Children of the Night (When Monsters Wake Book 1): A Graphic Novel

Gr 8 Up–In this Dracula retelling, Mina is a young photographer, willing to take risks to get her photographs. When a ship crashes into a nearby beach, she sneaks onboard and witnesses the dead captain and the strange coffins below deck. Soon afterwards, a mysterious young man enrolls at her high school and becomes involved in planning a dance that her friend Lucy is organizing. Familiar names appear that mirror the original narrative, as Mina and the other students are soon battling an evil monster. Artist Ganucheau’s illustrations flow well, with art that is appealing yet suits the horror story. The palette is subdued, with accentuated red coloring to reinforce the imagery of Dracula’s bloodthirsty ways. Teen audiences who enjoyed Maggie Tokuda-Hall and Lisa Sterle’s Squad will likely enjoy this modern retelling by author Setian. The conclusion suggests that more adventures await Mina and her friends, making this new series one to invest in. Mina is depicted with pale skin and dark hair.