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Amulet #8
Supernova
Emily has lost control of her Amulet and is imprisoned in the Void, where she must find a way to escape the influence of the Voice. Meanwhile, Emily's brother, Navin, travels to Lighthouse One, a space station where the Resistance is preparing to battle the approaching Shadow forces that would drain planet Alledia of all its resources. Emily and Navin must be smarter and stronger than ever to ensure Alledia's survival.
199 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2018
About the author
Kazu Kibuishi
60 books3,096 followersKazu Kibuishi (born 1978) is an American graphic novel author and illustrator. He is best known for being the creator and editor of the comic anthology Flight and for creating the webcomic Copper. He has also written (drawn) the Amulet series. The webcomic artist and noted critic Scott McCloud has said that some of Kazu Kibuishi's work is so beautifully drawn that "it hurts my hands when I look at it".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews
October 31, 2018
The Penultimate issue. I'm ready for the ending. This world has plenty left to amaze and we even go out into space. Emily finds her way back and there is a whole lot of unknowns going on. We learn more about the entity of the stones, but I'm not sure dots really connect in this story. Things get skipped. The story tries to move to fast at times. There is action and plenty of new ideas.
Kazu has seemingly boundless imagination. I did love the trees on the other planet and how they clean the air to keep humanity happy. It's lovely. This is a wonderful series and I'm glad they are about to give us an ending. The art is beautiful and takes to to new worlds. This series is a masterpiece and I do hope that one TV company will take on this story and tell it. It deserves to be seen and fleshed out. It would be well suited for TV.
I'm waiting in anticipation of the last volume. I hope it is a good end. The Elf King has fallen and we are ready for the climax. If you like the series, you will enjoy this volume.
Kazu has seemingly boundless imagination. I did love the trees on the other planet and how they clean the air to keep humanity happy. It's lovely. This is a wonderful series and I'm glad they are about to give us an ending. The art is beautiful and takes to to new worlds. This series is a masterpiece and I do hope that one TV company will take on this story and tell it. It deserves to be seen and fleshed out. It would be well suited for TV.
I'm waiting in anticipation of the last volume. I hope it is a good end. The Elf King has fallen and we are ready for the climax. If you like the series, you will enjoy this volume.
October 20, 2018
Amulet, Book 8: Supernova was honestly a disappointment, especially after waiting two years for it.
The graphic novel continues the story of the stonekeeper Emily that has been going for the past seven volumes. In the last book Emily lost control of her stone powers and turned into a massive firebird and was trapped in the void. Trellis vows to get her out of the Void (which is kind of like a mind prison.)
So we lead up to the first problem I had with this. For as much of a cliffhanger Kibuishi left me on with Book 7, this book didn't focus on that VERY important plot point. Like, at all. In fact, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝟗𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧. For all of you who didn't know, Navin is Emily's little brother. I guess Kibuishi wanted to expand on Navin's character or give him more pages, but the Navin plot seemed contrived and just really confusing. What does Navin racing around on a bike and piloting a walking mech have literally anything to do with the main plot? Who are all these new characters? For taking up most of the book, the Navin plot was really boring and confusing.
Okay, so now the second problem. For the times when Emily was actually on the darn page (which wasn't very often) I had absolutely no idea what she was doing or where she was going. There were several weird plot twists thrown in concerning her could have been really intriguing, but they had maybe one page per!
It was also a huge plot hole that Emily was able to get out the Void without anyone's help or even really trying. It almost seems like Kabuishi went hog wild writing the Navin scenes and was like "Oh crap I forgot about the Emily firebird thing! I have two pages to resolve that! Crap!"
This is all not to say that Kibuishi is not a talented writer or illustrator, because he is. I loved the first four Amulet books. And even the art for this one was really impressive at times. I appreciate that, okay?
But I do think that this series has lost most of its appeal for me with this new installment. What first drew me into this series was the steampunk-y vibe of it, the unique art, the cool Amulet, the intriguing plot, etc. But it all declined starting from the fifth book and now it reads more like a Star Wars novel.
I appreciate Kibuishi's artwork. But this volume was such a disappointment.
The graphic novel continues the story of the stonekeeper Emily that has been going for the past seven volumes. In the last book Emily lost control of her stone powers and turned into a massive firebird and was trapped in the void. Trellis vows to get her out of the Void (which is kind of like a mind prison.)
So we lead up to the first problem I had with this. For as much of a cliffhanger Kibuishi left me on with Book 7, this book didn't focus on that VERY important plot point. Like, at all. In fact, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝟗𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧. For all of you who didn't know, Navin is Emily's little brother. I guess Kibuishi wanted to expand on Navin's character or give him more pages, but the Navin plot seemed contrived and just really confusing. What does Navin racing around on a bike and piloting a walking mech have literally anything to do with the main plot? Who are all these new characters? For taking up most of the book, the Navin plot was really boring and confusing.
Okay, so now the second problem. For the times when Emily was actually on the darn page (which wasn't very often) I had absolutely no idea what she was doing or where she was going. There were several weird plot twists thrown in concerning her could have been really intriguing, but they had maybe one page per!
It was also a huge plot hole that Emily was able to get out the Void without anyone's help or even really trying. It almost seems like Kabuishi went hog wild writing the Navin scenes and was like "Oh crap I forgot about the Emily firebird thing! I have two pages to resolve that! Crap!"
This is all not to say that Kibuishi is not a talented writer or illustrator, because he is. I loved the first four Amulet books. And even the art for this one was really impressive at times. I appreciate that, okay?
But I do think that this series has lost most of its appeal for me with this new installment. What first drew me into this series was the steampunk-y vibe of it, the unique art, the cool Amulet, the intriguing plot, etc. But it all declined starting from the fifth book and now it reads more like a Star Wars novel.
I appreciate Kibuishi's artwork. But this volume was such a disappointment.
February 8, 2022
Sometimes it takes getting a little lost to recognize a path.
Trellis finds some more hidden memories in the void. Emily finds herself in the void again and meets some strangers but they seem familiar somehow. Navin and Aly along with Navin's mother end up in space and they find out that the shadows have destroyed other planets too and the survivors band together to lend help where they can. Everyone is trying to do what they can against the shadows. Would they be able to stop the shadows once and for all?
After that cliffhanger in the last graphic novel, I was looking forward to it. It was a good start until things stopped making sense. The story jumped from here to there without any explanation. A lot happened in this but nothing seemed connected with the story so far. The timeline was weird. Trellis was barely there. Emily's transformation wasn't even talked about and she gets control on the voice again without any explanation. I liked the concept of space but new information came at me from nowhere. I know the series is almost at an end because I could feel it reading this as it's getting darker with each book but things just seemed rushed and forced in this.
I have really enjoyed this series so far so it breaks my heart to give it two stars but I just can't justify giving it a higher rating. I did love the fantasy and sci-fi elements woven together. I also loved Navin being there for more than a teaser. The art was great as always. I just wish things made a bit more sense.
2.5 stars
Trellis finds some more hidden memories in the void. Emily finds herself in the void again and meets some strangers but they seem familiar somehow. Navin and Aly along with Navin's mother end up in space and they find out that the shadows have destroyed other planets too and the survivors band together to lend help where they can. Everyone is trying to do what they can against the shadows. Would they be able to stop the shadows once and for all?
After that cliffhanger in the last graphic novel, I was looking forward to it. It was a good start until things stopped making sense. The story jumped from here to there without any explanation. A lot happened in this but nothing seemed connected with the story so far. The timeline was weird. Trellis was barely there. Emily's transformation wasn't even talked about and she gets control on the voice again without any explanation. I liked the concept of space but new information came at me from nowhere. I know the series is almost at an end because I could feel it reading this as it's getting darker with each book but things just seemed rushed and forced in this.
I have really enjoyed this series so far so it breaks my heart to give it two stars but I just can't justify giving it a higher rating. I did love the fantasy and sci-fi elements woven together. I also loved Navin being there for more than a teaser. The art was great as always. I just wish things made a bit more sense.
