Early Book Review: Curses! Foiled Again by Jane Yolen and Mike Cavallaro

Curses! Foiled Again, written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mike Cavallaro is a young adult graphic novel schedule for release on January 8 2013. It is the follow-up to Foiled, which I will admit now to not having read. Aliera Carstairs is a high school student, a fencer, and apparently the newly named Defender of Fairy, thanks to a foil that her mother picked up at a tag sale. Avery is one of the cutest boys in school, but also a troll beholden to Aliera because she saved his life in Foiled. In this sequel, Fairy is under attack and so is Aliera because everyone seems to want her sword. Aliera's cousin and best friend Caroline could hold the key to solving the mysteries and staying alive. Betrayal, belief, and looking beyond the surface and major issues in this graphic novel.

Curses! Foiled Again is a graphic novel with fantastic artwork. Cavallaro's work is wonderful, and the rich colors used for fairy creatures versus the regular, mundane world, is perfect. Yolen's writing is wonderful, as always. Aliera is a character is that filled with skepticism, but strength. Although, I did not always agree with her choices or her treatment of Avery. I really liked the connection between Caroline and Aliera, and the fact that Caroline's character is much more than a stereotype. The inclusion of Baba Yaga, and the intense moment of betrayal were key moments that I really thought stood out in the story.

I highly recommend Curses! Foiled Again to readers that enjoyed Foiled, trust in Yolen to produce great reads, and those that love anything related to fairy tales and fairies mingling with the real world.