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Table Titans Club #1
Table Titans Club
Growing pains, game-play adventure, and 20-sided dice abound in this new graphic novel series about a middle school Dungeon & Dragons club from an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning cartoonist.
Valeria Winters has an easier time finding trouble than making friends. A fantasy-obsessed nerd with the legendary confidence—and temper—of a Valkyrie, Val promises her mom that things will be different at her new school. “No more fighting!”
As if by fate, she meets the Table Titans right away—Alan, Andrew, and Darius, who run the school’s tabletop gaming club. Finally, Val has found her own adventuring party! And even better . . . a place where she belongs.
So when the future of the club is threatened, Val makes it her personal quest to save the Table Titans. She’ll have to face the fire-breathing wrestling coach and popular girl Kate, who seems out for revenge. Revenge for what? Val has no clue.
As the quest grows more and more complicated, Val wishes she was like her peaceful druid Lulani from the Table Titans' campaign, whose calm voice always prevails. If she loses her cool in real life, Val might lose more than the Table Titans club. She'll have to roll a natural 20 in charisma to keep her new friends together.
Set in the same universe as the Eisner Award-winning webcomic PvP, Scott Kurtz’s artwork blends zany, fantastical visuals with slice-of-life humor. For fans of fantasy and coming of age stories alike, Table Titans finds humor, heart, and adventure in a tale of friendship and finding your people.
Valeria Winters has an easier time finding trouble than making friends. A fantasy-obsessed nerd with the legendary confidence—and temper—of a Valkyrie, Val promises her mom that things will be different at her new school. “No more fighting!”
As if by fate, she meets the Table Titans right away—Alan, Andrew, and Darius, who run the school’s tabletop gaming club. Finally, Val has found her own adventuring party! And even better . . . a place where she belongs.
So when the future of the club is threatened, Val makes it her personal quest to save the Table Titans. She’ll have to face the fire-breathing wrestling coach and popular girl Kate, who seems out for revenge. Revenge for what? Val has no clue.
As the quest grows more and more complicated, Val wishes she was like her peaceful druid Lulani from the Table Titans' campaign, whose calm voice always prevails. If she loses her cool in real life, Val might lose more than the Table Titans club. She'll have to roll a natural 20 in charisma to keep her new friends together.
Set in the same universe as the Eisner Award-winning webcomic PvP, Scott Kurtz’s artwork blends zany, fantastical visuals with slice-of-life humor. For fans of fantasy and coming of age stories alike, Table Titans finds humor, heart, and adventure in a tale of friendship and finding your people.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2024
8 people are currently reading
1913 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
June 2, 2024
This was GREAT. I’ve been seeing a surge in middle grade D&D related things and it warms my heart. While I don’t play myself, this has a little bit of everything for everything. Kurtz did such a great job with the character development and worked hard to push back against the stereotypes of game playing when it comes to girls. The relationship between Val and her mother was also the hallmark of my reading experience. They were close and Val’s mom never ceased to support her regardless of what situation she was in. Overall, this was a great read and I’m hoping that we get to see more of this crew in the future.
February 4, 2024
This was a blast and I my 9.5 year old fledgling D&D player is loving it too. Table Titans Club is the first volume of a graphic novel series about a Dungeons & Dragons club in middle school. Val is the new girl, but she has a history of getting into fights and struggles to make friends. But being invited to join the school's D&D club might be exactly what she needs. It's funny, clever, heartwarming, and very nerdy. Definitely recommend. I received an advance copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
July 17, 2024
I got this signed by the author for my church’s youth group D&D club at ALA Annual in San Diego. We meet this week, so I read it to make sure it was age appropriate and OMGOODNESS this is SO CUTE.
I think they are going to love it and it’s the first of a series, which I love and I can’t wait to read the next volume!
I like the characters and how different they are, though Alan needs to take a chill pill. The problems are age appropriate and the adults are tough, but fair and present. It’s not a case of “Harry Potter Where are the Adults?” situation.
I like the artwork, it goes with the story.
5, this was a good pick for the club I think, stars.
PS-extra story behind the book. When I told the author it was being signed for my church’s youth D&D group, he said something along the lines of how he wished churches had youth D&D groups when he was growing up.
D&D isn’t evil. As long as we can tell reality from fantasy, we will be just fine.
I think they are going to love it and it’s the first of a series, which I love and I can’t wait to read the next volume!
I like the characters and how different they are, though Alan needs to take a chill pill. The problems are age appropriate and the adults are tough, but fair and present. It’s not a case of “Harry Potter Where are the Adults?” situation.
I like the artwork, it goes with the story.
5, this was a good pick for the club I think, stars.
PS-extra story behind the book. When I told the author it was being signed for my church’s youth D&D group, he said something along the lines of how he wished churches had youth D&D groups when he was growing up.
D&D isn’t evil. As long as we can tell reality from fantasy, we will be just fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2024
Requested this one from NetGalley for my 9-year-old, who loves to read almost as much as I do. He flew through it!
This is what he has to say:
I feel like this is a very nice book.
I liked that it showed that you can do things if you have the courage to do them. One of the characters (Kate) wanted to join the Table Titans Club and the main character told her that she can join if she wants to. She eventually joined it, but she was nervous because she didn't know what to do or say. However, she eventually becomes more comfortable with it.
I also liked that it's Dungeons & Dragons because I'm also a druid, and the main character plays one, too.
I think the art's really good, and I like that it has some sound effects. It kind of makes the story look more real.
I would recommend this book to people who do and don't play Dungeons & Dragons, because it has a few life lessons and is also an interesting story.
This is what he has to say:
I feel like this is a very nice book.
I liked that it showed that you can do things if you have the courage to do them. One of the characters (Kate) wanted to join the Table Titans Club and the main character told her that she can join if she wants to. She eventually joined it, but she was nervous because she didn't know what to do or say. However, she eventually becomes more comfortable with it.
I also liked that it's Dungeons & Dragons because I'm also a druid, and the main character plays one, too.
I think the art's really good, and I like that it has some sound effects. It kind of makes the story look more real.
I would recommend this book to people who do and don't play Dungeons & Dragons, because it has a few life lessons and is also an interesting story.
February 18, 2024
Thank you to Holiday House for letting me read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
Table Titans Club
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall
Characters - 6
The characters in this book were fine, but it didn't feel long enough to really get a scope of everyone's personalities. The ending hinted at a sequel, which might help each character to have more personal development, but then again, it could just as easily pigeonhole them into their designated roles.
Atmosphere - 7
The atmosphere in this book was decent. Nothing spectacular, but not lacking either.
Writing - 7
The writing was enjoyable. However, it didn't particularly stand out to me. The art really made this book for me.
Plot - 6
The plot was alright, but nothing unexpected really happened. It was fairly predictable, but still had feel-good vibes. I enjoyed the idea of looking at life through a fantastical lens though and I thought that was portrayed well.
Intrigue - 7
After reading the description, I knew I had to read this book. As much as D&D was hyped up as a big part of the book, there were only two scenes where the characters actually played the game. I was hoping to see them play more, especially after they added another new player. The book still held my enjoyment though, I just would have liked to see more of their D&D sessions, since most of the events revolved around the club.
Logic - 7
This book was reasonably logical. The events made sense and the characters had fun interactions with each other. I liked how there were a few moments where the main character wasn't in the scene, so the side characters had a chance to talk amongst themselves. It made the book feel a bit more realistic in that way.
Enjoyment - 6
Val definitely gave me some Mabel from Gravity Falls vibes that I didn't expect, but definitely added to my enjoyment. Overall, this was a good book, but nothing super special sticks out in my mind. :)
Table Titans Club
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.57/10 overall
Characters - 6
The characters in this book were fine, but it didn't feel long enough to really get a scope of everyone's personalities. The ending hinted at a sequel, which might help each character to have more personal development, but then again, it could just as easily pigeonhole them into their designated roles.
Atmosphere - 7
The atmosphere in this book was decent. Nothing spectacular, but not lacking either.
Writing - 7
The writing was enjoyable. However, it didn't particularly stand out to me. The art really made this book for me.
Plot - 6
The plot was alright, but nothing unexpected really happened. It was fairly predictable, but still had feel-good vibes. I enjoyed the idea of looking at life through a fantastical lens though and I thought that was portrayed well.
Intrigue - 7
After reading the description, I knew I had to read this book. As much as D&D was hyped up as a big part of the book, there were only two scenes where the characters actually played the game. I was hoping to see them play more, especially after they added another new player. The book still held my enjoyment though, I just would have liked to see more of their D&D sessions, since most of the events revolved around the club.
Logic - 7
This book was reasonably logical. The events made sense and the characters had fun interactions with each other. I liked how there were a few moments where the main character wasn't in the scene, so the side characters had a chance to talk amongst themselves. It made the book feel a bit more realistic in that way.
Enjoyment - 6
Val definitely gave me some Mabel from Gravity Falls vibes that I didn't expect, but definitely added to my enjoyment. Overall, this was a good book, but nothing super special sticks out in my mind. :)
March 17, 2024
This was so much fun. This is the story of Val, who has been getting into fights at her old school, starting over at a new school, and stumbling into the D&D club. Although she doesn’t know how to play, she gets a rules book, and reads it over lunch and roles her own character.
This one sort of snuck up on me, while I was wondering if I would like it. Because it isn’t just about their quests (although those are in there too), it is also about how Val helps the group find a teacher to sponsor the club, and how to get another girl in, because she has been wanting to join but has never been asked.
The teachers are fun. The situation is fun, if sometimes frustrating for Val. I love how she has to join the wrestling team in order to get the wrestling coach to sponsor the club.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one. I mean, how many different ways can you tell a story of kids getting together to play D&D? I have read quite a few, and some worked and some didn’t.
Believe me when I say this worked. It has the mean girl, it has the nerds, it has the jocks, it has all the things that makes middle grade fiction predictable, and yet not, at the same time.
This book is out now wherever it is you go to buy graphic novels.
This one sort of snuck up on me, while I was wondering if I would like it. Because it isn’t just about their quests (although those are in there too), it is also about how Val helps the group find a teacher to sponsor the club, and how to get another girl in, because she has been wanting to join but has never been asked.
The teachers are fun. The situation is fun, if sometimes frustrating for Val. I love how she has to join the wrestling team in order to get the wrestling coach to sponsor the club.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this one. I mean, how many different ways can you tell a story of kids getting together to play D&D? I have read quite a few, and some worked and some didn’t.
Believe me when I say this worked. It has the mean girl, it has the nerds, it has the jocks, it has all the things that makes middle grade fiction predictable, and yet not, at the same time.
This book is out now wherever it is you go to buy graphic novels.
December 17, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Valeria has to move for her mother's job AGAIN, but she also has the opportunity to mend her ways and not fight in school. It's a rocky first day, with Val growling at mean girl Kate and jumping on a desk, as well as Val getting sent into the hall for farting, but there is an upside; Andrew notices how bad her day is and asks her to join his Dungeons and Dragons gaming club at school. Alan isn't thrilled with this, but Darius is okay. Interestingly, Kate goes unheard when she mumbles that she would like to play as well. The group has an advisor, Mr. Khoo, whose wife is expecting, so he needs the group to find another sponsor. The only available on is Coach Bittne, who challenges the group to work with the wrestling team he coaches. The boys suit up, but are unable to pin their opponent. Desperate for the club to work, Val gives it a try and manages to do quite well. The club goes well, and Val enjoys her time playing a druid, and is fascinated by the Guardian Gaming store where they get books and dice donated to the team. When Kate and Val have a tiff in the hallway, Coach Bittner has them clean the locker room as a punishment, and the girls manage to work out some of their issues. Val does so well with wrestling that she is made a competing member of the team. Eventually, Kate is asked to join the gaming club, and Val ends the story by showing the group a flyer for a gaming camp, Camp Owlcare. Things are certainly looking up.
