Paperback, 336 pages
Release Date: September 4, 2018Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Read from: September 5-6 ,2018Stand-aloneSource: Publisher (This did nothing to influence my review.)TW: N/A
For fans of: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal, Graphic NovelsA middle schooler comes head-to-head with his vampire slayer crush in this laugh-out-loud funny graphic novel that’s a perfect coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt too young, too small, or too average.
It’s the beginning of the new school year and AJ feels like everyone is changing but him. He hasn’t grown or had any exciting summer adventures like his best friends have. He even has the same crush he’s harbored for years. So AJ decides to take matters into his own hands. But how could a girl like Nia Winters ever like plain vanilla AJ when she only has eyes for vampires?
When AJ and Nia are paired up for a group project on Transylvania, it may be AJ’s chance to win over Nia’s affection by dressing up like the vamp of her dreams. And soon enough he’s got more of Nia’s attention than he bargained for when he learns she’s a slayer.
Now AJ has to worry about self-preservation while also trying to save everyone he cares about from a real-life threat lurking in the shadows of Spoons Middle School.
*MY THOUGHTS*
Since graphic novels are so short, I’m not in the business of reading and reviewing them all the time. But with this one I HAD to because it was seriously so cute! So cute in fact that I have already asked two other librarians if they want me to send it to them!
AJ is his same boring self after having the entire summer off. He doesn’t like the feeling that being left behind brings. Especially now that he has a crush. He wants her to see him. But all she likes are vampires. Should he really have to change who he is before she falls for him? Especially when there’s so much more going on at the school than they thought?
By far, the best part of this was the characters. I LOVED AJ and I loved Nia even more. All the characters worked together to make this an awesome book. Everyone had their own purpose, comedic relief, love interest, protector, annoyance, etc. and for it to be a graphic novel, I was impressed in how developed all of them were. Some full length novels can pull off character depth and Gardner’s art and her words put the picture together amazingly!
The other thing I liked about this one was the nods to the library and Twilight. The library is a subtle one that some might not have gotten if they didn’t participate in their summer reading program lol I thought it was really cute for her to add to the book. As for the Twilight references, I am still a fan of Twilight (the book, not so much the movies) but even I saw there was a bit much going on in that series and I find it super cute that this comic called those things out. In a really cute, really fun way.
Lastly, I want to talk about the art. It was AMAZING. Her attention to detail is what got me the most. From the small lines that showed Nia’s braids and her little beads that she wore on them were SO. CUTE. This may have been her debut in graphic novels, but definitely not in art. This was totally amazing and now I really want to see her doodles or something lol It was seriously that good.
With graphic novels I rarely find any new authors or subjects I want to read. Lately I’ve been obsessed with Goldie Vance, Lumberjanes, and The Backstagers. I will now have to add Whitney Gardner to the list!
Overall, I give this
I was looking forward to this one. I loved the little peeks at Gardner's artwork we got with her YA books. Sounds fun and adorable.