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Aster #1
Aster and the Accidental Magic
A fun, action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl, her dog, and magic gone wrong!
Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .
That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and . . .
. . . magic?
In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting.
Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought.
Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .
That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and . . .
. . . magic?
In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting.
Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2020
49 people are currently reading
966 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
February 28, 2020
Super cute!! Definitely reminded me of Hilda a little bit.
December 23, 2021
It took me a while to warm up to this one as it at first seemed like a less-charming rip-off of .
The second story in the book really won me over, however. This tale featured gorgeous autumnal landscapes, a struggle for control of the seasons, and a not-very-nice fox. There's also quite a bit of humor, particularly involving Aster and her dad.
Why, oh why, won't she just stay indoors and play video games with him?
The second story in the book really won me over, however. This tale featured gorgeous autumnal landscapes, a struggle for control of the seasons, and a not-very-nice fox. There's also quite a bit of humor, particularly involving Aster and her dad.
Why, oh why, won't she just stay indoors and play video games with him?
May 22, 2020
This was honestly so adorable and I loved every single page. The art is cute and colorful, the storyline is delightful, and Aster is a protagonist you can't help rooting for. She has her moments of ridiculousness as any kid (or person in general) does, but for the most part, she's witty, hard-headed, capable, and a ton of fun. I absolutely loved the side characters � especially the Chestnut Knights! � and think this would be a big hit with a lot of MG readers regardless of age. I especially recommend this if you like Adventure Time, because something about the art and story style reminded me a LOT of that show and made me want to go back and rewatch my favorite episodes ASAP.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!
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September 30, 2020This is a really fun, magical graphic novel, a French import that contains two seasonal stories - summer and fall - with another volume being published early next year. Aster is so, so mad at her parents for moving to a weird little valley, far away from her school and all her friends. In the first story, Aster's family prepares for the yearly migration of a flock of intense birds and Aster, told to go outside and play, discovers a genie that grants her three wishes. Of course her wishes spell disaster, but she does make friends with a runt of a dog who ends up being able to speak to her.
With its focus on nature and magic, this is a refreshingly odd fantasy story and young readers will enjoy exploring Aster's new woodland home along with her. Reading this was just as pleasant as taking a crisp autumn walk.
Kids who like odd little fantasy stories like Rutabaga, Adventure Chef or Hilda will enjoy this book. I'm very much looking forward to the next volume!
With its focus on nature and magic, this is a refreshingly odd fantasy story and young readers will enjoy exploring Aster's new woodland home along with her. Reading this was just as pleasant as taking a crisp autumn walk.
Kids who like odd little fantasy stories like Rutabaga, Adventure Chef or Hilda will enjoy this book. I'm very much looking forward to the next volume!
October 6, 2021
This book gave me major Hilda vibes!! Only thing that's different is Aster is forced to go live in the country instead of the other way around. I can't remember her name but I love the grandma shepherd character! Overall, pretty dang cute but not anything I haven't seen before.
ps. The views expressed in this review do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
ps. The views expressed in this review do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
May 10, 2020
Fans of Hilda will definitely like this series...
December 8, 2020
didnt capture me much maybe due to its dialogues, but the art is amazing!!!
May 28, 2022
Wonderfully fantastic and a must read for all ages!
Myself and all 3 of my kids (12,10 and 5) enjoyed the heck out of this book! Lends well for reading aloud for bedtime, or simply reading alone.
Myself and all 3 of my kids (12,10 and 5) enjoyed the heck out of this book! Lends well for reading aloud for bedtime, or simply reading alone.
February 22, 2024
Aster and the Accidental Magic
Overall Rating: � � � (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 7
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
Overall Rating: � � � (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 7
Plot - 7
Intrigue - 7
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 6
March 16, 2020
Absolutely fantastic. So fun and whimsical with a delightful level of magic and adventure and doom!
April 3, 2021
খুবই মজ� পাইলাম�
কি যে সুন্দ� আর্টওয়ার্ক।
কি যে সুন্দ� আর্টওয়ার্ক।
October 7, 2024
(っ˘̩╭╮˘̩�)っ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ So fun. Fun! (｡•́︿•̀｡�) I don't mind live in that kind of place. Full of magic. ♥️
November 8, 2022
Sooo adorable !
February 18, 2020
Fantastical adventures full of seasonal magic. Aster is a modern day folk tale told as two stories in one volume, with more to come. There’s action and humor all rolled together. The artwork is charming and playful, and the plot is smart with threads that wind together from story to story. I already look forward to the next volume!
March 16, 2020
4.5 stars -- Delightful, surreal, and wonderfully creative.
March 22, 2020
Aster is upset at having to leave the city and move to the mountains for her mom’s job. She’s quickly bored and very reluctantly ventures outside and only because her dad makes her. She soon finds out they’re living in a valley full of magic. With a talking dog named Buzz, a Trickster called Rapscallion and the tiny Chestnut Knights just to name a few of the wacky characters, middle-grade readers will find plenty to like in this action packed novel. There are two Aster adventures contained in this first volume. It’s a winsomely illustrated graphic novel, tailor-made for children who love magic, fantasy and adventure stories. 3.75 stars
March 3, 2020
Aster’s family has moved from the city to the country so that her mom, an ornithologist, can study the giant crow migration. At first, all Aster does is play video games indoors, and quickly becomes bored. But then she meets the Old Lady, a mysterious ancient shepherdess, and the Trickster Rapscallion, who grants her three wishes. A talking dog and other magical beings connected to nature catapult Aster into reality-bending adventures that challenge her understanding of the natural world. This French import contains two stories, with a projected sequel. It’s a early/middle grade fantasy graphic novel with lots of action, not much violence, and a sense of humor. Early grade readers who enjoy fantasy with a nature/mythology bent should love this. The full color art is attractive, with whimsical Miyazaki-esque creatures.
