Ikenga by Nnedi OkoraforIkenga

3 stars A fascinating superhero origin story steeped in Nigerian culture and lore. After the murder of his father, the chief of police, Nnamdi vows to avenge his death. The means to actualize that vow come with a powerful artifact, an ikenga, which gives him unparalleled abilities. Will revenge settle Nnamdi’s restlessness or is the…

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Willodeen by Katherine Applegate

Illustrated by Charles Santoso 5 stars A new favorite from Katherine Applegate! I loved this story. A beautiful representation of how plants and animals coexist and form mutually beneficial relationships. It show demonstrates human intervention can unintendedly alter that balance with unintended consequences. A blend of eco-mystery and coming of age with a touch of…

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Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe (Mimi #1)

by Shauna J. Grant A fun, wholesome story featuring Mimi and her magical plushie, Penelope. When everyone calls Mimi cute, she starts to worry that she’s just cute. She wants to be more than that. She tries on different personas, but nothing feels quite right. With the help of her friends, she learns that she is so…

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The Woman in the Woods and Other North American Stories

5 stars A fantastic collection of comics that center around Indigenous folklore. Each story has its own unique spin. Some are framed as a story told to another, while others throw the reader right into the action of the tale itself. Great variety of story and illustrative styles. A fun mix of traditional stories and…

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Realm of the Blue Mist (The Rema Chronicles #1)

by Amy Kim Kibuishi 5 stars A fantastic journey packed with action and adventure. Join Tabby as she follows a blue-haired stranger into a magical world, searches for a mysterious ghost, and learns there may be more to her father’s death than she initially thought. This was an awesome adventure. Loved the world-building. Kibuishi explores…

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Fantastic Tales of Nothing (Nothing #1)

by Alejandra Green and Franny Rodriguez 3 stars Enter a fantastic world featuring humans, shape-shifting volkens, and mysterious fae. Nothing is quite as it seems in the magical world of Nothing. Strange things are happening to Nathan. After a chance meeting with a mysterious new friend, Haven, the duo must avoid a pair of volken…

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Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

4 stars A gorgeous graphic novel that features two adventures for the price of one. Preet has powerful magic that she uses to help the village. Valissa is the librarian who guards the village’s history, stories, and traditions. But when an unexpected danger arrives, the two must part ways and embark on their own journeys…

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Other Ever Afters by Melanie Gillman

New Queer Fairy Tales 5 stars Absolutely fantastic! I’ve read this book three times now and I still want to dive back in. I made my husband and sister-in-law read this, because I enjoyed it so much. Enter a world of fairy tales like you’ve never seen. Fantastic twists and wordplay. Loved the queer storylines…

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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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Death & Sparkles by Rob Justus

3 stars A chaotic adventure featuring Death, a unicorn celebrity, and a trio of alien lizards looking to better humanity. Fun humor, adorable artwork, and an unexpected (yet sweet) new friendship. Having Death as a main character, it does dive into some dark humor at times, but has a unique balance with Sparkles rounding it…

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