A skeleton learns more about who he is and who he was.In this third offering in the graphic series Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo, reanimated skeletal troubadour Rickety is working with his troupe (including best pal Goo) on a dramatic production that they hope will win the Battle of the Bards competition. Unlike the others, Rickety's heart isn't truly in it; he'd rather play his lute and sing like the flaxen-haired heartthrob bard (but overall jerk) Percival Dante. Upon meeting Dante, Rickety encounters and is instantly enchanted by Canta, a beautiful human singer who is also competing. Rickety's performance at the battle flops, causing a rift with his friends. Unbeknownst to the aspiring thespians and singers, trouble lurks below as a rogue order attempts to unleash the nefarious Gloom King upon the kingdom of Eem. When help from a secret faction arrives, friends and enemies must unite in hopes of saving their beloved homeland. Throughout the previous volumes, Rickety has questioned who he may have been; this one offers long-awaited answers. In perhaps the most swashbuckling of the series, Parks and Costa have filled their vibrantly colored panels with intrigue, epic battles, and espionage. While narrative threads are neatly resolved, there is certainly room for subsequent adventures. The characters are a mix of imagined beings and humans depicted with a variety of skin tones.Satisfying and exciting. (Graphic fantasy. 11-14)

Gr 7 Up The Felmog are moving to spread the Gloom across the land, and it seems as though the heroic Order of the Ember might not be able to defeat them. Meanwhile, jovial Rickety Stitch, a skeleton with few memories of his past life yet who longs to learn his true identity, is joining his friends in a theater romp. The Battle of the Bards promises fame, glory, and even a golden lute to the winning performance troupe, and Rickety and his gelatinous buddy, Goo, are the stars in an unlikely entry. Just one problem: Rickety is a bard, not an actor! And when the Felmog unleash their fiendish plot, it's up to Rickety to help the Order of the Ember save the day. Though this tale references previous titles in the series, it can easily be read by newcomers. The vibrant artwork brings to life the medieval fantasy world and infuses Rickety with a charisma and energy reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas 's Jack Skellington. The writing deserves similar aplomb: Characters deploy casually self-aware humor, as though their lives are as mundane as our own. This is a wordier narrative that explores character motivations, leading to a richer conclusion. Younger readers, or those expecting a breezier tale from the lighthearted illustrations, may be disappointed, but older readers and fans of the first two stories will appreciate this fully realized narrative. Though the protagonists are nonhuman, Rickety's world is diverse, with several characters of color. VERDICT A solid purchase for libraries where graphic novels are popular, but for collections already familiar with Rickety, this one is a must. Matisse Mozer, Los Angeles P.L.