Readers will become roadies for the lively concerts that act as backdrops for behind-the-scenes dramedy romance.
An up-and-coming band finds early success and rivalry after a science-fiction assist in this graphic novel set in the world of a franchise that originated with a 1980s animated series.
Jerrica’s band with her sisters, Kimber, Shana, and Aja, isn’t doing so hot. She’s the lead vocalist, but she chokes during a music video shoot, leading the group to bicker and feel uncertain about their prospects. Enter Synergy, a holographic computer built by Jerrica’s late father that helps her find high-tech earrings—a birthday present from her dad. The earrings can project holograms that allow Jerrica to circumvent her stage fright by assuming a new identity. And so, Jem and the Holograms are born. Their audience votes rival those of the Misfits, an established girl group who have a sponsored battle of the bands, but the real consequence of their ascension is all the ensuing romance, both straight and Sapphic. Jerrica dates music journalist Rio while concealing her double identity, and Kimber develops a mutual crush on Misfit member Stormer. The vibe that emerges as the story expands across both bands’ storylines is simultaneously high concept and slice of life. The musical scenes take on a visual life of their own, looking more like collages than a set of panels. The story is as colorful and playful as the multiracial bands’ rainbow assortment of hair, costumes, and makeup.
Readers will become roadies for the lively concerts that act as backdrops for behind-the-scenes dramedy romance. (bonus stories) (Graphic fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9798892159029
Page Count: 320
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod.
Can a 17-year-old with her first girlfriend prevent real-life folks from discovering her online fandoms?
Cass is proudly queer, happily fat, and extremely secretive about being a fan who role-plays on Discord. Back in middle school, she had what she calls a gaming addiction, playing “The Sims” so much her parents had to take the game away. Now, turning to her role-play friends to cope with her fighting parents, she worries that people will judge her for her fannishness and online life. To be fair, her grades are suffering. And sure, maybe she’s missed a college application deadline. Also, her mom has suddenly left Minneapolis and moved to Maine to be with a man she met online. But on the other hand, Cass is finally dating her amazingly cute longtime crush, Taylor. Pansexual Taylor is a gamer, a little bit punk, White like Cass, and so, so great—but she still can’t help comparing her to Rowan, Cass’ online best friend and role-playing ship partner. But Rowan doesn’t want to be a dirty little secret and doesn’t see why Cass can’t be honest about this part of her life. The inevitable train wreck of her lies looms on the horizon for months in an overlong morality play building to the climax that includes tidy resolutions to all the character arcs that are quite heartwarming but, in the case of Cass’ estranged mother, narratively unearned.
Despite the well-meaning warmth, a wearying plod. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-06-324332-3
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
An enjoyable, if predictable, romantic holiday story.
Is an exuberant extended family the cure for a breakup? Sophie is about to find out.
When Sophie unexpectedly breaks up with her boyfriend, she isn’t thrilled about spending the holidays at her grandparents’ house instead of with him. And when her grandmother forms a plan to distract Sophie from her broken heart—10 blind dates, each set up by different family members—she’s even less thrilled. Everyone gets involved with the matchmaking, even forming a betting pool on the success of each date. But will Sophie really find someone to fill the space left by her ex? Will her ex get wind of Sophie’s dating spree via social media and want them to get back together? Is that what she even wants anymore? This is a fun story of finding love, getting to know yourself, and getting to know your family. The pace is quick and light, though the characters are fairly shallow and occasionally feel interchangeable, especially with so many names involved. A Christmas tale, the plot is a fast-paced series of dinners, parties, and games, relayed in both narrative form and via texts, though the humor occasionally feels stiff and overwrought. The ending is satisfying, though largely unsurprising. Most characters default to white as members of Sophie’s Italian American extended family, although one of her cousins has a Filipina mother. One uncle is gay.
An enjoyable, if predictable, romantic holiday story. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-368-02749-6
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Review Posted Online: June 22, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
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