Strengths: Friend drama is always a huge seller, and I thought that this was a much more interesting story than the more usual graphic novel memoir. Sure, Val has her problems, but the whole book doesn't constantly rehash them. She finds a good group of friends, explores new activities, and most of all, has realistic interactions with her mother. This is a topic not explored enough in middle grade literature! This year, my school wrestling team has three girls on it, and I love that the coach doesn't even blink when Val offers to try wrestling. Perfect. The relationship between Val and Kate was especially well done, and I enjoyed that they were able to become friends. A lot to recommend this, AND fantastic details about playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Weaknesses: It's the noses in graphic novels usually bug me, but this time it was Val's hair in her face. Grab me a cartoon barrette! While her anger management problem added an interesting layer to the story, there could have been more of an explanation for it. That's one of the reason that graphic novels are not MY preferred genre, but my students will not have this objection.
What I really think: There are a growing number of D&D books (including Durfey-Lavoie Just Roll with It.) and while I don't have a huge number of kids who play each year, there are always a few, so I consider these a long term investment. As with horse books, it's good to buy a few each year for those die hard readers who are really interested.
Valeria has to move for her mother's job AGAIN, but she also has the opportunity to mend her ways and not fight in school. It's a rocky first day, with Val growling at mean girl Kate and jumping on a desk, as well as Val getting sent into the hall for farting, but there is an upside; Andrew notices how bad her day is and asks her to join his Dungeons and Dragons gaming club at school. Alan isn't thrilled with this, but Darius is okay. Interestingly, Kate goes unheard when she mumbles that she would like to play as well. The group has an advisor, Mr. Khoo, whose wife is expecting, so he needs the group to find another sponsor. The only available on is Coach Bittne, who challenges the group to work with the wrestling team he coaches. The boys suit up, but are unable to pin their opponent. Desperate for the club to work, Val gives it a try and manages to do quite well. The club goes well, and Val enjoys her time playing a druid, and is fascinated by the Guardian Gaming store where they get books and dice donated to the team. When Kate and Val have a tiff in the hallway, Coach Bittner has them clean the locker room as a punishment, and the girls manage to work out some of their issues. Val does so well with wrestling that she is made a competing member of the team. Eventually, Kate is asked to join the gaming club, and Val ends the story by showing the group a flyer for a gaming camp, Camp Owlcare. Things are certainly looking up.
Strengths: Friend drama is always a huge seller, and I thought that this was a much more interesting story than the more usual graphic novel memoir. Sure, Val has her problems, but the whole book doesn't constantly rehash them. She finds a good group of friends, explores new activities, and most of all, has realistic interactions with her mother. This is a topic not explored enough in middle grade literature! This year, my school wrestling team has three girls on it, and I love that the coach doesn't even blink when Val offers to try wrestling. Perfect. The relationship between Val and Kate was especially well done, and I enjoyed that they were able to become friends. A lot to recommend this, AND fantastic details about playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Weaknesses: It's the noses in graphic novels usually bug me, but this time it was Val's hair in her face. Grab me a cartoon barrette! While her anger management problem added an interesting layer to the story, there could have been more of an explanation for it. That's one of the reason that graphic novels are not MY preferred genre, but my students will not have this objection.
What I really think: There are a growing number of D&D books (including Durfey-Lavoie Just Roll with It.) and while I don't have a huge number of kids who play each year, there are always a few, so I consider these a long term investment. As with horse books, it's good to buy a few each year for those die hard readers who are really interested.
February 3, 2024
I wasn't expecting to like this book so much based on the cover. I was wrong! This is such a fun graphic novel about kids bonding over a Dungeons and Dragons school club called Table Titans. Val is a new girl in middle school and she's a bit intense. She got into fights at her previous school and her mom (who is great) is worried it will happen again. Val's first day of school goes pretty bad until a kind kid at the end of the day invites her to the D&D club. She loves it, though the school sponsor is taking a semester off and they'll need to find another teacher sponsor. The only teacher available is the wrestling coach. Will they be able to convince him to sponsor their club?
I smiled so much while reading this. The characters are so well drawn and realistic—I could think of specific people I've known that act like almost everyone in it. There's great friend drama, which will appeal to middle schoolers, too. I played D&D as a kid with my family, though by the time I was Val's age, my family had stopped playing together and I'd turned to fantasy computer games. I wish I'd been more like Val as a middle schooler, and I wish I'd had a club like this!
I hope this becomes a series!
I smiled so much while reading this. The characters are so well drawn and realistic—I could think of specific people I've known that act like almost everyone in it. There's great friend drama, which will appeal to middle schoolers, too. I played D&D as a kid with my family, though by the time I was Val's age, my family had stopped playing together and I'd turned to fantasy computer games. I wish I'd been more like Val as a middle schooler, and I wish I'd had a club like this!
I hope this becomes a series!
November 9, 2023
4.7/5
Quality of writing: 5
Plot development: 4
Pace: 4
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of reading: 5
Val is the fantasy loving new kid. Her fiery personality has gotten her in trouble before but new school means starting over. Right? Val quickly meets Table Titans - Alan, Andrew, and Darius - and joins their Dungeons and Dragons campaign. But soon the future of the club is threatened. And the popular girl Kate doesn't like her. But why? Can Val help save the Table Titans and make new friends while on this wild quest?
A really nice, cute and quick read. The art is pretty neat and fits the story perfectly. I really hope that the author is working on a sequel!
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Quality of writing: 5
Plot development: 4
Pace: 4
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of reading: 5
Val is the fantasy loving new kid. Her fiery personality has gotten her in trouble before but new school means starting over. Right? Val quickly meets Table Titans - Alan, Andrew, and Darius - and joins their Dungeons and Dragons campaign. But soon the future of the club is threatened. And the popular girl Kate doesn't like her. But why? Can Val help save the Table Titans and make new friends while on this wild quest?
