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Muted: Volume 2 by Miranda Mundt (2025)

9/29/2025

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One week into her month-long respite from her controlling Aunt Athalie, Camille receives an unsettling call blindsiding her with news of her arranged marriage. But when she stands up for herself and her freedom, she creates a rift with her beloved cousin Avaline and gains an uncontrollable new ability triggered by overwhelming emotions. Luckily, Camille has Dendro, the plant demon she summoned, to help her come to terms with her past trauma and fully embrace the beauty of her magic. But when Camille suspects that Avaline may be in danger under Aunt Athalie’s influence, she finds herself in a difficult position. With a plan to save Avaline, Camille and the increasingly charming Nyra embark on a mission to face the unpredictable dangers and painful secrets that await in New Orleans.

Muted is a lush, magical coming-of-age story, with joyful streaks of found family and polyamorous sapphic romance. 
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Muted: Volume 2 will be released on October 14, 2025. 

I loved the first volume of Muted, so when I saw the second one on NetGalley, I leaped at the chance to check it out. It didn’t disappoint. Muted: Volume 2 has everything that made me love the first book, complete with an eerie cliff-hanger at the conclusion. Camille’s story continues to unfold at a fast, expert pace, as full as ever of unexpected twists and vivid storytelling. Once more, I adore the artwork; it feels as though it perfectly encapsulates the world and tone of this story, and adds so much to the characters, which is the best sort of graphic novel! On the character side, Mundt continues to develop Camille and the supporting cast in a way that feels organic and vibrant, guided always by their choices and history rather than an artificial construction of what they ‘should’ do next. I truly can’t wait to read Volume 3—this is an enthralling story and a fast read, and I’m so curious about where Mundt will take it next! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​Book description credited to the publisher. ​


ages 14+ / ARC / fairy tales / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / LGBTQ+ / romance / series / young adult
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On Starlit Shores by Bex Glendining (2025)

9/15/2025

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In this YA urban fantasy graphic novel, Alex must return to the town where she was born to unravel the magical mysteries her late grandmother left behind

Alex Wilson hasn’t been back to Indigo Harbor, the seaside village where she grew up, in years. In fact, she can barely remember anything about it. But when her grandmother dies unexpectedly, Alex will have to return to her childhood home to say goodbye.

Accompanied by her best friend, Grim, Alex travels back to her hometown and begins cleaning out her grandmother’s house, but the longer they stay, the stranger things get. Indigo Harbor isn’t your average town—there are falling stars, witches running tea shops, and a name that comes up again and again: Elizabeth. Who was this woman, and how did she know Alex’s grandmother?
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On Starlit Shores will be released on September 30, 2025.

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On Starlit Shores can only be described as luminous. There’s a sense of gorgeous completeness to this story that left me fully immersed in it from beginning to end. I loved the threads of magic and belonging that weave through this story. The worldbuilding is fantastic - there’s such a strong sense of place from the very first page, and the thin line between what’s real and what’s remembered caught my attention and refused to let it go.

Alex is a strong protagonist, with the right blend of drive and grief, and I was more than glad to follow her through the beats of On Starlit Shores. The way her grandmother and Elizabeth are characterized is also more than worth a shout-out; Glendining does a fantastic job of giving characters depth and rendering them relatable even without their physical presence on the page, which helped give this book the feel of something between a mystery, a coming-of-age novel, a fantasy story, and a story of grief.

I love the illustrations, which are the perfect blend of vibrant and otherworldly, grounding the reader while having the fanciful edge that perfectly captures the tone and arc of the story.

I highly recommend On Starlit Shores to readers who want to immerse themself in a layered, vibrant town where memory is not an easily categorized thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

Book description credited to the publisher.

ages 14+ / ARC / family / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / magic / standalone / young adult
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The Importance of Being Earnest: The Graphic Novel (Original Text Edition) by Oscar Wilde (2014)

9/1/2025

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By Lina

When friends John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff discover that they have  separately created a fake identity (John’s invented younger brother, “Ernest”) and fabricated an ailing friend to dodge the tiresome social engagements gentlemen such as themselves are expected to attend, Algernon is thoroughly amused. John, however, resolves to clear up the deception as soon as he becomes engaged to Algernon’s cousin Gwendolyn. Surely she won’t mind that his name is really John—or will she? Perhaps, he decides, it would be for the best to simply change his name to Ernest for good.

