The Star Seekers, Volume 1
K-pop idols with magic are all the rage; those without magic are considered tier-two. Sadly, that means that boy band Star One barely gets noticed. Once the members turn 19 years old and still don’t have magic powers, their company assumes that they’ll never be a tier-one group, and takes away all of their glam treatment. However, during an attack (possibly by an idol terrorist group), one of the Star One members manifests magical powers in a moment of desperation to keep his friends alive. After discovering his powers, the company hires an agent to train him and help the other members find their powers.
Throughout The Star Seekers, the reader is taken along the journey of the Star One members finding their powers. With each magic power exposure comes a bit of background for the related band member, providing context and intrigue for the reader. The Star One members are all highly emotional, kind, empathetic, and caring. They love each other greatly, and it’s shown throughout the book. Most of their powers are born from the love they have for one another, and the desire to protect each other.
Interspersed in the book are glimpses of mysterious, dark meetings, in which the reader must determine who the villains are and what they are planning. This volume is very much an introduction to the characters, the world they live in, and their powers. I imagine more understanding of the enigmatic bad guys will come in subsequent volumes. The storyline in this volume is fun, interesting, fast-paced, and sweet.
With full colors on every page, simply flipping through the book is enjoyable. The art style is a bit serious – almost with a super-hero comic book tone. By contrast, the line art is cutesy, and the character designs are soft and gentle. The idols are all hyper-beautiful and feminine. Each type of magic displayed is accompanied by its own distinguishable style and color scheme. Some of the powers come with little creatures. The creatures are all round and big-eyed, giving them adorable baby-like vibes. Almost every panel shows movement, whether it’s in the background, the flow of clothes, or the characters. This movement works well with the action and drama in the story.
I would recommend this book for ages 12-18 who enjoys fantasy, action, and drama. This volume contains no romance. One friendship has the potential for romance, but it is difficult to tell at this stage.
The Star Seekers, Vol. 1
By HYBE , TOMORROW X TOGETHER, and Nicki Sidwell
Yen Press, 2023
ISBN: 9798400900648
Publisher Age Rating:Â TeenÂ
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16), Tween (10-13)
Character Representation:Â South Korean,
