I had a lot of fun reading <i>Nanami: Theater of the Wind </i>by  Éric Corbeyran & Amélie Sarn and illustrated by Nauriel. It wasn't quite the story I had expected and I definitely feel as though this graphic novel ended <i>far</i> too quickly, but overall it was a fun book to spend my afternoon reading. The thing I'm noticing, ultimately, about a lot of graphic novels I've been reading lately is that they seem to tell more of a chapter of a story than the full story, leaving you in a situation where you have to wait for the next one to be available in order to find out what will truly happen in the tale. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as in the case of many just as it was with Nanami, it leaves you wanting to get ahold of the next volume in the series. However, I do think I much prefer the graphic novels that tell a complete story and then follow up later with a sequel that, again, tells a complete story.

Originally written in French, the graphic novel I got my hands on is the first in the Nanami series, entitled <i>The Theater of the Wind</i>. It follows a young girl, bored with life and struggling with school who finds a magical book. She immediately sets out with the intention to return the book to its owner, soon becoming somewhat afraid of it at first as she realizes its powers. When she's finally able to return the book to the theater and its owner, he offers her the part of the lead in the play he is putting on with a group of kids who tend to stick to themselves from school. But the play written in the book is more than what it seems and soon Namani finds herself projected magically into the world and the role she is playing.

It's a fantastic premise to a story that I find myself thoroughly intrigued by. I definitely feel like the story ended too quickly and the beginning did take more time than I thought necessary to set up, but overall I had a blast reading it. I'm just a little disappointed that I don't know enough French at the moment to read the next volume in the series to find out what happens. If I didn't have so much to read already, I might just go about learning more French so that I can actually read it myself.

<i>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</i>

An entertaining start to a series with an interesting concept. Although, I find it all so fast-paced. I would prefer to know a little more about our main character Nanami and the mysterious book before plunging into that alternate universe. Still, I'd watch out for the next one.

Nanami is a story about a teenager who seems adrift in her life, who is dealing with a number of different issues that a teenager would (and often do) deal with. It isn't hugely apparent just what factors are contributing to her listlessness (there are small signs, but no clear situations presented as to the original cause). One day she finds a strange book and decides to return it, which kicks off her journey.

I love the colors and art style used in this comic. They are really dynamic and quickly draw in the reader. The different scenes and locations are easily discerned. I applaud the artist in creating individuals and settings that will stand out. The concept also sounded amazing when I first heard about it, it definitely had Neverending Story vibes.

My only real issue with this is that I wish more attention was paid to the backstory. Why is Nanami struggling so much? Why does she only have one friend (who honestly doesn't seem like the best of friends to me, but she tries)? I'm assuming and hoping that this is expanded upon in future issues/volumes, which I would definitely check out.

This looks like it is going to be an entertaining series with parallel worlds, strange animals and magic in the midst of the drudgery of day to day teenage life.

Nanami is a teenage girl who dreams her way through her days at school. It is not going well. Her grades are falling and her parents are threatening to send her to a boarding school. Her life changes when she finds a strange book belonging to a theartre.

Weird things happen when she tries to read the book and so she decides to return it to the theatre and there she is drawn into acting. What she doesn't realise is that participating in the play takes her to a paralell world where she is a princess in great danger!

This is a lovely story about adventure, friendship and courage. The artwork is great and the storyline is very interesting with engaging characters. It leaves the reader wanting to know much more.

Copy provided by Netgalley via Europe Comic in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is better than I expected. 14-year old Nanami is suffering from lucid nightmares and her parents are threatening to send her to boarding school. When she found a book titled The Invisible Kingdom in the middle of the hallway and returned it back to the Theatre of the Wind. This is where strange things began to happen to Nanami as the new lead lady.

The art was really nice. Felt short for being a full volume. The story was very intriguing and would like to see what happens next.

A very interesting read about getting sucked, literally into acting. This book was very intriguing and needs to be delved further and I really wish to do that. It talks about passion and some mysterious things that made me curious to find out more about.

A cool graphic novel for teens or maybe a junior audience. I"ll be recommending this one to our patrons.

Received via NetGalley for review.