But as John is scrambling to alter his identity before Gwendolyn can discover his deception, Algernon decides to secretly assume the persona of Ernest for his own ends. As their plans go increasingly awry, the friends must decide - is it better to be earnest or Ernest?
​

This highly enjoyable edition of The Importance of Being Earnest presents Wilde’s original play in graphic novel format, preserving the original dialogue while providing illustrations in place of the originally intended performance, resulting in a fun, fast, twisty read. The writing is eloquent and replete with snark and wit, and the plot is fast-paced and thoroughly entertaining, featuring ever-increasing layers of absurdity. Wilde cheerfully lampoons the British upper class of the late nineteenth century to great humorous effect; the characters are without exception amusingly self-absorbed and ironic, and their fast-paced dialogue is utterly delightful. I was laughing throughout! Overall, I would highly recommend The Importance of Being Earnest to readers ages twelve and up.

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Evil-ish by Kennedy Tarrell (2025)

7/14/2025

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A disillusioned teen dreams of fame and villainy in this hilarious and heartfelt young adult fantasy graphic novel from debut author/illustrator Kennedy Tarrell.

Hawthorne Vandercast has big plans: join the infamous Brigade of Shade, move into a glamorous castle, and leave their mundane life as a potion barista behind. But when they finally get the chance to join the Brigade, Hawthorne finds themself overshadowed by Maple, a bubbly, bright, flowery girl who could not look further from evil. After an accident ends in death and suddenly Hawthorne is leading the Brigade, they begin to realize that maybe villainy isn't actually all it's cracked up to be.

Evil-ish spins the classic tropes of good and evil on their heads in a hilarious and tender story about a teenager who feels bigger than their job, their town, and their circumstances...and finds out that what they thought they wanted might not be what they actually need.

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Evil-Ish will be released on July 22, 2025!

Where can I even start with this book? With all the villain-ish whimsy, queer rep and thoughtful examinations of evil that made Nimona an all-time favorite, yet an altogether different premise and set of characters, I had a feeling I was going to love this one, and I absolutely did. 

The art here is just so much fun. Tarrell nails every beat and image in this story with their wacky, colorful, ever-detailed art, and I couldn’t resist racing through its pages. 

I also adore the characters. Hawthorne is absolutely a favorite—their determined, irreverent personality sparks across every page, and the utter enthusiasm they have for all things villainy made me fall in love with them from the start. While I could call out any number of other characters here—and indeed, all of them deserve it, especially Hawthorne’s family! —I have to enthuse a little specifically about Maple. Tarrell narrates her character arc with dazzling precision, every panel and detail of color accentuating how much she doesn’t seem to belong in a world of villainy, and yet how much it ultimately fits her. 

But this isn’t just a story about villainy. Hawthorne’s reckoning with what they actually want from their life, what evil really is, and how they want to interact with the world around them propels forward a story as much about hope and being true to yourself as a well-placed maniacal cackle. I truly can’t recommend Evil-Ish enough, particularly to readers who always find themselves taking a second look at the villain! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​Book description credited to the publisher. ​


​ages 12+ / ARC / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / humorous / LGBTQ+ / standalone / young adult
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Muted: Volume 1 by Miranda Mundt (2025)

7/7/2025

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It has been thirteen years since the mysterious fire at the Severin family manor that killed Camille’s mother and twin sister, and the last thing Camille wants to do is return to her old home deep in the swamps of Louisiana. But deeply ingrained family tradition and Matriarch Athalie—Camille’s coldhearted aunt and head of the Severin household—demand it so she can perform the ritual of every prospective Severin matriarch.

