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The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance: A Graphic Novel
Veronica Mars by way of Lovecraft in this thrilling lightly gothic YA graphic novel, for those who love a dash of campy and a dollop of darkness.
It’s just a bedtime story….right?
Parents in Pensmouth tell their children a devious bedtime tale—their beloved town is riddled with flesh-takers, monsters who snatch unruly kids off the street if they don’t go to sleep on time.
Vivian Vance, amateur teen detective, heard that story as a kid and never believed it.
When Vivian takes on a case in the Pillars, a downtrodden and long-ignored community beneath the highway, she stumbles on a dark secret about her town's history and finds herself face-to-face with those horrifying monsters. Saved from certain death by a group of kids from the Pillars, Vivian decides her next job will be exposing the flesh-takers to the world--at any cost.
But her biggest opportunity quickly becomes her worst nightmare. Her pride puts Pensmouth and her new-found friends in mortal danger. In order to right her mistakes, she must stand up to the creatures that offer all her heart desires before she loses the only people left who matters.
It’s just a bedtime story….right?
Parents in Pensmouth tell their children a devious bedtime tale—their beloved town is riddled with flesh-takers, monsters who snatch unruly kids off the street if they don’t go to sleep on time.
Vivian Vance, amateur teen detective, heard that story as a kid and never believed it.
When Vivian takes on a case in the Pillars, a downtrodden and long-ignored community beneath the highway, she stumbles on a dark secret about her town's history and finds herself face-to-face with those horrifying monsters. Saved from certain death by a group of kids from the Pillars, Vivian decides her next job will be exposing the flesh-takers to the world--at any cost.
But her biggest opportunity quickly becomes her worst nightmare. Her pride puts Pensmouth and her new-found friends in mortal danger. In order to right her mistakes, she must stand up to the creatures that offer all her heart desires before she loses the only people left who matters.
272 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
May 10, 2024
This is pitched as Veronica Mars by way of Lovecraft, and I think that's pretty accurate. The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance is a fun graphic novel that is YA horror with Lovecraftian monsters and a high achieving, perfectionist heroine trying to nab an internship by doing community service. In this case, by taking a case in a poor community called the Pillars where monsters are taking people off the streets. It's over the top and kind of a campy adventure that attempts to say something about privilege and corruption.
Whether that's successful....I don't know it's a mixed bag. The fact that the kids she helps out are orphans living on the street who have never gone to school is a bit much. And not how things actually work if their world is supposed to be similar to our own. You could do the same thing with kids who are maybe a mix of from poor families or in the foster care system, but they would still be getting some kind of an education. I don't know, that choice was weird and kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Otherwise, it was a pretty entertaining story. I received a copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Whether that's successful....I don't know it's a mixed bag. The fact that the kids she helps out are orphans living on the street who have never gone to school is a bit much. And not how things actually work if their world is supposed to be similar to our own. You could do the same thing with kids who are maybe a mix of from poor families or in the foster care system, but they would still be getting some kind of an education. I don't know, that choice was weird and kind of rubbed me the wrong way. Otherwise, it was a pretty entertaining story. I received a copy for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
September 26, 2024
This was an entertaining graphic novel about a girl who has to save her new found friends from monsters. I enjoyed this novel.
October 10, 2024
Veronica Mars meets Stranger Things meets Lovecraft in this graphic novel about supernatural forces causing missing persons cases to escalate in a small town. The art style was fun, but it was the story that kept me engaged. I really liked how the story started with different people all telling kids the same tale and then that tale coming to life when the kids got older. I hope there will be more in the series!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
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August 21, 2025
Dark, spooky, and good. Definitely a good choice to get ready for Spoopy season.
October 6, 2024
Fantastic Eldritch story! Really enjoyed the stakes in this being high and the payoff in the ending being so rewarding! I think this would make a fantastic movie. And the scary parts in this were really well done! Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
August 14, 2024
Vivian Vance is an amateur detective aiming for a spot in the Greater Achievement Program. What she really needs to push her application to the top is something that sets her apart. Proof of her contribution to the community. The perfect opportunity falls into her lap when she stumbles across a flesh-taker, a creature straight out of a childhood bedtime story. Flesh-takers are real, they’re stalking the streets at night and are behind the various disappearances in the area. Vivian, alongside some new friends, sets out to gain proof of their existence and to stop them once and for all.
I enjoyed the overall vibes and artwork of this graphic novel. The flesh-takers were chilling to look at and I liked Vivian’s character design. However, I felt like the actual substance of the story was lacking. I think the length of this graphic novel did the story a huge disservice as there wasn’t enough time to properly develop anything. I never felt like I got a grasp on any of our characters’ personalities. Their relationships with each other were even more absent. The world building was vague and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. I felt like we as the audience were expected to assume all the fine details and the in-between ourselves in favor of giving more page space to the action. I think overall this story would have worked better spread out across a series!
