 | Aster and the mixed up magic Author: Pico, Thom | |
| Price: $11.47 | ||
Summary:
Aster continues her adventures in the mountains, including facing a horde of sheep armed to the teeth who are trying to take control of the valley, the village, and perhaps the world. In graphic novel format.
| Illustrator: | Karensac |
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 3.10 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 521780 |
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 12/01/2020 Gr 3–6—This lively, episodic sequel finds 10-year-old Aster and her family still settling into their new home in a rural valley. Aster's duties as the magical Queen of Summer intrude on playing video games with her older brother, Reed, and making friends at her new school. Saving the town from a bureaucratic talking ram and his army of rebellious sheep requires Aster to let Reed in on her secret, and seek help from her classmates and neighbors. Later, Aster explores a magical realm and continues her epic battle of wits against the valley's trickster spirit. Pico's script is even more warmhearted and humorous than the last installment. This title stands alone well enough, but because it builds directly on preceding adventures, the series is best read in order. Karensac's character design and coloring—great in the last book—are even better here. Aster's talking dog, Buzz, and her eclectic band of magical friends are quirky and cute; most human characters, including Aster, are white. Noteworthy in this installment is how Aster devises nonviolent solutions by understanding her adversaries and relying on the cleverness that served her well in Aster and the Accidental Magic. VERDICT Great for fans of the "Hilda" tales and Adventure Time, this title is a recommended purchase, especially for collections that include the first book.—Amanda Charles, Los Angeles P.L. - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 02/01/2021 Aster is back, after becoming Queen of the Summer and protector of the valley (Aster and the Accidental Magic, 2020), with two interlinked adventures that expand her wacky, magical world. In “Why So Much Wool?”, an armed uprising by intelligent—and, yet, not so intelligent—sheep threatens to overrun the village, culminating in a Battle of Helm’s Deep–inspired game of tag. Then, “The End of Everything (and What Was Left)” sees Aster navigating an interdimensional labyrinth in order to repair the shattered Crown of Seasons and contain the chaotic powers of the omnipotent Trickster Rapscallion. This volume builds beautifully on the first, introducing new characters while still including established favorites and fleshing out the mythology of their zany world. The name of the game here is adventure, and Pico doesn’t let off the gas, except to pump the brakes for well-timed bits of absurdist humor. Meanwhile, Karensac adeptly balances goofy charm with breakneck action, this time bringing a number of quirky, fantastical settings to colorful life. Epic, funny, and exciting. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
