Redakai, Vol. 1: Invasion of the Gilfreem (1)

Conquer the Kairu!

In the hands of good, kairu is a living force that guides the universe. But in the hands of evil, kairu is the most destructive power in the world. Those who can harness it can eventually obtain the highest rank of kairu warrior, a Redakai! Ky, Maya and Boomer are Team Stax. Together they plan to conquer the kairu!

Ky, Maya and Boomer investigate a mysterious source of kairu and land smack in the middle of an alien invasion! But not everything is always as it seems. Is it really all up to Team Stax to save Earth from the Gilfreem? Plus, a bonus story, “Home, Kairu, Home.” There’s trouble on Boomer’s family farm. Is a rival team stealing animals to extract kairu energy?!

Reads L to R (Western Style) for all ages.

You know those kids who only want to read books about their favorite TV shows? This graphic novel is for them. Based on the animated series, which itself is a spin-off of the collectable card game, the book tells the story of Ky, Maya, and Boomer, three teens attempting to master the power of kairu, a destructive force that has been broken up and scattered across the world. When the team members arrive to collect a newly discovered cache of kairu, they are surprised to discover the Gilfreem, an alien life-form attempting to gather the kairu for themselves. The writing follows standard Saturday-morning cartoon pacing: character introduction, arrival of villain, fight, lesson learned, and a short bonus backstory, in this case about the mysterious disappearance of cows on Boomer’s family farm. The artwork is consistent, with bright colors and familiar character designs. Although this will appeal most to readers already familiar with the property, it won’t take long for newcomers to catch on. Grades 4-7. --Eva Volin