I enjoyed the overall vibes and artwork of this graphic novel. The flesh-takers were chilling to look at and I liked Vivian’s character design. However, I felt like the actual substance of the story was lacking. I think the length of this graphic novel did the story a huge disservice as there wasn’t enough time to properly develop anything. I never felt like I got a grasp on any of our characters’ personalities. Their relationships with each other were even more absent. The world building was vague and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. I felt like we as the audience were expected to assume all the fine details and the in-between ourselves in favor of giving more page space to the action. I think overall this story would have worked better spread out across a series!
July 27, 2024
This book is pitched as Veronica Mars meets Lovecraft. As a fan of both, I can see that comparison, but where I struggled was the depth.
I loved the artwork and the different outfits Vivian had, but I just was really confused what was happening. I mean, no, I wasn’t confused, but it felt like we jumped from point A to point Z with little build up.
At the end, I was left with so many questions of development that it felt like the author left off the page and I could go on and on about the questions I have rather than what happened with the monster.
It was just not properly developed and could have been a whole series rather than this one graphic novel.
Overall, it was an enjoyable time, but not one I’m going to rush to put in other’s hands. Creepy and fun if you like this genre, but not as good as it could be.
I’d definitely read a volume 2 if there were deep dives into all the characters and issues they are going through.
I loved the artwork and the different outfits Vivian had, but I just was really confused what was happening. I mean, no, I wasn’t confused, but it felt like we jumped from point A to point Z with little build up.
At the end, I was left with so many questions of development that it felt like the author left off the page and I could go on and on about the questions I have rather than what happened with the monster.
It was just not properly developed and could have been a whole series rather than this one graphic novel.
Overall, it was an enjoyable time, but not one I’m going to rush to put in other’s hands. Creepy and fun if you like this genre, but not as good as it could be.
I’d definitely read a volume 2 if there were deep dives into all the characters and issues they are going through.
May 30, 2024
Action-packed from start to finish! I couldn't get enough of Vivian and her new crew—I need more now! The Veronica Mars vibe in this wonderful story was incredibly enjoyable. Ulrich's storytelling from beginning to end had me captivated the entire time. While the attempts to address themes of privilege and corruption occasionally got lost amidst the action, it remained an exciting read with stunning graphics.
thank you penguin teen for the e-arc! all opinions are my own
thank you penguin teen for the e-arc! all opinions are my own
October 16, 2024
thank you to netgalley for the arc!!
cool ya horror graphic novel with panels that can be legitimately scary when you read them in a pitch dark glorified treehouse in the middle of the rainforest, as i did! and vivian is #relatable
cool ya horror graphic novel with panels that can be legitimately scary when you read them in a pitch dark glorified treehouse in the middle of the rainforest, as i did! and vivian is #relatable
October 19, 2024
This was fun!
December 8, 2024
This was sick! A quick and super fun read. I loved it!
July 2, 2025
I loved this! Veronica Mars meets Supernatural meets Buffy meets Scooby Doo? Fun.
October 7, 2024
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley.)
High school sophomore Vivian Vance is what you might call an overachiever - and it's no wonder why, when her beloved father's motto is 'why do something if you can't be the best at it?' Rather than spending her afternoons hanging out with friends at the mall (or whatever the youngsters do nowadays), Vivian earns extra money - and hones her detective skills - performing odd jobs for her classmates. It's while trying to retrieve a "stolen" baseball from a kid in the Pillars that Vivian stumbles upon her greatest case yet: there's a "flesh-taker" in Pensmouth, and it's eating people. Turns out that the monsters that populated Pensmouth's bedtime stories are more than just a tactic to scare the kids into line.
Despite the risks, Vivian decides to take the case - after all, what better way to earn a spot in the coveted Greater Achievers Program than by capturing a monster and exposing a conspiracy among the upper echelon of Pensmouth?
Pitched as Veronica Mars meets Lovecraft, I really wanted to love THE TERRIFYING TALES OF VIVIAN VANCE more than I did. As it was, I was puzzled by many glowing reviews. The story is okay, if a little forgettable. I liked the monsters - especially the skin-takers and the source - but felt like the characters and plot could have used a little more development. The action just never felt very high stakes, perhaps because I wasn't terribly invested in any of the characters.
