The Inkberg Enigma

by Jonathan King

"Haven't you always thought there’s something WEIRD about this town, Miro?"

Miro and Zia live in Aurora, a fishing town nestled in the shadow of an ancient castle. Miro lives in his books; Zia is never without her camera. The day they meet, they uncover a secret. The fishing works, the castle, and the town council are all linked to an ill-fated 1930s Antarctic expedition. But the diary of that journey has been hidden, and the sea is stirring up unusual creatures. Something has a powerful hold over the town.

With Zia determined to find out more, Miro finds himself putting aside his books for a real adventure.

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

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a fondness for graphics that feature realistic kids, the kind of kids you live next door to. This book features two of these and they are great, gutsy, and curious and I enjoyed every moment I spent with them. Best of all this is a local book and it feels comfortable and realistic for kids here.

We meet Miro, home for the school holidays, delighted to be left with his books, and he is on a quest to collect the whole of an antique series. He is raiding the attic in his house to get the cash to get the money to buy the books. Then the new girl in their small fishing town, Zia, swoops Miro off into a world of adventure. They see something they shouldn't and the bad guys are not impressed. Things escalate and they find themselves trying to solve a mystery which has been a terrible secret for many years. There is all kind of creepy, thrilling action, the mayor of the town is beautifully drawn, he looks like a Stephen King bad guy character! It has everything, a creepy castle-like house on the hill with a mysterious old lady, henchmen, angry fishermen, an oblivious Dad, and a girl who is largely unsupervised. Loads of fun.

I loved this graphic novel and I know that they boys at school would just lap it up. I'll buy multiple copies. More please Jonathan King. I could definitely do with another Miro and Zia adventure.

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inkberg Enigma is a brilliant graphic novel from New Zealand comic creator and film maker, Jonathan King. Reading this made me feel like I was 10 years old again, devouring Tintin and wanting to be him.

Miro is a book-obsessed boy living an adventurous life through the stories of Jules Verne and Edgar Rice Burroughs. Real-life adventure finds him though when Zia, a girl from his school, drags him in to a town mystery. Miro is reluctant to get involved but, as Mira says, ‘this is how you have adventures. You find cool things and you do them...you don’t just read books about them!’ Their town of Aurora has been built on the prosperous fishing in their harbour. When Miro and Zia see something that they are not supposed to they set out to discover the truth behind the legacy of Aurora and the shady characters who run the town.

The Inkberg Enigma is filled with adventure, mystery, and secrets. It’s also just the right amount of spooky and sinister that keeps you turning the pages. I flew through the story the first time and have since read it again to fully appreciate the story and the artwork.

I love all the characters, from the book-loving Miro and the ever-curious Zia to the sinister mayor of Aurora, Mr Hunter. Miro reminds me a lot of myself because he sells artefacts that he finds in his attic just so he can buy more books. His habit gets so bad that he has a whole spare room full of books! He’d also rather read about adventures than have them in real life.

Jonathan’s illustrations are fantastic, from his characters to the images of the town of Aurora. As a Christchurch local I immediately recognised Lyttelton as Aurora, from the town streets to the museum and the harbour. I really like the flow of the illustrations, with the scene on the boat being my favourite. Jonathan doesn’t let the panels limit the story either, with some really clever sections where the illustrations move out of the panels.

The Inkberg Enigma is one of my favourite kids graphic novels of 2020 and I’ll be recommending it to everyone. I really hope there will be more stories with Miro and Zia.

[Kate Duignan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old and I both gobbled this book up. Gorgeously drawn, with a seaside town, a complex mystery to unravel, monsters of the deep and a bibliophile hero: a graphic novel for everyone. I felt a bit like I'd watched a Studio Ghibli film by the end of it, although Inkberg has a sensibility all of its own.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good graphic novel takes you on twists and turns, even if it is written for children.

You don't want the story telegraphed to you.

So, this graphic novel sets us up to believe that there is some sort of sea monster in the bay, and well, yup that is what it is.

So, even though the kids are solving a mystery that no one else in town has noticed, even with a mayor with a scar on his face (can you get any heavy handed then that in pointing out bad guy here).

And we never really understand why Miro loves to buy books, other than he does. It is almost as though that is thrown in as a red herring, and then nothing is done with it.

