Amelia Cole and the Enemy Unleashedby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 9 Things come to a head when the Magistrate is killed and the Council goes on the warpath against Amelia and her friends. Hector and the survivors of Omega Company follow magic-absorbing monsters back to their world, making things even harder for Amelia. Will her never-say-die attitude and quick thinking be enough to survive the day, let alone save it?This volume has definitely picked up steam! The back-and-forth between the two worlds is balanced as well as possible, but the transitions are hard. I enjoyed seeing how things were brought back together and in what direction they moved forward. I still don't understand how or why Hector was in this other world -- or, for that matter, why any of Omega Company were there. What is that world anyway? It's not one of the three Amelia has been to. The volume also balances the "good" news with the bad. Exposing the Magistrate as a fraud made me happy, but I also appreciate that he was doing what he thought best to protect everyone while being used as a puppet by the Council. An unenviable position if I ever heard one. Omega Company gets home, but not all of them. The Council attacks, but Amelia gives them much more trouble than they anticipated. There's a huge twist at the end, which is unexpected and so full of potential problems and drama that I know the next volume will be interesting. On the other hand, I must admit to being disappointed with the story ending with things so dire for a city full of non-mages and mages that don't really know magic the way the Protectors or the military do. The Council is terrifying, as are the monsters, but it's two very different types of scary. I like that Lemmy makes choices of his own a few times, and gets an upgrade! I appreciate that Amelia and Hector attempt discussing things ... in their own way. Their talks are sometimes at odd times (mid-battle when it seems they are too busy to do that), but at other times it's in natural breaks in the battle. There's an interview with the creators at the end of this volume, and it's quite insightful. I really liked learning that they actively try to let each volume stand-alone while also keeping the story continuous (and as the preferable way to read it). I also liked hearing how they see Amelia as the true carrying force of this comic while still having a varied cast (though the ladies are still outnumbered by the men when it comes to main and supporting characters). The end also has a couple bonus stories in black, white, and a single color (blue, green, orange, grey) and a "Freedom of Speech" story that's simple but well done. I enjoyed the extras, especially as some have nothing to do with the main story or even use character designs we know for "new" characters (like the noir story). This is an action-packed volume that should definitely not be missed! I'm eager for the fourth volume, especially with the cliffhanger here. You can jump in here and enjoy this volume by itself, but there's enough going on (connecting different plot points) that it will be much more enjoyable if you at least read volume two before picking this up. Amelia's personality and mindset, along with her unorthodox (and sometimes surprising to herself) ways of using magic, make her a wonderful lead character. The interactions she has with people (friends and other) are genuine and relatable, which makes me like her and the story even more. Written: November 13, 2015
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