Through the Elder Woods
Nothing Special, v. 1
by Katie Cook
Adventure
Fantasy
Funny
Graphic Novel
* * * * * Stars (Amazing!)
Callie’s dad has a magical items shop, and he regularly goes through the gate (she’s not allowed) into another world where he retrieves these objects. The reason of WHY she’s not allowed beyond the gate is a discussion they’ve tabled until she’s older, but before they can have that talk, he disappears. Callie now MUST go through the gate to rescue him. Fortunately, she’s recently made a friend – Declan – who just recently discovered that he has some magical (non-human) blood, when he started seeing weird little vegetable sprites everywhere (they’re actually the spirits of plants that have passed on, but still have unfinished business, and they’re ADORABLE) – and he insists upon accompanying her on her quest. They gain two more party members – a radish sprite and a demon (who is 87th in the line of succession) who are drawn to Callie’s special power. Will they successfully find and rescue her father?
This is just a very lovely story. Callie and Declan are very sweetly developing feelings for one another and everything and everyone is drawn just so cute. There’s a lot of humor and love here. I can’t wait to read about their further adventures. (Volume 2 comes out in October!) For 8th grade + and adults who enjoy sweet adventure stories.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