So, this is an ok adventure story, but there is no nuance. Also, the backgrounds are amazing, but some of the people drawn are really flat. Not sure why this is.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slacker Miro Temple has been clandestinely raiding the attic for antiques to sell so as to buy first-edition books. What for? Feisty photographer Zia realizes that something really odd is going on in the fishing town of Aurora — something involving impossible sea creatures. What could that be? When the two pair, the cautious bookworm and the intrepid would-be adventurer discover secrets about their town’s history that put their own lives in danger. This thrilling middle-grade graphic novel by New Zealand author Jonathan King will appeal to readers of all ages.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Myrick Marketing & Media, and Gecko Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read but tells an interesting story of mystery and monsters. The story was easy to follow, I liked the old-timey feel of the illustrations, and the plot was interesting. I liked seeing how everything came together by the end. It was definitely predictable/cheesy at times but that didn't stop me from enjoying the story.

*I received this eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Full review: https://picturethisliteraturecom.word...

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel centers on a bookish young man, Miro, who lives in a fishing village where his father works in a history museum. There are strange occurrences around the town, and the fishermen have secrets to hide. Miro's new friend, Zia, takes a photograph of a fisherman who has been attacked at sea, the local fishermen warn Miro and Zia to stay away and keep quiet about what they saw. But of course, they begin to investigate the weird phenomena around town.

I loved this book! The characters, the interesting plot, and the world-building are all excellent.

I liked that Miro is a bookworm, and spends his life diving into books but never having any real adventures. Each of the characters has their own vivid personality and backstory.

The world-building is really interesting as we gradually find out more about the history of the town, and all the mysteries that are lurking in the ocean deep. I liked the layers of history that were uncovered through the plot.

The plot is a little bit predictable, but I didn't care because I was just enjoying reading it. I was still interested in seeing how things played out and how the mysteries were solved, even if the outcome was a little obvious and predictable. It was fun just being along for the ride with some good story-telling.

The artwork is fantastic. I really loved the art style and the coloring. The panels tell the story clearly and show the energetic action. The coloring does a wonderful job of displaying the mood and enhancing the creepiness of the plot. Each character is unique and expressive. The art brings forward the suspense and emotion in the story!


Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Melinda Szymanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Lovecraftian mystery for children of 9+, this graphic novel is set within the mysterious fishing town of Aurora which holds a dark and dangerous secret. Together, Miro and Zia begin to unearth its dark history and try to understand how a place so desolate and poor gradually became so wealthy. Why is it that, as a fishing town, it suddenly gained more fish for trade that it could ever need?

Jonathan King's style and pace is well considered here and I found Miro an interesting, reluctant hero. Zia, who is far more active and brave, makes for a good companion but needed fleshing out a little more. Miro on the other hand, who prefers sticking his nose in books, has an incredibly selfish trait of feeding his reading needs by selling items in the attic without his father knowing. This made him both a bit more interesting but also more difficult to side and care for - I found myself more drawn to Zia.

The story and mystery itself though is a good one as is the dark tale that lies behind the town's success. These story-within-a-story moments are beautifully told through King's dark-sepia flashbacks. I also liked the size of the novel, a little bigger and wider than most made me feel as if I was invited into the narrative more.

Anyone with a penchant for supernatural mystery and gripping storyline will enjoy this although I wanted a little more depth from the characters who felt a little one-dimensional at times.

[Amie · Rating 4 out of 5]

☆☆☆½

The Inkberg Enigma follows Miro, a curious boy in a quiet fishing town, who teams up with a fearless girl named Zia to uncover a dark and mysterious secret lurking beneath the surface. As they dig deeper, they discover a hidden history that threatens their town's future.

This graphic novel is an engaging mix of mystery and adventure with stunning artwork that draws you into its eerie coastal setting. Though the story is straightforward, its charm and momentum make it an enjoyable read.

[Sheena · Rating 4 out of 5]

V random story with ink and giant squids from the depths of the ocean LOL kind of entertaining. Resonated with the main character who sold random antiques in his attic to BUY BOOKS LMAO

[Shatterlings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable adventure romp with some cool artwork that was a quick easy read.

[y.bow]

This was a fun children’s graphic novel by a NZ author! It had diverse and endearing characters and could easily become a series.

[whatbooknext · Rating 4 out of 5]

The attic of Miro's new home is filled with boxes and dusty piles of old junk. But Miro knows the difference between
junk and treasure as he selects something to sell. First stop is the town Antiques store, and then his final destination - the bookstore that holds rare editions of collectible books. His collection is growing.

Excited with his new purchase, Miro heads for the ferry to take him home. At the pier, he runs into Zia, a girl from school. Like Miro's passion is books, Zia's is photography, and she inadvertedly takes a photo of something incredibly strange.

