THE CLOUD SEARCHERS (AMULET #3) - Kazu Kibuishi

In part three of the vivid, beautifully-drawn Amulet series of graphic novels, Emily and company go in search - Star Wars-style - of a captain and ship to help them find Cielis, the city in the clouds, dismissed long ago as a myth, where the surviving stonekeepers retreated when the elves attacked.  Coming along for the ride is their former fiercest enemy, Prince Trellis - son of the Elf King, he was originally sent to turn Emily's powers to their advantage, but now works against his father (or does he?) - even while the gang is pursued by a new enemy determined to follow them on their quest ... and not only hunt them down, but destroy Cielis if and when its found.  I have to say (aside from the grade-A artwork, as always), whereas I found book two full of action and progressing the story nicely, this volume felt full of fluff and like an elongated TV episode instead of a fully-rounded story.  A fast read, as always, but it was a bit jarring to find myself not caring as much for the characters, and finding the build-up to the action sequences a letdown when said build-up didn't fully follow through.  Not done with the series, by any means; just wish this one had been ... more.  And more exciting.  **1/2