Miki Falls Vol 4: Winter

  The Miki Falls graphic novel series is one of the hidden gems that I discovered this year. It's a great graphic novel series for older elementary and middle schoolers as well as other reluctant readers, particularly those who are hesitant to read graphic novels. While the books are wholesome they are not lacking in storytelling and drawings. I recently finished Winter, the last book in the graphic novel series.

Description (from Amazon): Can love survive? It's winter, and a bitter chill of desperation has settled over Miki and Hiro. Far from home, the young couple treks through the frozen north, with Akuzu's powerful agents hot on their trail. Miki knows they are determined to tear her and Hiro apart. But she has different plans. With the help of an unlikely ally, Miki and Hiro endure a daring journey, battling freezing conditions and frightening forces just to be together. Miki is certain they can make it, hoping that love really does conquer all.

Review: In the opening pages of Spring, the first book in the Miki Falls series, we see Miki falling out of a window and begins recounting what lead her to that moment. In Winter, the satisfying conclusion to the series, we return to that very intense moment and realize what has happened: Miki is willing to go to extremes, even causing herself harm, rather than giving into Hiro's superiors who threaten to tear them apart. Hiro and Miki are hoping to start life outside the rules that dictate Hiro's life, but unfortunately the couple can't catch a break. Each step they move forward, they are pushed back two to three spaces behind. They are finding it hard to distinguish between friends and allies. Crilley does not allow his characters to take the easy way out nor does he succumb to melodrama and despair. Miki's stubbornness remains her constant strength. She is unwilling to give up on her love, which she knows to be true, no matter what. There were a lot of twists and turns that occurred in this final volume that I didn't expect, which made the reading pleasurable and exciting. Crilley knows how to make use of different panel styles and space, sometimes spreading them across pages. One of the gorgeous spreads in this book is the snow falling with Miki and Hiro in the center. You can feel the cold air whipping around you yet feel secure and peaceful at the exact same time. As I mentioned in my other reviews of this series, readers of all ages will find much in Miki to admire, and they will be enchanted with this lovely and unique supernantural romance. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book try: Twilight: Graphic Novel by Stephenie Meyer and Young Kim