Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel

by Laura Terry

From the creator of Graveyard Shakes, a funny and charmingly offbeat middle-grade graphic novel for fans of The Witch Boy and Making Friends.

Nothing has been going right for Jinx. People at school think she's a goth weirdo, and now her parents are getting divorced. She has to move to an unfamiliar apartment building that doesn't feel like home -- and that doesn't have her dad. And when a new neighbor gives her a mysterious crystal, her life is turned even more upside down by the Adorables, a mischievous band of magical creatures. They are messy, distracting, and, worst of all, they follow Jinx everywhere. She just wants to be left alone! (Well, maybe she's okay with getting to know another girl in her building, Robyn, a little better...) Getting rid of the Adorables turns out to be harder than expected, but they might just help Jinx find her way back to happiness.

Genres: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Fantasy, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

240 pages, Paperback

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice solid 3. The story is not new (magical animals, being yourself, divorce, complicated family and friends relationships), but it is nice and has a few points that keep it new for someone who has read a lot of this theme/genre, but also does not deter from a newbie to the flock of coming of age books. Nice illustrations, there could be a sequel, but I actually don't want one as I like the basically "Happy Ending" as it is. A good author to keep an eye on.

[Kris Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're adorable. Jinx is lonely and bullied. Her old 'friend' is an idiot to falls to peer pressure. That's okay, the Adorables will love you until they are needed by someone else lonely. Her dad is such a stereotype by separating with the mom and completely moving away. Always breaking promises and never making time to see his kid. Tale as old as time.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was just ok. My favorite part was the art style but the story felt incomplete, from the magical elements to the interpersonal conflicts at school and her parents’ divorce. Maybe that could work if this was set up to be a series but as a standalone, it didn’t hold up

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the characters, loved the Adorables, the story was okay but felt a little lacking.