Overview

Legends once spoke of the mannamong-mythical spirits formed by Mother Nature to guide, heal, and nurture humanity. Over time, these stories faded into memory as mankind drifted from nature and forgot the beings who once cared for them. But while humans turned their attention elsewhere, the mannamong never abandoned their duty. Hidden from sight, they continue to balance the mortal world... even as the spiritual realm begins to tremble. Kali Teal, a spirited young girl struggling with a mysterious, severe illness, has always found comfort in her mother's bedtime tales about these protective spirits. But when her fevers worsen and her dreams become strangely vivid, Kali begins to sense that there is more truth to the stories than she ever imagined. One night, she encounters a mannamong in her dreams-only to learn that her illness is not a natural sickness at all. A rogue mannamong is haunting her, draining her strength and invading her sleep. Confused and frightened, Kali begins questioning everything she thought she knew: If the mannamong are meant to help humans... why is one of them attacking her? As Kali seeks answers, she is pulled into a hidden world where spirits walk alongside mortals, ancient bonds are tested, and forgotten truths rise to the surface. Her journey will push her toward the courage she never knew she had and force her to confront the mysterious forces that threaten both realms. The Mannamong - Volume 1 is the first book in a heartfelt middle-grade fantasy graphic novel series about hope, courage, and the unseen connections that bind the living world to the spiritual one. With rich artwork, emotional storytelling, and characters that resonate across ages, this volume introduces readers to an adventure full of mystery, magic, and wonder-perfect for fans of fantasy-driven graphic novels and young readers seeking captivating stories with strong emotional cores.

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9781732563261

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Reviews

Kirkus Review In Lengyel's graphic novel for children, a precocious young girl discovers a hidden world of magical spirits-and accidentally brings one back with her into her own world. Eight-year-old Kali Teal has felt ill for as long as she can remember. Doctors have never been able to figure out what's wrong, and no medicine seems to help. One stormy night, while driving to the hospital with her mom, a feverish Kali finds herself whisked away to the land of the Mannamong-nature spirits she knows from her mother's bedtime stories. In this new place, she meets Gisenes, the daughter of Mother Nature, who reveals that a Mannamong named Tontorus has been hiding inside her and is responsible for her illness. Gisenes and the other Mannamong manage to imprison Tontorus, and Kali returns to the real world completely healed. Just as her life is beginning to return to normal, however, she learns that Tontorus somehow returned with her, and his curse threatens to transform her into a pointy-eared, fox-tailed creature, much like Tontorus himself. Soon, she's on a quest with a Mannamong named Blitzstreak to find a mysterious pearl in a race against time to separate Kali's soul from Tontorus forever. Lengyel delivers a delightful adventure that's full of whimsy, with just a touch of scariness to keep young readers on the edge of their seats. Kali is a courageous hero whose hot temper gets her into trouble from time to time, but her bravery and resourcefulness make her easy to root for. The plot moves at a brisk pace, but the detailed worldbuilding and well-developed characters keep the story from losing focus. The rich Mannamong mythology matches perfectly with Lengyel's vibrant, full-color cartoon illustrations. The author deftly mixes a bit of manga style with influences drawn from Mesoamerican art, arriving at an offbeat aesthetic that's full of passion and playfulness. This first volume in a series ends on a cliffhanger, but the author offers tantalizing clues to what may be in store for Kali down the road. An engaging tale that offers fantastical storytelling and hair-raising adventure.

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