The Amuley series is a collection of novels written by the acclaimed author J.K. Rowling. The series includes seven books, each exploring the magical world of Amuley and the adventures of its protagonist, Harry Potter. The first book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," introduces us to Harry, a young boy who discovers that he is a wizard. With the help of his newfound friends, Ron and Hermione, Harry uncovers his destiny as the "chosen one" who must defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
For regular studio updates, follow @boltcity (tw/ig) and @amykibuishi (tw/ig) on Twitter and Instagram, and to contact us with questions, email [email protected]
The first team included Alan Beadle, Dawn Fujioka, Dave Au, Katy Wu, Arree Chung, Erik Martin, Sho Katayama, Kean Soo, Sarah Mensinga, Matthew Armstrong, Molly Hahn, Shadi Muklashy, Chris Appelhans, and Amy Kibuishi. The first team included Alan Beadle, Dawn Fujioka, Dave Au, Katy Wu, Arree Chung, Erik Martin, Sho Katayama, Kean Soo, Sarah Mensinga, Matthew Armstrong, Molly Hahn, Shadi Muklashy, Chris Appelhans, and Amy Kibuishi.
With the help of his newfound friends, Ron and Hermione, Harry uncovers his destiny as the "chosen one" who must defeat the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. Throughout the series, Harry and his friends face various challenges and dangerous situations as they attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They learn about spells, potions, magical creatures, and the history of the wizarding world.
Amulet
Amulet is a project I have thought about since I was 19 years old. I was a sophomore Film and Media Studies major at the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1997 when I read the graphic novel series Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki for the first time. It left me emotionally overwhelmed. Soon after, I read Bone by Jeff Smith and felt equally inspired. To me, these books represented some of the highest forms of literature- like The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia but with the addition of worlds and characters fully illustrated by the authors- and the stories within the pages were told in the form of comics! I immediately knew I wanted to make something like these books, so I set a goal to create a graphic novel series that could deserve to stand on the bookshelf next to the works of these masters.
The comic below represents my first attempt at writing and drawing the story. It depicts early versions of the characters Trellis (Trelly the Thief), Leon Redbeard (Leod the Cat), and a cat named Riley. At the end of this series of pages, a few panels of Emily and Navin were drawn before they go on their journey to Alledia, and Miskit is seen as a regular stuffed animal. By the end of drawing these pages, I was already burned out, I felt the results were disappointing, and the prospect of drawing thousands more pages seemed an unacceptable amount of work for a hobby project.
Making Amulet was a personal goal, not a career ambition, so I set the project aside to focus on developing job skills. Sketches and notes for Amulet slowly developed over the years while I worked as a graphic designer in architecture and later as a writer/director/3D animator for a small animation studio in Pasadena, California.
In 2003, I pitched an animated movie called Let’s Get Francis to Walt Disney Feature Animation and they optioned the rights to make it. I was brought on board as co-director and writer of the film. Having done extensive research on films with long development processes, I had a pretty good sense I was not going to get a chance to direct this movie. Already several years out of college, time was of the essence and I was looking to gain storytelling experience, so I signed away the rights to the movie and left my job in animation to focus my efforts on graphic novels.
Early efforts during this time included Daisy Kutter: The Last Train, a comic book mini-series published by Viper Comics, and the graphic novel anthology Flight, published by Image Comics (and later by Ballantine/Villard Books at Random House). They were both released to critical acclaim in 2004, while my webcomic Copper was growing in popularity online. Around this time, Scholastic sent me an email to inquire about new projects. With two published books under my belt, I decided to return to Amulet and give it another try. In 2005, I pitched Amulet to Scholastic Creative Director David Saylor and Editor Janna Morishima at Scholastic’s new Graphix Books imprint. Along with a short synopsis, I showed them the pages displayed below. Scholastic Graphix signed on to publish the first two books.
As the series progresses, Harry becomes more determined to confront Voldemort and protect his loved ones. The books delve into themes of friendship, loyalty, bravery, and the battle between good and evil. Rowling's imaginative storytelling and intricate plot twists keep readers engrossed from start to finish. Apart from the main storyline, the Amuley series also explores the backgrounds and motivations of numerous characters. Readers get a glimpse into the complexities of Severus Snape, the loyalty of Sirius Black, and the tragic past of Voldemort himself. The series concludes with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," where the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldemort takes center stage. The resolution of the series unravels many secrets and ties up loose ends, providing closure for longtime fans. The Amuley series has captivated audiences of all ages and has become a cultural phenomenon. Its impact extends beyond the books, as it has inspired movies, merchandise, theme parks, and a dedicated fan base that continues to grow. Overall, the Amuley series is a testament to J.K. Rowling's talent as a storyteller. Its themes of love, friendship, and the power of good over evil resonate with readers around the world. The series continues to be cherished and celebrated for its magical charm and enduring legacy..
Reviews for "The Amuley Series: Unveiling the Secrets of the Spellbinding Stones"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Amuley Series" but was ultimately disappointed. The plot seemed promising at first, with its magic and adventure elements, but it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. Additionally, the writing style was inconsistent and at times confusing, making it hard to follow the story. Overall, I found "The Amuley Series" to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star
"The Amuley Series" was a complete letdown. The concept had potential, but the execution was poorly done. The world-building was shallow and unconvincing, leaving me uninspired and uninterested in the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, adding to the overall lackluster experience. The pace was slow, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged. I was disappointed with this series and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was excited to dive into "The Amuley Series," but it fell short of my expectations. The characters lacked depth and felt like cardboard cutouts, making it hard to root for them or care about their journey. The plot had potential, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The pacing was off, with rushed action scenes and prolonged moments of unnecessary detail. The writing style felt amateurish and lacked polish. Overall, "The Amuley Series" was a disappointment, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1 star
"The Amuley Series" was a major letdown. The story was unoriginal and cliché, with predictable plot twists and shallow character development. The world-building felt half-hearted, and the magic system lacked depth and consistency. The dialogue was stilted, and the writing style was lackluster, making it hard to stay engaged. I found myself rolling my eyes at several points throughout the series. I would not recommend "The Amuley Series" to anyone looking for a fresh and gripping fantasy read.