The Bone series does not disappoint with its grand finale, "Crown of Horns"!
Quick Overview:
Bone # 8 Treasure Hunters leaves us on a cliff-hanger, with Gran'ma Ben watching Briar's approaching army and realizing she has not yet managed to rally the city's troops. Problems with the city's interim leader, Tarsil, are removed immediately as Briar coldheartedly chops him in half when she arrives at the city gate. It is now up to Gran'ma Ben to pull the rest of the soldiers together and defend what she can. In the meantime, Thorn has a vision of her mother telling her to "seek the crown of horns." Thorn, Fone Bone, and Bartleby leave the fighting to find the crown that will save all of their lives. Meanwhile, Mim--ancient "creator" dragon gone crazy--has woken up from her sleep and is threatening to annihilate everyone.
Phoney Bone takes a change of heart and actually fights in the battle, and then helps Gran'ma Ben confront Briar. Lucius comes in with his army to aid them, just in time, but as Thorn and Fone Bone touch the crown of horns, Briar erupts in a ball of light and Lucius, who is grappling her, dies as well.
Finally, the red dragon comes to save Thorn and Fone Bone from the other dragons' anger for trespassing in their territory. The dragons end up chasing them all the way to Mim, who is just rising out of the ground. At the same moment, the dragons decided to face Mim (who is massive) each grabbing a piece of her and dragging her back into the earth. The war is over. Thorn reigns as queen and the bones return to Boneville.
Graphics
The story is fast-paced with scenes weaving in and out of each other raising the sense of tension and suspense. The graphics are the best yet, with the scene of thousands of dragons dragging Mim back into the earth evoking horror, shock, and fascination.
Maturity
-The reality of physical suffering and physical loss are shown in a temperate way with Fone and Thorn both losing a tooth. The tooth is replaced at the end by the red dragon, and is made out of the same crystal that the crown of horns is composed of.
-When Tarsil removes his hood, his face is hideously scarred by the dragons.
-Tarsil's body is shown being chopped in half, then the bloodstained face of Briar is seen (though I am considering now that she looks more ridiculous than frightening with her large bulbuous eyes and greenish skin).
-Smiley continues to smoke his cigar
Amusing Segments
Smiley Bone decides to cook the two mischievous rat creatures some quiche, which they love. Just as he is about to serve it to them, he gets an urgent message and leaves it just outside of their reach from the cage where they are being kept. After the war is over, Fone Bone serves them some quiche on "Christmas" day.
Points to Ponder
At the end, the characters celebrate winter solstice, which is basically depicted as a secular Christmas party. Thorn brings in an evergreen that she explains brings life in the dead of winter. Smiley asks Phoney if they celebrate winter solstice in Boneville. Phoney answers they do, but for different reasons: "Different reasons... Different names... It all comes down to th' same thing... business picks up, an' I make a lotta money! I love this holiday!" (emphasis from text). Thorn brings out some instruments and Smiley says, "As long as we're gonna make music, it don't matter to me if we celebrate for different reasons!"
Later, when Fone Bone takes out the quiche to the two silly rat creatures, he tells them "Peace on earth, fellas!"
Conclusion
Great series, definitely one that I would recommend, even for adults.
Overall maturity: 9 and up.
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