This queer, magic-tinged romance will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next volume.
A misdialed phone call leads to an unexpected romance amid political scandal.
This series opener takes place in Dawlat Al-Harir, a fictional nation inspired by Middle Eastern and Asian countries, where some inhabitants can turn into animals or divine the future. On New Year’s Eve in 1997, a photographer named Huang Zhen calls what he thinks is a charity helpline to process something terrible he discovered about his family. To Zhen’s surprise, his call is picked up by a sexline operator named Zach Kartal, and they hit it off. Zhen and Zach grow closer as they continue their phone calls. Khan’s illustrations of their expressions and body language effectively reveal their feelings for each other during moments of silence in their conversations. When Zach begins hanging out with Musa, a university student from the esteemed Faris family, Dawlat Al-Harir’s latest scandal spills over into his life. This first of three volumes collecting entries from the webcomic BUUZA!!, which was previously published on WEBTOON, weaves together slices of its characters’ daily lives, a budding long-distance romance, and complicated political drama. Khan’s loose illustrations and muted color palette imbue the novel with softness. While the story is character-driven, detailed panels of Dawlat Al-Harir’s cities, lush with plant life and texture-rich interiors, ground readers in the setting. By the end of this entertaining volume, several exciting secrets remain to be unveiled.
This queer, magic-tinged romance will leave readers anxiously awaiting the next volume. (translation guide, character profiles) (Graphic fantasy. 16-adult)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9781419788482
Page Count: 368
Publisher: Abrams Fanfare
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry.
Three young people find their places in a world of vengeance and destiny in National Book Award winner Tahir’s duology opener set in the multicultural world of her An Ember in the Ashes series.
Aiz, from the impoverished nation of Kegar, seeks revenge against Tiral bet-Hiwa, an air squadron commander who, as a child, murdered Aiz’s fellow orphans. Guided by a voice claiming to be Mother Div, Kegar’s first queen, Aiz escapes imprisonment after her failed assassination attempt on Tiral and embarks on a journey to free Mother Div’s trapped spirit. In the Martial Empire, Sirsha, a skilled tracker with magical abilities who’s been banished from her homeland, is saved by a stranger who hires her to hunt an unnatural killer. Quil, the crown prince of the Martial Empire, faces an invasion by the Kegari and the lingering threat of a mysterious force responsible for recent murders, including those of two of his loved ones. As the storylines converge, Sirsha and Quil cross paths, leading to revelations about the insidious force. The story explores the blurred line between good and evil and the lengths one will go to for a better life. Tahir’s deep and intricate worldbuilding requires time for readers to fully grasp. Following a slow start, the plot engages as pieces fall into place, leading up to an unexpected ending. The beautiful writing compensates for the romantic relationships, which develop quickly and somewhat inorganically.
A fantasy with complex characterization that will build anticipation for the next entry. (Fantasy. 14-18)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780593616949
Page Count: 496
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
SEEN & HEARD
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