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Your cart is empty.Tanya
August 5, 2025
My kids loved Rapunzel's Revenge and they were super excited to read Calamity Jack. They were not disappointed. As soon as the book arrived my son read it from cover to cover, then my daughter, then my other son, then my daughter read it again. They are really hoping that the Hale's will come out with another book to add to the series soon.
James
July 30, 2025
Good book
Nicola Mansfield
July 8, 2025
Reason for Reading: Sequel to Rapunzel's Revenge.Summary: This is very much Jack's story. Jack tells us of his childhood and his schemes as he grew up, later with his pixie cohort Prudence. Then comes the fateful day that he grows the beanstalk, steals a giant's magic goose and as he chops the beanstalk down he kills one of the giants, plus the building his mother lived in and ran her bakery from. Now the giants are after him and he leaves town. In one frame we're shown that this where the events of Rapunzel's Revenge fit in Jack's own timeline. Now that the time is right Jack returns to the city with Rapunzel where they meet up with Prudence and a strange young man with many gadgets and the foursome must save Jack's mother who has been captured by the giants and enslaved as their cook, but they must also end the oppressive giant rule and the current war with the ant people.Comments: An adventure filled plot from start to finish that doesn't let go. As well as all the action we have a bit of a romance going on as well as the new guy likes Rapunzel and charms her with his smooth talking. Jack realizes he doesn't like this and a little love triangle is at work with some humorous moments involved. Rapunzel, again, is ever the hero. In fact, it is assumed that she is the fighter of the team and she takes that roll with grace and authority. Her part in the story is relegated to a secondary character though with Jack and Prudence being the main central characters. Quite an intricate plot that includes a couple of shocking twists, this is sure to please the intended audience and fans of the first book. However, this book stands alone very well and I'd say it is not necessary to have read Rapunzel's Revenge first to understand this book. Though I always do like to recommend reading books in order, if possible. The illustrations are just as gorgeous as one would expect them to be from Nathan Hale. A riproaring adventure with steampunk elements that will have readers begging for more from this trio.
TeensReadToo
June 23, 2025
Jack has long been a trickster - he's just not had the best of luck. When a heist involving magic beans, a beanstalk, and giants goes wrong, Jack leaves town. After his adventures with Rapunzel (in RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE), Jack returns home to Shyport only to discover that the giant, Blunderboar, is in charge, the city is in ruins thanks to an infestation of ant people, and his mother is being held captive and is in charge of baking bones into bread. It's up to Jack and Rapunzel to save the day!I'm often asked to give booktalks on great books for tweens and I always inlcude the Hale's first graphic novel outing, RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE (and now CALAMITY JACK!). These two books are a librarian's dream come true! The Hales combine witty dialogue, action and adventure, beautifully detailed artwork, and lots of humor to create the perfect graphic novel. I would give this one to anyone who is not convinced in the value of graphic novels or anyone who's a newbie to the style. (And of course old fans, too!)The fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is given the steampunk treatment in CALAMITY JACK, and those looking for a great adventure read will devour this one. There's even a cute bit of romance thrown in, so I think this book will have wide appeal. It is a sequel to RAPUNZEL'S REVENGE, but readers don't necessarily have to read the first one to pick this one up. The book starts with Jack's past and gives us a little information on how Jack and Rapunzel met, so I doubt readers will feel lost.As I mentioned, the dialogue is very witty - there were a few lines I just had to read aloud to my husband because they were too great to keep to myself. The artwork is very detailed - young Jack is pictured with his tongue out while thinking and we get a glimpse that he hasn't lost this habit as an adult. It's this attention to detail that make the art stand out. The text and illustrations pair perfectly and work together, which makes this an excellent example of a graphic novel. (And be sure to check out the inside cover page for a peek at our authors and illustrator snuck into the artwork.)This is a book to share, to pass around to friends, and re-read, because each time you'll see something new. I'm hoping we can look forward to more graphic novels from this creative team - I'd love to see their take on other fairy tales.Reviewed by: Sarah Bean the Green Bean Teen Queen
Jeff of the North
May 29, 2025
Just devoured this with my nine year old daughter, it was a satisfying read. Great pacing and humour, densely creative re-imagining of European fairy tales set in a sort of steam-punk North America. Kudos to the authors.
Blue
April 30, 2025
The book came with a bright red sticker that was partly torn off, attached to the front cover. The inside of the cover is stained a reddish brown from said sticker. I would not have paid $24 for a new book if I knew it would come stained.
K. MacKenzie
March 25, 2025
The Hales do it again! Starting off with 'Rapunzel's Revenge' they gave us a rip-roaring adventure with fantastic illustrations and now continue the adventure here with 'Calamity Jack'. My daughter (11 yrs) kept bringing this home from the school library and reading it over and over. (Before then, it had been difficult finding a book that captivated her) It is a graphic novel, but holds so much more than a simple comic book. There is a solid plot, and character development, and we see new things in it whenever we open it up. The illustrations are detailed and fun for even early readers and adults alike to follow the adventure!
Debbie Glasser
March 11, 2025
Hi!I would recomdend this book for the cliff hanger fans. It is just just it disappoints me when it is just like"WE ARE CUTTING YOU OFF" at the end. I really do not like when it is a cliff hanger but I really recomend this book! Nathan Hale,Dean Hale and Shannon Hale if your reading this please keep up the awsome books!
Mrs. V. M. Leonard
January 13, 2025
Not quite as good the brilliant 'Rapunzel's Revenge', this is still an amusing adventure, with excellent artwork, strong characters, and a mad-cap plot which races along, with it's own interpretation of the fairytales we know and love.
Kindle Customer
December 29, 2024
Once again I absolutely adore this book and the series itself. The only thing is the paperback cover art is not being sold as presented. It’s just upsetting to see the cover look a bit cheapened.
Erin Johnson
December 16, 2024
OH BOY! I've been waiting for this one! I loved Rapunzel's Revenge by this trio, and Calamity Jack did not disappoint!This one starts out with Jack's back-story and how he happened to meet Rapunzel while out West. We get to know his history and a little bit more about what makes him tic. The next section deals with Jack and Rapunzel going to the city to see Jack's mom and for him to make up for some past indiscretions. Unfortunately, the man who Jack originally ran from, Blunderboar, is now in charge of the supposed "safety" of the citizens. Blunderboar also has Jack's mom as a captive because he wants his revenge on Jack for stealing his goose that lays golden eggs.It's up to Jack to come up with a plan to restore real law and order to the city, rescue his mom, and find a way to stop the Ant People.I love this whole graphic novel. The characters are believable, especially Jack. You really get to see his insecurities and how he makes himself get over them. A very important concept for all of us to remember!Notes on the Cover:Jack, Rapunzel and a couple of new characters who, honestly, I really enjoyed: Pru and Freddie Sparksmith. Bright colors, eye-catching and vibrant. What more could you ask for?
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