Complete the Quest: The Poisonous Library

Part graphic novel, part choose-your-own-adventure, part board game, Complete the Quest is what I imagine it must be like to play Dungeons and Dragons. Admittedly, most of my D&D information comes from books and TV shows, but my D&D playing friends assure me that the premise is similar. Read the provided information, make a choice, and see where it leads you. In this instalment of Complete the Quest, the Queen has been poisoned, and it is up to the reader to save her by choosing characters with a special set of skills to move through a variety of tasks, puzzles, and games.

Visually, Complete the Quest is highly appealing. The brightly coloured comic book-style illustrations are inviting and eye-catching, reminiscent of both the video games of the 80s and current popular graphic novels. The Questmancer is absolutely adorable as the narrator and guide, and the two-page spreads manage to be detailed while remaining uncluttered.

The story, itself, will mostly appeal to lovers of fantasy; it’s an engaging magical world full of elves, dragonfolk, and the like. While some of the language and description might be a bit complicated for a less experienced reader, this feels like a great book to use as a family activity or an interactive classroom adventure! Early on, the Questmancer recommends grabbing a piece of paper and a pen, and I agree. Trying to keep track of all the choices can be a little overwhelming.

Overall, Complete the Quest: The Poisonous Library is a fun read that will likely appeal to a niche group of readers. Bonus points for a super-cute dedication to librarians!