Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Shipwrecks and secrets abound in this sophomore graphic offering.Picking up where predecessor The Unsinkable Walker Bean (2010) left off after a fantastic battle at sea, bespectacled Walker Bean and his friends are marooned on a mysterious and seemingly deserted island but soon surmise they might not be alone. Before long, Walker and his friends—music-loving Shiv and headstrong Genoa—learn that the island has a dark history surrounding an avaricious aristocrat. As they encounter shadowy spirit animals and treacherous foes, it becomes apparent that Genoa is integral to the mystery. Will they be able to solve the riddle of the island and set right the wrongs of the past? Renier's plotting is complex; his worldbuilding is intricate and immersive, requiring careful reading. Stunning illustrations should easily compel young eyes to linger over the many tidy and small panels juxtaposed against alluring larger spreads. While Walker is intrinsic to the action, gal pal Genoa shares equal importance even though her name's not on the marquee. Enough backstory is provided for this to serve as a fine jumping-in point for readers unfamiliar with Book 1—but expect them to demand it after. Walker and Genoa present white; many secondary actors, including Shiv, seem to be characters of color.Dazzling. (Graphic adventure. 7-12)

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Shipwrecks and secrets abound in this sophomore graphic offering.Picking up where predecessor The Unsinkable Walker Bean (2010) left off after a fantastic battle at sea, bespectacled Walker Bean and his friends are marooned on a mysterious and seemingly deserted island but soon surmise they might not be alone. Before long, Walker and his friends—music-loving Shiv and headstrong Genoa—learn that the island has a dark history surrounding an avaricious aristocrat. As they encounter shadowy spirit animals and treacherous foes, it becomes apparent that Genoa is integral to the mystery. Will they be able to solve the riddle of the island and set right the wrongs of the past? Renier's plotting is complex; his worldbuilding is intricate and immersive, requiring careful reading. Stunning illustrations should easily compel young eyes to linger over the many tidy and small panels juxtaposed against alluring larger spreads. While Walker is intrinsic to the action, gal pal Genoa shares equal importance even though her name's not on the marquee. Enough backstory is provided for this to serve as a fine jumping-in point for readers unfamiliar with Book 1—but expect them to demand it after. Walker and Genoa present white; many secondary actors, including Shiv, seem to be characters of color.Dazzling. (Graphic adventure. 7-12)

School Library Journal (Sat Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Gr 5-8 In The Unsinkable Walker Bean , Walker was stranded on a mysterious archipelago, and though he made strong friends in Shiv and Genoa aboard the pirate ship Jacklight , he had more questions than answers ahead of him. Six months after they arrived on the island, the Jacklight is slowly being rebuilt, the crew are finding a way to function without their now-deceased captain, and Genoa sleeps through the day, haunted by the events of the first entry. As things start to look up for Walker and his friends, he discovers not one but two sets of strange ruins on the island, and Genoa is drawn to the mystery of Atlantis. Renier continues his deftly plotted, deliciously illustrated epic. This second volume leans more into mystery; this journey sees him unraveling more complex riddles. Readers unfamiliar with the first installment will be lost, despite the brief recap at the beginning. The artwork often suggests a levity that the story line does not follow; the dense plot and genuinely worrisome challenges facing Walker will deter very young readers drawn in by the bright colors and gorgeous scenery. VERDICT A strong recommendation for libraries where Walker Bean's first outing is popular. Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles Public Library