2.5 stars
July 1, 2021
My feelings on this book do not bode well for the last one.
That doesn't stop me from being totally excited for it anyhow :'D
~~~~~~~
(3.5/5)
Given how much I raved about this series in some of my reviews of the previous books, I'm actually embarrassed at how much this one let me down. I'm sure that part of it was just how high my expectations for it were, but the truth is that this one simply wasn't as good as the entire series was building it up to be.
For one thing, there's how rushed it was - multiple plotlines were concluding incredibly quickly. The Elf King's reveal regarding his identity as well as what he looked like under the mask, which was a major driving point of the entire series, along with the elf army and the threat that they posed, were issues that were easily resolved. Something that we had been waiting for since the very beginning of this series, especially since the elves and all that they represented, were initially the main antagonists, was resolved in an incredibly unsatisfying way:
Then there's the whole matter of Emily and the phoenix form she took on when the amulet took control of her at the end of the previous book.
What I was expecting was something more along the lines of inner turmoil, in which Emily fought for control against the voice of her amulet, most likely ending with her conquering the voice, proving that she could retain control of her powers without giving up her values or character. Instead, what we got was a complete letdown.
While all of this was going down with Emily and her side of the story, Navin and Aly were sent to be pilots for the resistance, and are now carrying out their first mission: recovering some Gadoba tree saplings.
I'm going to be honest here and say that I definitely didn't see how their side of the story will ultimately impact the ending. I mean, yeah, sure, they're with the resistance, but the whole point of the resistance was to fight against the perceived threat of the Elf King, which has now been dealt with. The real problem now lies with the shadows and the impending doom they bring, which can only really be resolved by the stonekeepers???
So yeah. I'm not holding out for the next book, but I'm still reasonably excited. While I definitely hope that there won't be any ✨finale syndrome✨, I guess we're just going to have to see how it all plays out. At least the amazing art won't ever disappoint.
That doesn't stop me from being totally excited for it anyhow :'D
~~~~~~~
(3.5/5)
Given how much I raved about this series in some of my reviews of the previous books, I'm actually embarrassed at how much this one let me down. I'm sure that part of it was just how high my expectations for it were, but the truth is that this one simply wasn't as good as the entire series was building it up to be.
For one thing, there's how rushed it was - multiple plotlines were concluding incredibly quickly. The Elf King's reveal regarding his identity as well as what he looked like under the mask, which was a major driving point of the entire series, along with the elf army and the threat that they posed, were issues that were easily resolved. Something that we had been waiting for since the very beginning of this series, especially since the elves and all that they represented, were initially the main antagonists, was resolved in an incredibly unsatisfying way:
Then there's the whole matter of Emily and the phoenix form she took on when the amulet took control of her at the end of the previous book.
What I was expecting was something more along the lines of inner turmoil, in which Emily fought for control against the voice of her amulet, most likely ending with her conquering the voice, proving that she could retain control of her powers without giving up her values or character. Instead, what we got was a complete letdown.
While all of this was going down with Emily and her side of the story, Navin and Aly were sent to be pilots for the resistance, and are now carrying out their first mission: recovering some Gadoba tree saplings.
I'm going to be honest here and say that I definitely didn't see how their side of the story will ultimately impact the ending. I mean, yeah, sure, they're with the resistance, but the whole point of the resistance was to fight against the perceived threat of the Elf King, which has now been dealt with. The real problem now lies with the shadows and the impending doom they bring, which can only really be resolved by the stonekeepers???
So yeah. I'm not holding out for the next book, but I'm still reasonably excited. While I definitely hope that there won't be any ✨finale syndrome✨, I guess we're just going to have to see how it all plays out. At least the amazing art won't ever disappoint.
September 26, 2018
Amulet Vol. 8: Team Exposition!
So sad to see a series that started off with such a bang limp toward the end so haphazardly. Was anyone else surprised that we waited 8 volumes to see the Elf King unmasked only for it to happen as an afterthought in a couple of panels? A lot of the scenes, particularly involving Emily, in this volume felt like that to me, as if the author realized there were some plot lines he needed to get tied up. Unfortunately Emily's character was reduced to rushing from here to there for that reason and not with any narrative purpose.
