The monks may know something about it and, if in the wrong hands, this power could bring down the city that it helped to build. Meanwhile, rumors abound of the ancient power of the builders of the city itself. His son, the heir apparent, wants the power that he's been promised his entire life- to rule the city as the rightful conqueror. The General of Blades wants to make a council of all of the nations within the city walls to decide and rule on all matters of importance within the Nameless City. If only the rest of the world didn't live with prejudiced blinders over their eyes, then life could be sweet in the Nameless City. The kids, Kai and Rat, are from completely different social castes, but it doesn't matter to them. It presents the difficulties of balancing cultural expectations, politics, and belonging with the natural emotions of friendship and understanding. The Stone Heart like The Nameless City is well drawn with diverse characters and a plot that can be followed by young readers.

The Nameless City graphic novels are excellent for kids aged 10 to 14. You have to remember: This is a solo project, more than 450 pages long thus far, all drawing and story done by Hicks! (Okay, I see now Jordie Bellaire did the coloring, but still!) It’s an awesome series of tweens and middle schoolers. This is an action-filled volume, which begins a tad slowly as we are given (as often happens with second volumes) some useful historical back story, but I think it’s a great series in the tradition of The Last Airbender. Can the two kids save the day again? At the end of this volume, it is really up in the air. Is it possible for a democratic political solution across the divide? This volume has a messy answer, sending the city in turmoil.

His son wants the power he was long promised. In this one, The General of Blades wants a democratic solution for the Nameless City. The last volume featured an assignation attempt, where our two hero kids Kaidu and Rat (representing each of the two warring factions, two different castes) saved the day. It also features a densely multicultural city that is struggling with warring factions. So this is fiction, not real historical fiction, but there are period costumes and architecture. So this is completely different! And I normally prefer little intimate indie projects, but since I am already familiar with Hicks’s style and sensibilities, I knew I would like this.

I am especially a big fan of her Friends with Boys, which is this sweet, intimate family-based story, and The Adventures of Supergirl, which is hilarious. I’m loving this series especially designed for middle grade readers, The Nameless City, set in 13th century China, Hicks’s most challenging project thus far.

The nameless city book 2