No matter how hard she tries to be a witch worthy of the Severin name, nothing is ever good enough for her aunt. And when her ritual goes awry, she's given something precious: time away from Aunt Athalie. Time to spend with her beloved familiar Toben and kindly cousin Silvia. And—unbeknownst to her—time to fall in love, discover the truth of her magic, reunite with long lost family, work through her grief, and solve the mystery of who killed her mother and sister.
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Muted will be released on July 8, 2025. 

Muted reads like an original fairytale, carrying an immersive sense of magic that flows through every page and illustration. Mundt’s art possesses the lush, atmospheric intensity of some of my favorite graphic novel illustrations, calling to mind the intense, dark art of Molly Knox Ostertag’s The Witch Boy, and with all of the complex characters. Camille is a truly wonderful protagonist who I couldn’t help but root for—her genuine heart and desire to find somewhere she belongs made me immediately like her, and she propels this story forward. She’s often flawed and confused, but that makes her even better, making her someone I don’t just want to succeed, but can empathize with myself. I also love this entire world, augmented by the illustrations—it feels so close to ours and yet utterly more magical. This series is definitely one I’ll want to be keeping an eye on! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​​Book description credited to the publisher. ​

ages 14+ / ARC / fairy tales / family / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / LGBTQ+ / series / young adult
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Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology by Angelia Hsieh (2025)

6/30/2025

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Lu dreams of being a great adventurer, just like her ah-ma, who is a world-renowned geozoologist. Ah-ma has traveled far and wide, researching unique animals like dreamy cloud-jellies, enormous sunfish, and playful mossgoats. There’s nothing Lu loves more than reading Ah-ma’s letters about her quests, even if she and her mom struggle to understand the Cylian language Ah-ma writes in.

But when Ah-ma’s letters suddenly stop, Lu becomes worried. So when a nearby town needs a geozoologist, Lu decides to go on the journey to find Ah-ma. She charts a course with the help of Ren, an old friend turned new travel buddy.

As they follow in Ah-ma’s footsteps, Lu begins to discover the complex relationships between geofauna—and between people. What stories has Ah-ma never told her? And what’s Ren hiding from her?
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Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology was released on May 27, 2025. 

Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology was such a fun read! I love the worldbuilding here - the entire concept of geozoology (animals that are also geographic features like mountains, stones, etc.) was fascinating, and I loved seeing all the different creatures Lu and Ren encounter throughout this book. The full-color illustrations truly bring them alive, and added a very MG feel to the arc of the story. 

That said, there’s also a much deeper element to Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology - the side about Lu’s relationship with Ah-ma and what she never learned about her, and Ren’s familial relationships. At times Lu got a little bit on my nerves, but overall I really enjoyed following her story and the complicated relationships she had with both Ah-ma and Ren. There was also an ecological element here I really liked around understanding what’s really needed to preserve the natural beauty of an area - and that it isn’t what you necessarily expect. 

The art is very beautiful, capturing a sense of adventure and brilliantly depicting both the landscapes and creatures Lu and Ren encounter. I couldn’t resist stopping to admire the illustrations, which reminded me of the artwork in The Tea Dragon Society. I definitely recommend Lu and Ren’s Guide to Geozoology if you enjoy vibrant graphic novels and quest-type narratives! 
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4.5/5 stars, rounded up. 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​Book description credited to the publisher. ​

​ages 11+ / ARC / animal stories / fantasy / family / fiction / friends / graphic novel / middle grade / standalone
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We Could Be Magic by Marissa Meyer and Joelle Murray (2025)

6/16/2025

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When Tabitha Laurie was growing up, a visit to Sommerland saved her belief in true love, even as her parents’ marriage was falling apart. Now she’s landed her dream job at the theme park’s prestigious summer program, where she can make magical memories for other kids, guests, and superfans just like her. All she has to do is audition for one of the coveted princess roles, and soon her dreams will come true.

There’s just one problem. The heroes and heroines at Sommerland are all, well… thin. And no matter how much Tabi lives for the magic, she simply doesn't fit the park's idea of a princess.

