SNOWLANDS

A young wolf strikes out on her own in this first installment of a graphic-novel series.

Meroz’s work opens with the line, “The Snowlands are a dangerous place for little creatures,” and at its story’s center is a young wolf cub named Feba, who’s unquestionably in danger herself. She’s orphaned soon after her birth and ostracized by most of her pack for her white fur, which wolves see as a bad omen. The harsh winter has resulted in a severe shortage of sheep in the area, which has left the pack hungry and desperate for a scapegoat. Despite appeals to reason from her late mother’s allies, Feba finds herself on the run, cast out of the only home she’s ever known; soon, she’s caught in a double-crossing lynx’s trap alongside a moody snow leopard called Usha and a comical wild cat named Batu (which is also the only word he ever utters). The trio narrowly escapes several harrowing incidents together, largely thanks to Feba’s courage. Despite the fact that Usha insists that “leopards are always alone,” she reluctantly allows Feba and Batu to tag along with her on her personal mission: to find the all-knowing and mysterious Seeress, who she hopes will help her to find her own lost cub. As the unlikely trio make their way through the wintry, mountainous terrain, they encounter bears, pandas, crocodiles, monkeys, and badgers, some of whom are more deadly than others. Meanwhile, Feba’s pack continues to face misfortune as a mysterious force kidnaps their cubs and endangers their best warriors. The two plotlines dovetail in a surprising final conflict in which Feba must prove her worth.

Meroz’s background as an animator shines through in this graphic novel’s page-turning action sequences, and artist Fogel and colorist Comodo use their considerable skills to turn desolate landscapes into rich, engrossing images. The numerous adversaries that the main trio of characters encounter are truly sinister, and they’re just the right amount of scary for middle-grade readers. That said, the youngest of those readers may be frightened by some of the work’s more intense and bloody imagery. As an outsider with outsized courage, Feba is a classic, lovable protagonist, and it’s easy to root for her from the start. In the end, though, it’s Usha, the snow leopard, who has the most moving character arc, as her quest to find her lost son becomes a bittersweet story of accepting the world’s natural order. In the second half of the book, Meroz introduces an element of mysticism and a surprising twist on the order of the food chain, but he may have bitten off more than these critters can chew over the course of a single story. His ideas are extremely clever, but their ingenuity gets a bit lost in the final act’s rush of reveals, incantations, and explained motivations. Still, Meroz successfully delivers intriguing characters and necessary worldbuilding for a series that promises to be as likable as its lead character.

Sumptuous visuals and intriguing ideas will leave readers hungry for more time in the Snowlands.