A really nice, cute and quick read. The art is pretty neat and fits the story perfectly. I really hope that the author is working on a sequel!
Review copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2024
Exceedingly pleasant, surprise-free middle grade content from Scott Kurtz, whose "Table Titans" brand has existed in a long-running, but seemingly unrelated, web comic before this graphic novel. A new student struggles in her new school until a band of young boys begrudgingly ask her to join their D&D club. Surprise! The new girl is super into it and invigorates the club through her actions.
Of course, there's a mean girl who is secretly jealous and a host of other, easily surmountable issues. Table Titans Club runs so smoothly, you'll be hard pressed to put it down once you've picked it up. I hope to see many more volumes in this series! Perhaps Kurtz can borrow some of his webcomic material (where we actually get to see the characters these teens are playing as).
Of course, there's a mean girl who is secretly jealous and a host of other, easily surmountable issues. Table Titans Club runs so smoothly, you'll be hard pressed to put it down once you've picked it up. I hope to see many more volumes in this series! Perhaps Kurtz can borrow some of his webcomic material (where we actually get to see the characters these teens are playing as).
January 8, 2024
This is such a fun and complete story. The art is perfect, with large characters, and a great size for font and panels making it simple but easy to follow and immersive. Val (Valeria Winters) is starting in a new school and the first days can be overwhelming but she had a great start. It's just her and her mom, who is very supportive of her daughter. A couple of boys ask her to be part of their Dungeons & Dragons club. As a daydreamer with lots of imagination with a passion for fantasy and superheroes she accepts it only to learn the club may end if no other teacher can help with it. The answer resides in the gym and Val is brave enough to face Coach Bitner from the Wrestling team and ask him to be their sponsor. It's not as easy as a simple question. There is more that Val needs to do and contribute to help her new friends keep her club.
So awesome. This was the first time that I screamed for the second volume when I turned the last page of the teaser and saw what the next adventure is going to be. I can't wait for the second volume. As a gamer myself and a fantasy lover, I appreciated the mention of Tolkien, my favorite fantasy author, and a bit of the D&D history and TSR as a company. It's also a great way to introduce children to this game that requires the knowledge of a lot of rules and imagination. I love that they role play and we see them in costume (cosplaying) their characters. I love Val's character (a Druid with wolf ears).
New school can be daunting, but Val is an amazing character. She is not the only one. We have more characters, the cast is great from the popular kid who worries what others think, in opposition to Val who is happy to be herself and doesn't care what others may think. Still, she does have a bad temper and can be hurt too. Accepting oneself is a valuable lesson and I want to be like Val in many situations. When she steps forward and wins a practice match with the wrestling kids, or when she says that she will always tell her mom the truth. She accepts her punishment with honor and knows when to apologize when needed. she's a great kid and she just wants to have friends and belong.
Other themes explored: supporting each other, friendship, a sense of protection of community, positive competitivity, being respectful and polite, being independent and confident, knowing what is the right thing to do. Clubs in school, the relevance and how kids can belong to something greater and develop more skills, being curious, communication to avoid misunderstandings, and partnership for the sake of friendship or community.
Extra: There is a double page with the school library map with a key that can be explored in the classroom as an activity for students to do their own (of their school) or to compare and improve both (what is missing in this one what they wished they could have in theirs).
Awesome project and I am collecting his series.
Thank you publisher and Netgalley for this e-copy while I wait for my physical one.
So awesome. This was the first time that I screamed for the second volume when I turned the last page of the teaser and saw what the next adventure is going to be. I can't wait for the second volume. As a gamer myself and a fantasy lover, I appreciated the mention of Tolkien, my favorite fantasy author, and a bit of the D&D history and TSR as a company. It's also a great way to introduce children to this game that requires the knowledge of a lot of rules and imagination. I love that they role play and we see them in costume (cosplaying) their characters. I love Val's character (a Druid with wolf ears).
New school can be daunting, but Val is an amazing character. She is not the only one. We have more characters, the cast is great from the popular kid who worries what others think, in opposition to Val who is happy to be herself and doesn't care what others may think. Still, she does have a bad temper and can be hurt too. Accepting oneself is a valuable lesson and I want to be like Val in many situations. When she steps forward and wins a practice match with the wrestling kids, or when she says that she will always tell her mom the truth. She accepts her punishment with honor and knows when to apologize when needed. she's a great kid and she just wants to have friends and belong.
Other themes explored: supporting each other, friendship, a sense of protection of community, positive competitivity, being respectful and polite, being independent and confident, knowing what is the right thing to do. Clubs in school, the relevance and how kids can belong to something greater and develop more skills, being curious, communication to avoid misunderstandings, and partnership for the sake of friendship or community.
Extra: There is a double page with the school library map with a key that can be explored in the classroom as an activity for students to do their own (of their school) or to compare and improve both (what is missing in this one what they wished they could have in theirs).
Awesome project and I am collecting his series.
Thank you publisher and Netgalley for this e-copy while I wait for my physical one.
April 22, 2024
This is charming look at individuality and perseverance through the lens of Dungeons & Dragons. I'm already familiar with these characters as adults from Kurtz's PvP comic, but I don't think having that background is necessary to appreciate this graphic novel. Here's hoping this will become a series, because I'd love to see more stories using this framework.
June 28, 2024
SO CUTE! I would recommend this for any kid who enjoys d&d or RPGs! Super fun with a lot of heart!
April 16, 2025
Super cute! I think I can still booktalk this to 6th graders just for the silliness factor...
July 27, 2025
my 4 year old randomly picked this out at the library and the main character had her name -- so I had to read it! cute graphic novel.. learned some about Dungeons & Dragons and Val is a badass who stays true to herself and I love that
January 24, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
This was so fun! It really makes me wish I had broken out of my comfort zone and tried things like this in middle school (though I highly doubt we had a DND club) I really related to the main character being a bit rough around the edges, and just wanting to follow her interests where they led. Great little read!