High school sophomore Vivian Vance is what you might call an overachiever - and it's no wonder why, when her beloved father's motto is 'why do something if you can't be the best at it?' Rather than spending her afternoons hanging out with friends at the mall (or whatever the youngsters do nowadays), Vivian earns extra money - and hones her detective skills - performing odd jobs for her classmates. It's while trying to retrieve a "stolen" baseball from a kid in the Pillars that Vivian stumbles upon her greatest case yet: there's a "flesh-taker" in Pensmouth, and it's eating people. Turns out that the monsters that populated Pensmouth's bedtime stories are more than just a tactic to scare the kids into line.
Despite the risks, Vivian decides to take the case - after all, what better way to earn a spot in the coveted Greater Achievers Program than by capturing a monster and exposing a conspiracy among the upper echelon of Pensmouth?
Pitched as Veronica Mars meets Lovecraft, I really wanted to love THE TERRIFYING TALES OF VIVIAN VANCE more than I did. As it was, I was puzzled by many glowing reviews. The story is okay, if a little forgettable. I liked the monsters - especially the skin-takers and the source - but felt like the characters and plot could have used a little more development. The action just never felt very high stakes, perhaps because I wasn't terribly invested in any of the characters.
January 26, 2025
This book was one I checked out from my local library a month or so ago, and now that I near the return date, I said “Oh what the hell?” and sat down to read it as opposed to doing schoolwork.
It was a quick and easy read, finished it in an hour or so. It was like watching a Disney Channel movie except I wasn’t emotionally attached to any of the characters. The plot moved *insanely* fast, the characters were painfully two dimensional, and it was filled with one repetitive fictional trope after another.
Snarky, uptown teenage girl with no ambition for herself gets paid money for solving the Hot Goss so that she can become the Best Detective like her Father so that way he will be proud of her.
On her next hunt, she meets rugrat boys one two and three. Rugrat 1 is short and immediately hits on her on site. Rugrat 2 has no personality outside of the (probably) four lines he has the entire book. Rugrat 3 is the leader and brother to the other three, raising them since they were wee laddies in the orphanage.
Heading back to her sick digs, she runs into the horror monsters of the story and she realizes that “omg they were real all along?! 😱😱” And is immediately set to finding out what’s going on with *those* things because what better way to make your dad proud of you instead of, *I don’t know,* making friends or joining clubs??
Anyhow, after some mediocre detective work, multiple instances of trespassing, and a whole two pages of awkwardly set up teen romancing (of course with Rugrat 3), they discover The Big Secret. After nearly dying, Snarky Teen Girl says some majorly classist crap, obviously making the other Rugrats upset. (Something she never apologizes for.)
Eventually the Horror shows up at her home and stabs her father, and instead of, I don’t know, *going to a hospital*, she illegally drives her father to the random Adult Man she met a whole ten pages ago who didn’t help her squad because who knows why? Newsflash, he’s actually one of the Horrors all along—but wait, he’s good! He gives her Magic and lets this random teenager fight the century old horror and his incarnates while he heals her father. (We never see this man again.)
Heroic Battle Happens, letting her display her Epic Gamer Moves that she learned like 3 minutes ago. In a fantastic, definitely-couldn’t-see-it-coming-type move, she makes the Horror Monster kill his own incarnates (something bro could’ve done decades ago, I feel like?? It literally only took a couple pokes to the eye ball, guys.)
In an effort to reward her, Horror Monster shows Snarky Teen Girl everything she could have, so she has to choose the bribe for the ambitions she never had or her new “family” (that she met like a week ago??). Newsflash, she chooses the family and immediately lands a huge smooch on Rugrat 3 for saving her.
Then we never see those guys again as girly pop heads home to tell her pops the new hot goss, because of course the guy doesn’t remember being stabbed by the Horror, who would? Then of course there’s the classic “omg there’s remnants of the monster thing that started all this but was never really explained!! whatever shall happen next?!?” cut off.
Not a single character was developed throughout the whole story, and saying that Snarky Teen Girl developed is saying that you didn’t read the book. We don’t see her apologizing to Rugrats for basically insulting their livelihoods and their being like the entire book, nor seeing her with her new “friends” or joining any clubs—as the book was seemingly building up. One could argue that Rugrat 3 was the most developed, and that’s only because Rugrat 2 was all like “chill with the older sibling syndrome” and he was all like “lol okay.” Not a high bar it seems.
All this to say, I ate this shit up, so to speak. It was a fun read and even though the expressions freaked me out some of the time, they were goofy as hell and was overall a silly art style.
There was a lot of potential and I could see this story being fleshed out in the future, but this is sadly a standalone in true Disney Channel Fashion.
Overall, I won’t say it’s not worth the read, but I also won’t say it is. Maybe if you’re desperate for that Gravity Falls Disney Channel feel, I guess.
