Meesh the Bad Demon #1

Starred review from January 16, 2023
In this touching graphic novel debut, Lam subverts well-worn fantasy tropes to craft an inaugural adventure that empathetically addresses themes of acceptance and friendship. Tween demon Meesh lives in the fiery depths of “Mount Magma: Home of the Demons, Land of the Lava,” where she is often bullied by her fire-breathing, acid-puking classmates for her love of all things pink and sparkly. Raised by her lava factory worker grandmother, Meesh aspires to be just like her idol, tween fairy Princess Nouna of Plumeria, a reality TV sensation. After an unexplained incident turns all Mount Magma denizens, save Meesh, to stone, Meesh seeks help from the Plumerian fairies to restore her world, finding that what she encounters in Plumeria is vastly different from what she anticipated. Adorably designed characters sporting animated expressions populate imaginative landscapes rendered in ominous dark purples and reds and otherworldly pastel pinks and yellows. Indulging in familiar archetypes, Lam thoughtfully addresses the central conflicts—which examine demons vs. fairies and expectations vs. reality—via conversational dialogue and tenderly developing friendships, making for an accessible morality tale and a not-to-be-missed romp. Ages 8–12. Agent: Chelsea Eberly, Greenhouse Literary.

Starred review from February 1, 2023

Gr 3-6-Twelve-year-old Meesh is a demon who would much rather spend time with her grandmother and care for flowers than learn to breathe fire or sharpen her horns. Bullied by her classmates for not being "demonlike" enough, Meesh spends most of her time watching fairy programs, but her world is upended when mysterious toxic lava turns everyone in the underworld to stone. Alone and frightened, she heads for Plumeria, the magical fairy realm, and finds herself in an uneasy partnership with Nouna, the star of Meesh's favorite show, and an unlikely group of allies to save the underworld. The first in a series, this graphic novel is a heroine's journey with strong middle-grade appeal. The manga-inspired illustration style features adorable and expressive characters and plays with the magical girl genre; Meesh and Nouna use ancient talismans to channel their powers and represent the popular light versus dark tropes familiar to manga and anime fans and fantasy readers. Characters have fantasy mainstays like wings and horns and present with different skin colors. The fantasy story addresses compelling real-life issues including bullying and subverting stereotypes. VERDICT An excellent first purchase for middle grade collections.-Rosemary Kiladitis

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2023
Grades 3-6 Meesh is a demon who fancies herself a fairy princess and would rather tend to flowers than attend fire-breathing and acid-puking classes at demon school. After a scuffle with some other kids at school, she discovers that her community's lava is poisoned and everyone is turning to stone. She decides to go to Plumeria, where the fairies live, to get help, and a mishap leaves her and the fairy princess stranded and out of reach. The demons and fairies have a long antagonistic history that puts this new alliance to the test, but once Meesh and new friend Nouna see the big picture, they realize everyone wins when they put their differences aside. This comic is beautifully illustrated with simple, cartoon drawings and pastel palettes, and it's as much about accepting other folks who are different as it is about loving and accepting oneself with all of one's strengths and weaknesses. The story has something for everyone: fairy princesses, unicorns, demons, werewolves, and high adventure with a cast of brave kids.

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