Fighting Evil with Music: Clefelo is a Unique YA Graphic Novel that Celebrates Individuality

 

Clefelo

By Sarina Policastro

Comix Well Spring/Greko Printing, 2022

Softcover

Webtoons Link

Clefelo on Instagram 

What’s cooler than a YA graphic novel that includes the character’s pronouns in their description?

A YA graphic novel with some very impressive illustrations, all done by the amazing young author!

Clefelo, written by the young, brilliant and talented writer/artist Sarina Policastro, is a story about Mirabelle, a musician with a father who is a famous singer. Her father, Kristamin, also happens to have a superpower: He has clefelo, which is an inherent ability that is created by music which he uses to fight evil. In a way, it’s like the Force. While Mirabelle’s father is a singer/songwriter, Mirabelle plays an instrument – namely, the violin.

 

So, what exactly is clefelo, you might ask? And why do I bring up the music thing?

 

The two are actually mutual. It doesn’t escape me that “clefelo” reminds me of the word “clef,” which is, of course, a musical symbol. So music gives the people with the superpowers the energy they need in order to create clefelo, which is the name of their powers.

 

As an example: Imagine being thwarted from robbing a bank by some kind of mystical power that not only crushes bad clefelo but renders all the other bad guys weak. You feel me? That’s clefelo, my dudes. And it plays a big role in this story (thus the title!).

 

There are good people with clefelo, but also some really uncool nasties who have it too. The two main villains in this story include one who also has clefelo, but he uses it for evil! So the people who are able to use their clefelo fo good to beat the bad guys save the day – usually. Mirabelle may not have the same kind of superpower abilities as her dad, but she is smart, courageous and cunning – all good qualities in fighting the villains!

 

Two villains, in particular, who are set on destroying her father after he keeps ruining everything for them. Will they succeed? That’s what kept me reading this fast-paced story, and even after I read this book with its surprising ending, I couldn’t stop thinking about the very unique and interesting characters with their unique and interesting powers!

 

One other thing I noticed in this story is that two individuals made different choices when they were not so blessed with superpowers. One of them, the mastermind villain, chose to take a negative road, her jealousy and anger fueling her quest to wreak havoc on the world. The other Mirabelle, chose to take a positive road, focusing her energy on her talent (her ability to play the violin) rather than moaning about not having a superpower or feeling any jealousy towards her father for being so famous and having that magical clefelo.

 

I liked the relationship dynamic between Mirabelle and her dad. While the villain has severed ties with her sister, Mirabelle loves and adores her father.

 

Another thing I liked about this story was how grounded and confident the young characters are. If any of them are dealing with mental health issues or struggling with personal problems, they don’t allow it to rule their lives or define their personalities.

 

Clefelo is a fun and entertaining story about the battle between good and evil, as well as family devotion and courage. The illustrations are professionally done, as well as the book’s appearance, and it was an easy-to-read and easy-to-follow story. Some graphic novels are confusing, with comic slots everywhere, but not in this book, where I was able to tell where to read next. Fans of graphic novels, YA fantasy stories and stories of characters with musical talents are sure to enjoy this adventurous and very unique novel.

 

Five stars

 

 

FULL DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.