Review by Booklist Review
Two separate but linked adventures introduce Aster, who isn't pleased when her family moves from the city to the mountains. Forced to drop her video games and explore the valley, she literally stumbles upon a magical being known as the Trickster Rapscallion, who offers her three wishes. Of course, the wishes don't go quite as planned, and Aster must scramble to rectify her mistakes and prevent a coming catastrophe. The second adventure sees her contending with the fox spirit of autumn after a magical mishap causes the mountain--and time itself--to fall out of balance. Fast-paced action and adventure make for a winning combination when joined with Karensac's charming character design and bold pastel colors. As the story expands, so too does its world, as Aster is aided by a series of lovable side characters, including a talking dog, a mysterious old shepherd woman, and a trio of Chestnut Knights--tiny, cloaked warriors who steal the show. A joyous middle-grade romp for fans of Ben Hatke.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Transplanted from a city to a small countryside town, Aster, 10, anticipates weeks of loneliness and boredom. But while exploring a nearby mountain, she encounters a strange old woman with a herd of woolly dogs who offers Aster one of her own: Buzz, whose presence ensures that "the mountain will always look after you." The two stumble into adventure when they find a clearing inhabited by a mischievous spirit who grants Aster three wishes. Her first, being able to speak with Buzz, results in unexpected comic chaos that embroils Aster in an escalating series of reality-distorting magical escapades. In a second story, Aster must aid seasonal guardians in a transition of power. Friendly, accessible cartooning from Karensac lights up Pico's whimsical world, endowing the offbeat characters and adorable creatures with a look simultaneously idiosyncratic and familiar. Aster's confidence, impulsiveness, and quick thinking combine to create a strong and sympathetic heroine, and the supporting cast, including Buzz and a trio of diminutive chestnut knights, fills out the world with memorable personalities. Spirited adventure and an oddball sense of humor make this a promising start to a series that will be perfect for fans of the Hilda comics. Ages 8--12. (Mar.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A transplanted city girl and her magical dog embark on whimsical forest adventures.In this debut volume of a new graphic-novel series, readers meet plucky Aster, a white girl unhappy about her move to an isolated mountain town. Within this offering, there are two stories. In the aptly titled first tale, "Aster Makes Some Poorly Thought-Through Wishes," Aster meets a mysterious old woman who gives her an adorable white dog with a poofy tail whom Aster names Buzz. Buzz and Aster happen upon a froglike creature (delightfully) called the Trickster Rapscallion who offers her three wishes. She quickly discovers (as if the name was not warning enough) that the trickster's wishes are fraught and must find her way out of her own badly worded choices. In the next installment, entitled "Aster Gets a Magical Fox Exceedingly Upset," she once again encounters and learns more about the old woman who gave her Buzz as well as her connection to an enchanted power-hungry fox. The French team of writer Pico and artist Karensac have crafted an accessible fantasy with recognizable elements of our world (such as video games), but they nicely focus the plot on nature and the outdoors, where the incredible is often adjacent to the mundane. Fans of the comics and Netflix show Hilda will see much common ground here and should easily gravitate toward the many similarities. All human characters are white.An entertaining and lighthearted fantasy. (Graphic fantasy. 7-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