It was a quick and easy read, finished it in an hour or so. It was like watching a Disney Channel movie except I wasn’t emotionally attached to any of the characters. The plot moved *insanely* fast, the characters were painfully two dimensional, and it was filled with one repetitive fictional trope after another.
Snarky, uptown teenage girl with no ambition for herself gets paid money for solving the Hot Goss so that she can become the Best Detective like her Father so that way he will be proud of her.
On her next hunt, she meets rugrat boys one two and three. Rugrat 1 is short and immediately hits on her on site. Rugrat 2 has no personality outside of the (probably) four lines he has the entire book. Rugrat 3 is the leader and brother to the other three, raising them since they were wee laddies in the orphanage.
Heading back to her sick digs, she runs into the horror monsters of the story and she realizes that “omg they were real all along?! 😱😱” And is immediately set to finding out what’s going on with *those* things because what better way to make your dad proud of you instead of, *I don’t know,* making friends or joining clubs??
Anyhow, after some mediocre detective work, multiple instances of trespassing, and a whole two pages of awkwardly set up teen romancing (of course with Rugrat 3), they discover The Big Secret. After nearly dying, Snarky Teen Girl says some majorly classist crap, obviously making the other Rugrats upset. (Something she never apologizes for.)
Eventually the Horror shows up at her home and stabs her father, and instead of, I don’t know, *going to a hospital*, she illegally drives her father to the random Adult Man she met a whole ten pages ago who didn’t help her squad because who knows why? Newsflash, he’s actually one of the Horrors all along—but wait, he’s good! He gives her Magic and lets this random teenager fight the century old horror and his incarnates while he heals her father. (We never see this man again.)
Heroic Battle Happens, letting her display her Epic Gamer Moves that she learned like 3 minutes ago. In a fantastic, definitely-couldn’t-see-it-coming-type move, she makes the Horror Monster kill his own incarnates (something bro could’ve done decades ago, I feel like?? It literally only took a couple pokes to the eye ball, guys.)
In an effort to reward her, Horror Monster shows Snarky Teen Girl everything she could have, so she has to choose the bribe for the ambitions she never had or her new “family” (that she met like a week ago??). Newsflash, she chooses the family and immediately lands a huge smooch on Rugrat 3 for saving her.
Then we never see those guys again as girly pop heads home to tell her pops the new hot goss, because of course the guy doesn’t remember being stabbed by the Horror, who would? Then of course there’s the classic “omg there’s remnants of the monster thing that started all this but was never really explained!! whatever shall happen next?!?” cut off.
Not a single character was developed throughout the whole story, and saying that Snarky Teen Girl developed is saying that you didn’t read the book. We don’t see her apologizing to Rugrats for basically insulting their livelihoods and their being like the entire book, nor seeing her with her new “friends” or joining any clubs—as the book was seemingly building up. One could argue that Rugrat 3 was the most developed, and that’s only because Rugrat 2 was all like “chill with the older sibling syndrome” and he was all like “lol okay.” Not a high bar it seems.
All this to say, I ate this shit up, so to speak. It was a fun read and even though the expressions freaked me out some of the time, they were goofy as hell and was overall a silly art style.
There was a lot of potential and I could see this story being fleshed out in the future, but this is sadly a standalone in true Disney Channel Fashion.
Overall, I won’t say it’s not worth the read, but I also won’t say it is. Maybe if you’re desperate for that Gravity Falls Disney Channel feel, I guess.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and PenguinGroup for the advanced copy.
I'm not sure why this didn't resonate with me, from the story to the art. It's not bad, it's a decent cosmic horror story... I guess I just don't understand the audience. Teens, I guess? But it's noted as for young readers but the content isn't appropriate for middle grade or younger, in my opinion. Then it's too childish for adults.
Cosmic horror is my favorite and I consume a lot of it, and this IS a decent cosmic horror story. I'm interested in the god, I want to know more about the gifts, but I don't much like the cast, whom we barely get to know beyond the superficial (wrong side of the tracks vs right). It's a long book but aside from Vivian we don't get to know anyone, really, so when she makes a big to-do about saving her friends you're left wondering "friends? the people you literally just met and barely know?"
It feels like the author was unsure of both what he wanted to write and who he wanted to write for.
The art isn't my favorite either. Very cartoony but it doesn't feel like it fits the story, though it's well done. But again, another instance of who is the intended audience?
3/5 stars because I didn't hate it at the end, though.
I'm not sure why this didn't resonate with me, from the story to the art. It's not bad, it's a decent cosmic horror story... I guess I just don't understand the audience. Teens, I guess? But it's noted as for young readers but the content isn't appropriate for middle grade or younger, in my opinion. Then it's too childish for adults.
