Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic (Aster, #2) by Thom Pico

Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A wonderful follow-up to Aster’s adventures in book one. This volume includes new perils, some familiar characters, and tons of adventure. As with the first book, this one is broken into two interconnected tales, each with magic, danger, and Aster’s quick-thinking. Karensac’s artwork is spectacular. Loved seeing new character designs…

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Aster and the Accidental Magic (Aster #1) by Thom Pico

Illustrated by Karensac 5 stars A fantastic adventure with some serious Hildafolk vibes and a charm all its own. As a sort of inverse to Hilda, the sassy and sarcastic Aster moves from the city to what she sees as the boring wilderness with nothing to do. However, this wilderness is not all it seems. As Aster…

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The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo, Translated by Lowell Bair

3 stars I’ve seen musical and film adaptations of the story, each choosing different details to include. But I never knew all the intense drama of the original. Despite my reservations, I was pulled in by the extensive details of the characters I only knew a simple version of (Esmeralda’s marriage, Phoebus’ womanizing antics, and…

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The Flower of the Witch by Enrico Orlandi, Translated by Jamie Richards

4 stars A fast-paced adventure story that blends mythology, coming-of-age themes, and questions of what it is to be a man. The artwork has a cartoon-y style but with a darker aesthetic. It pulls together some great folklore elements (ravens, shapeshifting, skulls, walking dead, demons, spirits). I really enjoyed the sinister elements in the artwork,…

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Brontë by Manuela Santoni

4 stars A brilliant glimpse into the lives of the Bronte sisters. Recounting a few of the major events through their lives, this graphic novel focuses on the sisters’ relationships to their father, brother, each other, and writing. An engaging way to learn about this trio of gifted writers in a format that is artistic…

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The Waiter by Matias Faldbakken

2.5 stars I received a copy of this book through Goodreads in exchange for an honest review. First off, the hardcover edition of this book is just gorgeous. I loved the texture of the jacket itself and the design fits the feel of the book very well. As many reviews have pointed out, not a…

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