A dynamic, funny read for emo days.
Hawthorne Vandecast yearns for the glamourous villain life.
Miserable doing the menial work of a potion barista in their family business, nonbinary Hawthorne yearns to join the Brigade of Shade, an organization of elite villains who once ruled over their city of Idlewood. But when Hawthorne gets the chance to audition for the Brigade of Shade, it doesn’t go well. Worse, flower-loving Maple McCoy (who annoys Hawthorne with her sugary overtures of friendship) easily makes the cut. Freckled, redheaded Maple approaches Hawthorne with an idea for a do-over that goes awry—but leaves Hawthorne the Brigade’s new leader. Finding the organization’s day-to-day operations stagnant, Hawthorne whips the Brigade back into mischievous shape. But soon their efforts pay off beyond what they wanted, as the newly competent Brigade engages in evilness well beyond Hawthorne’s comfort zone. Since Hawthorne’s flirtation with villainy started this whole mess, it’s their responsibility to make things right, which includes coming to grips with thematic questions at the heart of the story. Tarrell’s portrayal of life in Idlewood—a charming combination of medieval fantasy standards and modern twists—includes plenty of humor while establishing pale-skinned, pink-haired Hawthorne’s angsty misfit relatability. Although the characters’ motivations aren’t particularly robust, the aesthetics and vibes—beautifully moody color palettes and expressive, active illustrations—make this fast-paced story compelling. The Brigade members and Idlewood residents are racially diverse.
A dynamic, funny read for emo days. (early character designs, process gallery, background designs) (Graphic fantasy. 12-18)Pub Date: July 22, 2025
ISBN: 9781250839961
Page Count: 208
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and...
A deliciously creepy page-turning gem from first-time writer and illustrator Brosgol finds brooding teenager Anya trying to escape the past—both her own and the ghost haunting her.
Anya feels out of place at her preppy private school; embarrassed by her Russian heritage, she has worked hard to lose her accent and to look more like everyone else. After a particularly frustrating morning at the bus stop, Anya storms off, only to accidentally fall down a well. Down in the dark hole, she meets Emily, a ghost who claims to be a murder victim trapped down in the dank abyss for 90 years. With Emily’s help, Anya manages to escape, though once free, she learns that Emily has traveled out with her. At first, Emily seems like the perfect friend; however, once her motives become clear, Anya learns that “perfect” may only be an illusion. A moodily atmospheric spectrum of grays washes over the clean, tidy panels, setting a distinct stage before the first words appear. Brosgol’s tight storytelling invokes the chilling feeling of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline (2002), though for a decidedly older set.
In addition to the supernatural elements, Brosgol interweaves some savvy insights about the illusion of perfection and outward appearance. (Graphic supernatural fiction. 12 & up)Pub Date: June 7, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-59643-552-0
Page Count: 224
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2011
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in.
Black is back with another dark tale of Faerie, this one set in Faerie and launching a new trilogy.
Jude—broken, rebuilt, fueled by anger and a sense of powerlessness—has never recovered from watching her adoptive Faerie father murder her parents. Human Jude (whose brown hair curls and whose skin color is never described) both hates and loves Madoc, whose murderous nature is true to his Faerie self and who in his way loves her. Brought up among the Gentry, Jude has never felt at ease, but after a decade, Faerie has become her home despite the constant peril. Black’s latest looks at nature and nurture and spins a tale of court intrigue, bloodshed, and a truly messed-up relationship that might be the saving of Jude and the titular prince, who, like Jude, has been shaped by the cruelties of others. Fierce and observant Jude is utterly unaware of the currents that swirl around her. She fights, plots, even murders enemies, but she must also navigate her relationship with her complex family (human, Faerie, and mixed). This is a heady blend of Faerie lore, high fantasy, and high school drama, dripping with description that brings the dangerous but tempting world of Faerie to life.
Black is building a complex mythology; now is a great time to tune in. (Fantasy. 14-adult)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-31027-7
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2017
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