Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC. This is a beautiful graphic novel of the beloved animated film. It’s difficult to replicate (in print) the beauty of Cartoon Saloon’s animation, but this does a great job, and it’s lovely to have the film’s animation adapted to this format. I loved the little prequel at the end, too! Definitely recommend.

Brennan whose uncle is the abbot of Kells focuses on fortifying the walls in anticipation of the Vikings attack. Brennan is fascinated with the magical illustrations the other brothers do but learns of a master on the island of Iona. His uncle spends all his time gathering the brothers to build walls and pulling them from their drawings. But when the island of Iona is taken by the Vikings the master comes to Kells for refugee. With a warning that everyone must run and the walls they are building around Kells will not save anyone, He teaches Brennan about the book of Kells and how to carry on the legacy. But first he much venture beyond the walls to learn from the forest. As the Vikings come nearer to Kells Brennan attempts to finish the book of Kells to banish the darkness and bring forth the light. Giving the people hope.

I have not seen the movie this graphic novel is adapted from, so I can’t really compare them to each other, but the vibes of this story are immaculate. The art style is stunning and unique. I especially loved the character of Aisling, and the extra story about her at the end. I would read a whole book about her.

I will say that the pacing felt a little off at times, specifically towards the end, where it felt very rushed. But it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc! I will definitely be watching the movie after this :)

I have never read anything by this author, but I will be looking out for other books they write in the future. I really enjoyed the story as well as the pacing of the story.

Love this movie and now love this book! The art at Cartoon Saloon is gorgeous and I can't tell you how happy I am that it's being put out there on pages for children to enjoy rather than hidden behind a paywall on a streaming service.

This is a graphic novel based on the movie with the same title. It is a great introduction to Celtic mythology. It is a moving story about trying to survive and find your way when the grownups around you want to keep you close and safe. This book shows how to go outside your comfort zone and learn to believe in yourself.

My family is obsessed with The Secret of the Kells film, so we could not wait to read the graphic novel and it was such a treat! The art and illustrations are equally as stunning as the film and was such an amazing way to revisit a story we adore!

Gorgeous art - characters were fun in their variety and quirkiness. The Secret of Kells was a fun adventure to travel along. Although there were parts that I found I didn't have enough information to know exactly what was going on, and not because the information was being withheld for narrative purposes. But as a whole, this book was enjoyable.

Will Brendan succeed in helping Brother Aidan with the book?
Brendan, a young monk, and his fellow brothers are building walls to protect the Abbey of Kells from the Vikings. One day, Brother Aidan, a monk from the distant land of Iona, arrives at the Abbey seeking refuge. He brings with him a unique, unfinished book. Brendan is eager to help Brother Aidan, and with the support of his friends along the way, he is determined to do whatever it takes to assist him.
I recently finished reading a captivating graphic novel that was a delightful experience from start to finish. The cartoony art style really brought the story to life, combining vibrant colors with expressive characters, making each page a joy to explore. One of the most intriguing aspects was its inspiration from Celtic folklore, a subject I’m not deeply familiar with. Yet, the book sparked my curiosity and left me wanting to learn more about those rich traditions. I did find myself wishing it could have been a bit longer.
The protagonist, Brendan, is portrayed as a curious and determined young boy. His journey is heartwarming and filled with challenges that showcase not only his bravery but also his growth as a character throughout the story. Brother Aidan, with his kindhearted nature and a slight touch of quirkiness, acts as an excellent guide for Brendan, offering wisdom and support.
Brendan’s uncle, the Abbot, brings an interesting dynamic to the story. While he is strict in his guidance, it’s evident that he deeply cares for Brendan's well-being and development, creating a nuanced relationship that adds emotional depth to the narrative. Aisling, the character with a slightly spunky attitude, adds a playful energy to the mix, making her a memorable part of Brendan's adventure.
I would highly recommend this graphic novel to movie fans who have a keen interest in Irish mythology, as it seamlessly weaves together an engaging story with elements that evoke the mystique and beauty of the folklore. It’s a perfect blend of fun and education that is sure to enchant readers of all ages.
Happy Reading, Paige ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @netgalley @Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, for the complimentary ARC, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.6/5
Warning: Maturity or Age Advisory- Not for young children.

