Fantasy

My Sister the Werebeast / Alina Tysoe

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My Sister the Werebeast
By: Alina Tysoe
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 320
Published: October 7, 2025
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: ARC / eBook

Mira and Rosie are in charge of watching their little sister, Peanut, as their parents are away fighting magical beings. Being in charge shouldn’t be anything they can’t handle – even if Peanut has flooded the house with her tears, or made friends out of the leaves in the backyard, or can now breathe fire, oh, and can shapeshift into an (adorable) fluffy werebeast. No problem! Mira and Rosie will just hide her powers until their parents come back…

I have loved Alina Tysoe for quite some time and have followed their What’s Up Beanie art through Instagram, so as soon as she announced this I knew I needed to get my hands on it ASAP.

I am used to reading shorter stories on Instagram from Tysoe, so it was a fantastic surprise when this graphic novel ended up being 320 pages! This blends the perfect amount of fantasy, sibling dynamics, humor, and cute art. All the characters were pretty flushed out and you really got to understand the family.

Gosh darn it –  is Peanut the cutest!!

The way this ended makes it seem like there will be more to the story (I really hope). I also read this as a digital advance copy, I will be purchasing a physical copy of this in early October when it comes out.

Overall, this is a perfect read for all ages who like soft fantasies during the fall weather instead of horror (think Halloweentown!), and those who love adorable and expressive art.

The Summer War / Naomi Novik

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The Summer War
By: Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy, Novella
Number of Pages: 144
Published: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Del Rey
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: ARC / Paperback

Twelve-year-old Celia accidentally curses her oldest brother, Argent, to a life without love when he leaves in the middle of the night. As Argent wanders both our world and the realm of the Summerlings (a place that’s been fighting Celia’s realm every summer for over 100 years), becoming a well known and famous knight, Celia tries to figure out how to break the curse. As she gets older, Celia is the perfect marriage match for the prince because she is a sorceress.

This novella had quite a lot in it for just the 144 pages it had. I also don’t want to get into much more of the summary because it kind of ruins the later half of the book to be honest.

I really loved the Scholomance series and those were my first books of Naomi Novik’s I’ve read, so I was curious to read outside of that universe. I didn’t fall in love with this universe as much as I did with Scholomance, but I didn’t absolutely hate it or anything either as it was still a delight to read.

Overall, I can see those who like shorter fantasies enjoying this book, as of course there’s just a touch of magic mixed with a bit of a modern fairytale.

Love, Misha / Askel Aden

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Love, Misha
By: Askel Aden
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: June 10, 2025
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: August 4, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: misgendering, absent parent

Mom, Audrey, finally wants to spend time with Misha. She’s never around (the two don’t even live together), so this is a rare opportunity. But, Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being very open about being nonbinary. Misha even tries to write a letter to their mom to tell her how they feel, but that’s not going great either…

When a wrong turn down a forest leads to the Realm of Spirits, the mother-child duo had no clue on how to return home and must work together to try and find their way.

So, I definitely felt the Spirited Away vibes while reading this (getting lost, accidentally entering a spirit realm, having to figure out how to get home without getting eaten), but then another reviewer mentioned A Goofy Movie and now I can totally see those connections too (parent-child with a strain relationship go on a roadtrip but everything that could go wrong does). 

The art in this graphic novel is fun and whimsical, capturing the magic of the spirit world perfectly. The brown and golden hues in the panels also give the feel of autumn and sets the tone.

Overall, this graphic novel is about growing up, acceptance, and forgiveness along the journey in a spirit realm that isn’t really meant for humans. It’s aimed at young adult readers, but I believe adult readers would also enjoy it (especially Studio Ghibli lovers).

*Thank you First Second and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Nordlys: Book One / Malin Falch

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Nordlys: Book One (Nordlys #1)
By: Malin Falch
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 320
Published: May 13, 2025 (1st Published February 15, 2018)
Publisher: Inklore
Dates Read: August 3, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback

The night before her coming-of-age ceremony, Sonja gets a visit from a mysterious boy who offers to take her across the stars to a Norway she’s never seen; a Norway full of trolls, pirates, and magic. As Sonja slowly begins to fall in love with the new land, she uncovers an adventure that may bring both worlds together.

