The Lionharts - by Mike Lawrence (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this high-octane Dungeons & Dragons-inspired middle-grade graphic novel, the Lionhart brothers must save their parents and uncover the truth behind their legendary adventuring family!

Adventuring isn't just in the Lionhart family's blood--it's the family business. Grammy and Baba Lionhart were once a famous questing duo--slaying dragons and fighting monsters, they were legends throughout the land.

Now their daughter, Lenna, has taken over the business, questing under the famous Lionhart name with her husband, Gerard, and their young sons, Alder and Flynt, are desperate to be included!

When their parents go missing after accepting an unusually high-paying job from a mysterious woman, the boys set out to find them, eager to prove they're ready to carry on the family legacy. Nothing can shake a Lionhart, right? But Grammy and Baba know better and swiftly catch up with the boys, who have already gotten themselves in heap of trouble.

Along the journey, Alder and Flynt tackle big challenges and discover new skills, but as they get closer to finding their parents, they also unearth a secret that could tear their family apart and, even worse, bring the Lionhart name to ruin.

From Mike Lawrence, creator of the Star Scouts series, comes book 1 in a fast-paced and adventurous middle-grade graphic novel duology sure to appeal to fans of Lightfall, 5 Worlds, and Dungeon Critters.

Review Quotes

***STARRED REVIEW***

"[C]olorful, clear-lined cartooning features thoroughly competent and creative figure design...High-stakes adventure is offset by moments of genuine humor..."

-- "Horn Book"

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Lawrence's crisp, naturalistic artwork is full of dynamic action sequences, playful details, and expressive, refreshingly varied figure design. And, of course, everything a young fantasy fan might want: magic, dragons, adventure, and much more await within these pages."

-- "Booklist"

***STARRED REVIEW***

"Readers will finish the book excited for more action that only stops for sweet moments of family bonding. Engagingly told and beautifully illustrated"

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"Relationships between humans and creatures alike set the stage for future escapades, and readers will eagerly devour this story faster than a dragon at dinnertime."

-- "The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

"The classic narrative structure and intensive character building will please fantasy fans and genre newcomers alike. Intriguing and dramatic, this is a fantastic introduction to middle grade fantasy..."

-- "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Mike Lawrence began self-publishing comics after graduating from art school. At Stumptown Comics Fest, he met local author Elizabeth Rusch, and they collaborated on Muddy Max: The Mystery of Marsh Creek. Lawrence debuted as an author-illustrator with the Star Scouts trilogy from First Second, which received multiple starred reviews and was called one of the 10 Best Kids Comics by Paste magazine. Lawrence switched gears to nonfiction with Maker Comics: Survive the Outdoors and Science Comics: Deep-Sea Creatures. Lawrence lives In Portland, Oregon, with his wife and two sons.