February 1, 2022
What is happening in this book??? The concept was great, a little like the TV show/graphic novel series Hilda. The actual execution was really disconnected and didn’t work. If this book was meant for young readers and even I was confused at one part, how are they supposed to understand it? Although, shoutout to the granny who just wants to live in the mountains with her wooly dogs. We’re all her sometimes�
March 31, 2021
The main character in this young readers graphic novel is 10 but she’s really rude and does a lot of name calling and has a lot of snarky remarks and isn’t a very nice person. Characters also talk about killing eachother and slitting throats. It’s a bit wild for the young age it’s targeted towards.
March 21, 2020
Read this with my four year old, and I think it was one of the first books we both couldn’t wait to pick up every night. It’s modern and simple, but the setting, world of magic, and illustration style are full of fun and character.
April 6, 2020
The illustrations are utterly adorable and the story is full of such ridiculous fun that you can't help but fall in love.
January 6, 2021
A cute graphic novel.
The resolution to the first story didn't make a lot of sense to me. And since the second story is connected to the first story, it affected the second story as well.
The resolution to the first story didn't make a lot of sense to me. And since the second story is connected to the first story, it affected the second story as well.
February 4, 2021
It's good
Yes it was good that's about it boop yes okay can I be done now oh okay no wait yay done
Yes it was good that's about it boop yes okay can I be done now oh okay no wait yay done
April 24, 2023
The illustrations have a certain charm, with their bold lines, soft shapes, and energy. The story, however, didn't connect with me.
June 22, 2023
The Aster series is cute and funny and underrated, and knowing that it was first written in French makes it somehow even cuter and funnier.
August 7, 2020
This was such a cute book! Two story stories in one adorable book
September 1, 2021
This is a cute and fun book!
February 21, 2020
A move to the mountains results in adventure beyond a young girl’s wildest dreams. A strange species of gigantic birds that reproduce on a 15-year cycle is gearing up for a migration—always a destructive event. To help guide the birds, Aster’s scientist mother is building a robot. Her work takes the family to the mountains, and young Aster is initially distraught when her life is uprooted. But as she explores the countryside, she finds magic and mischief, befriends a seasonal deity, acquires a pet dog, outwits a trickster, and has the adventure of a lifetime. Aster learns to cope with the unexpected and finds solidarity with her family and new friends. The conclusion hints that more fun awaits in future volumes. Featuring simple lines and appealingly bizarre creatures, the art will entice readers. The Alps-inspired landscapes and characters are colored with muted Photoshopped blocks of color, with panels that let the busy narrative flow. At times the style turns anime-like to convey extreme moments.
Verdict: Those who love Luke Pearson’s “Hilda� series will eagerly jump on board the Aster bandwagon.
I reviewed this graphic novel for the School Library Journal and the online review can be found here:
Verdict: Those who love Luke Pearson’s “Hilda� series will eagerly jump on board the Aster bandwagon.
I reviewed this graphic novel for the School Library Journal and the online review can be found here:
February 26, 2020
Charming with wonderful art. I liked the pop culture references in the background. The first story was more entertaining than the second. This is the second RH Graphic book I read and I think I am going to become a big fan of this imprint.
July 3, 2020
Aster and the Accidental Magic by Thom Pico, illustrated by Karensac, 212 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Random House Graphic (Random House), 2020. $13.
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL � ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Aster is a ten-year-old girl who thinks the place she lives in is super boring. One day, Aster is walking home from school and she ends up on a new path and meets an old woman who is a shepherdess of woolly dogs. Aster is given a dog named Buzz and Buzz leads Aster to a place in the shadows where a genie, named Trickster Rapscallion, comes. The trickster takes all wishes literally and causes chaos for Aster.
I love this book because the cartoon illustrations are hilarious. The characters are funny, and I like the adventures they go on and the friendships. I have read this book four times in the one day that I have had this book-it’s my new favorite. If you like graphic novels and cartoons you will love this book. The end of the book says, “To be continued� and I can’t wait!
Reviewer, Logan, 5th grade
Content: G
BUYING ADVISORY: EL � ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Aster is a ten-year-old girl who thinks the place she lives in is super boring. One day, Aster is walking home from school and she ends up on a new path and meets an old woman who is a shepherdess of woolly dogs. Aster is given a dog named Buzz and Buzz leads Aster to a place in the shadows where a genie, named Trickster Rapscallion, comes. The trickster takes all wishes literally and causes chaos for Aster.
I love this book because the cartoon illustrations are hilarious. The characters are funny, and I like the adventures they go on and the friendships. I have read this book four times in the one day that I have had this book-it’s my new favorite. If you like graphic novels and cartoons you will love this book. The end of the book says, “To be continued� and I can’t wait!
Reviewer, Logan, 5th grade
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
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