December 11, 2023
With plenty of sparkle and cheeky wit, Brennan’s fanciful series-opening graphic novel, a debut, earnestly captures middle schoolers’ simultaneous desires to fit in and stand out through the power of friendship and actual magic. On Neo-Earth, where anthropomorphized animals, mythical creatures, and humans portrayed with various skin tones cohabitate, incoming seventh grader Kira longs to be a magical girl like her rival, Tulip. As a beloved public figure, Tulip sports glittering costumes, has an animal familiar, and participates in battle competitions as the glamorous Fairytale Fighter. When Catacorn—a self-professed space princess with feline features, hooves, and a unicorn horn—crash-lands in Kira’s backyard, she equips Kira with a Cutie Mobile Phone and Magic Wand, explaining that she must activate sparkle energy to close enemy warp zones. Assuming that Catacorn is her familiar, Kira believes that they will be magical heroes together, but the illusion fades as Catacorn’s self-serving bossiness hints at ulterior motives and future galactic adventures. Brennan’s plentiful and varied emanata hilariously indicates characters’ many frustrations and enthusiasms while self-reflexively paying homage to the magical girl genre. Abundant back matter concludes. Ages 8–12. Agent: Linda Camacho, Gallt & Zacker Literary.
February 1, 2024
Grades 4-7 Just when Kira is hoping to start off seventh grade on the right foot, her nemesis, Tulip, takes the spotlight as the local magical girl who fights against magical foes. Jealous Kira has always wanted to be a magical girl, and she seizes her chance when Caticorn crash-lands in her backyard. The two begin to fight evil in secret until circumstances force them to come out in the open. This comic is heavily influenced by (and a bit of an homage to) classic shōjo manga, in full color. Fans of magical-girl manga like Cardcaptor Sakura or Sailor Moon will notice familiar beats and nods to the genre, like the power of friendship and magical-girl outfit transformations to accompany the sf story of the space princess who visits Neo-Earth to gather sparkle dust and wear cute clothes with her new best friend. Other fantasy elements abound, like werewolves, vampires, and a catboy reminiscent of a certain sword-wielding dog from a classic shonen manga. Younger audiences may not catch all the references, but the magic is there all the same.
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February 1, 2024
Gr 3-7-Entering the seventh grade at Neo-Earth Junior High is a new chance at a first impression for Kira. Over the summer, her self-proclaimed rival Tulip became a Magical Girl, complete with a familiar, and was able to participate in the Sealander champions in battle competitions. It quickly becomes clear that most of the school is focused on their new hometown hero, Fairytale Fighter, and this year is not the fresh start that lonely Kira had planned. At home, a shooting star illuminates a frustrated Kira's window, so she makes a wish and a subsequent crash leads to her meeting Catacorn-a space princess who has come to Neo-Earth on a secret mission. Kira is soon pulled into helping Catacorn use Cutie gadgets, close warp zones, and develop the duo's abilities. At first, Kira is self-absorbed and really only helps Catacorn because she thinks it'll get her recognition as a Magical Girl. By the end, Kira begins to understand that there's more to friendship and to being a Magical Girl than simply getting what she wants. Brennan's artwork is playfully colorful with a loose feel that matches the silly nature of the story. Often, the tale is a bit over-the-top, and young readers probably will not recognize the satire behind some of the humor, but the struggle of finding your place and making true friends will resonate. End notes indicate a sequel is already in the works. VERDICT Recommended where graphic novels are popular.-Lisa Rowland
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