Kith: The Good Neighbors, Book Two

I was excited to see this second installment in writer Holly Black and illustrator Ted Naifeh's collaborative Good Neighbors teen graphic novel series. The first volume, Kin, was an intriguing start to the series, and I've been wondering what was going to happen to Rue, our heroine, who discovered some disturbing truths about her life in the first book.

I have to mention how delighted I was to open this book and find a one-page synopsis titled "What Has Come Before." It gives a summary of the first book, which I appreciated because with all the books I read, a refresher comes in handy and gives me a framework for the current story. Thank you, Holly Black!

At any rate, the story picks up where the first book left off. At the end of the first book, Rue discovers that her mother is not, in fact, dead, and that the body that had been buried in her grave is just a mass of twigs and leaves. She travels to faerie to confront her mother, only to discover that her grandfather has some disturbing plans for her hometown, plans that will change it irrevocably. However, it seems that even without her grandfather's nefarious plans hanging over her head, Rue's world has already changed. Her friends are behaving strangely, her boyfriend in particular, and her father is someone she hardly recognizes. She learns, also, that the land of faerie is not without its own insidious temptations. Rue's half human, half faerie heritage pulls her in two different directions, and Rue will need to be strong in order to prevent herself from being pulled apart.

The first book in this series set the stage and introduced the characters. This second book sees events swing into full motion. Rue is having a difficult time of it all around, and her struggles make for a compelling tale. Naifeh's stark and shadowy black-and-white illustrations combine perfectly with the text to create an atmospheric depiction of the story. Once again, the book ends at a crucial moment in Rue's life, leaving me waiting impatiently for the next installment in the series.

Books in The Good Neighbors series:

1. Kin

2. Kith

Kith (#2 in The Good Neighbors series) by Holly Black and Ted Naifeh (Graphix, 2009)

Also reviewed at:
Books Gardens & Dogs: "If you have never thought about reading a graphic novel, think again. The story is very captivating, although I do recommend that you start with Kin, the first book in the series."
Book Reviews and More: "The story that started strong and compelling in book one, becomes even better in this follow-up story. The characters are enticing and draw the readers in, and the artwork is incredible."
The Ninja Librarian: "Its a quick book, but it's chock full of interesting twists and turns. The art is always cool as well - seems very much like a sketchbook of ink drawings."