Cosmic horror is my favorite and I consume a lot of it, and this IS a decent cosmic horror story. I'm interested in the god, I want to know more about the gifts, but I don't much like the cast, whom we barely get to know beyond the superficial (wrong side of the tracks vs right). It's a long book but aside from Vivian we don't get to know anyone, really, so when she makes a big to-do about saving her friends you're left wondering "friends? the people you literally just met and barely know?"
It feels like the author was unsure of both what he wanted to write and who he wanted to write for.
The art isn't my favorite either. Very cartoony but it doesn't feel like it fits the story, though it's well done. But again, another instance of who is the intended audience?
3/5 stars because I didn't hate it at the end, though.
September 1, 2024
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Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not gonna lie, my first attraction to this book was the title. I mean, anyone that knows American television remembers Vivian Vance as one of Lucille Ball’s sidekicks on her wildly popular show, I Love Lucy, so I thought it interesting that an author would come up with that same name combination. The second reason I was attracted to this graphic novel is the way the book describes Vivian as sort of a Veronica Mars, also a favorite. The horror story aspect, I wasn’t so sure of but decided to have an open mind.
Vivian is told a terrifying tale as a bedtime story, one that guarantees she won’t go out at night. Most of the other children of Pensmouth are taught the same lesson. However, as Vivian grows older, and her dad becomes an invalid, her life focus changes. She’s in high school, working as sort of a private detective ala Veronica Mars or Nancy Drew, and she desperately wants to be accepted into a special program. Told she needs to have more school extracurricular activities, Vance decides that if she can crack one big case, she’ll get into the prestigious program.
The case she takes plunges her into a part of town called The Pillars, where people usually mind their own business and are scraping by. Vivian meets some orphans about her age and a little younger, and she enlists them to help her with the case.
The illustrations were great (ew to the flesh-takers), and the story was engaging, even though YA horror isn’t normally my jam. The smart-talking, quick-thinking Vivian Vance is a treat to follow. I can only imagine that this might be the first in a series of graphic novels following the plucky sleuth.
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Not gonna lie, my first attraction to this book was the title. I mean, anyone that knows American television remembers Vivian Vance as one of Lucille Ball’s sidekicks on her wildly popular show, I Love Lucy, so I thought it interesting that an author would come up with that same name combination. The second reason I was attracted to this graphic novel is the way the book describes Vivian as sort of a Veronica Mars, also a favorite. The horror story aspect, I wasn’t so sure of but decided to have an open mind.
Vivian is told a terrifying tale as a bedtime story, one that guarantees she won’t go out at night. Most of the other children of Pensmouth are taught the same lesson. However, as Vivian grows older, and her dad becomes an invalid, her life focus changes. She’s in high school, working as sort of a private detective ala Veronica Mars or Nancy Drew, and she desperately wants to be accepted into a special program. Told she needs to have more school extracurricular activities, Vance decides that if she can crack one big case, she’ll get into the prestigious program.
The case she takes plunges her into a part of town called The Pillars, where people usually mind their own business and are scraping by. Vivian meets some orphans about her age and a little younger, and she enlists them to help her with the case.
The illustrations were great (ew to the flesh-takers), and the story was engaging, even though YA horror isn’t normally my jam. The smart-talking, quick-thinking Vivian Vance is a treat to follow. I can only imagine that this might be the first in a series of graphic novels following the plucky sleuth.
September 28, 2024
A big thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an ARC. Vivian Vance is a loner; she dreams of having her own detective agency. She lives with her dad who was wounded terribly in the line of duty, and he sees it as his own personal failure, but Vivian sees him as a hero and an inspiration; in order to help with the bills in the house she takes on tasks from fellow classmates who need information, or something retrieved.
She takes on a request to get back a stolen baseball but has to go into the Pillars area of the city which is the slums while she lives in a higher regarded part of the city and goes to a good school. The night she goes down to find the baseball from the person who was told stole it she meets three young boys all of different ages and backgrounds but one thing they have in common is they all only have each other. When Vivian gets the ball and takes off, she comes across a creature in an alley that attacks a homeless person. The three boys rescue her and from there she decides to figure out what is behind this in hopes to propel her detective career.
I don't want to give too much away with the legend and background, but I really enjoyed the story, the characters were absolutely loveable and funny and who doesn't love a story that you can really root for the characters! I really hope we get more terrifying tales with Vivian and the boys.
She takes on a request to get back a stolen baseball but has to go into the Pillars area of the city which is the slums while she lives in a higher regarded part of the city and goes to a good school. The night she goes down to find the baseball from the person who was told stole it she meets three young boys all of different ages and backgrounds but one thing they have in common is they all only have each other. When Vivian gets the ball and takes off, she comes across a creature in an alley that attacks a homeless person. The three boys rescue her and from there she decides to figure out what is behind this in hopes to propel her detective career.
