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THE ALTERED HISTORY OF WILLOW SPARKS by Tara O'Connor

THE ALTERED HISTORY OF WILLOW SPARKS

by Tara O'Connor ; illustrated by Tara O'Connor

Pub Date: Jan. 30th, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-62010-450-7
Publisher: Oni Press

Relentlessly bullied by the popular clique, the titular protagonist discovers an unexpected way to change her future.

Plagued with tragically uncool hair and unfortunate acne, Willow Sparks certainly is not a member of the popular crowd. However, her two best friends, Georgia and Gary, are loyal, and together the trio navigates the social atrocities of their high school. While at her job at the local library, Willow finds herself cornered by her mean-girl nemeses and, after a violent episode, unearths a secret library within the library that’s filled with unusual books. She finds a mysterious tome bearing her name that allows her to write her own future—but with devastating effects. While the semi-Faustian trope certainly is not new, O’Connor’s graphic-novel spin on it is fun and captivating. Her art is expressive and deftly captures all the angst and action through a cinematic lens. However, as Willow’s self-conceived plans unravel, the plotting goes with it, leaving the strong beginning floundering through a hasty resolution. While Willow is fully fleshed out, the secondary characters—including best friend Georgia and Willow’s librarian boss—are frustratingly not as well-developed. Despite these quibbles, O’Connor’s offering is an enjoyable and quick dip into the dark side of wish fulfillment. Main character Willow is white, as is Gary, and Georgia is Asian.

An intriguing and incisive plot that starts promisingly but ultimately falls flat.

(Graphic fantasy. 12-16)