Given a not-so-regal position at a nacho food stand instead, Tabi is going to need the support of new friends, a new crush, and a whole lot of magic if she’s going to devise her own happily ever after. . . without getting herself fired in the process.
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We Could Be Magic is, quite simply, delightful!

I loved Marissa Meyer’s Lunar Chronicles and Renegades trilogy, so I knew I was a fan of her style of storytelling, but I was initially leery of this book because it seemed so much more romance-focused than her usual fare. However, I decided to request it anyway, and I’m so glad I did.

Yes, We Could Be Magic has romantic elements, but the core plot is far more about learning to love who you are and believing in yourself than solely falling into rom-com territory. Meyer crafts a setting as vibrant as any sci-fi world, Joelle Murray’s art bringing to life this hyper-fandom setting with all its flaws, strange personalities, and magic.

I ADORED Tabi as the protagonist here—she is so incredibly authentic and lovely, and I was quite literally cheering her on the whole time while I read. We Could Be Magic is simultaneously a celebration of fandoms like this one and a critique of the way too many argue there’s only one ‘right’ way to be a princess, blending into an unputdownable and beautiful story.

If you’re a fan of graphic novels, fairy tales, fandoms, Marissa Meyer, or all of the above, I highly recommend We Could Be Magic! 

We Could Be Magic was released on June 3, 2025. 
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​Book description credited to the publisher. ​

​ages 13 + / ARC / book group pick / fiction / graphic novel / romance / standalone / young adult
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Love, Misha by Askel Aden (2025)

6/9/2025

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In this stunning YA adventure, debut author Jam Aden weaves a story of family schism and reconciliation that effortlessly enriches the complex dynamics of mother and child.

Can this road trip get any worse?
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Yes, Mom (Audrey) wanted to spend time with Misha. And yes, she’s never around and they don’t even live together, so this is a rare opportunity. But Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being non-binary and trying to talk to her openly about it. Misha even tries to write how they feel in a letter, but that isn’t going well either.

Then a wrong turn down a forest road leads the mother-child duo straight into the Realm of Spirits! Suddenly in peril and without a clue how to return to their world, Misha and Audrey will have to work together to find their way back home. But can they find a way back to each other? 
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Love, Misha will be released on June 10, 2025. 

I've recently fallen in love with fantasy graphic novels, but my one complaint is the brevity of the stories, as limited by the format. Love, Misha provides the sprawling, gorgeous feel of a fantasy book combined with stunning illustrations, and its slightly longer-than-average page count allowed me to truly get to know the characters and experience the scope of their development alongside them. 

Every beat of this story is just a joy to read. The relationship between Misha and Audrey is flawless, one of the most realistic and nuanced mother-child relationships I’ve recently encountered in fiction. They fight, they have misunderstandings, they care about each other, they mess up. By the end of Love, Misha, I couldn’t help but wish there were more books that portrayed such authentic parental relationships - ones that weren’t all good or all bad but instead a realistic mix of genuine confusion, badly demonstrated love, and attempts to make things better. 

I truly can’t recommend this story enough - five very well-deserved stars! 


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed here are my own. 

​Book description credited to the publisher. 
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A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel by Ursula K Le Guin, adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham (2025)

2/24/2025

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A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel will be released on March 11, 2025. 

Earthsea: a land of many islands and vast oceans, ancient names and fierce dragons, skillful seafarers and powerful sorcerers. Sparrowhawk is only a boy when he is sent to the school on Roke Island, where the greatest mages learn the limits of their powers, and the rules that constrain them. 

Only he is too arrogant, and too skilled. In a show of hubris, he summons a spirit out of legend and releases a nameless shadow into the world, one set upon the death of the one who made it. And to rid himself of this haunting and find its name, Sparrowhawk must travel Earthsea’s waters, bargain with dragons, and see the truth in a shadow born from his most terrible mistake. 

