Review: The Rema Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist

The Rema Chronicles:  Realm of the Blue Mist is the first in an enthralling new graphic novel fantasy series and, oh my goodness, it is breathtakingly stunning and completely entranced me from start to finish.

Tabby Simon is a loner who spends her time lying under a tree that leaks a mysterious mist, a tree which has been labelled as a biohazard, and blamed for the death of her scientist father seven years before.  Tabby does not believe this and is determined to discover the truth behind her father’s death.

When visiting her sanctuary, the tree, she sees a stranger with blue hair but, when she tries to speak to him, he disappears.  Drawn again to the tree by a strange light, Tabby finds herself unexpectedly pulled through a portal into another world, Rema, where she meets the stranger again.  Philip tells her that she is no longer on earth, but promises to help her return home.

So begins a thrilling, action-packed and explosive adventure as Tabby finds herself learning more about this magical, breath-taking world, a world that is filled with both wonder and peril.  Will Tabby be able to find her way home, or does she have a greater destiny to fulfil? What secrets is Philip hiding, and could they lead to danger for them both? 

I really liked how the adventure is written in four distinct parts:  Haunted, Geist, The Priestess and The Ghost which gave me a fascinating insight into this richly imagined world, and introduced me to the creation of the world, its political and religious systems, and both external and internal divisions.  I really enjoyed that this world-building was interspersed with plenty of fast-paced action, incredible revelations and character development. 

Tabby is a wonderful character:  curious, determined and courageous.  She finds herself pulled from a world where she feels alone into one where she finds friendship and, dare I say it, a dash of romance!

The manga-inspired artwork, with full colour illustrations, is incredibly beautiful and detailed complementing the mood and emotion of the narrative perfectly. 

This is a superb start to what promises to be a captivating series, and is one I am eager to continue in Kingdom of Water, especially after that ending! Perfect for those in Upper Key Stage 2 and beyond.

Thank you to Kiran Khanom and Scholastic for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion.