Cloud Town

In Dan McCloskeys debut graphic novel, best friends Pen and Olive live in Cloud Town, an impoverished community on Floating Island, near the Rip, a tear in the universe's fabric. When a Care Corp Storm Catcher nearly squashes them, Olive is recruited to train as a pilot to protect Floating Island from future attacks. The girls' relationship is tested as they grow up and grow apart in a border town on the edge of the possible.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Abrams

Dan McCloskey's debut graphic novel, "Cloud Town," is an exhilarating middle-grade adventure that delves into the lives of best friends Pen and Olive. Set in the impoverished community of Cloud Town on Floating Island, a mysterious landmass that drifts above the earth and is dangerously close to the Rip—a tear in the fabric of the universe—the story follows the journey of these two characters as they face a series of thrilling challenges.

While Pen is brash and brave, Olive is quiet, kind, and fearful of bullies at school. However, their lives are forever changed when they are nearly squashed by a Care Corp Storm Catcher, a giant android built to protect Cloud Town and the rest of Floating Island from Hurricanes, monsters that travel across the Rip.

It is not the event itself that changes the girls' relationship, but rather the fear of death that drives them apart. Additionally, the questionable decision-making that leads Pen to drag Olive into the cab of the crashed robot further complicates their relationship.

What sets "Cloud Town" apart is its unique and captivating art style, which sets the tone for a story that is filled with fantastic monsters and mad science. However, it is also the journey of two friends growing up and growing apart in a border town on the edge of the possible that truly resonates with readers.

As Olive is recruited by Care Corp to train as a pilot, she is thrust into a role reversal that neither of them is prepared for. This new responsibility challenges their friendship and forces them to confront their fears and insecurities.

Through their adventures, Pen and Olive learn valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and self-discovery. They must navigate the complexities of their relationship and the challenges of their new roles to protect their beloved Floating Island from the impending threat of the Rip.

"Cloud Town" is a must-read for fans of middle-grade graphic novels, adventure stories, and anyone who loves a good story about friendship and the power of courage. With its stunning art, engaging characters, and heartwarming narrative, this novel will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Dimension: 229 x 159 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781419753114