What's even stranger is the Mayor's reaction to them being on the pier. Miro might love reading classic adventures, but when Zia later suggests an adventure of their own, he's not keen. Zia's determined though, wanting to know why the Mayor is suddenly so interested in them.

Following Zia into a private warehouse is just the beginning of a mystery that involves the Mayor, a secret order of fisherman, and the wealthiest woman in town. Miro is suddenly in trouble because of books. Not just the ones he has been collecting at home, but another that everyone seems incredibly interested in. It tells a strange story... and why are the local fish following them....?

Young mystery fans will love this graphic novel. It has all the ingredients of a gripping read:

Two everyday inquisitive kids
Something weird happening in town
The elusive owner of a local castle
A Maniacal Mayor with a terrible secret
Tons of action
...and maybe even a strange creature looking for something...

[Pop Bop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly Predictable, But Well Executed and Engaging

Something odd is going on in the fishing village of Aurora, and our two main characters need to get to the bottom of it all. Zia is impetuous and a bit reckless, and Miro is more cautious, so you get a low key touch of tension between our two heroes. The overall feel is Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew, but with some welcome H.P. Lovecraft wrinkles that add interest, darkness, and supernatural creepiness to the tale.

The kids lurk and sneak and hide and escape, and do research and interrogate locals, and the action and the investigating are nicely balanced and well paced in service of a plot that zips along once the setup is in place. We get monologuing in places, and a very handy journal that gives us some backstory, but that was interesting enough to not bog down the tale.

The art initially struck me as unexceptional, but it grew on me as the story progressed. You can always tell who's who and what's going on, and so while there wasn't anything splashy going on that was fine, since the tale is basically plot driven with twists and reveals that move to an action climax. The old-timey style of the drawing that backed up the old journal entries also added variety and a different style, which kept the art interesting.

So, this was fun and cleverly told. While it didn't break new ground it was a solid tale well told.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Sarah Sloom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the small fishing town of Aurora, The Inkberg Enigma tells the story of characters Miro and Zia, as they set out on an "adventure" to unravel the secrets of their hometown. The story is fast-paced, pretty straightforward, and an easy read for young readers.

This graphic novel does a good job in laying out a simple story to follow, from the setup, the action, and the overall execution. That being said, I felt the plot was a bit forced upon its main characters, as they really had no reason going into the adults' business other than for the "sake of adventure," which led me to often wondering, why are they getting so involved in the first place? What is the motive here?

The details of the backgrounds and settings were very carefully drawn, creating some pleasant visuals and full page illustrations. While plenty attention to detail was here, the people in this book are drawn rather awkwardly, with stiff facial expressions and crooked eyes. You get used to the "style" as you continue reading, but it doesn't necessarily mesh well with the backgrounds.

This read is likely more well-suited for younger readers, who will find enjoyment in the action, mystery, and easy-to-follow story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

    Miro loves collecting and reading old books. Zia loves finding adventure and documenting it all with her camera. But when they spot something they shouldn’t have – strange tentacles wrapped around an injured fisherman – Zia encourages Miro to join her in finding out what exactly is going on at the fishery works. They just might find a bigger mystery than they bargained for, and healthy dose of danger to go with it.
    I really enjoyed seeing such a book collector as Miro in these pages – he loves not only collecting old books, knows every detail about them and their quality/what they’re made of, but also enjoys reading them. And possibly has a larger TBR than I! I also liked seeing Zia pull him out of his book cave, and how they interacted with each other and went about trying to get to the bottom of the mystery, as only kids can.
   The way the mystery slowly unfolds is done well, and I like the dose of reality in how the town is run: a small fishing village whose livelihood is dependent upon good catches, regardless of the cost it has been to them. There’s, naturally, an element of the supernatural, and something that has its roots in past events. Can’t have a good mystery in an isolated town without it tying back to some event in the past, right?
   I read this for tonight’s Cookies and Comics book club with my local library, and I’m very interested to see what the kids who read it thought of it.
   One thing that did have me confused at the end is it was a big deal to get the book, written in the liquid from the inkberg, back into the water to appease the Cthulhu-type monster from taking human sacrifices. Yet the monster didn’t seem to care about the ink that was in Miss Danforth’s arm? Did it not care about her because she wasn’t going on the water and taking advantage of the lure of the ink in her arm to get fish?

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*A copy of The Inkberg Enigma was provided to me by NetGalley. Thank you to Gecko Press and NetGalley for the read!
**This book was also read as part of the #StayHomeReadingRush, completing the challenge "Read a Book in the Same Room the Whole Time!"

