so breakneck that the we never gets to pause to marvel at it. We are also briefly introduced to the cast of characters that become Giacomo's family away from family, but are swept away onto the adventure before we get more than the bare scrapes of character development. Nor do we get to see the depth of these characters as the adventure goes on. They accomplish amazing magical feats, but I found myself mostly unable to distinguish between them because the story never lingered on anything, character, setting, or emotion, it was to busy getting us to the next event.
This may be a result of the book being directed to a younger audience than I was expecting, but considering that it comes from the co-creator of Avatar, a story I loved for it's heartfelt but crazy characters and rich setting, REBEL GENIUS leaves me less than impressed.
It's an interesting concept: Art is Magic. But, the pace of the book is so breakneck that the we never gets to pause to marvel at it. We are also briefly introduced to the cast of characters that become Giacomo's family away from family, but are swept away onto the adventure before we get more than the bare scrapes of character development. Nor do we get to see the depth of these characters as the adventure goes on. They accomplish amazing magical feats, but I found myself mostly unable to distinguish between them because the story never lingered on anything, character, setting, or emotion, it was to busy getting us to the next event.
This may be a result of the book being directed to a younger audience than I was expecting, but considering that it comes from the co-creator of Avatar, a story I loved for it's heartfelt but crazy characters and rich setting, REBEL GENIUS leaves me less than impressed.
Read
September 22, 2016I received an ARC of this book for free at San Diego Comic-Con, which has no bearing on this review.
I stopped reading at page 56, which is much earlier than I usually part ways with books I decide not to finish. My reasons for stopping are largely based around this book being geared towards the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. I generally enjoy middle grade as a whole, but I'm too far removed from the target demographic to enjoy this one.
The writing isn't bad, but it's very simple, which made it difficult for me to focus on the story. This is my main reason for not finishing the book. I don't see this being a problem for younger readers, though.
None of the characters seemed like-able to me, but I think this is due to my age, and readers who would be in Giacomo's peer group if he was a real boy may find him and his fellow characters more engaging.
The artwork scattered throughout the story is a nice touch, and felt like a nod to DiMartino's previous television work.
I can't speak very much on the world-building due to stopping the book as early as I have. I expected a bit more than what I got, but I expect that the world is expanded as Giacomo leaves his sewer abode in the fourth chapter, which is right where I stopped. I think it'll be enough to spark the imagination of young readers, though.
I stopped reading at page 56, which is much earlier than I usually part ways with books I decide not to finish. My reasons for stopping are largely based around this book being geared towards the younger end of the middle grade spectrum. I generally enjoy middle grade as a whole, but I'm too far removed from the target demographic to enjoy this one.
The writing isn't bad, but it's very simple, which made it difficult for me to focus on the story. This is my main reason for not finishing the book. I don't see this being a problem for younger readers, though.
None of the characters seemed like-able to me, but I think this is due to my age, and readers who would be in Giacomo's peer group if he was a real boy may find him and his fellow characters more engaging.
The artwork scattered throughout the story is a nice touch, and felt like a nod to DiMartino's previous television work.
I can't speak very much on the world-building due to stopping the book as early as I have. I expected a bit more than what I got, but I expect that the world is expanded as Giacomo leaves his sewer abode in the fourth chapter, which is right where I stopped. I think it'll be enough to spark the imagination of young readers, though.
October 4, 2016
Closer to a 3.5.
It's great to see middle grade books going a little darker in some regards, and even to see some tropes refreshed. Rebel Genius will get attention because of the author's association with Avatar: The Last Airbender, but it really should get some points more because of its treatment of the familiar/spirit animal motif.
The setting is sort of a Renaissance-era Europe where artists get Geniuses, a sort of familiar that represents their talents. People with them are persecuted, and so our hero finds an enclave where he's taught how to use his Genius and eventually fight back.
This isn't forging anything resembling new ground, but the use of these ideas along with some little-used concepts (like sacred geometry) make this a more interesting read even while it remains imperfect. More recent books like the Claire/Black Magisterium books do this sort of darkness better, and The Golden Compass remains a gold standard of sorts for the familiars concepts, but that doesn't mean kids, especially reluctant readers who are fans of Avatar, might not find a lot to love in this as an entrypoint.
It's great to see middle grade books going a little darker in some regards, and even to see some tropes refreshed. Rebel Genius will get attention because of the author's association with Avatar: The Last Airbender, but it really should get some points more because of its treatment of the familiar/spirit animal motif.