I think the complexity of the story, combined with the self-imposed 9 volume limitation, is causing the author to take shortcuts with the narrative that are resulting in a very disjointed and unsatisfying read, it's a shame. I will read number 9 though!
So sad to see a series that started off with such a bang limp toward the end so haphazardly. Was anyone else surprised that we waited 8 volumes to see the Elf King unmasked only for it to happen as an afterthought in a couple of panels? A lot of the scenes, particularly involving Emily, in this volume felt like that to me, as if the author realized there were some plot lines he needed to get tied up. Unfortunately Emily's character was reduced to rushing from here to there for that reason and not with any narrative purpose.
I think the complexity of the story, combined with the self-imposed 9 volume limitation, is causing the author to take shortcuts with the narrative that are resulting in a very disjointed and unsatisfying read, it's a shame. I will read number 9 though!
January 31, 2019
Not as good as the previous books. Slightly bogged down by too many locations. Emily's moral ambiguity and connection to Ikol was nice though.
December 3, 2019
Was this planned all along to end with book 9?
There was a lot of good stuff here but it felt very rushed.
There was a lot of good stuff here but it felt very rushed.
November 20, 2019
My son and I are HUGE Amulet fans having devoured each volume as soon as it was published. This supposedly penultimate volume was as excellent and spell-binding as all the previous ones. The bad guy is really cool and the good guys are so exciting and fun to follow. Can't wait for #9!
January 29, 2019
Once again, severely underwhelmed. What happened to the quality of the first 5? Where has it gone?
To get it out of the way, here are the things I didn't really like.
•IT FELT RUSHED. In this book, stuff happens very, very quickly and doesn't really give you time to be invested in the story. This book should've been longer.
•THE PLOT. Or...lack of it. Literally what even is the plot of this series anymore? There's a war...about what again? What are the sides?
And now there's space travel and other planets? That are somehow relevant to this war? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POINT.
Then there's the Void thing. Emily literally had NO problem getting out of there. Like, shouldn't it be more difficult?
Meanwhile, I don't even know what's happening with Navin and whatever the heck her name is. What are they doing that is important. Nothing? Got it.
Basically, it felt like nothing really happened in this book. Except for the end when Emily...defeats the Elf King???? Now THAT is what I call anticlimactic.
•NOTHING IS EXPLAINED. Actually nothing. I get that there's the finale still, but EVERYTHING'S going to be explained there. HA, FUNNY JOKE.
THINGS I LIKED:
•THE ART. Glorious as always.
•A FEW EMOTIONAL MOMENTS. There was actually one moment that almost made me cry. It was good. Very good.
So basically, this book could've either been longer, or shorter. Things could've been more fleshed out and explained properly. Characters could've been developed better. The tension could've been increased.
Hopefully the 9th will be as good as the first 5.
My theory is that Emily is actually in a coma from the car crash, and is dreaming all this stuff.
But I guess we'll have to wait and see.
To get it out of the way, here are the things I didn't really like.
•IT FELT RUSHED. In this book, stuff happens very, very quickly and doesn't really give you time to be invested in the story. This book should've been longer.
•THE PLOT. Or...lack of it. Literally what even is the plot of this series anymore? There's a war...about what again? What are the sides?
And now there's space travel and other planets? That are somehow relevant to this war? I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE POINT.
Then there's the Void thing. Emily literally had NO problem getting out of there. Like, shouldn't it be more difficult?
Meanwhile, I don't even know what's happening with Navin and whatever the heck her name is. What are they doing that is important. Nothing? Got it.
Basically, it felt like nothing really happened in this book. Except for the end when Emily...defeats the Elf King???? Now THAT is what I call anticlimactic.
•NOTHING IS EXPLAINED. Actually nothing. I get that there's the finale still, but EVERYTHING'S going to be explained there. HA, FUNNY JOKE.
