Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 03/15/2023 *Starred Review* A kid and their dog going on an adventure may be one of the most classic setups for stories aimed at young people, yet, in the hands of author North and artist Henderson, this frequently seen premise is the invitation to explore an exciting new world; one Marguerite is determined to save. She and talking dog Daisy have trained their whole lives to find and bring back the items Uncle Bernard needs to cast a world-stabilizing spell. Because in this world, 1999 did see a world end with catastrophe, but it wasn't Y2K; it was the return of magic that rendered electricity and everything that depended on it dead. Now Marguerite and Daisy have to cope with magic changing by region, muggers who can teleport wolves as backup, and the nagging sense that their mission isn't as straightforward as assumed. North and Henderson are a delightful team with this work, which shares many qualities with their run on The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. Marguerite and Daisy are both determined, spunky heroes who want to help others in big and small ways. Fans of Adventure Time will love the alternate-universe backstory as well as the various uses of Marguerite's one spell. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 04/01/2023 Gr 9 Up—Marguerite is the Chosen One on a quest to eliminate a dark magic that could destroy an already fractured world. Raised by her uncle Bernard, who survived the cataclysmic arrival of magic in 2000 AD, Marguerite utilizes a singular spell and a talking dog companion, Daisy, in pursuit of three magic totems across magically separated realms. The titular "other unknown risks" come from changes between realms: Marguerite's spell has a different effect and cost everywhere she goes. Each realm's inhabitants wield their own unique spells to help and hinder. Daisy and Marguerite have a close bond, reinforced in dire and lighthearted scenes. This is as much a road trip buddy comedy as it is an epic quest. Detail and lighting are applied according to mood, with Henderson expertly sliding between casual travel vibes and high-stakes encounters. Flashbacks to Marguerite's upbringing with Uncle Bernard flesh out both their characters, while subtle clues hint at game-changing twists to come. Bernard is white; Marguerite has brown skin. The cast has a diverse range of skin tones. VERDICT Past and present collide in a magical showdown for the fate of the world. Make sure Squirrel Girl fans get a front row seat.—Thomas Maluck - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.