Unfortunately, the art style felt clunky to me (like when the report card her mother was brandishing at her was blank!), and while I felt for Nanami, I didn't really like her.

The plotting and pacing seemed a little off: how long was Nanami carrying around the book? How long was she rehearsing before they entered the parallel kingdom? Why is the mysterious man supposed to be such a danger? Why are the "Black Roses" called that, and why are they so mean to her?

I'm not interested enough to find out the answers.

2.5 stars. I didn't love the artwork, I thought the action took too long to build up -even though the premise is really interesting, and I thought the adults seemed weirdly mean. Not that adults aren't ever mean, but less like *real* adult teenager interactions and more like how those interactions *feel* to a teenager. I'd possibly be interesting in the second one now that the fantastical part has gotten into swing.

This was a quick fun read. It has a very interesting concept and I am interested enough to want to see where this goes.

After the first two pages I was dreading continuing this comic, as Nanami, the main protagonist, is just very bland and a tad bit boring. The plot was intriguing enough to keep me invested until the end. I wish it was a but longer though.

Nanami is a 14 year old teenager and one day she finds a book.She decides to reconnect with the owner and she ends up literally being transported into another world.

I loved the illustrations and the story, the plot became more intriguing from half of the book. I wish it was actually longer.
Would love to read how Nanami’s story evolves.

The illustrated in this were great and I really enjoyed them , unfortunately the story not so much, it wasn’t bad, just run of the mill and there was nothing special about it for me. Picked up a bit toward the end, but not enough to make me passionate about it. Ok.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

*thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

2 Stars.

Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would. The story was ok and the illustrations were done rather well but I found it was a bit boring and while it did get better closer to the end, there just wasn't enough to have me really interested for the most part. I did enjoy seeing she had a Totoro clock and that the book looked like the one from The Never-ending story. I also really like the cover. The illustration and the colours are really eye catching.

I think this will just be a hit or a miss from readers as I don't think there was anything really wrong with it, it just wasn't for me. I would pass this along to others to read and hopefully enjoy.

Review to be posted on several sources, tomorrow.

I received this comic from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

So, I was reading Head Kid, and decided to see if Netgalley had anything new. Yes, I often do many things at the same time. :P I saw this book, fell in love with the cover and just had to click the read now. I wasn't planning on reviewing it immediately, but here we are. :)

The blurb made it sound like they immediately went into this world thanks to the play they are putting up, but instead that doesn't happen until almost the end, and it is isn't until the very last pages that they get stuck in that world. We don't even see Nanami fight much for the kingdom, and we don't see much of the kingdom but the palace and the dungeons. :( But still I had tons of fun reading this.

I loved Nanami, she was a sweet caring girl, and I know the feeling of working hard but not seeing any results or even see bad results. I could imagine that she was trying her best, and it would have been nice if her parents had seen that as well. Instead of constantly pushing her and even making some foul remarks about her and her attitude.
I loved how even though the book was all magic and things popped out of it, and even some other things happened that didn't make sense, she stayed herself. A lot of girls would have probably said no and ran away, but Nanami takes her new role with eagerness and I loved seeing her perform in front of her kitty, Moira.

The group of kids that were infamous at her school... I didn't like them, and I definitely wasn't happy that they were given such a big role. I would have rather have them stay far far away, but I guess given the story they are performing, and what it may actually mean, it was all destined. Still, I wish they would treat Nanami a bit kinder. She is so friendly, and doesn't seem to have done them anything wrong.

Nanami's best friend was such a fun and sweet girl and I love seeing all the fun fashion she is trying on. Plus, I am happy to see a girl with short hair and looking fabulous having that style.

I love the fact that the book can come to life, though I wonder what that presence is that pops out of the book, is it good or evil?

There is still tons of things that I have questions about, but I am sure that we will find out more in the next couple of books. And I am hoping we will see more of the kingdom!

The art was just my favourite, it reminds me of several comics I read, like W.I.T.C.H..

The art was just my favourite, it reminds me of several comics I read, like W.I.T.C.H.. And extra points to the bonus section featuring tons of fun art/sketches. 

All in all, I need the next book now! I need to know how this story continues and if Nanami will be able to go back, or if she will embrace her new home.