THINGS I LIKED:
•THE ART. Glorious as always.
•A FEW EMOTIONAL MOMENTS. There was actually one moment that almost made me cry. It was good. Very good.
So basically, this book could've either been longer, or shorter. Things could've been more fleshed out and explained properly. Characters could've been developed better. The tension could've been increased.
Hopefully the 9th will be as good as the first 5.
My theory is that Emily is actually in a coma from the car crash, and is dreaming all this stuff.
But I guess we'll have to wait and see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2022
EDIT 6/14/22
It was well worth the wait.
Onward to the stunning conclusion which, with my newfound sense of patience, I can happily wait for 💛
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
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Someone konk me on the head just hard enough that I stay out till September, please and thanks.
It was well worth the wait.
Onward to the stunning conclusion which, with my newfound sense of patience, I can happily wait for 💛
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
Cover. Title. Release date.
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Someone konk me on the head just hard enough that I stay out till September, please and thanks.
October 7, 2018
At this point I am simply confused.
Can someone please explain to me what is happening?
How did we end up in space? and for what reason? why do we need those trees again?
Like in the last few issues Navins storyline is so uninteresting to me I just don´t see the point.
This is so convoluted I don´t even know anymore why there is a war and whom we are fighting.
This series started out really strong and I loved it!
It has been going downhill for a while now.
We´ve been told how horrible, dangerous and evil the elf king is and this little girl just walks in there and unmasks him in under a minute.... yeah right! What a villain...
Overall this is not bad but very disappointing.
2.5 - 3 stars
Can someone please explain to me what is happening?
How did we end up in space? and for what reason? why do we need those trees again?
Like in the last few issues Navins storyline is so uninteresting to me I just don´t see the point.
This is so convoluted I don´t even know anymore why there is a war and whom we are fighting.
This series started out really strong and I loved it!
It has been going downhill for a while now.
We´ve been told how horrible, dangerous and evil the elf king is and this little girl just walks in there and unmasks him in under a minute.... yeah right! What a villain...
Overall this is not bad but very disappointing.
2.5 - 3 stars
October 10, 2018
I'm so disappointed. After the last book I was so excited for this book, and I was so let down? I waited so long for this book and I felt like it was a filler and only like 50 pages were relevant. Definitely my least favourite book in the series. I feel like Navin's sections were so boring and like 90% of the book was Navin so...
Idk, I waited a long time for this book and I'm disappointed in the outcome.
Idk, I waited a long time for this book and I'm disappointed in the outcome.
October 18, 2019
I really, really liked this book. Story was there, the illustrations were really good, so it was overall a good thing.
The only issue I have with this book just as with the previous ones - it does not remind the reader where we were left off. And after a big pause since the previous book, I can't be expected to remember everything without a hint. I remembered some things based on where the story was going, but not everything.
The only issue I have with this book just as with the previous ones - it does not remind the reader where we were left off. And after a big pause since the previous book, I can't be expected to remember everything without a hint. I remembered some things based on where the story was going, but not everything.
January 13, 2019
The eighth Amulet book, and another strong installment to a wonderful series. It took me a minute to regain my footing with the characters, but after a few pages it all fell back into place. It's a really beautiful story. I am now eagerly waiting for the release of the ninth book!
December 27, 2018
Okay, but how did Emily fight off the Voice so stinkin’ easily? After 7 books of training & fighting, and she just slaps his wrist & walks away?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2020
Book #2 for Middle Grade March
Challenge #1 - Book with illustrations
Challenge #1 - Book with illustrations
October 4, 2018
good storyline
March 12, 2020
Star Rating: —> 5 STARS!
God, the penultimate volume!! This was FANTASTIC! INCREDIBLE! OUT OF THIS WORLD 😉!
I love the fact that there’s such a diverse cast of characters- and I especially love how so very many of these characters are all heroes.
It is wonderful to read all of these different storylines, & meet new characters, in new locations... it makes for constant surprises and entertainment!
