What do you think?
Rate this book
Cactus Kid #1
Cactus Kid: The Battle for Star Rock Mountain
Join Cactus Kid as he zooms through the Neverending Desert on his sweet ride, seeking the ultimate magical powers to become the greatest wizard of all time. But also, getting into huge amounts of explosive trouble, deadly motorbike races, and a lot of embarrassing encounters…
Life’s not always easy for a Cactus. This particular one wants to impress his all-powerful dad with his epic magic skills, and he’s not about to let anything stop him on his solo hero’s journey. All he needs is a chunk of star rock to level up his potions. There’s just one problem – there’s none left. The only way to get a single slice of the stuff is to enter the deadly MotoBrawl race, find a way to stop accidentally turning bugs into giant fire-breathing creatures, befriend the lizard gangs that roam the desert, and maybe make a friend along the way. But does a lone hero even need any of this stuff?
Life’s not always easy for a Cactus. This particular one wants to impress his all-powerful dad with his epic magic skills, and he’s not about to let anything stop him on his solo hero’s journey. All he needs is a chunk of star rock to level up his potions. There’s just one problem – there’s none left. The only way to get a single slice of the stuff is to enter the deadly MotoBrawl race, find a way to stop accidentally turning bugs into giant fire-breathing creatures, befriend the lizard gangs that roam the desert, and maybe make a friend along the way. But does a lone hero even need any of this stuff?
164 pages, Paperback
Published March 5, 2024
14 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 21, 2025
Flying Eye are consistently putting out great comics for kids, and this is certainly no different.
Cactus Kid is a budding wizard out to prove that he's the best magic user in the world! To do that, he needs some star rock, and so he heads off on a quest packed with new friends, new enemies, and cool motorbikes!
It's action-packed, fun, and funny. Perfect for reading with young kids age 5+, or for slightly older kids to read to themselves.
Cactus Kid is a budding wizard out to prove that he's the best magic user in the world! To do that, he needs some star rock, and so he heads off on a quest packed with new friends, new enemies, and cool motorbikes!
It's action-packed, fun, and funny. Perfect for reading with young kids age 5+, or for slightly older kids to read to themselves.
February 19, 2024
Beginning to really enjoy all these graphic novels. This beautiful specimen is every bit a Flying Eye Publication! Lovely cover, thick, colourful, matt paper inside and a really good story. As it's the start of a series I think it will go really well. Certainly won't be on the shelves at school for long!
Cactus Kid rides a motorcycle. He's left Florencia because Dad wouldn't let him touch his magic stuff and sister Ruby wouldn't let him fight crime. So he's going to learn magic by himself then go back as a hero!
But for one spell he needs star dust from Star Rock Mountain but there's no mountain - it's hole in the ground! Then he's jumped by a gang - The Shells. In turn they're jumped by The Clams! It doesn't take them long to work out he's a wizard, one that could help them win the Moto-Brawl race. But then comes a Lizard...a mean looking one on a motorcycle.
Good story & brilliant graphics from Emmanuel Guerrero. Releasing 7th March.
Cactus Kid rides a motorcycle. He's left Florencia because Dad wouldn't let him touch his magic stuff and sister Ruby wouldn't let him fight crime. So he's going to learn magic by himself then go back as a hero!
But for one spell he needs star dust from Star Rock Mountain but there's no mountain - it's hole in the ground! Then he's jumped by a gang - The Shells. In turn they're jumped by The Clams! It doesn't take them long to work out he's a wizard, one that could help them win the Moto-Brawl race. But then comes a Lizard...a mean looking one on a motorcycle.
Good story & brilliant graphics from Emmanuel Guerrero. Releasing 7th March.
February 16, 2024
This came from the publishers the other day and I’ve just chuckled my way through it. Motorbikes! Heroes! Potions! A wacky race! Cactus kids needs to learn to work better with others! This is gorgeously illustrated and full of such lush colours! Can’t wait book 2!
March 5, 2024
3/4/2024 3.5 stars. V cute! Full review tk (tomorrow?) at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
3/5/2024 This is one of those delightful graphic novels that plonks you into the action in media res, then skillfully unfolds a ton of world-building around you. Aimed at a middle grade audience, this is a terrific way to introduce that plot device to young readers, while immersing them in a wholly original fantasy world.
Cactus Kid isn't really a kid, but definitely looks (and acts) like he's on the younger side. He's certainly old enough to have felt real heartbreak, which perhaps fuels his somewhat megalomaniacal quest to become the greatest wizard in the world. To that end, he's acquired a book of magical recipes, and rides his motorbike across the Neverending Desert in pursuit of the exotic ingredients that will help him master, first, fire spells and then who knows what else. And perhaps once he's proven himself as the greatest wizard in the world, his dad will respect him and the mysterious Ruby will allow him to join her in fighting crime back in their hometown of Florencia.
But for now, he's in search of Star Rock, a powerful ingredient that will level up his fire potion mastery. He thinks he'll be able to find some at the mountain named after it, so is dismayed to find the area virtually strip mined and definitely empty of any of the valuable substance. While there, he's accosted by two rival motorcycle gangs, the Shells and the Clams. An accident causes an explosion, and Cactus Kid barely makes it out on the back of the bike driven by Freddy, leader of the Clams.
Impressed by Cactus Kid's abilities, Freddy attempts to woo him into allying with the Clams for the upcoming 12th Annual Moto Brawl. The winner of the deadly motorcycle race through the treacherous Bone Trench wins 5 ounces of Star Rock. Cactus Kid is resistant, as he has the idea that heroes only ever go it alone. But with the Shells having stolen all his stuff and a mysterious figure hot on everyone's trails, maybe an alliance is the best shot Cactus Kid has at truly making something of himself.