If you take Peter Pan, mix it with Norwegian folklore, and then add beautiful artwork, you’ll have Nordlys – oh, and add a dragonfly! This is also just the beginning of the series, so it very well may turn in a different direction, but you definitely get Peter Pan feels.

This is just the beginning of this series and I kind of need the translations to have happened yesterday, this is so good.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the artwork. When I first flipped through it, it reminded me of Brother Bear, which I enjoy, so anything like that already had my attention. But then everything else about the artwork and the panels is beautiful and you can practically smell the crisp mountain air between the pages!

Overall, if you’d enjoy a graphic novel with beautiful panels and a Peter Pan retelling sprinkled with Norwegian folklore, this book is for you!

The Lost Sunday / Iléana Surducan

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The Lost Sunday
By: Iléana Surducan
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 64
Published: June 17, 2025 (1st Published January 1, 2021)
Publisher: Oni Press
Dates Read: June 24, 2025
Format: eBook

Nina lives in a town haunted by the six angry wolves of the week – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Each day brings new chores that need to be done. There’s rumors of a seventh day of the week, Sunday, but everyone knows an evil witch stole it and keeps it locked away with her in the well she was banished to. When Nina has had enough of constantly working, she sets out on a quest to find the witch so that she may rest.

First off, the art in this graphic novel is fantastic and beautifully detailed. The cover alone made me want to read this. The colors matched the themes of the day and the whereabouts of Nina in the witch’s world.

Secondly, this novel shines a light on the importance of leisure and finding time, even in a busy week, to relax and enjoy life. I wasn’t familiar with the folklore or fairy tales that this story inspired until after I read it, but I could surely relate to the need for leisure time, especially in today’s society.

Overall, I would highly recommend this to both kids and adults alike, especially those who just want to have some fun and relaxing times.

*Thank you Oni Press and Edelweiss+ for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A Language of Dragons / S.F. Williamson

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A Language of Dragons
By: S. F. Williamson, Henrietta Meire (Narrator)
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: 432
Published: January 5, 2025
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dates Read: April 28, 2025 - April 30, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: death, war, physical assault, violence, classicism, sexism

In London 1923, dragons begin soaring through the skies and chaos has erupted. Vivian Featherswallow isn’t worried though, she’s going to follow the rules, get an internship studying dragon languages, and make sure her little sister never has to worry about dropping down to Third Class. By midnight, Viv has started a civil war.

With her parents arrested and her little sister missing, everything Viv has worked for is crumbling. So when a mysterious “job” is offered to her, Viv takes it. Arriving at Bletchley Park, she finds out her mysterious job is codebreaking to help in the war effort. If she succeeds, her family can be whole and safe again. If she doesn’t, they all die.

But, the more Viv learns while codebreaking, the more she realizes what she grew up believing isn’t as safe as it seems. Eventually she must decide if the side of the war she’s working for is the one she really wants to fight.

I really enjoyed the linguist aspect of this novel and the amount of world building Williamson did with it. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Viv, but she is a morally gray character at times, so that makes sense. I did appreciate her growth throughout the series though. 

I originally wanted this because of the dragons, and that part definitely did not disappoint. I also enjoyed the fast pace of the plot and the high stakes of Viv’s (and everyone at Bletchley Park) situations. It kept me turning the pages to find out more.

*Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A Song for You & I / K. O’Neill

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A Song for You & I
By: K. O’Neill
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 240
Published: March 4, 2025
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Dates Read: April 18, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Rowan knows exactly what they and their trusted flying horse, Kes, needs to do to be a ranger and protect their village. But when Rowan’s eagerness to prove themselves gets Kes hurt, they are suddenly unsure if they’re capable of becoming what they’ve always dreamed of.

While Kes needs time to heal, Rowan is assigned a laidback post – being paired with a sheep herder named Leone as he travels across the lands on deliveries, but they only get more and more frustrated by not being able to do simple tasks. As Leone’s own struggles and endless support brings new possibilities to Rowan, could their unlikely pairing turn into something more?

I fell in love with K. O’Neill when I read The Tea Dragon Society and will always read everything they published. I’ve always loved not only their illustrations but their queer representation as well. With Rowan, being true to themselves so that they can be the best ranger is simply written, for the younger age group, but it’s still powerful. 

