Review by Booklist Review
Reuben and his dog, Mr. Muffins, are enjoying a pleasant day at the park when an intergalactic spaceship crash-lands and a mysterious being, Lieutenant Cassara, explains that she is on an important interstellar mission to find the cosmic light spirit, who will help her people defeat the evil Hakar empire invading their galaxy. After fighting against the Hakar for decades, the overwhelmed light spirit traveled across the galaxy looking for a worthy successor--and that successor is none other than Mr. Muffins. Kahn and Brooks' playful intergalactic adventure is filled with both comedy and space-battle action made all the more delightful by the cheerful, adorable corgi, who travels on a rainbow beam through space to defeat their enemies. Cartoonish figure designs and a lush, jewel-toned palette perfectly match the story's energy. Lots of banter between Reuben and Lieutenant Cassara adds to the fun, and a heartening message about the importance of supporting a friend--even if that friend is a dog--keeps the story emotionally grounded. Middle-graders looking for the intersection of action-adventure and adorable should look no further.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
When brown-skinned 11-year-old Reuben Mahmud's corgi, Mr. Muffins, becomes embroiled in alien politics, Reuben's life turns upside down in this laugh-out-loud graphic novel space adventure. Intergalactic soldier Cassara, a self-proclaimed "thief and deserter" of the Voltarian Alliance, insists that Mr. Muffins is a superpowered "celestial entity" that can win a galactic war against the evil Hakar Armada. But when a Hakar Armada ship, having tracked Cassara to Earth, opens fire on the newly minted trio, Reuben reluctantly agrees to accompany Cassara on an interplanetary journey to uncover how Mr. Muffins can save the galaxy. As Mr. Muffins prepares to fight on behalf of Voltaria, Cassara notes that separating Reuben and Mr. Muffins could cause "unpredictable, aggressive actions." Soon that bond is put to the test in a rousing space battle. Interstellar action sequences by Brooks (Immortals Fenyx Rising) sport jewel-toned palettes that shift based on the mood. Kahn (Elle Campbell Wins Their Weekend) employs tender allegory through Reuben's Egyptian parents' immigration experience (and a comedic Hakarling subplot) to present an enchanting space opera in which aliens and humans find common ground despite differing cultures, foods, and worlds, and learn the true meaning of home. Ages 8--12. (Jan.)
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