The setting is sort of a Renaissance-era Europe where artists get Geniuses, a sort of familiar that represents their talents. People with them are persecuted, and so our hero finds an enclave where he's taught how to use his Genius and eventually fight back.
This isn't forging anything resembling new ground, but the use of these ideas along with some little-used concepts (like sacred geometry) make this a more interesting read even while it remains imperfect. More recent books like the Claire/Black Magisterium books do this sort of darkness better, and The Golden Compass remains a gold standard of sorts for the familiars concepts, but that doesn't mean kids, especially reluctant readers who are fans of Avatar, might not find a lot to love in this as an entrypoint.
April 29, 2021
Right on the cover, it advertises that it was written by Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of the famed Avatar series. That alone was more than enough to grab my attention. So I bought it, despite not knowing what the story would be about since I was relying on the author’s experience to create an enjoyable experience. From what I could gather from the cover and its title, I’d assumed that the story would be about this clever boy leading a rebellion against some corrupt government and, while it is the case, it does not capture the full idea.
To begin with, the titular Genius in the story is not the main character Giacomo, but rather the birds with crowns of jewels. In the world, DiMartino created, mankind, specifically artists, are able to harness the power of the universe through the manipulation of these things called Sacred Geometry. However, they do not have the power to do it on their own and require the help of these birds called Geniuses, granted to them by the Creator, the one who created the universe. The Empress of Virenzia, the Empire in which the story takes place, has confiscated and killed off most of the artists’ Geniuses to kill off anyone who might have a connection to the tulpa, an artificial creature created by Ugalino who wishes to depose her. In order to stop all of this, Giacomo has to go on a quest to find the Creator’s Tools, the tools used to create the universe and hold immense power, before Ugalino or the Empress harness it for themselves. After many deaths and suffering, he manages to gain one of these tools and kill Ugalino at the same time.
The core theme in the book is acceptance and isolation. During the course of the story, it switched points of view between Giacomo, an orphan who ran away from home whose parents died from having their Geniuses killed, turning them into large, mangly creatures called Lost Souls, and Zanobius, the aforementioned tulpa serving under his master Ugalino. Both characters share similar situations at the start, feeling lonely and ostracized. Giacomo, because he has been on the run ever since he ran away from the orphanage, living in the sewers and stealing food from merchants, and Zanobius because he is an artificially created, four-armed, four-legged creature with greyish skin called a tulpa. In Giacomo’s story, after he was attacked by lost souls while venturing into the abandoned cultural center, he was sent a Genius by the Creator, which was strange since these are usually granted to kids when they are very young, while at the time of receiving the bird, he was already 12. This allows a group of kids with Geniuses of their own to find him and bring him to the Master Artist, Pietro, who teaches him how to manipulate the Sacred Geometry. Even while he was taught there, he never felt comfortable with any of them and, after accidentally burning one of the kid’s (a girl by the name of Milena) arms, he plans to run away. He is only stopped by the musician-healer named Aaminah. He feels isolated and different from the people in his group. Later in the story, he finds out that all of the things that made him different from the others were due to the fact that he is a tulpa, not a human. A similar situation happens to Zanobius, who has people scared by his appearance. He wonders at the start of the story about what makes him so different from other people and finds solace in his master, who tells him that he is a unique masterpiece. He later finds out that people were scared of him, not for his appearance, but due to the fact that he murdered lots of people on Ugalino’s orders and that he did not remember any of it due to the fact that Ugalino wipes his memory every time he does not obey. With this revelation, he resigns himself to be killed. After killing Ugalino and inadvertently returning Zanobius’ memories, Giacomo goes to him and convinces him to live for himself. After finding out that Giacomo is also a tulpa, he feels a little less alone in the world.
I have mixed feelings about the book. The fact that a musician can harness the power of geometry boggles my mind. Aside from that, especially during the first half of the book, all the characters are insufferable, including Aaminah, who is supposed to be the nice one in the group. It is only in the latter half of the story that they sort of began to grow on me a little. That’s one of the main problems I have about the story. It prioritized the plot over the characters, leaving me no reason to care about them. It even happens with the main antagonist Ugalino. His goal is to depose the Empress. Why are they trying to stop him then? They even had the exact discussion about the topic but they didn’t properly answer it. They had planned to stop him because he planned to just rule the empire himself. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. He plans to make it a place where artists don’t have to hide anymore. Much better than what the hero’s group has planned. In fact, they haven’t even planned anything for what would happen to the empire after they depose the Empress and defeat Ugalino. They just plan to defeat the baddies. I do concede however that it probably was a good idea not to let him have control of the empire. He treats Zenobius and his own Genius like trash. I’m just miffed that they seem to be doing it on a whim, without proper plans. I dunno, maybe I just prefer more forward-thinking characters in my stores. Personally, for me, this story was just meh. It had some great twists and moments like how Baldassare was really actually working for the Empress which seems obvious in hindsight but at the moment was a revelation. All in all, it was an okay read, but definitely not on the levels of storytelling as DiMartino’s other works. I just hope the sequel books are better.
