(3) 4-6 Bone series. Illustrated by Jeff Smith. It's time for Tom and his loyal band of human and non-human allies to stop the Nacht, an evil force that threatens the world. In this concluding novel, all of the pieces finally align to lead to a showdown between good and evil. Taut pacing, amiable characters, and a satisfying epilogue will satisfy Bone fans, though newbies will need some background.

Reviewer: April Spisak

(4) 4-6 Bone series. Illustrated by Jeff Smith. Color by Steve Hamaker. Tom Elm and his ever-increasing band of allies continue on their quest to find the shattered pieces of the Spark that will save the Dreaming from the growing menace of the evil Nacht. Throughout the adventure, alliances and allegiances are tested. The book does contain occasional art, but this wordy novel lacks some of the action and verve of the original Bone graphic-novel series.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Bone series. Illustrated by Jeff Smith. Color by Steve Hamaker. A Veni Yan warrior, a twelve-year-old turnip farmer, and members of the Bone family have felt a darkness creeping into the Dreaming. By graphic novel's end, they have banded together to save the Valley from consumption by a growing evil. This first volume in a new series in the Bone universe demands that readers be entirely familiar with the previous books for comprehension.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Smith & Steve Hamaker. Things are heating up in this graphic novel series as Bone and his friends prepare to face off against the Hooded One while Thorn begins to understand her place in the Valley and among her people. Newcomers will need to back up quite a bit to understand references made in this installment.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Smith & Steve Hamaker. Phoney Bone has most of Barrelhaven fooled into thinking he's a mighty dragonslayer, in this fourth book in the series (originally published in comic-book form). Meanwhile, the evil rat creatures, pawns of the hooded one and the Lord of the Locusts, have drawn the townspeople into war. The humor and action will leave fans satisfied, but the plot will likely confound first-time readers.

Reviewer: Mark Adam

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeff Smith & Steve Hamaker. When greedy Phoney Bone is run out of town, his cousins, Fone and Smiley, join him. Fone makes friends with a country girl, her no-nonsense gran'ma, and a dragon; Phoney must contend with ferocious rat creatures who are led by a mysterious "hooded one" and who want Phoney's soul. This graphic novel (originally published in comic-book form) is slow paced but nevertheless imaginative.

Reviewer: Mark Adam