Esme + Eldar Chapter 2 Review
Reading time: 2 minutes
Esme + Eldar is set in a world of magic and wonder, in a sort of alternative early Victorian England, in an odd little town called Ceran. Esme, a quick-witted girl who wants to be a detective, and Eldar her faithful, sarcastic, magical little friend. They're about to leave the relative safety of their hometown and discover a world that will change them forever.
Chapter 2 moves on from the first, where it was setting the stage for things to come and building the relationship between Esme and Eldar. They finally leave their hometown where they meet some friends and enemies whilst continuing to build on the friendship between the two main characters.
It was pleasing to see the same art style continue as the first, as that was a real highlight and is once again all pencil, with no colour. With a bit of colour added it could be even better, but it's not necessarily needed.
The story continues along at a decent pace, although it doesn't feel as though it's on the same level as the first issue, in part because the occasional banter between Esme and Eldar doesn't feel it's there, as it was previously. It's still engaging, but the bond between the pair does not come across as strong as it did, which is a shame.
Sadly, the problems with the book still pertain with the text boxes/bubbles. The first page is in the style of the first issue, in odd shapes where the test is squeezed to fit. Then it moves to traditional text boxes/bubbles, which would have been a great improvement if the text fitted into them. Too many times words started outside of it and continued into the text bubble, or ran out of it at the end, all of which ends up being quite distracting. It's definitely something that needs tidying up.
When we reviewed the first chapter of Esme + Eldar, we would have given it a 4 out of 5. It was a solid first issue with a few problems. Chapter 2 sadly retains these problems, whilst seeming to lose a bit of what made the first issue score well. Thankfully not lost out on the unique art style though. 3/5, pushing 3.5/5.
If you want to give the book a read, you can buy it for £5 at CrownRoot Publications.
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