Early Book Review: Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Tidesong by Wendy Xu is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on November 16 2021. Sophie is a young witch whose mother and grandmother pressure her to attend the Royal Magic Academy—the best magic school in the realm—even though her magic is shaky at best. To train for her entrance exams, Sophie is sent to relatives she’s never met. Cousin Sage and Great-Aunt Lan seem more interested in giving Sophie chores than in teaching her magic. Frustrated, Sophie attempts magic on her own, but the spell goes wrong, and she accidentally entangles her magic with the magic of a young water dragon named Lir. Lir is trapped on land and can’t remember where he came from. Even so, he’s everything Sophie isn’t—beloved by Sophie’s family and skilled at magic. With his help, Sophie might just ace her entrance exams, but that means standing in the way of Lir’s attempts to regain his memories. Sophie knows what she’s doing is wrong, but without Lir’s help, can she prove herself?

Tidesong gave me exactly what the blurbs recommending it to fans of Studio Ghibli and my knowledge of the author had me hoping for. A coming of age story full  of magic and a young girl figuring out who she is and what is really important. The characters are dynamic and well crafted, even those we do not see for long. The artwork is a perfect match for the characters and story, with some definite influence from anime. It just really worked and I could easily picture this as an animated movie. Sophie's personal struggles in loving herself and dealing with all the challenges that come with the age are on point and I think many readers will relate to her journey. I loved that other characters got to have growth as well, rather than just Sophie, and it shows that no matter how old or set in our ways we may become there is always room for more understanding and personal growth. This is another wonderful book from the author, and I cannot wait to see what she does in the future.  

Tidesong is a lovely graphic novel for middle grade and older readers. Magic, coming of age, and brilliant artwork will make this a favorite for many readers. 

Book Review: When Will Ayumu Make His Move? Volume 1, by Soichiro Yamamoto

When Will Ayumu Make His Move? Volume 1, by Soichiro Yamamoto is a manga style graphic novel. Yaotome's the president of the shogi club at her high school, and she's pretty sure that Ayumu, an underclassman and the only other member of the club, has a huge crush on her. They get together to play shogi every day after school, but no matter what she does, she can't seem to get him to confess his feelings! What she doesn't know is that Ayumu has made a pact with himself to reveal his love only after he's beaten Yaotome at shogi for the first time. 

When Will Ayumu Make His Move? is a cute 'will they won't they' story. Yaotome and Ayumu are fun to watch as they talk and flirt, but never really admit out loud that they like each other. The nerves, embarrassment, and awkwardness is well displayed in the artwork and the text. I could feel the frustration along with Yaotome, but still was annoyed that she never took the initiative and said that she liked him or asked him out first. I liked getting to learn a bit about he game shogi, which I have seen before but still do not get- but I am horrible with chess too so that is not a surprise. I would love to see this series continue, and have the cast of characters and locations grow a bit. The heart of the story will always be this couple, but other friends and activities could add some depth and drama to the story instead of just recycling the same basic conversation. I still liked the story, and want to know how they finally get together, but I feel like there could be some more twists in future installments for added interest.

Book Review: Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz

Stolen Science by Ella Schwartz is a middle grade non fiction book. Over the centuries, women, people from underrepresented communities, and immigrants overcame prejudices and social obstacles to make remarkable discoveries in science-but they weren't the ones to receive credit in history books. People with more power, money, and prestige were remembered as the inventor of the telephone, the scientists who decoded the structure of DNA, and the doctor who discovered the cause of yellow fever. This book aims to set the record straight and celebrate the nearly forgotten inventors and scientists who shaped our world today.

Stolen Science is an interesting look at how great discoveries, inventions, and innovations have been mis credited over the years, although not always maliciously. I think that this was an engaging and interesting read, and teaches readers more about some individuals that had great impact in a variety of fields, and teaching them a bit about those fields along the way. While it does drive home the point that life is often not fair, and that certain people tend to get credit even though others do the hard work, which is sadly still often the case. The book also points out that hard work, continuing to learn and grow, and perseverance are important factors in the achievements these individuals made. I had read some of the stories previously, but they were well framed and I liked some of the additional details about their lives and families as well as the science or industry most affected by their work.

Dwelling on how those in marginalized groups were, and sadly are, treated in most arenas does not leave me with all that much hope after reading, even though more and more of this sort of information is being  uncovered and shared has shed some light on the issues, but there will always be those looking to benefit from other's hard work and take advantage of those with less social standing in any way they can.  So I left the book feeling more than a little discouraged, mostly because of how some of today's social issues mirror the same pattern of problems. However, perhaps if we keep pointing it out the next generation will make more progress than my generation, and those previous, have this far.  

Early Book Review: Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding

Black Hole Chasers: The Amazing True Story of an Astronomical Breakthrough by Anna Crowley Redding is currently scheduled for release on October 5 2021. In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope Team unveiled the first ever image of a super massive black hole. This inspiring scientific breakthrough took years of hard work, innovative thinking, and a level of global cooperation never seen before. The challenge was immense. The goal was impossible. They would need a telescope as big as the earth itself. The technology simply didn’t exist. And yet, a multi-national team of scientists was able to show the world an image of something previously unseeable. Based off extensive research and hours interviews with many of the team's ground-breaking scientist, physicists, and mathematicians, Black Hole Chasers is a story of unique technological innovation and scientific breakthroughs, but more importantly, it's a story of human curiosity and triumph.

Black Hole Chasers is a middle grade non fiction book that is just as interesting an engaging for older readers, including adults, that are interested in the topic. I found the writing to be accessible and interesting, not oversimplified for younger readers nor overly technical. The information was well presented and I found myself intrigued. I enjoyed the asides of additional information and pop culture references, I felt they put things in context and might help the younger readers understand some of these references  that seem to consistently find their way into these discussions. I also like that the author took the time to show how many different people had a hand in the evolution of our understanding of black holes,  and how diverse they and their ideas have been over the years. No one individual, culture, or country can be credited with the discoveries or ingenuity that allowed for us to get an actual image of a black hole- never mind out current understanding of what they are and how they behave.  I liked that the author also included a proper bibliography and endnote citations. This should always be the case in nonfiction, but somehow it is somehow forgotten on occasion so proper citations always make me happy. 

Black Hole Chasers is a great read for anyone interested in black holes, and the scientific journey thus far in understanding, finding, and finally getting an image of one. 

Early Book Review: Lupina Book One: Wax by Li Buszka, James Wright

Lupina Book One: Wax  with cover and interior art by Li Buszka and written by James Wright, is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on September 14 2021. In the coastal town of Kote, recently brought under the yoke of the Addalian Empire, four-year-old Lupa spends her days getting bullied by her older sister and hiding behind her mother's skirts. But when tragedy strikes, Lupa finds herself alone in a new world, alone until she's found by the she-wolf, Coras, and sets off on a journey of discovery and revenge.

Lupina Book One: Wax is a good graphic novel. I loved the art style, the details and colors used were my favorite part of the book as a whole. I simply enjoyed the style and could see how much effort and talent was involved in the work. I liked Lupa and the general premise of the book. I often had questions about details that were mentioned once or twice in passing but never returned to or further explained. Since it is the first book in the series, I think it fell into the common trap of book one being the set up for stories to come, rather than a story in its own right. There was adventure and growth for Lupa, but it felt like just as things were about to ramp up and things will get really interesting the book was over. This happens all the time, and some people find that they need to read the next volume because of it. Sadly, there was not enough of a hook here to have me looking to continue the series.

Lupina Book One: Wax is a good series starter that will appeal to many. 

Book Review: Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur

Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur is a graphic novel, based on a webcomic originally found on the WEBTOON platform. Hooky is in print format for the first time with exclusive new content.

Twin siblings Dani and Dorian who have missed the bus to magic school and scramble to find a mentor to teach them before their parents find out. They never thought they'd wind up declared traitors to their own kind! Now, thanks to a series of mishaps, they are being chased by powerful magic families seeking the prophesied King of Witches and royals searching for missing princes. But they aren't alone. With a local troublemaker, a princess, and a teacher who can see the future on their side, they might just be able to clear their names, but can they heal their torn kingdom? 

Hooky is the start of a graphic novel series full of magic, suspense, and complex characters. I had not read the Webtoon version, so the whole story was a surprise for me. I liked getting to know the characters and their increasingly complicated friendships and connections. The dynamic between the witches and non magical people is not unexpected, and the intrigue and politics of it all feels very realistic, and the unfairness of it all seems on point with human nature- even when we wish is was not so common. I thought the story moved quickly in some moments, and a little slower in others, but it flowed nicely. I thought the art was well done and does a great job of capturing the mood of the story, and the details of the character's emotions and intent. As a who;e I was fully engaged in the read and enjoyed it. My only complaint is a common one, that the book ended with a solid set up for many possibilities but very little in wrap up or conclusion. I know there is more coming, but I need some more satisfaction at the end of a volume to make me really happy. That being said, I am still very interested in continuing on with this series.

Hooky is a great start to a series, and I think middle grade and older readers will enjoy it. 

Book Review: ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse by Stephanie Cooke, Mari Costa

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a middle grade graphic novel written by Stephanie Cooke  and illustrated by Mari Costa. It’s fall break in the supernatural town of North Haven, and young witch Abby’s plans include pitching in at her mom’s magical coffee shop, practicing her potion making, and playing board games with her best friends—a pumpkinhead, a wolf-girl, and a ghost. But when Abby finds her younger sister being picked on by some speed demons, she lets out a burst of magic so strong, it opens a portal to a realm of chaos bunnies. And while these bunnies may look cute, they’re about to bring the a-hop-ocalypse (and get Abby in a cauldronful of trouble) unless she figures out a way to reverse the powerful magic she unwittingly released. What’s a witch to do?

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a wonderful graphic novel about figuring out what is most important in your life ad using that as your strength. I thought the town and magical world building was nicely done, giving enough to have the story make sense but not dumping too much extra information. I liked the diversity, magical and otherwise, and think it felt like part of the story rather than something on a checklist which I have seen too much of lately. I thought the story and character development was well written and engaging. The art was well done- and I liked the color, depicted emotion and movement, and bold design. I do with the faces had had a bit more detail, in some cases it was very well defined but in others less so. Of course, this could be because I read a galley rather than a final version. Regardless I really enjoyed the book and think many readers from many age groups will as well. 

ParaNorthern and the Chaos Bunny A-hop-calypse is a charming coming of age graphic novel full of magic and friendship.

Early Book Review: Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee; Laura Samnee

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters Vol. 1 by Chris Samnee; Laura Samnee is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on August 17 2021. Rainbow has been looking for her younger sister, Jonna, for over a year--since the monsters appeared and the world began to dry up. Going from settlement to settlement, Rainbow asks every survivor she meets: Have you seen my sister?Then, one day, Jonna's spotted out in the wild: filthy, but strong. Strong enough to knock back a towering monster with one punch. All this time, she's been surviving. On her own. Without Rainbow. Without anyone. But there are more dangers in the world than monsters, and when the two sisters reunite, they'll discover the secrets of this new and terrifying world firsthand.

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is an enjoyable read. I really liked the artwork and think the style was perfectly suited for the story. I liked the story of Rainbow looking for her sister and surviving. The story was well told, and there was great interest on every page. There were a number of little bits of backstory and hints of possible things to come throughout the book, like finding the still missing family members and more information on Jonna. I did wish some of it was more fleshed out in this first volume, I think more could have been revealed without lessening the reader's need to search out the second volume for more. It felt a bit like i was just getting invested in the story, and wanting more, when the volume ended. However, I love the fact that coloring pages and a maze were included at the end- even though I can see this being an issue in library copies. 

As a whole I think Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters is a fun read and many readers will enjoy it. 

Early Book Review: Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko

Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko is currently scheduled for release on August 10 2021.  Zee Puckett loves ghost stories. She just never expected to be living one. It all starts with a dark and stormy night. When the skies clear, everything is different. People are missing. There’s a creepy new principal who seems to know everyone’s darkest dreams. And Zee is seeing frightening things: large, scary dogs that talk and maybe even a ghost. When she tells her classmates, only her best friend Elijah believes her. Worse, mean girl Nellie gives Zee a cruel nickname: Ghost Girl. But whatever the storm washed up isn’t going away. Everyone’s most selfish wishes start coming true in creepy ways. To fight for what’s right, Zee will have to embrace what makes her different and what makes her Ghost Girl. And all three of them—Zee, Elijah, and Nellie—will have to work together if they want to give their ghost story a happy ending.

Ghost Girl is a story that did a great job of showing the main character's growth with keeping readers on the edge of their seat. Zee is at that crossroads that just about everyone suffers through. They are not really little kids anymore, not quite a teen, and every thing feels huge and important. This is even harder when you, and others, perceive yourself as different. School, family, and peer relationships are hard even when things are typical, but when you are not it get even harder. Add in some disappearances,  scary looking dogs, ghosts, and a odd new principal and things are really going to get worse. I liked the balance of the supernatural and coming of age aspects of the story. The character development and growth for Zee, Nellie, and Elijah is very well done and I loved the path that they took. I also thought most of the mystical aspects of the story were very well done, and I liked that there were some unexpected things included.  I will say that I rather anticipated the big bad, and when they hit the page was even more clear that they were the root cause, but I enjoyed the path the story took us on and the lessons learned along the way.

Ghost Girl is a middle grade novel with a good blend of spooky and character growth. I will be looking for more from the author. 

Early Book Review: Why Longfellow Lied: The Truth About Paul Revere's Midnight Ride by Jeff Lantos

Why Longfellow Lied: The Truth About Paul Revere's Midnight Ride by Jeff Lantos is a nonfiction book currently scheduled for release on August 3 2021. Do you know how historically inaccurate "Paul Revere's Ride" is? And do you know why? Author Jeff Lantos pulls apart Longfellow's poem, tells the real story about Paul Revere's historic ride, and sets the record right. Not only that, he lays out when and why Longfellow wrote his poem and explains how without it, many of us wouldn't know much about Revere at all. 

Why Longfellow Lied is an interesting read. I liked that the actual events (as best we can glean from documents and statements) was laid out in comparison with the poem. It is examined piece by piece, and gaps that were not covered in the poem at all filled in. I liked the frank and narrative style of the writing flowed and did not gloss over some common misconceptions and assumption. I love learning new things, and even more so when common held beliefs are examined, challenged, and clarified. I liked that the depth and expanse oft he operation was described, showing just how many people put themselves and their families at risk to do what they saw as right, rather that just one or two. I also like that the variety of social standing and fortune of these people was shown, Some really risked it all with little hope for a bright future if things went poorly. I also liked that the sources and proper citations and index were included at the end of the book. I always appreciate when authors insist on doing it right. I liked that the author included maps and whatnot- unfortunately the formatting on my galley did not allow me to enjoy these to the extent readers of the final version will. I expect that they will really enhance the reading experience. My issue with the read might also be solved in the formatting for the final version, there are random asides of unrelated information (like a gruesome landmark, spreading of a specific type of apple, when someone got married, and so on) that were interesting but did not really flow with the history explored in the main text. I suspect that these will be in separate text boxes or otherwise separated in the final print (if not they should be). 

Why Longfellow Lied is a well researched and written book. 

Book Review: The Ghoul Next Door by Cullen Bunn, Cat Farris

The Ghoul Next Door, with text by Cullen Bunn and illustrations by Cat Farris, is a middle grade graphic novel. Eleven-year-old Grey lives in the legend-haunted New England town of Ander’s Landing, and he can’t help but feel like a pair of eyes is watching his every move. He discovers odd, gruesome bits and pieces from the graveyard that are left for him as gifts like art carved from bones or jewelry made from (hopefully not human) remains. Soon Grey is caught up in something bigger than he could ever have imagined.He finds himself drawn into a strange mystery involving a race of reclusive subterranean creatures—ghouls, the eaters of the dead! Turns out, his secret admirer is a ghoul named Lavinia. An unlikely friendship forms between them. The only problem is, their friendship breaks traditions—and the punishment is a fate worse than death.

The Ghoul Next Door is an entertaining graphic novel. The art style was nice, and I liked the lines but was not a big fan of the water color style for the coloring. The details were nicely done, and I thought the faces and highlights on hair and eyes for depth and dimension were very well done. I personally prefer a bolder, more solid style over the watercolor, but that is a matter of personal preference and not anything to do with the skill of the artwork involved, which I could still appreciate. I thought the story was well written, school and family moments were well done and I thought they felt realistic and true to character. There was a nice dose of creep, adventure, and mystery through the entire book. I liked it, and I think there are many middle grade and older readers that will really enjoy it. I had a little trouble getting invested in the story- but I think that was more because of the state of the world and some technical difficulties rather than anything lacking in the story.

Early Book Review: Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition, Book 1 and 2 by Sebastian Girner and Galaad

Scales & Scoundrels Definitive Edition, Book 1 and 2, by Sebastian Girner and Galaad are graphic novels currently schedule for release on July 6 2021. This a a new, revised and expanded definitive edition of the all ages comic.

This multicultural fantasy adventure follows young treasure hunter Luvander in her search for gold and glory. Along with her companions—a prince, his stern bodyguard, and a plucky young dwarf—Lu dives into an epic journey and discovers a secret that will bring light to a world encroached upon by an ancient darkness. Book 1: Where Dragons Wander contains material previously collected in the Image Comics edition of Scales & Scoundrels Vol. 1 & 2, with completely reworked artwork. Lu’s adventure continues in Book 2: The Festival of Life, with more than 250 pages of original content. I only had access to a sneak peek of these volumes, so my review is only on the artwork and story I had access to. 

I have never before read Scales & Scoundrels so my review is based on looking at the previews of these two volumes with no nostalgia or prior knowledge of the story. I thought the idea and story was well done with quality artwork I thought the story was easy to follow, with some predictability, and the artwork matched the story well. The story starts fairly slowly, a standard fantasy adventure, but the characters and story to get more depth as the story continues. The art was not my favorite style, but we all have different tastes and I think it was a good match to the story. I think young fantasy fans and players of Dungeons and Dragons-  and similar games- will enjoy this the most. I did not wow me, but I do wish that I would have discovered the comics when they were first release as I think I would have enjoyed them more when I was younger and not so many graphic novels of this genre had already pass through my hands. 

Book Review: Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst

Even and Odd by Sarah Beth Durst is a middle grade fantasy novel. Even and Odd are sisters who share magic. Lately, though, it seems like that’s the only thing they have in common. Odd doesn’t like magic, and Even practices it every chance she gets, dreaming of the day she’ll be ready to be a hero. When the hidden border between the mundane world the sisters live in and the magical land they were born in shuts abruptly, the girls are trapped, unable to return home. With the help of a unicorn named Jeremy, they discover a wizard is diverting magic from the border to bolster her own power. Families are cut off from each other on both sides of the border, and an ecological disaster is brewing. But the wizard cares nothing for the calamitous effects her appropriation of magic is having. Someone has to do something to stop her, and Even realizes she can no longer wait until she’s ready: she needs to be a hero now.

Even and Odd is a fun read with a nice blend of action, magic, and character growth. Even and Odd are sisters that are close in age, making them good friends but also tired of being compared to each other. I liked the way their relationship is described, as it felt like a very real dynamic and one I have often seen in life. I thought the set up for the magic and mundane world was well done, and the build up of concerns and crisis made the big confrontations feel that much more pivotal. The world building is smooth and interesting, making me want to read more about some of the characters living there. I do have to admit that I saw one of the twists coming, but it was well played and hit at a moment to make the most of the suspense and emotional decisions that had to be made. I really enjoyed reading along as Even came into her own and would not be opposed to following this family in a series.

Even and Odd is a charming coming of age story about siblings, magic, and finding yourself.

Book Review: Brindille by Frederic Brremaud, Federico Bertolucci

Brindille is a graphic novel written by Frederic Brremaud and illustrated by Federico Bertolucci. A frail young girl flees a roaring forest fire in the middle of the night desperately taking refuge in a cave where she quickly loses consciousness. She wakes up in a strange, tiny village populated by fairy-like creatures. Her hosts seem intrigued by the sparkles of light that seem to surround her. The village chieftain explains that one of their hunters found her passed out in the forest and brought her back here for treatment. He asks who she is, but she remembers nothing except for a wall and flames. The chief is baffled by her tale as there has not been any fire in the forest lately, and yet the young woman does indeed show signs of burns. Somewhat recovered and dressed in woodland clothes made by the villagers, the young lady asks to meet the hunter who found her in the forest. She asks her savior to take her to where he found her, hoping that seeing the place will restore her memory. But Meliss refuses -- the rules of the village say that only hunters can enter the forest, and all of the sparkles surrounding the girl would catch the eyes of predators living in these woods. What follows is a tale of discovery, magic, tragedy, and adventure, as the girl discovers powers that may or may not be borne of an ancient evil. She befriends a cunning, talking wolf along the way, and together the two set out on a journey.

Brindille is a graphic novel that is suitable for middle grade and older readers, including adults of course. I liked the detail, movement, and expression in the art work. I thought it showed great skill and talent. I thought some of the color choices could have been different, to help clarify some of the differences of characters and meanings in the story- but it is very possible that I messed some significance there. There were some really good moments where I thought I had it all figured out and a grasp of what exactly was happening, but more often than not I was a little lost. I liked the book, and saw great skill in both the story and the art, but wonder if there is a bit of folklore I do not know or something of the story that I either missed or was lost in translation, because even when the story was over I was still confused about some of what happened. 

Book Review: Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty

Willa of Dark Hollow by Robert Beatty is the second book in the Willa of the Wood series. I do recommend reading this in order- to understand the main character ad what she has already been through. 

Willa and her clan are the last of the Faeran, an ancient race of forest people who have lived in the Great Smoky Mountains for as long as the trees have grown there. But as crews of newly arrived humans start cutting down great swaths of the forest she loves, she is helpless to stop them. How can she fight the destroyers of the forest and their powerful machines? When Willa discovers a mysterious dark hollow filled with strange and beautiful creatures, she comes to realize that it contains a terrifying force that seems to be hunting humans. Is unleashing these dangerous spirits the key to stopping the loggers? Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against a consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world.

Willa of Dark Hollow is a stunning follow up to Willa of the Wood. I was glad to see Willa's story continue- and sad to see the trials that she had to face. There were many twists and turns, some which I saw creeping up and others that caught me completely off guard. The weaving of history, the natural world, magic, and all the emotions that give the characters life is extremely well done. The way the characters are all dynamic- showing the good and bad inherent in people and nature- might reach young readers that never had to consider that all sides of a story see themselves as the good guy, no matter how few people agree. People, and the world, are complicated and finding the right answer is not always possible- sometimes finding the best possible answer is the best we can do. This is a book that I knew would destroy me (in the best of ways of course) so I admit that I was both eager to pick it up- and dreading the read. I loved all the related books and while I needed to know what happened next I was also dreading finishing it ad having to wait for more, and worried that it might not live up to my expectations. The only fear that might be realized is tat I do believe this might be the end of this series. 

Willa of Dark Hollow is a wonderful read, with a great deal of though and emotion provoking action and ideas. Fans of the author need to read it- and I highly recommend this series and the companion series that started it all- Serafina.

Book Review: She's My Knight, Volume 1, by Saisou

She's My Knight, Volume 1, by Saisou is a manga style graphic novel. Haruma Ichinose, 17, has been popular since he was born. So popular, in fact, that he figured no one could even come close, until he met Yuki Mogami. She's tall, cool, collected, and totally makes him crazy. He may just be in love, but can he deal with falling for someone even more dashing than himself?

She's My Knight is a cute middle school to young adult manga, while other age groups can enjoy it as well. On the surface this is simply the story of two popular kids getting to know each other, and coming to like each other, while dealing with the idea that they have unconventional prince/princess roles with each other. Sometimes that role reversal comes off as completely misogynistic and off putting, but I felt like it was done here with a nod to all the other anime and manga that have made use of this idea. I thought the various nods to different tropes often used in romantic  manga was well done and fun. I would have liked to have seen more of Mogami's thoughts- as we seem to get more from even the secondary characters than from her.  I liked the story and art, and would certainly pick up the next volume if I found it- but I would not go hunting for it. 

Book Review: The New Girl (Elle(s)) Script by Kid Toussain and Art by Aveline Stokart

The New Girl is the first book in the Elle(s) graphic novel series written by Kid Toussain and art by Aveline Stokart. Elle is just another teenage girl… most of the time. Bubbly and good-natured, she wastes no time making friends on her first day at her new school. But Elle has a secret: she hasn’t come alone. She’s brought with her a colorful mix of personalities, which come out when she least expects it… Who is Elle, really? And will her new friends stand by her when they find out the truth?

The New Girl is a beautifully drawn graphic novel. At first Elle seems like the average girl, dealing with a new school, new friends, and the relationship with her parents. Most every reader can relate to aspects of this book. However, Elle has much more going on than the average teen- and I think it is portrayed in a thoughtful and engaging manner. I think the honest discussions she has with friends, and the way the art help differentiate the different aspects of Elle are part of what really make the whole thing work. My only, and huge, complaint is the cliff like ending. There are questions I want answered, and things I want to see play out. I am not on the hunt for whatever comes next.

The New Girl is a great graphic novel that gives readers a great perspective on how it feels to be in Elle's shoes. I just need the second volume- now!

Early Book Review: Villainous by Stonie Williams, Jef Sadzinski

Villainous is a graphic novel by Stonie Williams and Jef Sadzinski that is currently scheduled for release on May 4 2021. Tilly, one of the newest super-powered people to join the Coalition of Heroes, is doing her best to navigate the dizzying world of superheroes. Working with her idols should be a dream come true, but when she learns the truth, Tilly's dream quickly becomes a nightmare. Now, Tilly has to make a choice - Get in line and stand with her heroes, or take a stand and risk becoming something more Villainous. 

Villainous is a take on the superhero genre that is becoming more popular now, questioning if the heroes are really as good as people expect them to be. I like this idea, and it can be done very well. I think the story idea and the path the story takes is good. However, I would have liked more character development. Tilly and her family making sacrifices keeps being brought up, but not the what or why. How the good guys slid into wanting power is not covered, although some of the why's of the separation of the two groups came about is briefly touched on. The action and plot was good, but I really enjoy knowing characters better. Similarly, the art style has the color and bold lines that I like. However, I thought some of the choices made with facial expressions and body movements were a bit over the top. Sometimes a calm and quite reaction can be more frightening than the extreme yelling, surprise, or tantrum throwing. I think it was a decent read; it was bright, bold, and a quick read. I think there was more potential than made it through in the execution but it is worth a read. 

Book Review: Secrets of Camp Whatever, Vol. 1, by Chris Grine

Secrets of Camp Whatever, Vol. 1, by Chris Grine is a middle grade graphic novel. Eleven year-old Willow doesn't want to go to her dad's weird old summer camp any more than she wants her family to move to the weird old town where that camp is located. But her family—and fate itself—seem to have plans of their own. Soon Willow finds herself neck-deep in a confounding mystery involving stolen snacks, suspected vampires, and missing campers, all shrouded in the sinister fog that hides a generation of secrets at Camp ... Whatever it's called. 

Secrets of Camp Whatever is a story that I think readers from a wide range of ages will enjoy. The art is very well done, and captures the mood of the characters, the setting, and the underlying mysteries very well. I liked the personalities of the kids, and I found their reluctance and curiosity to be very realistic in spite of the things they discover. The way they deal with each other, the adults around them, and the mysteries of the island only made me interested to learn more.Willow's independence, and the way some people treated her, was key in her personality but not the story development.  I really enjoyed the read, and am looking forward to this series continuing. 

Secrets of Camp Whatever is a fun and engaging graphic novel that left me eager to see what volume two might have in store. 

Early Book Review: Pepper Page Saves the Universe! by Landry Q. Walker, Eric Jones

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel with script by Landry Q. Walker and art by Eric Jones. It is currently scheduled for release on February 16 2021. The year is 2421. Awkward and shy, Pepper buries herself in the universe of the classic fictional superhero Supernova to avoid dealing with the perils of the 9th grade. But then fate intervenes when Pepper encounters a strange cat named Mister McKittens and stumbles into a volatile science experiment run by a sinister substitute teacher named Doctor Killian. Pepper is flung into another dimension, bringing her face to face with an order of cosmic beings who declare her to be the steward of their great power, champion of harmony in the universe, protector of worlds present and past. Now, in the 21st Century, Pepper finds that she herself is the real Supernova. But as Pepper soon learns, escapist fantasy and reality are two very different things.

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a graphic novel for middle grade and older readers that is a fun read, but still covers some of the emotional aspects of the age group. Pepper is an orphan that is bullied and just does not feel she fits in, so gets lost in comic books. I think this feeling- that of being left out and looked down on- is one that most people can relate to on some level, even if they are not really outside the more popular peer groups. I thought the story set up and execution was very well done, with some good twists and nice resolution. The artwork nicely matched and enhances the story. The color choices were on point, as were the details and expressions. Since I was reading a digital proof, there were some pages that were clearly not the final product, and I think the final version will be absolutely wonderful. I am hoping that this series continues and I get to read more about Pepper Page. 

 

Pepper Page Saves the Universe! is a fun and entertaining graphic novel that I think many readers will enjoy.