Knife’s Edge by Hope Larson and Rebecca Mock

I read Compass South right before I read this one, and I’m glad that I did.  While I’ve seen it said that this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first book of the two before reading this one, because it really fills you in on a bunch of essential background information that you’ll appreciate knowing while reading this book.

Knife’s Edge picks up where Compass South leaves off, on the boat with Alex and Cleo, as well as their father.  They already know that both of their heirlooms from their mother – the pocket watch and the knife – are tools for solving a riddle and breaking a code that will take them both closer to finding a treasure.

Since they are all setting sail with Captain Tarboro, who promises to take them to find their treasure in return for some of it (if they find it), there is some family drama…including both Alex and their father putting Cleo down because she wants to do things that they don’t think are fit for girls, such as sword fighting.  I really like how they add in some sibling rivalry here…it makes the main characters – both Alex and Cleo – seem a lot more real and it gives the story plenty of ways to branch off.

Anyway, the entire graphic novel tells about the twins and their journey to find the treasure that was left to them by their mother.  There is so much adventure, family drama, and even a tiny bit of romance going on here, and it’s such an amazing sequel for the first book.

The character that we love from the first book are back, including Alex, Cleo, Luther, and Captain Tarboro, and so is the twins’ father, who really makes this book feel more loving and family oriented.  There’s adventure, betrayal, and just the right amount of romance in here to please everyone.

If you haven’t read Compass South I think you could still enjoy this book, but I really think it would be more enriching and enjoying to read that book first.  Knife’s Edge brings us so much more of what we know and love from the first book in the duology, with tons more excitement, pirates, and adventure!

Like the first book, Compass South, the author and illustrator have created a one of a kind, amazing story for middle graders, young adults, and adults alike.  This book is the kind of book that can change the way that some people view graphic novels – it’s definitely become one of my favorites, and I plan on reading both books again very soon.  Also, after reading these two books, I will definitely be adding anything by these two to my “must read” lists!

Hope Larson adapted and illustrated A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel, for which she won an Eisner Award. She is also the author and illustrator of Salamander Dream, Gray Horses, Chiggers, and Mercury. She lives in Los Angeles. hopelarson.com

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Rebecca Mock is an illustrator and comics artist. Her work has appeared  in various publications, including the New York Times and the New Yorker.  She is co-organizer of the Hana Doki Kira anthology. Compass South is  her first book. rebeccamock.com

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