The Inkberg Enigma is the story of the Aurora, a fishing town with a lucrative business, and of Miro, who sees something out of the ordinary and learns that the town's business may be more insidious than meets the eye. Teaming up with his neighbor Zia, Miro goes on an adventure to solve the mystery of Aurora.

The Inkberg Enigma was a fun and fast-paced graphic novel. It comes in at 130 pages, and doesn't have too long of a reading time. The art style is easy to read and understand, and leaves room for some fun big panels with great details. I loved Miro's love for books and museums, as those are my interests too, so I was on board with his adventure from the beginning. I wouldn't exactly say the story had a predictable resolution, but I would say that it had a clear direction, with a mysterious character being hinted at throughout the story.

My only major gripe was the color palette. There was a lot of green throughout the story, and the yellowy green in particular became unpleasant to look at.

All in all, I definitely enjoyed this read. Had I not received an ARC copy, I could have definitely seen myself perusing the shelves at my local bookstore or library and picking this up. I would recommend this to others if they are looking for a mystery graphic novel!

[Gia Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the start of the book we already get to see what type of person one of the main characters is, Miro is quite the bookworm and trades/sells off many antiques left in his parent's attic to feed and fund his hunger for new and interesting books. Miro and his classmate Zia, who loves adventures outside of a book come to his rescue since everyone calls him a bookworm and such, one day they both see something strange and due to Zia's thirst for a daring adventure she drags Miro along with her to discover what is happening in their small town, Aurora. I personally love this story since the characters have a lot of depth and aren't one sided at all, the setting is also very fun and leads to the cause of the mystery of this town, a small fishing town that relies on its water. I also adore how the title started to tie the story together towards the end, every part of this book just ties together and the chemistry with everything is all amazing, the characters, the town, and the mystery. I would recommend this book to visual learners and other similar categories since the graphics of this book is amazing and can really bring you into the story, the style has a fun feel and any age can read this since it's quite simple but still very nice.

[idreamofallthebooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A budding friendship, a corrupted seaside town and an adventure… count me in!

Firstly, the narrative. The story that King has woven sends me firmly back to late primary when I was devouring Nancy Drew mysteries and A Series of Unfortunate Events. The story is clearly framed around one mystery – the corrupted seaside town of Aurora – which allows King to develop the motivations and actions of the characters in more detail.

Secondly, the characters. Miro and Zia are a duo that I just can’t get enough of! Miro is a bookworm and Zia is an outgoing photographer who always seems to get into mischief. Their rapport is earnest and honest. They work together – despite their differences – to do what is right by their families and their town.

Finally, the illustrations. Amazing! The graphics by King were detailed and complimented the flow of the narrative beautifully.

Though it was a quick read, it was an incredibly enjoyable one!

Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me a copy to read and review!

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miro and his new friend Zia live in a small, but very successful fishing town. The town has a secret and it’s a big one. Micro and Zia are on a mission to unravel their seaside town’s greatest mystery.
The story begins when bookworm, Miro is challenged by bullies as he leaves his favorite bookstore. Here is where he meets Zia, his rescuer. Almost immediately, the two stumble upon a mysterious, otherworldly happening.
Miro and Zia are hooked on the mystery after seeing a local fisherman whose leg is ensnared by cephalopodlike tentacles. They begin to explore Aurora’s mysterious history, including the Danforth family patriarch who founded the town’s primary employer. How do they catch so many fish here? That is mysterious key and there are those who will go to any length to protect the secret that keeps Aurora’s economy booming.
The narrative itself swings back and forth from the present to the past, with the historical event when Shackleton’s ship was frozen in ice for months during an Antarctic expedition.

A little mystery, a little fantasy and a smattering of history here.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aurora is a thriving fishing village that holds secrets. Miro's father is in charge of the town's museum, and Miro himself leads a quiet life, immersed in books and the adventures they hold. When Zia comes to his rescue while he's being bullied, they strike up a friendship and become immersed in a mystery surrounding the town. After seeing what looks to be tentacles on an injured fisherman, they are curious about what those are and how he got them. Miro is reluctant to investigate too closely or to take chances, but Zia persuades him that doing so is necessary. What they eventually discover explains why the town's fishing industry is so prosperous. The premise behind this story was original and interesting and kept me engaged as did the colorful images. There were some holes in the story, but it still was worth reading. Fans of science fiction and unexplained phenomena might be interested in this graphic novel.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery told in graphic novel format.

