While Amulet is an enjoyable read, it does not compare to the quality of the Bone series.
Dialogue:
There were some great dialogue moments in Bone, the breadth and depth of which could fit on one graphic page. In Amulet, we have basic dialogue that is meant for a younger audience, with speech bubbles containing on average one short sentence.
Characters:
Main characters are Emily and Navin (siblings) and their mother (unnamed). After reading this first book, Emily appears to be brave, determined, curious, and serious. Navin is the younger brother who wants to be older than he seems. Their mother is a brave lady with some amazing will power.Miskit is a Robo-bunny who assists them in the second-half of the book.
Plot:
The story begins with a car crash and the death of the children's father. The scene is dramatically and maturely portrayed, contrasting strangely with the immature dialogue.
The children move to a new house, where Emily discovers an amulet. The mother wanders into the basement after hearing some noise and is eaten up by an octopus-like monster. The children run after her and accidentally enter into a parallel world. The amulet speaks to Emily and tells her to find their great-grandfather's house. Robots greet them at the house, including Miskit the rabbit. Grandfather has a moment to explain the power of the amulet to the children and then promptly dies.
With some concern for her brother, Emily accepts the power of the amulet. Now they race off to save their mother from the octopus creature. They are able to save her thanks to the amulet, but Emily is upset with the amulet because it does not stop her mother from being poisoned. An evil looking elf tries to capture Emily and take over her mind, but Emily resists and overpowers him. The amulet tells Emily to kill him, but she refuses. Emily and Navin return to their GGs house, which turns into a robot and makes its way to the nearest city to get some help for their mother.
Concerns:
Is the amulet good or evil? That is something that the reader is asked to question.
-Emily presses her hand down on a symbol and pricks her finger, the amulet necklace appears, with protests from her brother, Emily puts it on
-The amulet gives power, enough to turn back time. Her Grandfather tells Emily that she can have whatever she likes as long as she listens to the amulet stone. It will give her everything she desires, and much more. But she must choose to accept the stone's power or reject it
-Her Grandfather dies and the stone encourages her to take its power, while Navin worriedly tells her not to, because they can solve their problems on their own.
The stone replies: "There are other ways... but none so certain. And how can you rely on faith when time is running out?"
-Emily accepts the stone's power, only to realize later that now she cannot remove it from her neck.
-When Emily has mercy on the evil elf, the stone tells her that she is making a mistake.
