Haru Book 3
Fall
A young bird staves off mass destruction in the fantastical graphic novel Haru Book 3: Fall.
Haru, a bird who’s unable to fly, meets his apparent death at the hands of Blight, a corrupted force bent on ravaging the world. Caught in the Inbetween, Haru is reunited with his mother, a robin who died saving him. Haru learns that he is not a robin but a phoenix, the only one to have existed for centuries. His mother helps him return to the living world, where, through compassion and help from his friends, he works to turn Blight away from a path of destruction.
Virtues of teamwork, acceptance, loyalty, and bravery center the narrative. Yama, Herb, and Frei, a pig, toadstool, and firefly, play key roles, along with Goose, Haru’s brother. In a discussion with Herb, Yama observes, “The things we don’t like about ourselves… / They’re really our strengths.” By staying true to his kind nature, Haru triumphs.
The visuals are rich, featuring lush landscapes and colors and balancing cuteness with creepiness. For example, Hecate, a cat-ghost, is depicted with “the biggest, most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen.” And the captions provide clarity and include evocative descriptions, as when Haru travels past waves that “sound like they’re groaning.”
Haru Book 3: Fall is an excellent graphic novel about a bird’s relentless quest to stop a malevolent power.
Reviewed by
Peter Dabbene
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