This is a very cute, surprisingly layered story that takes a bunch of tropes of a dystopian West and makes them easily accessible for younger readers. Cactus Kid's fervent desire to prove himself is highly relatable, as is his discovery that you just can't go through life depending on yourself alone. There's treachery and deceit and the discovery of cool and scary new abilities, making for a fun, fast-paced read that promises many more thrills in future installments.
The art's bias towards cuteness helps leaven some of the Mad Max shenanigans that take place, but it was really the richness of the colors that sold the art to me. Pinks, purples and oranges dominate the backgrounds behind our green hero, really bringing out the stark beauty of the desertscapes. None of the art feels conventionally attractive, but it's still hard to look away, especially with how surprisingly expressive and kinetic many of the panels feel.
This is perhaps the most original middle grade graphic novel I've yet to read, and I'm super thrilled more weird, fun stuff like this is coming out in that market. Oh, and a Happy Middle Grade March to all who celebrate! You can't go wrong with this graphic novel if you want to dip your toes into what's new and exciting in the field today!
Cactus Kid And The Battle For Star Rock Mountain by Emmanuel Guerrero was published today March 5th by Flying Eye Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
3/5/2024 This is one of those delightful graphic novels that plonks you into the action in media res, then skillfully unfolds a ton of world-building around you. Aimed at a middle grade audience, this is a terrific way to introduce that plot device to young readers, while immersing them in a wholly original fantasy world.
Cactus Kid isn't really a kid, but definitely looks (and acts) like he's on the younger side. He's certainly old enough to have felt real heartbreak, which perhaps fuels his somewhat megalomaniacal quest to become the greatest wizard in the world. To that end, he's acquired a book of magical recipes, and rides his motorbike across the Neverending Desert in pursuit of the exotic ingredients that will help him master, first, fire spells and then who knows what else. And perhaps once he's proven himself as the greatest wizard in the world, his dad will respect him and the mysterious Ruby will allow him to join her in fighting crime back in their hometown of Florencia.
But for now, he's in search of Star Rock, a powerful ingredient that will level up his fire potion mastery. He thinks he'll be able to find some at the mountain named after it, so is dismayed to find the area virtually strip mined and definitely empty of any of the valuable substance. While there, he's accosted by two rival motorcycle gangs, the Shells and the Clams. An accident causes an explosion, and Cactus Kid barely makes it out on the back of the bike driven by Freddy, leader of the Clams.
Impressed by Cactus Kid's abilities, Freddy attempts to woo him into allying with the Clams for the upcoming 12th Annual Moto Brawl. The winner of the deadly motorcycle race through the treacherous Bone Trench wins 5 ounces of Star Rock. Cactus Kid is resistant, as he has the idea that heroes only ever go it alone. But with the Shells having stolen all his stuff and a mysterious figure hot on everyone's trails, maybe an alliance is the best shot Cactus Kid has at truly making something of himself.
This is a very cute, surprisingly layered story that takes a bunch of tropes of a dystopian West and makes them easily accessible for younger readers. Cactus Kid's fervent desire to prove himself is highly relatable, as is his discovery that you just can't go through life depending on yourself alone. There's treachery and deceit and the discovery of cool and scary new abilities, making for a fun, fast-paced read that promises many more thrills in future installments.
The art's bias towards cuteness helps leaven some of the Mad Max shenanigans that take place, but it was really the richness of the colors that sold the art to me. Pinks, purples and oranges dominate the backgrounds behind our green hero, really bringing out the stark beauty of the desertscapes. None of the art feels conventionally attractive, but it's still hard to look away, especially with how surprisingly expressive and kinetic many of the panels feel.
This is perhaps the most original middle grade graphic novel I've yet to read, and I'm super thrilled more weird, fun stuff like this is coming out in that market. Oh, and a Happy Middle Grade March to all who celebrate! You can't go wrong with this graphic novel if you want to dip your toes into what's new and exciting in the field today!
Cactus Kid And The Battle For Star Rock Mountain by Emmanuel Guerrero was published today March 5th by Flying Eye Books and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
May 29, 2024
It was alright. Bit short and I don't think there is another book (sorry if I'm wrong) but I don't think it really deserved that last star but still
4 stars is my review
Well done Emmanuel
4 stars is my review
Well done Emmanuel
January 31, 2025
Cactus Kid is a vibe. I also want to be great at magic bro, but maybe not a hero for me, lol.
August 11, 2025
MPA ratings: PG for violence
January 15, 2026
this comic book was amazing and super funny five star.
March 22, 2024
Graphic Novel
I received an electronic ARC from Flying Eye Books.
Readers meet a young cactus who wants to be a hero. He sets off on his own on a hero's journey to become a great wizard. Along the way, he meets others who would help him and who want something from him. The expected "bad guy" appears part way through and Cactus Kid defeats him. Plenty of action for upper elementary level readers. They'll love the bantering and humor throughout. Guerrero gives a huge hint to more adventures to come at the end.
I received an electronic ARC from Flying Eye Books.
Readers meet a young cactus who wants to be a hero. He sets off on his own on a hero's journey to become a great wizard. Along the way, he meets others who would help him and who want something from him. The expected "bad guy" appears part way through and Cactus Kid defeats him. Plenty of action for upper elementary level readers. They'll love the bantering and humor throughout. Guerrero gives a huge hint to more adventures to come at the end.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews