Sorry it’s been a few weeks since I posted one of these, but I’ll try to get back on schedule until I’m all caught up!
Every Monday, I’ll be posting a small batch of mini-reviews for graphic novels, comics, poetry collections, short stories, and other miscellaneous items that may be too short for a full-length review post. This week, I’ll be reviewing four graphic novels.
Northstars, Vol 1: Welcome to Snowville! – Jim Shelley
A graphic novel about Santa’s daughter and the Yeti princess becoming a butt-kicking duo, complete with dragons and Krampus and other mythical creatures? Yes, please! This book is super adorable and has a really charming, whimsical holiday feel to it that definitely made me a little more excited for cold weather and Christmas trees!
That said, there was one major issue I had with this graphic novel: the endless bickering between the two girls. At first, it looked like they might be quick pals (or more – I’m so dying to see more LGBTQ+ rep in middle grade books!), but Holly (Santa’s daughter) spent the majority of the book belittling and making fun of Frostina (the Yeti princess) for being furry and large. I kept thinking, “Really? The subplot is… Santa’s daughter bullying another girl for being furry?” I sincerely hope the author will rethink the girls’ relationship before continuing the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Action Lab Entertainment for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
{ goodreads . amazon . bookdepository }
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm – Dana Simpson
It’s been a while since I’ve picked up any of the Phoebe and Her Unicorn books, but this one is unique in that, rather than a set of separate comic panels, it’s actually a graphic novel!
Phoebe and Marigold have yet another adventure ahead of them, but in this story, a mysterious storm has struck their town, taking with it not only the electricity (and the wi-fi – gasp), but also the ambient magic. Poor Marigold is without her powers, which simply won’t do, so the duo decides to hunt down what could be causing such a bizarre turn of events.
As always, Phoebe and Marigold are absolutely adorable, but my favorite part of this volume was the goblins! They’re hilarious, gross, little green guys, and they were such a fun addition. Also, there’s a dragon, as there should be in essentially every story.
BLART.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
{ goodreads . amazon . bookdepository }
Us – Curtis Wiklund
I’m not really sure what I expected, but this is, in a nutshell, a man’s homage to his love for his wife. It’s sweet and cute, but nothing I would ever purchase if I picked it up in a bookstore.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
{ goodreads . amazon . bookdepository }
Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys: The Big Lie, Vol 1 – Anthony Del Col
I absolutely loved Nancy Drew as a kid; while I was never a big fan of The Hardy Boys, I always enjoyed their crossover stories. Naturally, when I saw this ARC on netgalley, I was pretty eager to check it out, and once I heard that it was an edgy, modern take on the old gang, I thought for sure this would be a delightful trip down memory lane for me.
Sadly, I was mistaken. The artwork in this is muddy, dull, and dated; while a fan of classic comics may enjoy it, it wasn’t for me in the slightest. The storyline was boring and I had a hard time believing any of it or attaching myself to any of the characters. I’d say that there’s a chance I’ve just outgrown Nancy Drew, but just as likely, I think this graphic novel was a bust for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dynamite for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