This was so fun! It really makes me wish I had broken out of my comfort zone and tried things like this in middle school (though I highly doubt we had a DND club) I really related to the main character being a bit rough around the edges, and just wanting to follow her interests where they led. Great little read!
May 3, 2024
An enjoyable and representative story of middle school, with a great twist and some nice D&D intertwined. I loved Val’s imagination and the power of new friendships.
March 7, 2024
3/6/2024 4,5 stars rounded up. Truly terrific. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
3/7/2024 Y'all. Y'ALL! So many books about girls getting into D&D focus way too much on nonsensical interpersonal drama that often reveals the author's inability to process their own emotions, but this? THIS?! Is the best book on being a young female roleplayer I've read in possibly forEVER.
Val Winters is less than thrilled to be moving to a new city and a new school yet again. Her mom promises that the move to this city should be the last one, what with her new job providing greater stability than before. And if Val can stay out of trouble and not get into fights, then this should be her last school transfer for a good long while too.
Thing is, Val is kind of a dreamer, with a healthy imagination and a disregard for social appropriateness. She's also smart as a whip, and not afraid to get physical when the situation calls for it. When a chance remark prompts one of her new classmates to invite her to join their school-sponsored D&D game -- to the dismay of several of their peers -- this sets her on a journey of discovery and friendship that will make life better for the entire Table Titans Club, as her new group of friends is called.
Hand to God, Val reminds me of me at that age (and maybe also at this age, lol.) I only wish I'd been lucky enough to be able to join an RPG group in middle school. I loved Val's courage and her utter disregard for not standing out. Perhaps even more importantly, I deeply admired Scott Kurtz' excellent and not at all preachy way of explaining why she's like this, and why that prompts consternation and sometimes outright hostility from others. Honestly, this is invaluable information for kids who didn't grow up as bizarrely self-assured as I did.
The RPG representation is outstanding -- and pace, my fellow indie game writers, I know that D&D is like the only game anyone ever seems to talk about. Just remember that it's a gateway game to our ever more interesting systems! -- with realistic scenes of the TTC gathering to play and actually acting out their characters. The cast is terrific throughout, down to the thoughtful representation in the supporting cast, and I greatly enjoyed Val's dynamic with her mom. Perhaps nothing made me adore this book more than the evolving relationship between Val and self-conscious popular girl Kate tho. It would have been SO EASY for Mr Kurtz to make Kate an outright villain but I found her just as relatable as Val, tho for very different reasons. As someone who spent years wanting to game but who always had to settle for the fringes until I hit my mid-20s and finally had the opportunity to play and not just read and observe, I greatly identified with Kate's yearning.
Mr Kurtz' art is also brilliant, with never a moment of confusion from one panel to the next. His layouts are exceptional in their clarity, a testament to his award-winning career as the cartoonist behind the critically acclaimed PvP webcomic (and related adult Table Titans comics; more on that below.) You can also see why he rates his colorist Steve Hamaker so highly, as the colors here really bring both the real world and imaginary shenanigans to entertaining life.
Smart, funny, inspiring and poignant, this is the perfect middle grade graphic novel to give to any kid who's interested in RPGs and who, perhaps, is having trouble fitting in at school. While there's an entire book series dedicated to the grown-up lives and gaming of some of these characters, you don't have to have read anything else to thoroughly enjoy this terrific volume. I super hope that there are lots more of these to come, and soon!
Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz was published March 5 2024 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
3/7/2024 Y'all. Y'ALL! So many books about girls getting into D&D focus way too much on nonsensical interpersonal drama that often reveals the author's inability to process their own emotions, but this? THIS?! Is the best book on being a young female roleplayer I've read in possibly forEVER.
Val Winters is less than thrilled to be moving to a new city and a new school yet again. Her mom promises that the move to this city should be the last one, what with her new job providing greater stability than before. And if Val can stay out of trouble and not get into fights, then this should be her last school transfer for a good long while too.
Thing is, Val is kind of a dreamer, with a healthy imagination and a disregard for social appropriateness. She's also smart as a whip, and not afraid to get physical when the situation calls for it. When a chance remark prompts one of her new classmates to invite her to join their school-sponsored D&D game -- to the dismay of several of their peers -- this sets her on a journey of discovery and friendship that will make life better for the entire Table Titans Club, as her new group of friends is called.
Hand to God, Val reminds me of me at that age (and maybe also at this age, lol.) I only wish I'd been lucky enough to be able to join an RPG group in middle school. I loved Val's courage and her utter disregard for not standing out. Perhaps even more importantly, I deeply admired Scott Kurtz' excellent and not at all preachy way of explaining why she's like this, and why that prompts consternation and sometimes outright hostility from others. Honestly, this is invaluable information for kids who didn't grow up as bizarrely self-assured as I did.
The RPG representation is outstanding -- and pace, my fellow indie game writers, I know that D&D is like the only game anyone ever seems to talk about. Just remember that it's a gateway game to our ever more interesting systems! -- with realistic scenes of the TTC gathering to play and actually acting out their characters. The cast is terrific throughout, down to the thoughtful representation in the supporting cast, and I greatly enjoyed Val's dynamic with her mom. Perhaps nothing made me adore this book more than the evolving relationship between Val and self-conscious popular girl Kate tho. It would have been SO EASY for Mr Kurtz to make Kate an outright villain but I found her just as relatable as Val, tho for very different reasons. As someone who spent years wanting to game but who always had to settle for the fringes until I hit my mid-20s and finally had the opportunity to play and not just read and observe, I greatly identified with Kate's yearning.
Mr Kurtz' art is also brilliant, with never a moment of confusion from one panel to the next. His layouts are exceptional in their clarity, a testament to his award-winning career as the cartoonist behind the critically acclaimed PvP webcomic (and related adult Table Titans comics; more on that below.) You can also see why he rates his colorist Steve Hamaker so highly, as the colors here really bring both the real world and imaginary shenanigans to entertaining life.
