School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-King Cornelius is a bit self-centered. He wants to leave behind a glorious legacy for his kingdom, but he never gives credit to anyone who helps him. He doesn't recognize the talents of his clever daughter, Bing, or even his brilliant royal inventor, Torq. When an evil genius threatens to destroy his entire realm, Cornelius is determined to use the catastrophe to make a name for himself-but first he must learn to respect the expertise of others in order to save his kingdom. This is a fast-paced fantasy with a lot of action and plenty of humor thrown in. The characters are quirky and amusing but very relatable-everyone has something to contribute, and the positive message comes through without being preachy. The art style is very appropriate for the age range, clear and easy to understand. The characters are rendered in a cartoonlike style. Though the broad story line is nothing new, the delightful graphics and witty tone make this a fresh, fun revamping of a favored theme. VERDICT This is a worthy addition to any juvenile graphic novel collection, especially paired with Frank Cammuso's "The Misadventures of Salem Hyde."-Kelley Gile, Cheshire Public Library, CT © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Princess Bing (a rabbit-like animal) learns about a secret tunnel on nearby Mount Kazoo and convinces her father, image-obsessed and dimwitted King Cornelius, they should investigate. When a search reveals a sinister plot related to an inventor of steampunk technologies, Bing's quick thinking saves the kingdom. Feuti's energetic, richly colored panels set a quick pace for this memorable graphic novel with an endearing heroine. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A king, his daughter, and their royal inventor set out on an epic quest to locate a mysterious tunnel in a faraway mountain.King Cornelius, a rabbitlike, frivolous halfwit, can't figure out what his legacy will be to his subjects. He lives in his castle with his daughter, Bing, a talented magician who's often accompanied by her familiar, a bluebird named Gypsy. When Gypsy alerts Bing to a strange tunnel that appears suddenly at the top of Mount Kazoo, the father and daughteralong with the mute royal inventor, Torqembark on a dangerous journey to unearth the truth. Along the way, their expedition is fraught with peril, including run-ins with armed amphibians, zombified villagers, and a vindictive alchemist. With his inflated ego, Cornelius may be his own worst adversary, and without the quick thinking of Bing and mechanical ingenuity of Torq, he would certainly fail. Feuti's steampunk-with-a-medieval-twist worldbuilding is both exciting and imaginative without being jarring or anachronistic. The dynamics between hapless Cornelius and the clever-yet-often-overlooked Bing are exceptionally well-wrought and offer an artful feminist message. The clean lines and character stylizations are reminiscent of Jeff Smith's Bone series and will certainly appeal to a similar audience. Though this volume provides closure, expect an outcry for more adventures in this intriguing world.Clever, fast-paced, and altogether great fun. (Graphic adventure. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Clever, magically gifted princess Bing is used to her nincompoop father's daffy egomania. Case in point: when an explosion rocks the city square, Bing is sure it has something to do with the tunnel she spotted in Mount Kazoo that morning, but her father sees it more as an opportunity to cement his legacy as the king who fixed the mountain. To make sure nothing goes awry, Bing insists that she and Torq, the brilliant, mute mechanic who's really behind the king's inventions, come along. As they get closer to the tunnel, however, it becomes abundantly clear that there's something calculated and sinister afoot, and Bing, Torq, and the king must cooperate to save the kingdom. Feuti's loose, cartoonish figures floppy-eared creatures rendered in expressive pen strokes recall Jeff Smith's artwork in Bone (2004), and his keen panel layouts relay the caper with ease. Little ones will chuckle at the absurdity of the king's oblivious pronouncements, and they'll cheer when Bing and Torq finally get the recognition they deserve. A great choice for insatiable elementary-school comics fans.--Hunter, Sarah Copyright 2016 Booklist