Dark Historical Fiction Fairy Tale. Masterfully crafted artwork that ensnares and holds your eye through all the highly detailed panels. The artist uses light and dark contrast to pull you into the story with purposeful colors that portray an array of emotions. Well-researched Irish lore intricately molded into history.

Many assumptions are made about the reader's understanding of the Irish context and culture. I’d advise adding some of this background and advertising to older youth groups (probably above 10).

This was an honest review sponsored through NetGalley.

The graphic adaptation is, like the film, gorgeous to behold. The artwork carries over well to this format and is the star of the graphic novel. However, the story feels slower and loses some of the magic in this form. Unfortunately, the watermark was very disruptive in reading.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful companion to the movie.
I love the illustrations and art style so much.
There were some parts where the pacing was off, but so does the movie.
Loved it overall

I adored the film version of this story so I knew that I would love the graphic novel. The format of this arc was a bit difficult to read, but I could see enough to know that if you, too, loved the film you'll adore it in graphic novel form. Tomm Moore is certainly a storyteller to watch. I can't wait to see what his studio puts out next, and having graphic novel accompaniments would make them even richer! Loved the additional prequel stories that were added as well!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

An adaptation of the animated film based on the legendary creation of the famed Book of Kells. Though its authors/illustrators remain shrouded in mystery and numerous theories, the Book of Kells is very real. A hand drawn, Celtic illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, known for its beautifully detailed illustrations and complex patterns, the Book of Kells remains one of the most celebrated examples of illustrated manuscripts of its time.
The graphic novel revolves around a young monk named Brendan who struggles with his growing curiosity about the outside world, despite the dark, dangerous threats all about him. It’s a sort of coming of age story, with the darkness and uncertainty of Brendan’s world warring with his desire to see the light and beauty still shining through.
The artwork was lovely, and I enjoyed the concept of the story, but it felt far too rushed. I often felt I was missing some crucial plot points along the way. I would’ve liked to see more backstory and expansion of Brendan’s world, especially the forest and lives of his friends.
That said, it was still enjoyable and I will check out both the movie and other books by this author.

The artwork was eye-catching and suited the story. Having not seen the film I still understood and enjoyed the narrative. The magical realism was well tied into legend and history and the characters were interesting to get to know.

A graphic adaptation of the movie by the same name, The Secret of Kells is visually stunning. This book centers on young Brendan, his uncle (the Abbott of Kells, and Aisling, a mystical shapeshifter who lives in the forest. The Secret of Kell shows the importance of books, friendship, and not letting fear shut you off from the world. The artwork is beautiful, but sometimes chaotically organized which makes it difficult as the reader is expected to solely rely on it in many sections. Overall enjoyable.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

The Secret of Kells: The Graphic Novel by Tomm Moore is based on the popular animated film of the same name. It is a historical and magical story of Irish folklore following a young page named Brendan who is shown light and hope in a dark world through the beauty of the forest and through book illumination. It is a straightforward still-by-still frame from the movie, so if you liked it and want a graphic novel form, this is for you. I personally would probably rather watch the movie though.

I have never seen the movie Secret of the Kells, but I have been wanting to see it and I want to see it even more now. I was so excited to see this graphic novel where I could read the story. The graphic novel is beautifully illustrated and tells a beautiful story about the power of imagination over darkness.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC. This does not impact my review at all. I really loved the graphic novel.

Netgalley Arc

Very cute children's graphic novel that tells combines traditional druidic folklore and christian stories to create a relatable tale of adventure. I was a bit confused as to what occurred when the main character Brendan and the girl do to get the eye/crystal. But I really enjoyed the art and the story.

The illustrations in this graphic novel for young readers were beautiful and moody. As with many graphic novels, I wanted more of a story than I got.