Smart, funny, inspiring and poignant, this is the perfect middle grade graphic novel to give to any kid who's interested in RPGs and who, perhaps, is having trouble fitting in at school. While there's an entire book series dedicated to the grown-up lives and gaming of some of these characters, you don't have to have read anything else to thoroughly enjoy this terrific volume. I super hope that there are lots more of these to come, and soon!
Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz was published March 5 2024 by Holiday House and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
May 29, 2024
"my name is Valeria the Brave. and i am a stranger to these parts... Castle Van Pelt looms ominously over these dark and mysterious lands. danger dwells here. and yet, i must enter."
💫 representation: BIPOC sides
💫 content warnings for: bullying
a cute and easy read!
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
if you know anything about me, you know that i love comics that embrace nerdiness in girl main characters. and this? this did exactly that. Val Winters is adorkable, and an extremely relatable lead. i think she might actually be one of my favorites portrayed in young-nerd-roleplayer literature. she's brutally honest and an individualist, and she doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. she may be a druid, but she is not weak. Val is a dreamer and lives in her imagination, but she knows how to use that to her advantage in a tough situation. she stands up for her friends AND is the one to save her club by being the only member to join the wrestling team. as a D&D-playing young girl!! i never see that!!
Val reminds me so much of myself when i was younger, and even now. while i wasn't in wrestling, i was the fantasy-loving girl who buried herself in her sketchbook, played druids excessively, and loved wolves (i appreciated the wolf shifting!) just like Val. i'm thoroughly convinced someone peered into my life and wrote me into this book under the name Val Winters-
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
what i found the most interesting was our antagonist, Kate. she's the typical middle-grade bully: popular, seemingly stuck up, and doesn't want anything to do with the nerds. except she does. Kate yearns to play D&D but doesn't know how to ask the Table Titans. so, she sits on the sidelines. her yearning turns to jealousy towards Val, and conflict arises. i thought it was a pretty realistic take on interpersonal miscommunication that i hadn't seen before. AND!! she gets redeemed at the end!! they all get to play D&D together!! Kate and Val, my beloveds <333
i deeply appreciate Kurtz for giving such good female MC representation and i think young audiences everywhere deserve to see kids like Val and Kate thriving. girls can be wrestlers or druids... or both :)
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
some things brought my rating down to three stars. there were a few unanswered questions at the end, like how the coach runs Table Titans after the advisor leaves, and how Val and Kate work in a friendship. the art style was only okay -- not the worst, but not the best. the story was also pretty simple with predictable middle-grade conflicts. overall, it's your usual D&D graphic novel aimed at kids, with a few character bonuses.
with that being said, i'm excited to see where our adventurers take us next!
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ kin list: Val Winters
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
💫 representation: BIPOC sides
💫 content warnings for: bullying
a cute and easy read!
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
if you know anything about me, you know that i love comics that embrace nerdiness in girl main characters. and this? this did exactly that. Val Winters is adorkable, and an extremely relatable lead. i think she might actually be one of my favorites portrayed in young-nerd-roleplayer literature. she's brutally honest and an individualist, and she doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. she may be a druid, but she is not weak. Val is a dreamer and lives in her imagination, but she knows how to use that to her advantage in a tough situation. she stands up for her friends AND is the one to save her club by being the only member to join the wrestling team. as a D&D-playing young girl!! i never see that!!
Val reminds me so much of myself when i was younger, and even now. while i wasn't in wrestling, i was the fantasy-loving girl who buried herself in her sketchbook, played druids excessively, and loved wolves (i appreciated the wolf shifting!) just like Val. i'm thoroughly convinced someone peered into my life and wrote me into this book under the name Val Winters-
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
what i found the most interesting was our antagonist, Kate. she's the typical middle-grade bully: popular, seemingly stuck up, and doesn't want anything to do with the nerds. except she does. Kate yearns to play D&D but doesn't know how to ask the Table Titans. so, she sits on the sidelines. her yearning turns to jealousy towards Val, and conflict arises. i thought it was a pretty realistic take on interpersonal miscommunication that i hadn't seen before. AND!! she gets redeemed at the end!! they all get to play D&D together!! Kate and Val, my beloveds <333
i deeply appreciate Kurtz for giving such good female MC representation and i think young audiences everywhere deserve to see kids like Val and Kate thriving. girls can be wrestlers or druids... or both :)
•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•
some things brought my rating down to three stars. there were a few unanswered questions at the end, like how the coach runs Table Titans after the advisor leaves, and how Val and Kate work in a friendship. the art style was only okay -- not the worst, but not the best. the story was also pretty simple with predictable middle-grade conflicts. overall, it's your usual D&D graphic novel aimed at kids, with a few character bonuses.
with that being said, i'm excited to see where our adventurers take us next!
.𖥔 ݁ ˖ kin list: Val Winters
~ Morgan Shadow 🐺👑🏹🌊💫
July 12, 2024
I knew the name, but I'd forgotten that Scott Kurtz also does PvP, since I had only read the occasional strip when someone linked to it.
This is a fantastic venture into young reader material, though! I mean, Kate is predictable from her first scene, but without her, there's a lot less of a story, so... middle school awkwardness, huh?
I also... kind of don't blame her? But then, I spent middle school pretty much happy alone (our school radius was fairly large, so we students were spread out kind of far for an introvert like me to become TOO close to anyone), so it sort of feels like she brought it on herself. Also, the closest I got to a Table Titans Club was taking second-year Art class, which almost no one did since only Art I was required for graduation (and that had an obvious sponsor in that it was a real class). I guess there was also an attempt to make a Creative Writing club to make up for the fact that Creative Writing went away as a class, but the club started as only me and our valedictorian, and... neither of us were particularly good at arranging to meet up.