I’m a longtime fan of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea books, and so when I saw this graphic novel adaptation, I jumped at the chance to review an early copy. It absolutely blew me away. I couldn’t have imagined a graphic novel that could so flawlessly encapsulate the magic of A Wizard of Earthsea, but this one does so in gorgeous full-color, immersing me so utterly in this world it felt more like an illustrated version of the original than any sort of adaptation. Each page is such a beautiful, complete work of art that I would honestly love any of them as a poster or screensaver. I don’t recall ever reading a graphic novel where every illustration contains such a precise attention to detail, creating an atmospheric and absorbing experience that I fell in love with all over again every time I turned a page. 

The adaptation of the text itself is also superb. Fred Fordham was clearly fiercely committed to Ursula K. Le Guin’s work; nearly every line is pulled verbatim from the original text, and the changes that are made—whether abridgements or alterations—are so seamless that the reader scarcely notices their presence. Upon finishing this book, I didn’t feel as though anything was missing; rather, it was although, through the illustrations, I had been able to absorb all the details and moments of the story not explicitly spelled out. This is truly the most beautiful graphic novel adaptation I’ve ever read. Whether you’re new to Earthsea or an enduring fan, I can’t recommend A Wizard of Earthsea: A Graphic Novel highly enough! 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

​ages 11+ / adventure / ARC / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / series / young adult

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A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill (2025)

2/17/2025

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A Song for You and I will be released on March 4, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC for review purposes; all opinions expressed here are my own.

Rowan wants to be a ranger and protect their community, and they’re finally on the verge of achieving their goal. But then their recklessness injures their flying horse, Kes…and Rowan can’t help but wonder if they can truly be a hero if they can’t even take care of the creature they always rely on.

Without Kes, Rowan is assigned to less adventurous tasks on land—including roaming the countryside with Leonne, a violin-playing shepherd who Rowan once mocked for laziness. But as Rowan gets to know Leonne better, they start to wonder if they judged their new companion a little too harshly, and if they can still learn a thing or two about what it means to belong.

​I became a K. O’Neill fan over this summer through The Tea Dragon Society, and A Song for You and I absolutely lived up to my expectations. I love O’Neill’s colorful, gentle illustrations and cozy stories of friendship and self-realization, and this book is exactly that without ever feeling cliché or boring. This gentle, soaring tale of self-realization and discovery, and the struggle that comes when finally reaching a lengthy goal, hits perfectly, and the genderqueer identities of both Rowan and Leonne—as well as their developing friendship—formed such a strong emotional core to this story. This book truly feels like a warm, comforting hug. The atmosphere and worldbuilding are spot-on, and I felt like I was alongside the protagonists as they walked through this adventure. I highly recommend A Song for You and I for readers ages ten and up looking for a cozy fantasy graphic novel. 

fantasy / friends / graphic novel / middle grade / standalone / ages 10+ / LGBTQ+

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The Tea Dragon Society (Tea Dragons, Book 1) by Kay O’Neill (2017)

1/20/2025

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By Nico

When Greta, a blacksmith’s apprentice, stumbles across a lost Tea Dragon, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. With the help of the owners of the local tea shop, alongside a quiet, isolated girl named Minette, Greta discovers that caring for Tea Dragons is not just a challenge, but an art, and one that’s slowly vanishing as the speed of the world outpaces the long lives and copious needs of the small, shy creatures.

Alongside her new friends, Greta discovers the magic of tea dragons—and how much, without ever knowing it, she’s needed them in her life.

The Tea Dragon Society has been on my TBR for quite literally years—in part because it’s usually the first book mentioned when someone mentions ‘cozy fantasy,’ the subgenre where magical elements are combined with thoughtful, character-driven stories rather than apocalyptic stakes and prophecies. With simple but gorgeous illustrations and an atmospheric storyline, The Tea Dragon Society absolutely lived up to my expectations. It’s a rare story that possesses all the whimsical magic of a fairytale, but this one unapologetically does, and I truly loved it. It’s a pretty quick read but one I wanted to immediately reread upon its conclusion, so I’m so happy that there are more books in this series to enjoy! I highly recommend The Tea Dragon Society to readers ages nine and up, particularly readers who like graphic novels or who long for a cozy fantasy story that recalls (or perhaps helped inspire) stories like The Baker and the Bard. 

