chorus wave
Cartoonist: Karenza Sparks
Publisher: Avery Hill Publishing
Publication date: October 2025
Cornish artist Karenza Sparks’ debut graphic novel The Corus Wave is a cozy scientific mystery that combines equal parts archaeology, palaeontology and architecture. Guided by Sparks’ immersive art, readers follow the adventures of two students as they uncover the secret research of a genius scientist forgotten by time.
While looking through the footnotes of her master’s thesis about rare star-shaped fossils, an earth science graduate student named Lorelei came across a reference to something called “chorus waves” that she couldn’t find anywhere else on the internet. What she found was a Wikipedia page for a 19th century scientist named Javious Colas. That leads her to an obscure choral society in the picturesque fictional town of Chokesbury. Colas designed many of Chalkesbury’s public buildings, while leaving behind clues that guided future scholars to scientific discoveries that were incomprehensible in his time.
Although the Chorus Society looks like a typical small-town civic club, its members are thoroughly convinced of the genius of the Javious Chorus. Helen, who speaks with Lorelai on the phone, tells them that if Colas had not turned to occult spiritualism in his later years, his pioneering work in science and architecture would have been included in textbooks. Chorus believed that the natural phenomenon he termed “chorus waves” was a manifestation of the voices of a higher power singing in harmony. Unfortunately, all the texts published by the chorus on this subject have disappeared, so even Helen does not know what this means.
“This is like a Dan Brown novel,” says Eddie, Lorelai’s roommate and forensics student who accompanies her to Chalkesbury. This assessment proves to be apt, especially as Lorelai and Eddie embark on a treasure hunt around town. They begin with one of the city’s famous landmarks, the church designed and built by Coras. When Eddie spots an interesting pattern in the bricks of the outside wall of the garden, Lorelai pulls aside the vines and finds a depression that is exactly the same shape as the fossil. When a brick pops out, it is engraved with a message that guides the explorer forward.
From there, Lorelai and Eddie visit various points of interest around town, solving puzzles and finding new clues at each location. Along the way, they meet Dr. Marley, a member of the Chorus Society who always seems to be one step ahead of research. However, this competition with rival academics to discover the lost manuscript of the Chorus is relatively low-stakes and relaxed, with Lorelai’s main concern being that she will not be able to graduate on time if her thesis is not approved.
Despite Lorelai’s misgivings, Eddie is having the time of his life, as is Dr. Marley, and is anxious for the Chokesberry Fossil mystery to be solved. There’s no actual magic in The Corus Wave, but the speculative paleontology that informs the study of Corus is slightly beyond the realm of the mundane. However, unlike the Indiana Jones story, it’s easy to imagine that Lorelai and Eddie’s adventures are actually happening. Instead of diving into ancient catacombs and forgotten ruins, the two students explore everyday structures like local botanical gardens, scenic clock towers, and public libraries, often sharing space with town residents.
Chorus Wave is a celebration of the joy of research. The chorus’ search for manuscripts begins with a rabbit hole of footnotes, but the story develops in a more practical direction as the two students find friendship and support in the academic community. Their fieldwork provides an opportunity to understand the human stories behind the built environments, where unique design flourishes are often taken for granted. Chorus Wave is about going offline and touching the grass, and the fun is conveyed through gentle, inviting art that depicts lively, expressive characters moving through indoor spaces whose secrets are revealed only upon careful observation.
Lorelai and Eddie are engaging guides for the reader, and their curiosity and friendship drive the story forward. Chorus waves model the excitement that leads to a deeper understanding of the subject of study and the satisfaction of seeing the components come together neatly. I think this graphic novel would be a fun selection for a library summer book club, especially in conjunction with a local history lesson or custom scavenger hunt. Karenza Sparks’ energetic writing and art convey the contagious enthusiasm of the characters and the charm of their homeland of Cornwall, and The Chorus Wave is a reassuring encouragement to get out and explore.
Corus Wave is available from Avery Hill Publishing.
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