THE STONEKEEPER'S CURSE (AMULET #2) - Kazu Kibuishi

Having enjoyed the set up of young Emily and her fated role as the new stonekeeper in the first of the Amulet series, what a pleasure to find out even that highly-entertaining graphic novel was merely a prologue compared to the amped-up pacing, story, and settings of book two.  The Stonekeeper's Curse picks up where book one left off, with Emily and her brother and new friends journeying to a land where they can find a cure for the kids' mother, who is dying from a slow-acting poison.  But even more than that, Emily's role as stonekeeper - and the curse that goes with its responsibilities - is brought more to light here, as well as the heightened threat over Emily and her family as the Elf King sends his second-in-command out to destroy her.  As in the first book, the artwork here is breathtaking - putting you right into the story and its characters' heads - but its the ramping up of pacing, characters, and plot that make this one a richer, fuller read.  Can't wait for book three.  ****1/2