Overall, the storyline of this beautifully drawn graphic novel flows effortlessly from adorable moments into slightly darker, more serious situations.

*Thank you Random House Graphic and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Dreamover / Dani Diaz

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Dreamover
By: Dani Diaz
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 312
Published: January 14, 2025
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Dates Read: March 8, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Amber and Nico have been best friends since the third grade. When Amber confesses her undying love to Nico, it’s to no one’s surprise except hers. When Nico expresses the feelings are mutual, their summer of first love begins.

But life gets complicated when high school starts and between school, bullies, homework, and juggling their friendships and relationship, Amber and Nico cling to each other, forgetting about everything else. Soon, they find themselves with only each other.

One night, as they play video games together, Amber’s wish of running away with Nico comes true when they mysteriously fall into a shared lucid dream. Anything they imagine becomes possible and endless adventures await. But will they stay there forever, or will they choose to return to the real world?

As an adult reader reading this, the story did remind me of my first love and being devastated when all of my free time couldn’t be spent with them, it’s a balance you have to find and both Amber and Nico struggled with that throughout the story.

The art of this graphic novel was catching and the illustrations were beautiful, especially during the lucid dreaming bits.

Overall, this is a simple graphic novel exploring themes of friendship, first love, growing up, forgiveness, and toxic dependency. Though adult readers would probably still enjoy it and could possibly relate, this novel is definitely aimed at young adults. 

What We Sacrifice for Magic / Andrea Jo DeWerd

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What We Sacrifice for Magic
By: Andrea Jo DeWerd, Sara Van Beckum (narrator)
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 304
Published: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Alcove Press
Dates Read: March 6, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

It’s 1968 and in the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota, the Watry-Ridder family is both feared and respected as the town’s witches. Farmers seek out their water charms and the teenagers, their love spells. As the eldest daughter, Elisabeth, recent high school graduate, is set to take over for her grandmother, marry her high school sweetheart, and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But as the time draws closer and closer, all Elisabeth can ask is, why her? Why is her path so set in stone?

Elisabeth soon discovers magic isn’t the only thing inherited by her family, and that said magic comes with a much greater price than she realized. The more she digs for the truth, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts her grandmother.

As she ventures out, Elisabeth must find out who she is without her family – without their secrets and magic. 

This novel had a super messy family, one filled with jealousy, small mindedness, and miscommunication. Elisabeth was raised by her grandmother, Magda, to be the one to take over, therefore she was more superior than her sister, Mary. She would talk about how talented Mary could be in the same sentence she would undermine her.

This novel definitely brushes upon gatekeeping and the benefits of sharing information and skills.

Overall, this magical realism read about a young witch adventuring out on her own to find herself is perfect as a cozy read.

*Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Children of Anguish and Anarchy / Tomi Adeyemi

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Children of Anguish and Anarchy
By: Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 368
Published: June 25, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: November 23, 2024 - November 28, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Gore, blood, torture, death, war, genocide

Zélie thought her battles were over once she seized the royal palace, but they were only just beginning. Now, Zélie and her people are being trafficked on a ship, run by warriors with iron skulls, across the sea, and far from their homeland. When Zélie meets King Baldyr, her true capture, she finds out how he’s destroyed entire civilizations to find her so he can harness her strength to be a new God. Zélie, Amari, and Tzain find allies in unknown lands as they race to save their people before the Skulls annihilate them for good.

As with everyone else who had read and loved the first two books, I have been waiting for YEARS to get ahold of the final in this trilogy. I forgot how amazing the world of Orïsha is and how captivated by Tomi Adeyemi’s writing I am.

I’m going to be a little honest here and admit that I did not go back and reread or really even reacquaint myself with the previous two books, I just jumped headfirst into the third one. That being said, after reading the book, I went back and relooked at the other two and kind of made the connection that this third one did feel a little separate from the others. 

This book was action packed and kept me turning the pages wanting to find out more and more. In the end though, I still had unanswered questions – which I’m all for leaving stuff a little open ended, but I just felt like there were a lot.

Overall, I still loved this action packed book. And there’s not denying the world of Orïsha is beautiful and fantasy filled.