ANYWAY! This is a fun story about friendship (and... frenemy-ship?), though what I like best is that Val acts just like a kid—not a boy or a girl, but a KID—and takes charge of doing what needs to be done. Sure, it may sometimes feel unrealistic for a "girl" to wipe the floor with a bunch of boys in wrestling, but I guarantee you there are actual real girls who can roughhouse with the best of them, and I love that they get the chance to exist in fiction! Girls (and boys and KIDS IN GENERAL) should absolutely feel free to be who they are!
Recommended for fans of (or newcomers to!) D&D/role-playing games!
This is a fantastic venture into young reader material, though! I mean, Kate is predictable from her first scene, but without her, there's a lot less of a story, so... middle school awkwardness, huh?
I also... kind of don't blame her? But then, I spent middle school pretty much happy alone (our school radius was fairly large, so we students were spread out kind of far for an introvert like me to become TOO close to anyone), so it sort of feels like she brought it on herself. Also, the closest I got to a Table Titans Club was taking second-year Art class, which almost no one did since only Art I was required for graduation (and that had an obvious sponsor in that it was a real class). I guess there was also an attempt to make a Creative Writing club to make up for the fact that Creative Writing went away as a class, but the club started as only me and our valedictorian, and... neither of us were particularly good at arranging to meet up.
ANYWAY! This is a fun story about friendship (and... frenemy-ship?), though what I like best is that Val acts just like a kid—not a boy or a girl, but a KID—and takes charge of doing what needs to be done. Sure, it may sometimes feel unrealistic for a "girl" to wipe the floor with a bunch of boys in wrestling, but I guarantee you there are actual real girls who can roughhouse with the best of them, and I love that they get the chance to exist in fiction! Girls (and boys and KIDS IN GENERAL) should absolutely feel free to be who they are!
Recommended for fans of (or newcomers to!) D&D/role-playing games!
February 15, 2024
Review from my little sister Laly, 11yo:
Valeria had faced several problems with other kids at her previous schools, which led to her getting involved in many fights. People found her strange on her first day at a new school, and she didn't form many friendships. However, a club in the school called the Table Titans played Dungeons and Dragons after school. This club believed Valeria would be a perfect addition due to her interest in fantasy and that genre. However, this didn't end the kids' teasing and spreading rumors about her.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story about middle school drama and the world of Dungeons and Dragons. It's a captivating read that will have you hooked from start to finish. The art in the book is unique and straightforward.
As I received an advanced copy, it was not in color, so I can only imagine how impressive it would be with colors.
Out of all the characters in the book, Valeria's personality stands out the most to me. She is such a strong and imaginative character that I root for her throughout the story. I can't help but be captivated by her presence whenever she's on the page.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when they play Dungeons & Dragons. The way the author describes the game is so vivid and imaginative; it's like the characters' imaginations come to life on the page. I love seeing how each character approaches the game and how it reflects their personalities. It's a delightful moment in the story that I always look forward to.
Overall, this is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @holidayhousebks, for sharing this epic graphic novel with me!
Valeria had faced several problems with other kids at her previous schools, which led to her getting involved in many fights. People found her strange on her first day at a new school, and she didn't form many friendships. However, a club in the school called the Table Titans played Dungeons and Dragons after school. This club believed Valeria would be a perfect addition due to her interest in fantasy and that genre. However, this didn't end the kids' teasing and spreading rumors about her.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story about middle school drama and the world of Dungeons and Dragons. It's a captivating read that will have you hooked from start to finish. The art in the book is unique and straightforward.
As I received an advanced copy, it was not in color, so I can only imagine how impressive it would be with colors.
Out of all the characters in the book, Valeria's personality stands out the most to me. She is such a strong and imaginative character that I root for her throughout the story. I can't help but be captivated by her presence whenever she's on the page.
One of my favorite parts of the book is when they play Dungeons & Dragons. The way the author describes the game is so vivid and imaginative; it's like the characters' imaginations come to life on the page. I love seeing how each character approaches the game and how it reflects their personalities. It's a delightful moment in the story that I always look forward to.
Overall, this is a fantastic book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read.
Happy Reading, Laly ❤️ 📚
Thank you, @holidayhousebks, for sharing this epic graphic novel with me!
January 9, 2024
This is such a sweet story of making friends at a new school with the help of Dungeons and Dragons. Val is an 11-year-old with a lot of imagination, expressed through fantastic versions of situations. Val as a bear occurs a few times, as well as various adults as magical creatures or monsters. The Dungeons and Dragons club is a perfect fit for her, but the only members starting out - three boys - aren't quite sure at first.
The club scenes explain some aspects of D&D without feeling like a lesson. A reader with game experience won't feel the need to skip ahead. One with no game experience will pick up concepts like "initiative" and "alignment", so they're a little more ready to try playing.
I really appreciate that Val's D&D character is inclined toward finding non-violent solutions. It shows there are ways to play beyond just the combat rules, a lesson many gamers (myself included) could have used at her age.
I recommend this for any middle grade reader with the slightest interest in tabletop gaming. Middle school libraries should get copies as well.
Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.
The club scenes explain some aspects of D&D without feeling like a lesson. A reader with game experience won't feel the need to skip ahead. One with no game experience will pick up concepts like "initiative" and "alignment", so they're a little more ready to try playing.
I really appreciate that Val's D&D character is inclined toward finding non-violent solutions. It shows there are ways to play beyond just the combat rules, a lesson many gamers (myself included) could have used at her age.
I recommend this for any middle grade reader with the slightest interest in tabletop gaming. Middle school libraries should get copies as well.
Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.