I don't want to give too much away with the legend and background, but I really enjoyed the story, the characters were absolutely loveable and funny and who doesn't love a story that you can really root for the characters! I really hope we get more terrifying tales with Vivian and the boys.
November 26, 2024
A light horror for fans of 'Stranger Things' or 'Dire Days of Willowweep Manor', wherein an overachieving girl from the nice side of town meets a trio of orphans from the seedy end of town while out on a job, and they stumble across evidence that the local monster-legend used to scare kids for generations...is not a legend. Vivian sees this as an opportunity to make a name for herself and get accepted into a super-special school program, if she can expose the beast; the orphans just want this man-eating creature off their streets. But there's more going on than they suspect, so their investigation will put them all in unexpected danger!
Vivian has a somewhat steampunk-ish aesthetic (40s-ish hair, boots with knee-high spats, a bathing suit with bodice-like details) but the rest of the world seems mostly contemporary (now-ish).
Pretty fast-paced and doesn't go into too much character depth or plot complications, so recommended for older middle-schoolers and up who just want a dark-ish adventure without getting too dark and gory.
Content concerns: no swearing, no nudity/sex, no drugs/alcohol; stark class division between the two sides of town, but it doesn't go into detail on that; monster peril (being chased, people get eaten or impaled but not in gory detail), mild body horror (transformations etc)
Vivian has a somewhat steampunk-ish aesthetic (40s-ish hair, boots with knee-high spats, a bathing suit with bodice-like details) but the rest of the world seems mostly contemporary (now-ish).
Pretty fast-paced and doesn't go into too much character depth or plot complications, so recommended for older middle-schoolers and up who just want a dark-ish adventure without getting too dark and gory.
Content concerns: no swearing, no nudity/sex, no drugs/alcohol; stark class division between the two sides of town, but it doesn't go into detail on that; monster peril (being chased, people get eaten or impaled but not in gory detail), mild body horror (transformations etc)
October 4, 2024
3.5 Stars.
In this graphic novel we follow Vivian Vance, who has no friends in school and keep doing "dirty work" and gets labelled a snitch by her classmates. Vivian has the best grades in school and she want to get into this program that will help her on her way to become a detective. But even though she has the grades to prove she has the wits for the program, she also needs to show that she can work with other people.
This leads to Vivian eventually teaming up with three young boys living on "the wrong sides of the tracks". Together they witness a terrible monster, that they believed to only be something made up from a children's story, murder a guy on the street. They then end up working together to get to the bottom of finding out who and what this monster, called flesh-takers, came to be and how they can stop the monster from killing more people.
I enjoyed this graphic novel, it is very fast paced and action packed. We also get to see how Vivian grows as a person and learn to befriend others her age and that she doesn't have to do everything on her own. If you enjoy Scooby-Doo esce stories, then you will enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review,
In this graphic novel we follow Vivian Vance, who has no friends in school and keep doing "dirty work" and gets labelled a snitch by her classmates. Vivian has the best grades in school and she want to get into this program that will help her on her way to become a detective. But even though she has the grades to prove she has the wits for the program, she also needs to show that she can work with other people.
This leads to Vivian eventually teaming up with three young boys living on "the wrong sides of the tracks". Together they witness a terrible monster, that they believed to only be something made up from a children's story, murder a guy on the street. They then end up working together to get to the bottom of finding out who and what this monster, called flesh-takers, came to be and how they can stop the monster from killing more people.
I enjoyed this graphic novel, it is very fast paced and action packed. We also get to see how Vivian grows as a person and learn to befriend others her age and that she doesn't have to do everything on her own. If you enjoy Scooby-Doo esce stories, then you will enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review,
May 25, 2024
This YA graphic novel was so quick and enjoyable to read! Non stop action from start to finish! The description said it was Veronica Mars meets Lovecraft and that is absolutely true. Vivian Vance wants to open a detective agency with her dad and her plan to do that is to win the Medal of Excellence. To do that she needs to find something that makes her stand out. In trying to figure out what that's going to be, she meets some kids from the rougher side of town and they come across a monster. That's it! She's going to save the town from the local urban legend monster, who turns out to be real! It's a little silly, a little campy, but it's worth the little bit of time to read it. The art has a little old school Archie comic vibe. The monster is a little scary for younger kids but that's what makes it fun for the older ones (and the adults). The story itself feels like it could have been a Goosebumps story or on Are You Afraid of The Dark. I hope we get to see more tales from Vivian Vance.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2024
This was a very fun tale! This story has an interesting mix of the vibes from Stranger Things, Papergirls, and Super 8. The plot was tight and the plot pacing was smoothly done. It never lost my attention and kept me wondering what the truth was. I did really like that Vivian Vance isn't a perfect person. She's actually kind of a terrible person, but watching her grow as a person was interesting. I don't want to spoil too much, but it was a pretty great story. It surprisingly got pretty gory at parts! Seeing as it's a Teen/YA graphic novel, I really didn't expect that level of gore. I personally didn't care too much for the art style, but that's honestly just personal taste, not anything to do with technical abilities. I also raised an eyebrow at the fact that Vivian wears heels. She's supposed to be running around doing all these crazy things in HEELS? Yes, they're heeled knee-high boots, but still. Heels?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
September 22, 2024
Thanks to PenguinTeen & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 7
Art Style: 8
Writing: 7
Plot: 5.5
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 8
This story moved extremely fast, and that is my only major complaint. The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance follows young Vivian, a sophomore on the hunt for something extracurricular to do in order to aid in her application process for a program at her school that can help her receive financial aid. In her journey, she discovers that the flesh-takers lore in her hometown is true—witnessing one kidnap a man while in "the pillars" (a rundown neighborhood in her city for the down and out, orphans, and the neglected). Vivian and a ragtag bunch aim to unearth the truth behind the lore and save the town.