​adventure / ages 9+ / fantasy / fiction / friends / graphic novel / lgbtq+ / magic / middle grade / series

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Song of a Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout (2025)

1/13/2025

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Song of a Blackbird will be released on January 21, 2025! 

Emma Bergsma, 1943 Amsterdam. After witnessing the deportation of Jewish neighbors to concentration camps, Emma joins the Dutch Resistance as a printer, helping to forge documents and banknotes. 

Annick, 2011 Amsterdam. Annick's beloved grandmother is dying, and she needs a bone marrow transplant from a family member to survive. But the doctor's tests reveal that her grandmother was actually adopted - which means to save her, Annick has to find her original family first. With only a few old prints to guide her - all signed by the unknown 'Emma B' - Annick sets out to trace her grandmother's past and find her family. 

Song of a Blackbird is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that blends past and present dual timelines into a thoughtful story about remembering the past. Although primarily fictional, this story was based on true events and carefully researched, and it shows: the arc of the story and details all rang incredibly true, and made it all the more engaging of a read. The art to this book has almost a scrapbook feel, blending historical documents with characters and artwork, and it absolutely added so much to the text, transporting me into the past through the mixed media. I loved both storylines: Annick and Emma were both compelling characters, and their individual struggles - and points of connection - made me speed through this read. I highly recommend Song of a Blackbird to readers ages twelve and up who love historical fiction and art in all its forms! 

Thank you to Macmillan/First Second for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. 

ages 12+ / ARC / book group pick / fiction / family / graphic novel / historical fiction / standalone / young adult

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Nimona by N. D. Stevenson (2015)

11/18/2024

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By Nico

Ballister Blackheart is the kingdom’s newest villain—but once, he was its brightest rising star alongside Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin, who he’s still more than a little bit in love with. Nimona is an irrepressible young shapeshifter determined to be his evil sidekick, who poses a far greater threat to the kingdom than Ballister ever could’ve been alone.

Ballister and Nimona set their sights on proving his innocence and taking down the institutions that have branded them both villains. But that means forcing Nimona to trust someone else—and as Ballister gets to know his new sidekick better, he realizes that who—and what—Nimona is might be far more complicated than he’d bargained for.

Nimona
is absolutely incredible. It’s a rare book I fall so fully in love with from the very beginning, but Nimona not only managed that, it kept it up for the whole story. This book is for the ones who love villains, who want a different take on a corrupt society, who want a resolution that’s perfect for the book but not exactly a stereotypical happily-ever-after. Featuring brilliantly witty humor, a chaotic cast of characters, and fabulous stylized artwork, do yourself a favor and pick up Nimona as soon as you can.

To begin with, the characters are brilliant. Nimona’s brash, action-focused personality, Ballister’s measured caution, and Ambrosius’s almost tortured idealism create a fantastic combination of characters whose clashes, disagreements, and, slowly, trust, are both entirely natural and so much fun to read. But they’re also all deeper than they appear on the surface, and as I better understood each of them, I couldn’t help but be blown away by the depth and complexity Stevenson manages to impart in a medium that sometimes makes it tricky to truly get into character’s heads.

And while crafting these incredible characters, Stevenson makes it impossible for me to stop laughing. This book is simply funny—chaotic, outlandish, and weird in the best possible way. Humor is often one of the hardest things for a book to maintain from the first page to the ending, particularly when also weighing in on heavier topics, but Stevenson does so with such deftness he makes it look easy. Nimona never falls even slightly flat, and it has a truly fantastic ending—one that I went into certain there was no way the book could wrap up that would feel satisfying, and yet entirely manages to do exactly that.

