#4 Eve

 

                                                                (Image: Simonandschuster.com)

LaValle, V. (2022) Eve. Los Angeles, CA: BOOM! Studios

ISBN: 9781684158089

Dystopian graphic novel.

Grades 9-12 Booklist Vol. 118

Plot Summary

While Eve knew her childhood was unconventional, she had no idea that it was entirely virtual until she is woken from a deep sleep to save the planet. With the help of a robotic teddy bear named Wexler, Eve must travel through a country she has never experienced and try to save our species.

About the Author

Eve is Victor LaValle's second foray into YA literature (the first was the excellent Destroyer) but readers might be familiar with his high profile tongue-in-cheek folk horror book The Changeling (soon to be what will undoubtedly be an amazing tv show!), or his (not racist) Lovecraftian book The Ballad of Black Tom. He has received the World Fantasy Award, The British Fantasy Award, British Writing Award, Bram Stoker Award, Whiting Writer's Award, Shirley Jackson Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, the American Book Award and a key to Southeast Queens. (Per his website). Whew. He's very good and I'm glad he's been recognized so heavily!

Critical Evaluation

The beautiful artwork offsets the unrelenting bleakness of this graphic novel. Using a palette of greens, blues, and browns - all earth colors, works in contrast to the words we are reading: the earth has been destroyed, few humans have escaped (to space), and the fate of the species rests on a young girl named Eve.

After waking from a deep sleep that was actually a virtual training instead of the childhood she thought she had, Eve must immediately adapt to an unfamiliar world in which her father is no longer present. She learns that when the ice caps melted an ancient virus was unleashed and it turns its victims into violent zombies as soon as puberty hits. Helping her process this is Wexler, the teddy bear robot, who might have its own agenda. The confusion is overwhelming but Eve gets through it becoming the hero we need. 

Eve can be read, especially by teens, as a story of the sheer terror of climate change facing the younger generations. The expectation is that younger generations will fix this, but is that fair? They didn't do this! When Eve awakens she has been abandoned by all, and is confronted by the new reality of kids being some of the only survivors but only for so long. She encounters an older version of herself in what should be an odd touch but somehow works. LaValle manages to turn it around by the end and save the book from being a true downer. He seems to be acknowledging the fears teens have over our climate crisis and wants to let them know that he's sorry that it's gone this way and they won't be alone; there will be help and they will be able to do it.

Potential Challenge and Defense

All in all, Eve should fly under the challenge radar, unless there is objection to the blame being put on humans for climate change. Given the common themes in book challenges though, this seems pretty safe.

Creative Use for Library Program

Retrieving seeds is a big part of Eve's duty to rebuild the planet. Why wait until our species has been annihilated? The book would pair well with planting trees, giving out packets of seeds, or making flower seed bombs. If your library is lucky enough to have a seed catalog, this would be a good one to display near it.

Speed-Round

Eve has just woken from a deep sleep to realize that her entire childhood was virtual reality designed to train her to save the planet. With the help of Wexler, a robot teddy bear, she sets out to fulfil her destiny, not knowing who or what she'll encounter along the way.

Reason for Inclusion

While I'm sure teens get sick of hearing that they're the ones who are going to save the planet, I still think the message is a good one. The book is hopeful, as is the idea that we can still turn this all around. It's a well-written quick read that addresses major issues while appealing to dystopian/zombie fans so it's an easy one to recommend.

Book List. Eve. 118(14). https://www.booklistonline.com/Eve-/pid=9759987

Lavalle, V. (n.d.). Victor Lavalle.                                                        http://www.victorlavalle.com/#:~:text=He%20has%20been%20the%20recipient,raised%20in%20Queens%2C%20New%20Y    ork.