I liked the premise of the story and can easily see this as a limited series with Stranger Things vibes. That said, I would classify this more as a middle grade story. All in all, it was a nice, quick read, but I wish there had been more to it.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters: 7
Art Style: 8
Writing: 7
Plot: 5.5
Intrigue: 8
Logic: 6
Enjoyment: 8
This story moved extremely fast, and that is my only major complaint. The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance follows young Vivian, a sophomore on the hunt for something extracurricular to do in order to aid in her application process for a program at her school that can help her receive financial aid. In her journey, she discovers that the flesh-takers lore in her hometown is true—witnessing one kidnap a man while in "the pillars" (a rundown neighborhood in her city for the down and out, orphans, and the neglected). Vivian and a ragtag bunch aim to unearth the truth behind the lore and save the town.
I liked the premise of the story and can easily see this as a limited series with Stranger Things vibes. That said, I would classify this more as a middle grade story. All in all, it was a nice, quick read, but I wish there had been more to it.
October 27, 2024
A fun, adventurous read that gives vibes of stuff like Veronica Mars or Nancy Drew just with a fantasy/sci-fi twist. The characters were definitely a delight though it was hard to like Vivian at first given her first interaction with the other characters. Not that it was hard to sympathize with the why of what she was doing, just it wasn't exactly a nice thing and it's obvious that this is intentional. The character does grow though as the story progresses. The overall arc was a lot of fun though I do wish one thing about the ending had been different. Yet I suspect I know why it wasn't though I'd have to read more - if there is more - to find out. The art style was done well especially for the old-timey style of the story. Loved how colorful it was as well. I don't know if this story was necessarily my absolute favorite though it did give me some appropriate spoopy vibes for the season. If there's more published though, I'd definitely still pick it up and see how it goes as I did enjoy my time reading this graphic novel.
June 9, 2024
The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance is pitched as Veronica Mars meets Lovecraft, and that is probably the best way to explain. As a huge Veronica Mars fan, I was very much on board. It follows Vivian Vance, who is an amateur detective, and her friends as they investigate some creepy flesh-taking monsters in their town.
Vivian teams up with a group of orphan boys after they share a terrifying experience of seeing one of the monsters. I really liked the illustrations and the tone of the book. I immediately liked Vivian's character and felt like she had an awesome voice.
Unfortunately, I felt like the other characters & world-building were not developed enough. That being said, this was an exciting and fast read! The flesh-takers were truly horrifying, and I loved the shift from high school drama to monster mystery.
I would definitely recommend picking this one up! Thanks to Netgalley, Joshua Ulrich, and Penguin for the chance to read & review!
Vivian teams up with a group of orphan boys after they share a terrifying experience of seeing one of the monsters. I really liked the illustrations and the tone of the book. I immediately liked Vivian's character and felt like she had an awesome voice.
Unfortunately, I felt like the other characters & world-building were not developed enough. That being said, this was an exciting and fast read! The flesh-takers were truly horrifying, and I loved the shift from high school drama to monster mystery.
I would definitely recommend picking this one up! Thanks to Netgalley, Joshua Ulrich, and Penguin for the chance to read & review!
Read
November 27, 202411.26.24. 7+. No lang. Violent imagery. Good for Stranger Things kids.