January 3, 2024
This middle grade graphic novel is so much fun! Val is such a great main character - I found myself rooting for her throughout the whole book. After arriving at a new school, Val finds her niche in a D&D club with three guys. In an effort to save the school club from losing a faculty sponsor, the four have to try out for the wrestling practice team. This book is a gaming nerd’s delight but also relevant to anyone who has experienced or is experiencing the awkwardness of fitting in and finding your people. This book really went from 4 up to 5 stars as the Kate-Val interaction evolved. I love Val’s mom and that whole mother-daughter relationship. The Guardian Games name drop was SUCH a fun surprise for this Portland-area reader (who may have celebrated two birthdays gaming in the Critical Sip). The illustrations are great and the coloring is vibrant. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book !
May 24, 2024
Valeria (Val) Winters starts anew at a new school after complications from her previous school. With a promise to not get herself into trouble to her mother, Val is careful with her actions. Surprisingly, she was able to befriend some classmates from her class and joined the Table Titans club, a gaming club who plays Dungeon vs. Dragons after school hours. Finding this new interest fascinating, she learns to play a new game that fits with her adventurous and fantastical personality. Unfortunately the same year she joined, the club's advisor is not able to continue the club meets as he is expecting a baby; now with a conflict to resolve, Val seeks the wrestling coach's help to continue the club but it comes with a price, she has to join the wrestling team.
I find that this book is not as interesting as it looks; there's not much to the story other than Val being in two different clubs and finally finding the people who can bring her up.
I find that this book is not as interesting as it looks; there's not much to the story other than Val being in two different clubs and finally finding the people who can bring her up.
March 3, 2024
I was provided and e-arc from NetGalley to read and review.
Table titans club was super cute. There was lessons of friendship,communication,problem solving and how to have fun.
The main character Valeria was new at school but made friends very easily and early in the book. She then joins the table titans club to play dungeons and dragons, But a classmate named Kate doesn’t approve. And she wants in, only nobody knows. A conflict then arises between Kate and Val ,leading Val to temporarily leave the club. That’s when everyone pulls together for the better and does what it takes to get Val back in the club before it’s to late. Now the rest of the book you’ve got to read for yourself! Enjoy!
Table titans club was super cute. There was lessons of friendship,communication,problem solving and how to have fun.
The main character Valeria was new at school but made friends very easily and early in the book. She then joins the table titans club to play dungeons and dragons, But a classmate named Kate doesn’t approve. And she wants in, only nobody knows. A conflict then arises between Kate and Val ,leading Val to temporarily leave the club. That’s when everyone pulls together for the better and does what it takes to get Val back in the club before it’s to late. Now the rest of the book you’ve got to read for yourself! Enjoy!
April 16, 2024
The book is clearly written for a younger audience than myself, so yes the story was a bit simple, and yes maybe the characters could be developed more. However, given I am probably not the target audience age-wise, I do love DnD. I have a teenage sister who is getting into DnD too, and so this idea of having an after-school club for it would be awesome. It's also nice to have a story about kids that doesn't involve them being stuck to a device at every possibility!
Hope there are more issues to be released, as I would like to see where the author takes it. It's just a fun story that lets you disengage from real life and relax for a while, exactly what I want when I read a comic.
Hope there are more issues to be released, as I would like to see where the author takes it. It's just a fun story that lets you disengage from real life and relax for a while, exactly what I want when I read a comic.
June 10, 2024
I really liked this one! We follow Val who is a kid who knows who she is and what she likes and is unapologetic. I liked that she really owned up to her mistakes and was eager to learn. I liked that the bully understood they had done wrong and tried to fix it. I liked that the adults didn't seem to continually brush off the kids and listened to them. The only thing I wasn't a fan of is the lack of background on Val. All we know is that she got in trouble for fighting at her old school; we don't know why, how, or if she was expelled because of that. I wished for a little more context in that regard.
Overall, a great pick for D&D kids who need a role model with confidence!
Overall, a great pick for D&D kids who need a role model with confidence!
June 12, 2024
11-year-old Val is the new girl in school and her highly anticipated first day at a new school goes horribly. The only bright spot is an invitation to the school's all-boy Table Titans Dungeons & Dragons gaming club. Making friends seems like a perfect cure to her problems, but joining the club inadvertently puts her at odds with popular Kate. Even worse, the club needs a new advisor and their only option is the wrestling coach -- who will only agree if Valeria joins the wrestling team. The silly middle school hijinks are well-matched by Val's fantastical daydreams and depictions of the D&D campaign.
August 2, 2024
Valeria is starting at a new middle school, and her mother worries about her starting fights again. Val doesn’t always get along with other kids because she has such a big imagination, but then she makes friends with the Table Titans club, who invite her to join their D&D game. Things are going great, but then the club might lose their teacher sponsor. Can Val help them convince the wrestling coach to be their sponsor? And what to do about mean girl Kate who’s always picking on Val?
A super cute mid-grade comic about life in middle school, friendships, and D&D. Very good and funny overall!
A super cute mid-grade comic about life in middle school, friendships, and D&D. Very good and funny overall!
January 17, 2025
Reading 2025
Book 19: Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz
A book I bought for my January graphic novel reading binge. Middle grade book plucked from the best of 2024 lists.
Synopsis: Growing pains, game-play adventure, and 20-sided dice abound in this new graphic novel series about a middle school Dungeon & Dragons club from an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning cartoonist.
Review: I have read a few graphic novels about Dungeons and Dragons mixed with middle school angst. This book takes that concept and adds in some girls and wrestling to spice things up. This was a fun read and enjoyed the main character. There will be more books in the series, I will stop at this one. My rating 4⭐️.
Book 19: Table Titans Club by Scott Kurtz
A book I bought for my January graphic novel reading binge. Middle grade book plucked from the best of 2024 lists.
Synopsis: Growing pains, game-play adventure, and 20-sided dice abound in this new graphic novel series about a middle school Dungeon & Dragons club from an Eisner and Harvey Award-winning cartoonist.
Review: I have read a few graphic novels about Dungeons and Dragons mixed with middle school angst. This book takes that concept and adds in some girls and wrestling to spice things up. This was a fun read and enjoyed the main character. There will be more books in the series, I will stop at this one. My rating 4⭐️.
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