I'm not a girl.. I'm a Shark! (Nimona)


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 Stevenson, N. (2015) Nimona. New York, NY: HarperTeen

Spoilers ahead!
 
Ballister Blackheart, the biggest name in villainy, has just gained a sidekick.  He didn’t ask for one, she just showed up and inserted herself into his life.  Her name is Nimona, and she’s a shapeshifter. Their 1st mission together goes a bit awry when she starts killing guards and blows up an entire building.  He has clear rules he has set for himself, and not killing innocents is one of them.  After a stern talking to her, he agrees she can stay on. 
Blackheart isn’t so much a villain that is out to cause mass destruction.  Really, he wants to bring down the corrupt institution that is controlling his country and to get revenge on his nemesis, Ambrosius Goldenloin.  Goldenloin took Blackhearts arm after fairly losing a joust.  Blackheart also finds that the institute is hiding a lot of dark secrets.  He sets several plans that start to reveal their true nature to the public.
During a bank robbery, Nimona is shot by an arrow in the leg.  Worried, Blackheart bandages her up, but she miraculous heals in a matter of days.  Then during a science fair, they discover a device that can freeze Nimona’s powers.  She is understandably not happy.
The director of the institute sets a trap.  During a jousting festival, Blackheart is captured.  As they take him into custody, Nimona shows up to rescue him.  The trap is really for her though.  During the fight, while she is in the form of a dragon, her head is cleaved from her neck.  Blackheart is distraught, but she isn’t quite dead.  She comes back as a huge fiery beast, destroying the enemies and rescuing her friend.  When they return to their base though, Blackheart starts to ask questions that Nimona doesn’t like.  She runs away
Blackheart is once again captured, but this time they lead him down into the underground evil laboratory of the institute.  The have captured Nimona and plan on experimenting on her.  They mistake when they draw blood from her.  The blood itself transforms into the giant fire beast and begins rampaging across the city.  After using the device they discovered earlier to freeze her powers, Blackheart tries to reunite her separate halves.  She no longer trusts him, and He and Goldenloin have to run.  The building explodes behind them and they both end up in the hospital.  He’s grieving for losing his friend when the same nurse visits him twice.  Could it be?
Nimona is a hilarious, heartwarming, heartbreaking, and adventurous tale.  I knew I was going to like it when my wife, curious, picked it up before me and started laughing her head off.   I really like the idea of a the villain actually being a decent guy, and the supposed “good guys” not so much.  The story isn’t too straight forwards and there are a few surprises.  All in all, it is a very entertaining graphic novel.  Anyone who loves fantasy, graphic novel, or even sharks for that matter will appreciate this book.
I read this book because it is on the “Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers” List.

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