Booklist: In Pensmouth, a disturbing bedtime story warns children of flesh-takers, monsters who will steal them if they are caught out when they should be in bed. Amateur detective Vivian Vance isn't really concerned with bed-time stories, though. She's more focused on winning one of Pensmouth's Medals of Excellence, which she is certain will launch her career. Working a case in the run-down neighborhood of The Pillars, Vivian comes across three street-smart boys and a very real flesh-taker. Clearly, her best chance of winning that medal is getting photographic proof of the monsters’ existence, so she enlists the help of Leon, Jacob, and Zack. As the foursome get closer to the source of the magic and mayhem, Vivian’s goals seem within reach, but secrets unearthed bring everything into question.
Booklist: In Pensmouth, a disturbing bedtime story warns children of flesh-takers, monsters who will steal them if they are caught out when they should be in bed. Amateur detective Vivian Vance isn't really concerned with bed-time stories, though. She's more focused on winning one of Pensmouth's Medals of Excellence, which she is certain will launch her career. Working a case in the run-down neighborhood of The Pillars, Vivian comes across three street-smart boys and a very real flesh-taker. Clearly, her best chance of winning that medal is getting photographic proof of the monsters’ existence, so she enlists the help of Leon, Jacob, and Zack. As the foursome get closer to the source of the magic and mayhem, Vivian’s goals seem within reach, but secrets unearthed bring everything into question.
February 22, 2025
In the town of Pensmouth, parents have long told a cautionary tale of flesh-eating monsters who snatch up children who aren't where they are supposed to be. But no one really believes it, right? Until Vivian spies one of the flesh-eaters in action while on a job for her fledgling detective agency. She is definitely where she shouldn't be--the run-down Pillars, but she is saved by some kids who hole up in an abandoned building there. Vivian is electrified. Getting proof of this and bringing it to the attention of the authorities should bring her everything she wants in life and she charges ahead into certain disaster dragging her new friends from the Pillars along in her wake. This was a fun read. Just enough suspense and horror offset by lighter moments and a really good page turner.
May 2, 2025
I love a strong female character and Vivian Vance is that and more. Trying to win a school award thinking it's her ticket to financial freedom she stumbles into a secret about her town. While in the Pillars she witnesses her childhood scary camp fire tales come to life and is lucky to escape alive. Flesh-eaters have been talked about for years but Vivian always thought they were just stories until now. Three friends from the Pillars have agreed to help her find and destroy these flesh-eaters once and for all. They face danger and terrifying consequences to save the town. The relationship between Vivian and the boys from the Pillars is intriguing. Well written and drawn this book was fun to read.
March 20, 2025
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!
This is a YA graphic novel about a young woman who discovers that monsters are real. She teams up with a group of kids as they try to save their town.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I don’t usually pick up graphic novels but I wanted to try this one and I’m glad I did.
I liked all of the characters and the different relationships shown in the book. We had some family stuff and some friend stuff that was nice to read.
I liked the horror aspects as well. The monsters were creepy and the stakes were high.
I really enjoyed the art style as well!
This is a YA graphic novel about a young woman who discovers that monsters are real. She teams up with a group of kids as they try to save their town.
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I don’t usually pick up graphic novels but I wanted to try this one and I’m glad I did.
I liked all of the characters and the different relationships shown in the book. We had some family stuff and some friend stuff that was nice to read.
I liked the horror aspects as well. The monsters were creepy and the stakes were high.
I really enjoyed the art style as well!
March 30, 2025
*3.5 Stars*
The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance is a fun, fast-paced YA graphic novel with a supernatural mystery at its core. The eerie atmosphere and quirky cast gave me major Scooby-Doo vibes in the best way!
One of my favorite aspects was the focus on friendship and found family. The characters had great chemistry, and their bonds added heart to the spooky adventure. However, I wish the story had been longer to allow for more development—both in the world-building and the characters themselves. A little more depth would have made an already enjoyable read even better!
Overall, this is a great pick for fans of supernatural mysteries and adventure-filled graphic novels.
The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance is a fun, fast-paced YA graphic novel with a supernatural mystery at its core. The eerie atmosphere and quirky cast gave me major Scooby-Doo vibes in the best way!
One of my favorite aspects was the focus on friendship and found family. The characters had great chemistry, and their bonds added heart to the spooky adventure. However, I wish the story had been longer to allow for more development—both in the world-building and the characters themselves. A little more depth would have made an already enjoyable read even better!
Overall, this is a great pick for fans of supernatural mysteries and adventure-filled graphic novels.
July 6, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for this advanced reader's copy. I loved Vivian Vance and her gang! This was spooky and definitely a mix of Nancy Drew meets Scooby Do. I hope there are more tales of Vivian Vance as she was a formidable and smart girl who had no problems taking on everyone to save her whole town! There are so many stories that we hear as kids that we think are just stories.... RIGHT?! Creepy and super fun comic! Definitely hope to see more in the future!
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