Graphic Novel

Feral (Volume 2): Cat Lady / Tony Fleecs (Writer), Trish Forstner (Illustrator), Tone Rodriguez (Illustrator), Brad Simpson (Colorist)

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Feral (Volume 2): Cat Lady
By: Tony Fleecs (Writer), Trish Forstner (Illustrator), Tone Rodriguez (Illustrator), Brad Simpson (Colorist)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror
Number of Pages: 136
Published: March 12, 2025
Publisher: Image Comics
Dates Read: July 9, 2025
Format: eBook

Volume Two opens where Volume One left off: Patch is infected, Lord is missing, and Elsie is with cats she barely knows. After having to run from the safety of their abandoned barn due to rabid rats, Elsie, Gigi, and Gigi’s kittens find themselves captured by a crazy cat lady whose house is definitely high on the creepy scale.

I again loved the story of this collection and cursed the cliff hanger (one of the many reasons I wait until volume collections come out because reading as individual issues come out would be the death of me).

The art of this is still superb – childlike, but filled with horror; makes some of the scary parts even more terrifying.

Overall, this series is something I’m going to count the days down to for every volume release. This is perfect for those who love horror and aren’t afraid of some gore.

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

How to Talk to Your Succulent / Zoe Persico

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How to Talk to Your Succulent
By: Zoe Persico
Genre: Graphic Novel, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 224
Published: April 1, 2025
Publisher: Tundra Books
Dates Read: May 26, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Eleven-year-old Adara has always had a hard time talking with her dad, but it’s been even harder now that her mom’s passed and they’re moving from sunny California to the cold flat lands of Michigan. What’s even stranger is that Dad brought so many of Mom’s house plants even though grandma will only allow them in the craft room. But when Adara meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mom had: she can talk to plants!

Taking care of Perle isn’t easy – the environment of Michigan winters isn’t suited for the succulent, and Adara isn’t sure how to meet her needs. If only Perle could ask Adara for help.. and Adara could speak with her dad.

Oh how I wish I could talk to my succulents – especially the ones I can’t ever seem to be able to keep alive no matter how many different ways I’ve tried to take care of them!

The art of this book is lovely and easy to see and digest.

The story itself is about grief, friendship, and supporting loved ones through change. It’s also about advocating for yourself while also still being there for others you care about.

Overall, this is a beautiful story that not only has a great message, but amazing artwork as well.

The Haunted Blizzard / Aviaq Johnson, Athena Gubbe (Illustrator)

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The Haunted Blizzard
By: Aviaq Johnston, Athena Gubbe (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Horror
Number of Pages: 40
Published: June 5, 2025
Publisher: Inhabit Media
Dates Read: May 25, 2025
Format: Hardcover

Inu walks home from school in a blizzard, ignoring the elder’s warning about the terror hidden within its icy winds, excited for the unexpected snow day. Once home, she finds herself alone with an unseen presence stalking and tormenting her.

This graphic novel is short but still packs a punch in thrill and horror, leaving you on the edge of your seat in both reading and afterwards!

*Thank you Inhabit Media and LibraryThing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Huda F Wants to Know? (Huda #3) / Huda Fahmy, Weinye Chen (Colorist)

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Huda F Wants to Know? (Huda #3)
By: Huda Fahmy, Weinye Chen (Colorist)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult
Number of Pages: 224
Published: April 1, 2025
Publisher: Dial Books
Dates Read: May 7, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

In this third installment of Huda, Huda Fahmy is prepared for junior year. She’s got her “How to Kick Junior Year’s Tush” plan that includes joining all the clubs, volunteering everywhere, acing her ACTs, and writing the most amazing essays for her scholarship applications. Easy!

But then Mama and Baba announce the unthinkable: they’re getting a divorce.

Huda is devastated. As she begins to worry what the divorce means to her family and how that will affect their place in the Muslim community, her grades start to tank, she has a big fight with her best friend, and Huda feels like she has control over nothing. Will anything in her life ever feel normal again? Huda F wants to know.

As per usual, as soon as I saw Huda had a new graphic novel out, I immediately asked for a copy to read, because every book she puts out I absolutely love.

This book, though humorous at times when Huda pokes fun at herself, does deal with heavier topics: divorce and mental health. I’ve got to give Huda praise on how well both of those were handled. She showed both what she sees within the community and how her family either deals with it themselves, or how they help her. The epilogue even has information about free mental health resources, including a special hotline for young Muslims.

I will be highly recommending this (and Huda’s whole series) to those who enjoy graphic novels that can sometimes deal with tough topics, but with a dash of humor mixed within the panels. Even though Huda is going through her parents’ divorce as a young Muslim woman, this novel would still resonate with all types of readers from all types of backgrounds.

