Review by Ian Keogh

Judd Winick’s Hilo series is constantly surprising action adventure for young readers characterised by Winick not being afraid to make big changes. This is the third consecutive volume of Gina and her magical talents headlining, and a conclusion to the story arc of a changed world.

Gina and the Big Secret lived up to its title by having Gina meet her great-great-great grandmother whose been the protector of the world against magic for centuries. The heritage explains Gina’s talents. The cast were separated in the previous book, with Hilo remaining in the floating castle of the corrupt royal family intent on changing the world still further.

As ever, the art is bright, cheerful and action-led, with Winick keeping the viewpoint from a distance both to best show the almost constant movement and to encompass the currently enormous cast. A particular joy of this volume is how almost everyone who’s had a meaningful role in the series so far is seen in Gina and the Last City on Earth, some just in passing, but even those who readers might have believed they wouldn’t see again.

Hilo’s optimism fires the entire series, and despite some pretty weighty matters at stake, not least the fate of the world, Winick produces good-natured adventure with positive solutions prioritised. Not to forget, though, that this is a very funny series as well. Hilo’s bad habits have rather taken a back seat, although feature in the welcome recap section, but there are plenty of comedy monsters sent packing in imaginatively funny ways. Contrasting that, neither has Winick been afraid of a sad ending, and that seems to be the case here until an epilogue offers hope.

Next up is The Rise of the Cat.