Nimona
also includes a variety of both explicit and implicit queer characters and themes, and the author has spoken publicly about how he created Nimona as a subtle reflection of his own trans experiences. (For anyone who also enjoys movie adaptations, these threads are explored more fully in the animated adaptation, which is also fabulous!) However, it’s also a dissection of classic villain/outsider narratives of all kinds, questioning villainy, heroism, and how we treat those we determine to be ‘other’, and I truly believe it can connect with a profound range of experiences.

​I highly recommend Nimona to readers ages ten and up who want a quirky, action-packed whirlwind of a book that will make you think and feel and laugh and finish it wanting more than anything just to read it all over again. 

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Homebody by Theo Parish (2024)

10/21/2024

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By Nico

What does it mean to feel at home in your body? In their new graphic novel memoir, Homebody, Theo Parish explores their journey to understanding their nonbinary identity and discovering a version of themself that feels comfortable to them. From their early years to later struggles to feel seen, they honestly narrate their journey to find their home in themself and in the world.

Homebody
is a thoughtful story to reassure anyone questioning any part of their identity. This is the second graphic novel memoir I’ve read (after Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer), and I really enjoyed how the layered, thoughtful illustrations carried the emotional heart of the story and allowed the words to feel sparser. It feels much more like a story told, almost like a fairytale, than a traditional memoir, and I definitely enjoyed the format.

​I recommend Homebody to readers ages thirteen and up, particularly anyone who loved Gender Queer and is looking for another story in the same spirit. 

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The Night Mother (The Night Mother, Volume 1) by Jeremy Lambert and Alexa Sharpe (2024)

9/24/2024

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed here are my own.

The Night Mother will be released on October 8, 2024.


Night cloaks Madeline Tock’s small town. She spends her days with her father on their graveyard island across the river, where she listens to the whispers of the dead as they journey beyond. They whisper a warning, too: to fear the creator of the constant night.

The Night Mother: half a myth, who crosses the sky with her lantern to harvest the souls of the dead. Only she’s gained a taste for power and the freedom that eternal night allows her—and the living souls it enables her to harvest.

When the Night Mother comes for Madeline’s village and her father, she’s determined to prevent her from stealing them all away. But the Night Mother wants something from Madeline too, and Madeline soon realizes that she can bring back the sun—if only she can defeat the Night Mother first.

The Night Mother
delivers a dark fairytale of a story accompanied by gorgeous, detailed illustrations. The art is absolutely beautiful – Sharpe’s layered images are full of color and precision and fully absorbed me. Perhaps best of all, the art perfectly matches the feel of the story, crafting an immersive experience that I absolutely loved. At times, I felt it could be a little text-heavy, reading more like an illustrated book than a graphic novel, but especially past the opening scenes there was a better balance between text and art – and I think that might’ve been partially because I just loved the art so much that I wanted to see more of it!

​I really enjoyed the story as well. The Night Mother truly feels like a fairytale – but rather than the sanitized versions commonly found today, it harkens back to the dark roots of the Grimm Brothers, where a happily-ever-after was far from guaranteed. Although a relatively simple story, it unfolds with smooth precision, introducing in a relatively short page count a variety of compelling, fascinating characters, most of all so Madeline and the Night Mother. I hope to read future volumes of this story! I recommend The Night Mother to lovers of older middle-grade, original fairytales, and dark fantasy ages eleven and up. 

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    Book Reviews By & For Teens

    Everyone knows that Rapunzel spent her early years locked up in a tower. We like to think she read plenty of books to while away the time, and that she’d appreciate our favorites.
     
    We’re two teen siblings who have been reviewing and recommending great middle-grade (MG) and young adult (YA) books since 2014 (over ten years!). We’re particularly passionate about fantasy, queer books, and any story beautifully told.
     
    Explore our site more for author interviews, favorite picture books & audiobooks, and more!


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    Young Adult Reviews! 

    We're now featuring reviews for YA (ages 12+) books alongside our middle-grade reviews on our main page! (If you're not sure if a book is young adult, check the age range--if it's 12, 13, or 14+, it's YA.)

    ​Looking for more YA recommendations? Until 2022, we had a separate For Older Readers page, where we highlighted over two dozen awesome YA books. Check it out here! 


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