*Thank you Dial Books 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

Hey Mary! / Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman (Illustrator)

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Hey, Mary!
By: Andrew Wheeler, Rye Hickman (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 128
Published: April 15, 2025
Publisher: Oni Press
Dates Read: April 17, 2025
Format: eBook / ARC

Mark is a good Catholic boy – he goes to church, says his prayers, and spends a lot of time worrying about damnation. When Mark realizes he has a crush on another boy in his school, he struggles with the mix of his feelings, his faith, and the weight of centuries of shame and judgement. He seeks advice from one of his priests, as well as a local drag performer, but he also had conversations with key figures in Catholic history and lore. Ultimately though, only Mark can answer his question of if he can be both Catholic and gay.

I felt like this was a wonderful, compassionate graphic novel about a young man learning his balance between his sexuality and his faith. I’m no longer religious, but as a Pansexual 30+ year old, I could see my younger self in Mark as he questioned his faith. This book doesn’t condemn religion, but presents the philosophy that someone can be gay and religious.

I greatly appreciated the examples of key figures in Catholic history and lore – I grew up Baptist, but I had a lot of family who were Catholic, so I know a bit about the Saints and the Catholic church. Histories, of all types really, are always more gay than what’s usually taught. “They were roommates”, “his best friend who’s buried next to him”, “her hair was short and she preferred to wear pants”.

Overall, this is an appealingly drawn graphic novel about a young man figuring out his placement in his world. I believe this book could be for everyone, especially those who may be struggling with their sexuality and their religion. Though you may need a bit of knowledge on Catholicism and their saints, even if you don’t know a ton, this book is still informal. 

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

The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival / Estelle Nadel, Bethan Strout, Sammy Savos (Illustrator)

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The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival
By: Estelle Nadel, Bethany Strout, Sammy Savos (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Memoir, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 272
Published: January 23, 2024
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Dates Read: March 15, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Holocaust, death, murder, war, antisemitism

Estelle Nadel was just seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939 – back then she was known as Enia Feld and she was born into a Jewish family. Once a vibrant child who loved to sing, Estelle would eventually lose her voice over the next five years as she went into hiding.

At the mercy of her neighbors during the war, Estelle would survive the deaths of her mother, father, her eldest brother and sister, and countless others, all before the age of eleven. After the war, Estelle would travel barefoot around European borders to find solace in an Austrian displaced persons camp before finally traveling across the Atlantic to New York City.

Told with the art from debut illustrator, Sammy Savos, Estelle tells her story of surviving the Holocaust and the years after.

No matter how many different experiences from the Holocaust I read about, they never cease to amaze me in how much strength and resilience people showed in order to survive the war and even the aftermath of it. People of all ages survived it and all their stories deserve to be shared and honored. 

Estelle’s journey didn’t end with liberation, and after making it to America, she still struggled with finding her place as she was still relatively young. After growing up, Estelle made it her mission in life to speak to school children and share her story, so that the Holocaust would not be forgotten.

Estelle Nadel passed away on November 28, 2023.

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. 

Lunar Boy / Jes and Cin Wibowo

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Lunar Boy
By: Jes and Cin Wibowo
Genre: Graphic Novel, Science Fiction, Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 240
Published: May 14, 2025
Publisher: HarperAlley
Dates Read: March 4, 2025 - March 5, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Indu, a boy from the moon, has felt like he doesn’t belong ever since he and his adoptive mother disembarked from their spacecraft to live on New Earth with their new family. The kids at school think he’s weird and he’s not fluent in their language, he has a crush on his pen pal, and his stepfamily doesn’t seem to know how to connect with him. Worst of all, his mom’s so busy that Indu can’t even tell her what’s wrong.

In a low moment, Indo calls out to the moon, begging to take him back. Surprisedly, the moon answers and agrees to bring him home on the first day of the New Year. As the days pass, Indu finds friendship in unlikely places and discovers the connections to his new family that were lost before. When the moon finally calls him home, Indu must decide if he’s willing to give up what he’s just found.

I was first interested in this graphic novel because of the artwork / color palette (sunset blue and pink are my all time favorite colors), but secondly because it just won the Stonewall Book Award for Children – and boy did it do an amazing job at representation! Trans, Bi, Pan, not to mention different body sizes, shapes, and ethnicities.

This graphic novel is great for the discussion of changing family dynamics, starting over in a new place, navigating identity and friendships, and trans identity. This is aimed at middle grade readers, but I feel like those of middle grade and older would enjoy it.

Stonewall Book Award for Children 2025