THE STONEKEEPER (AMULET #1) - Kazu Kibuishi

Over time I've delved into various forms of either manga or graphic novels, trying to figure out what all the passion was about, but never fully stayed with one until I came across Book One of the Amulet series.  I "discovered" author/artist Kazu Kibuishi via the documentary Stripped, and what I could see of his work intrigued me ... yet I wasn't prepared for the breathtaking work I saw in the pages of The Stonekeeper.  The story of young Emily and her brother Navin, who move with their mother back to her childhood home after the tragic death of their father only to discover their late great-grand-dad's home has some magical secrets hidden within, feels like a prelude to a bigger tale as the family is drawn into a world of talking animals, spectral demons, and terrifying monsters in which Em is put in charge of a stone that could either help them all escape - or destroy everything.  The beauty of the art if spellbinding, the story laying everything out for a rocking finale that hurtles you right into book two.  Beautifully done by a brilliant artist, thanks to whom I am now more than anxious to dive into the sequel.  ****