Ultra Violet: Escape from Uranus by Cristy Burne and Rebel Challenger
Ultra Violet: Escape from Uranus, created by Cristy Burne and Rebel Challenger, is a wildly energetic, laugh out loud second instalment in the Ultra Violet graphic novel series. Young readers will be hooked from the first panel. Fast, funny and bursting with facts, this book proves that learning and laughter make a brilliant team.
The story reunites readers with Violet Butt, her talking pet hermit crab, Leonardo Da Pinchi, and her best friend Izzy Kelly. Burne cleverly includes a recap of previous mayhem, making it easy for new readers to jump straight in, which is great because the unfinished alien problem reappears, and it needs fixing pronto!
As the trio are launched into another chaotic adventure, this time heading into space, this extremely fast pace story is relentless in the best possible way. There is always something happening, and readers will feel as though their heads are spinning as they race through panels packed with action, jokes and clever visual details.
The humour is shamelessly silly, with plenty of fart-based comedy, but it’s balanced with genuinely impressive educational content. Readers absorb fascinating facts about space, biology and chemistry almost without realising they’re learning.
Rebel Challenger’s illustrations are a standout feature. The bold, cartoon-style artwork is expressive and packed with visual gags. Challenger even includes side notes directly to the reader, commenting on how or why certain things have been drawn, which adds another layer of comedy and makes the reading experience feel interactive and playful.
Cristy Burne keeps the story moving at top speed, expertly juggling humour, science and adventure. There is certainly a lot going on, but it never feels overwhelming - instead, it creates a joyful sense of controlled chaos that perfectly suits the tone.
Ultra Violet: Escape from Uranus is ideal for reluctant or enthusiastic readers alike, especially those who love graphic novels, science, and humour that’s a little bit cheeky. It’s non-stop entertainment that proves books can be both smart and silly - sometimes at the same time!
Themes: STEM, Friendship, Problem solving, Aliens.
Michelle O'Connell