To begin with, the titular Genius in the story is not the main character Giacomo, but rather the birds with crowns of jewels. In the world, DiMartino created, mankind, specifically artists, are able to harness the power of the universe through the manipulation of these things called Sacred Geometry. However, they do not have the power to do it on their own and require the help of these birds called Geniuses, granted to them by the Creator, the one who created the universe. The Empress of Virenzia, the Empire in which the story takes place, has confiscated and killed off most of the artists’ Geniuses to kill off anyone who might have a connection to the tulpa, an artificial creature created by Ugalino who wishes to depose her. In order to stop all of this, Giacomo has to go on a quest to find the Creator’s Tools, the tools used to create the universe and hold immense power, before Ugalino or the Empress harness it for themselves. After many deaths and suffering, he manages to gain one of these tools and kill Ugalino at the same time.
The core theme in the book is acceptance and isolation. During the course of the story, it switched points of view between Giacomo, an orphan who ran away from home whose parents died from having their Geniuses killed, turning them into large, mangly creatures called Lost Souls, and Zanobius, the aforementioned tulpa serving under his master Ugalino. Both characters share similar situations at the start, feeling lonely and ostracized. Giacomo, because he has been on the run ever since he ran away from the orphanage, living in the sewers and stealing food from merchants, and Zanobius because he is an artificially created, four-armed, four-legged creature with greyish skin called a tulpa. In Giacomo’s story, after he was attacked by lost souls while venturing into the abandoned cultural center, he was sent a Genius by the Creator, which was strange since these are usually granted to kids when they are very young, while at the time of receiving the bird, he was already 12. This allows a group of kids with Geniuses of their own to find him and bring him to the Master Artist, Pietro, who teaches him how to manipulate the Sacred Geometry. Even while he was taught there, he never felt comfortable with any of them and, after accidentally burning one of the kid’s (a girl by the name of Milena) arms, he plans to run away. He is only stopped by the musician-healer named Aaminah. He feels isolated and different from the people in his group. Later in the story, he finds out that all of the things that made him different from the others were due to the fact that he is a tulpa, not a human. A similar situation happens to Zanobius, who has people scared by his appearance. He wonders at the start of the story about what makes him so different from other people and finds solace in his master, who tells him that he is a unique masterpiece. He later finds out that people were scared of him, not for his appearance, but due to the fact that he murdered lots of people on Ugalino’s orders and that he did not remember any of it due to the fact that Ugalino wipes his memory every time he does not obey. With this revelation, he resigns himself to be killed. After killing Ugalino and inadvertently returning Zanobius’ memories, Giacomo goes to him and convinces him to live for himself. After finding out that Giacomo is also a tulpa, he feels a little less alone in the world.
I have mixed feelings about the book. The fact that a musician can harness the power of geometry boggles my mind. Aside from that, especially during the first half of the book, all the characters are insufferable, including Aaminah, who is supposed to be the nice one in the group. It is only in the latter half of the story that they sort of began to grow on me a little. That’s one of the main problems I have about the story. It prioritized the plot over the characters, leaving me no reason to care about them. It even happens with the main antagonist Ugalino. His goal is to depose the Empress. Why are they trying to stop him then? They even had the exact discussion about the topic but they didn’t properly answer it. They had planned to stop him because he planned to just rule the empire himself. There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that. He plans to make it a place where artists don’t have to hide anymore. Much better than what the hero’s group has planned. In fact, they haven’t even planned anything for what would happen to the empire after they depose the Empress and defeat Ugalino. They just plan to defeat the baddies. I do concede however that it probably was a good idea not to let him have control of the empire. He treats Zenobius and his own Genius like trash. I’m just miffed that they seem to be doing it on a whim, without proper plans. I dunno, maybe I just prefer more forward-thinking characters in my stores. Personally, for me, this story was just meh. It had some great twists and moments like how Baldassare was really actually working for the Empress which seems obvious in hindsight but at the moment was a revelation. All in all, it was an okay read, but definitely not on the levels of storytelling as DiMartino’s other works. I just hope the sequel books are better.
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