Unlikely friends Miro and Zia solve the mystery surrounding the fishermen of their harbor town and the castle up on the cliff.

King's tightly woven story is sure to keep young readers hungry for suspense and a little danger on the edge of their seats with this one. Observant readers will gather the first clue quickly and have an idea where this mystery is going. He adds many clues about Miro and Kia in the illustrations, so readers will understand their motives for choices. King's choice of greens for the base of the color pallette adds an edge to this. Two quibbles. First, Miss Danforth looks more like a man than a woman; rather than sporting a short shaggy haircut and a sweater over a shirt, perhaps an updo bun and ruffly blouse would have made her look a bit more feminine. Second, this would have done well with the story broken into 3-4 segments or chapters. As is, it is one long short story.

Recommended for grades 3-6.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 2 out of 5]

50%

I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if the suspense of the book wasn't driven by lack of communication, which to me is a just a sign of sloppy writing. Halfway through I considered not finishing it, because I was so annoyed that the kids didn't just TELL people and post public pictures of the journal, but I was curious enough by the unique premise that I wanted to see how it ended.

I understand why the left the magic squid left unexplained since the primary mystery was centered around what was up with the fisherman, and letting the story end on the note of "positive things to come" is generally a decent way to end a book. But I am awfully confused as to how an expedition picture from the 30's had the still-alive fisherman in it. I mean, sure, they looked like sketchy walking zombies, but are you telling me that they're 80+ years old and still fishing? Is some sort of magic keeping them alive? What the heck was up with that?

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

*very minor spoiler*

I received a review copy on NetGalley earlier today. When I picked it up to see if it was something I wanted to read, I found myself finishing the graphic novel in one sitting. Now I did see the occasional missed word here or there, but it did not hinder my experience or enjoyment. I would definitely be interested in picking up another book by the author/artist duo. I didn’t know if I would enjoy the art style but I grew to enjoy it by the end. I would say that in regards to the art style, it was easy to tell who the bad guys were because they had a sickly colour to their skin tone. I would recommend this graphic novel to anyone looking for a super fun, quick, and easy read to get you through the day, or even a reading slump.

Thanks again to Publisher Spotlight for sending a review copy my way

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Inkberg Enigma' with story and art by Jonathan King is a graphic novel about a town with a secret and two young explorers out to uncover it.

Miro and Sia live in Aurora, a fishing village. There are mysteries in the town tied to an Antarctic expedition and a secret creature that must be kept happy. It all ties to a secret book, and more importantly to how it's written. Miro's love of books and Sia's curiosity may get to the bottom of things or get them in big trouble.

I had a lot of fun reading this story. The plot was fun, as was the art. I've read a few things by Jonathan King and I like his approach to art and character design.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Gecko Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a graphic novel reader as a habit, but I can totally appreciate the effort which goes into a quality graphic.

I read The Inkberg Enigma in an afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story rocked along at a cracking pace, and had a real Scooby Doo feel to it (in a really good way!)

Mira and Zia live in a slightly mysterious fishing town where the local fishermen seem to have an unnatural hold on the place. Mira is a readaholic and will go to any lengths to get his next reading fix, and Zia is never without her beloved camera. When they witness a fisherman coming in on a boat wrapped in something very odd they decide to investigate - despite warnings from Mira's dad.

One of the things I loved about this book was the way the words and the pictures worked together seamlessly to tell the story. Definitely recommended!

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miro keeps to himself reading books alone in his house. Zia is outgoing seeking adventure in real life. When the two are at the same place when a weird thing occurs they have different ideas of how to handle it. There's something wrong in the water. The two kids witness a man wrapped in a sea monster. The mayor and a few other men try to threaten the kids to keep quiet about what they've seen. This leads them to try to figure out what's going on. By reading books, talking with a marine biologist and a historian they discover a secret in their town. Fueled by Zia's energy for discovery Miro is way out of his comfort zone as they sneak around gathering evidence. The powerful men rule the town and need that secret to stay secret. But the kids know it's dangerous and has to be exposed.

[Marilyn Raquel ❤✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Damn, when I read the synopsis I thought it was going to be a fun, interesting adventure. That was not the case.

There isn't a single captivating thing about this, the characters are very one dimensional, the dialogue is quite weird and the story is predictable. A child could enjoy this for sure I guess, but anyone would over 5 wouldn't.

Just a friendly reminder that just because something is for kids, doesn't mean it shouldn't be good.