The Dysasters The graphic novel

P. C. Cast

Book - 2020

Adopted daughter of a scientist, Foster Stewart, and star quarterback, Tate Taylor, discover there is more to their weather-controlling abilities when they team up to deal with a deadly tornado and discover they are the first in a group of teens genetically manipulated before birth to bond with the elements, and worse... they are being hunted.

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GRAPHIC NOVEL/Cast
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Subjects
Genres
Graphic novels
Published
New York : Wednesday Books 2020.
Language
English
Main Author
P. C. Cast (author, -)
Other Authors
Kristin Cast (author)
Edition
First edition
Physical Description
v, 119 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 24 cm
ISBN
9781250268778
Contents unavailable.
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 9 Up--Foster and Tate have never been exactly ordinary, but when they are thrown together in the midst of a giant tornado that kills their families, they team up to discover they both have an extraordinary ability to manipulate air. They learn that they are part of a group of eight teenagers who were genetically modified at birth to control the elements: air, water, fire, and earth. All are being hunted by the brilliant but twisted scientist who experimented on them and now wants to capture and exploit them. This graphic novel is a fully illustrated version of the prose book, which also featured some of the same artwork. The characters are one-dimensional and overly dramatic; rather than creating authentic, believable characters, the authors throw every teenage trope into the mix. The one exception is a transgender girl whose struggle for acceptance is touching and realistic. The dialogue is cheesy and superficial and often seems disconnected from the story--there is a disproportionate amount of snark and swearing despite the overly sweet underlying theme of love being stronger than hate. The panels are creatively positioned and sized, which moves the action along at breakneck speed, and feature intricate but unfortunately unattractive two-color illustrations. Continually in the throes of intense emotions, the characters contort their faces into outlandish caricatures that make the constant theatrics seem ridiculous and even laughable. VERDICT A clichéd story line and characters, unnatural dialogue, and weak artwork make this a graphic novel that will most likely appeal only to die-hard fans of the authors or the original book.--Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Teens discover they have elemental powers and are being hunted by their creator.Foster Stewart has been on the run with her adoptive mother, Cora, for the last year, ever since Cora sold her supposedly deceased husband's clinic. While attending a high school football game, she has a run-in with Tate "Nighthawk" Taylor, one of the players, only to find out he's the reason they are in Missouri. Tate has always been special as the star quarterback in a small townbut his ability to see in the dark doesn't hurt. Just before taking the field, a tornado hits, leaving the teens alone and on the run from the Core Four, the original, genetically modified group designed to control the elements in the fight against climate change. Now at a safe house set up by Cora, they are tasked with finding six other teens with elemental powers before Dr. Rick Stewart and the Core Four can get to them. The Casts, a mother-and-daughter writing team (Forgotten, 2019, etc.), craft a page-turning superhero origin story with a touch of romance. Bifulco's (Three Sisters, 2018, etc.) black-and-white illustrations are expressive and intense, giving depth to each character's emotions, although when elements are being manipulated the background is difficult to distinguish. Foster and Tate are white, and there is some diversity in secondary characters.A good thriller for fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender and the Fantastic Four. (Graphic science fiction. 14-adult) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.