Book Review: Hematite 1. Serenade by Script by Victoria Maderna, Federico Piatti and art by Victoria Maderna, Federico Piatti

Hematite, Volume 1, Serenade is written by Victoria Maderna, Federico Piatti and art by Victoria Maderna, Federico Piatti is a graphic novel. Hematite is a young vampire who is trying to find her way. As a member of the illustrious Blackwood family, she faces pressure to conform to high society standards, but such grandstanding isn’t for her. And neither is drinking blood—she’d rather have vegetable soup! So it is that she opts for the more diverse Wolven School, rather than joining the ranks of her fellow vampires at the Diaemus Academy. Being different can be hard, though, and doesn’t always help to make friends. Luckily for Hematite, she has her poetry, as well as Drunela—a draugr who won’t let their differences keep them apart—and Emile, a human boy fascinated by the occult who would just love to take a peek at the Blackwoods’ private library. Unfortunately, bridging societal divides isn’t always easy, and can lead to terrible consequences.

Hematite, Volume 1, Serenade is well written start to a series. Hermatite is a vampire that wants the same things other teenagers want. She wants to be different from expectations, her crush to notice her, to experience things, and get through school with good friends and adventures. As someone whose school years are well behind them I admit to chuckling a bit at the melodramatic poetry, battles with parents, and the struggles with friend group dynamics. I remember everything feeling that life or death at that age- and when the characters are vampires and other creatures that just get turned up a bit. I did enjoy seeing some character and friendship growth, and the story moving forward a bit. I know serialized graphic novels need to stay reasonably short and hook the readers to keep them going, but I felt like I had just gotten to where things were going to shift from setting the stage into the meat of the story when it ended. I am not sure I am hooked enough to go looking for the next volume. However, if I run across it I will gladly pick it up to see what happens next.