Navin, Emily’s younger brother, is such an amazing Commander... and Aly is an amazing hero in her own right! They make a formidable pair on missions and against enemies. Do I maybe sense a mutual crush between Navin & Aly ? o__O *grins*
I loved the introduction to a new planet, even briefly- it was so curious & full of dangers, wonders, & challenges for Navin & Aly.
Emily is one of the most amazing middle grade/ YOUNG YA herotines i’ve ever come across! Hell, she even has a lot of heroines of ALL AGES beat! 😉 Above and beyond the awesomeness that is this is in and of itself, I really think that she is such a great role model for young girls.
😊
God, the penultimate volume!! This was FANTASTIC! INCREDIBLE! OUT OF THIS WORLD 😉!
I love the fact that there’s such a diverse cast of characters- and I especially love how so very many of these characters are all heroes.
It is wonderful to read all of these different storylines, & meet new characters, in new locations... it makes for constant surprises and entertainment!
Navin, Emily’s younger brother, is such an amazing Commander... and Aly is an amazing hero in her own right! They make a formidable pair on missions and against enemies. Do I maybe sense a mutual crush between Navin & Aly ? o__O *grins*
I loved the introduction to a new planet, even briefly- it was so curious & full of dangers, wonders, & challenges for Navin & Aly.
Emily is one of the most amazing middle grade/ YOUNG YA herotines i’ve ever come across! Hell, she even has a lot of heroines of ALL AGES beat! 😉 Above and beyond the awesomeness that is this is in and of itself, I really think that she is such a great role model for young girls.
😊
October 18, 2018
At this point, I have no idea what’s happening or who any of the characters are, but it sure is pretty, and I’m still very invested in seeing how this all ends.
A scene I really liked: Aliens laughing about how everyone’s an alien to someone else. A small moment, but an important message for kids to hear when the term “illegal alien” gets thrown around so frequently.
A scene I really liked: Aliens laughing about how everyone’s an alien to someone else. A small moment, but an important message for kids to hear when the term “illegal alien” gets thrown around so frequently.
October 7, 2018
I really like what the author did in this book. I was a little confused after the last one, but I felt this one brought the plot back on track. There may be a few lose ends, buts that’s what having books in a series is for!
November 8, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
April 1, 2021
I’m still hoping on a real ending to the series...
October 21, 2022
Things are coming to an exciting climax in Kazu Kibuishi’s eighth book in the Amulet graphic novel series, “Supernova”. A space fleet has been launched to the planet that seems to be the source of the shadow-creatures that are slowly taking over all the planets in the galaxy, including Earth. Emily is stuck in the form of the fiery bird-creature, but there is still a remnant within that is human and fighting against the Voice. Prince Trellis has rightly taken his place as leader of the Elves after it is revealed that his father, the Elf-King, died many years ago and his body was possessed by the Voice.
Book Nine is shaping up to be the final battle between the Voice and the stonekeepers. I can’t wait…
Book Nine is shaping up to be the final battle between the Voice and the stonekeepers. I can’t wait…
May 22, 2021
I cried at the end of this i can’t believe this is the last volume that’s out 😭 I NEED VOLUME 9 LIKE YESTERDAY
October 9, 2018
Not my favourite in the series, but still so good! I can't wait for the final volume.
December 12, 2018
The art as always was great, but this one was a bit of a let down. The last installment left us with an incredible cliffhanger. The payoff in this book, while good, felt very rushed with Emily's story mostly taking the backseat in this one. I don't really understand why so much screen time is given to Navin. Emily's story is all I really care about, and I would have been perfectly happy to have left Navin out of the story from the beginning. One more to go.
October 10, 2020
This issue was decent. It didn’t quite pack the same emotional punch as the previous entries, though. It has a pretty good twist, which kept it at a 4/5, but the rest is pretty standard fare for the series.
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February 21, 2020i like this book because there was a lot of action
August 11, 2021
I can't wait for book 9 to come out this fall.
October 4, 2018
3.75 The story felt a little disjointed, but that might be a result of having such a long period of time between reading the last two books. The artwork is fantastic as usual and there are some nice messages throughout the story.
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