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Rhiannon: A Graphic Novel
"I want to recommend this book to everyone."
―Jen Wang, author of Ash’s Cabin
Poignant and empathic, Rhiannon is a coming-of-age graphic novel in the vein of This One Summer.
Ever since she was little, Rhiannon has lived with her aunt in a sleepy, sun-drenched trailer park called the Golden Canyon Retirement Community. Growing up among senior citizens, Rhia is usually the only kid around―except during the summer. That’s when her best friend, Kit, comes for a long visit.
This summer, something has changed. Rhiannon and Kit’s easy friendship is no longer easy. Even worse, there’s a new teenager in the park―Elizabeth. She’s the polar opposite of Rhiannon: hip, confident, and a bit of a troublemaker. And Elizabeth has a secret that will put Rhiannon and Kit’s friendship to the test.
―Jen Wang, author of Ash’s Cabin
Poignant and empathic, Rhiannon is a coming-of-age graphic novel in the vein of This One Summer.
Ever since she was little, Rhiannon has lived with her aunt in a sleepy, sun-drenched trailer park called the Golden Canyon Retirement Community. Growing up among senior citizens, Rhia is usually the only kid around―except during the summer. That’s when her best friend, Kit, comes for a long visit.
This summer, something has changed. Rhiannon and Kit’s easy friendship is no longer easy. Even worse, there’s a new teenager in the park―Elizabeth. She’s the polar opposite of Rhiannon: hip, confident, and a bit of a troublemaker. And Elizabeth has a secret that will put Rhiannon and Kit’s friendship to the test.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
About the author
Kiara Brinkman
4 books18 followersKiara Brinkman's novel, Up High in the Trees, was a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and a Chicago Tribune Favorite Book. Lucy in the sky, her first graphic novel, was one of the Beat's Best Comics of 2021. Rhiannon is her second graphic novel.
Kiara lives in the Bay Area with her husband, illustrator, Sean Chiki, and three children. If she's not reading or writing or playing with her children, she's busy working on the perfect playlist for the next big occasion.
Kiara lives in the Bay Area with her husband, illustrator, Sean Chiki, and three children. If she's not reading or writing or playing with her children, she's busy working on the perfect playlist for the next big occasion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 31, 2025
I officially think I was too old to truly enjoy this book. But, if I were still in high school, I absolutely could see myself enjoying this.
I have teen cousins, and I will definitely recommend this to them. I think that this graphic novel will be super relatable to the target audience. There’s a popular graphic novel called Smile, and I think that any fans of that graphic novel will love this one.
I feel like I don’t have much to say about this book because I can see it being beloved, but I was just too old for it. I don’t regret reading it or anything like that. In fact, I’m more sad than anything that I can’t really relate to it. I’m going neutral on my star rating because of this.
Thank you very much to Fierce Reads, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have teen cousins, and I will definitely recommend this to them. I think that this graphic novel will be super relatable to the target audience. There’s a popular graphic novel called Smile, and I think that any fans of that graphic novel will love this one.
I feel like I don’t have much to say about this book because I can see it being beloved, but I was just too old for it. I don’t regret reading it or anything like that. In fact, I’m more sad than anything that I can’t really relate to it. I’m going neutral on my star rating because of this.
Thank you very much to Fierce Reads, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2025
Thank you, NetGalley for the free eARC of this graphic novel. I adore coming of age stories, and ‘Rhiannon’ had all of the pre-teen big feelings. I loved her friendship with Elizabeth (and Elizabeth as a character all on her own!) and her Gran’s backstory. It was a story with a whole lot of heart.
November 8, 2025
3.5 stars!
I think I would’ve loved this book even more if I’d read it back in middle or high school! Still, it was a really good graphic novel and coming of age story. I actually picked it up because of the title 🤪💕 but I ended up really enjoying it!
Reading about Rhiannon’s life and what she went through growing up was honestly really sad. There’s grief, figuring out who you are, and all the ups and downs of growing up. Plus, the art throughout the story was really nice, it fit the story perfectly. Overall, a good read!
I think I would’ve loved this book even more if I’d read it back in middle or high school! Still, it was a really good graphic novel and coming of age story. I actually picked it up because of the title 🤪💕 but I ended up really enjoying it!
Reading about Rhiannon’s life and what she went through growing up was honestly really sad. There’s grief, figuring out who you are, and all the ups and downs of growing up. Plus, the art throughout the story was really nice, it fit the story perfectly. Overall, a good read!
October 3, 2025
this was an interesting coming of age comic! it took some turns i wasn’t expecting throughout, but i think in a good way. i found the characters unique in a way only teenagers can be, and i wish i could’ve connected with them more than i did (though i think that i struggled with that primarily bc im an adult). i enjoyed reading this, but i do think i would’ve enjoyed it even more if i read it as a teenager
(thank you first second books and netgalley for the arc!)
(thank you first second books and netgalley for the arc!)
July 6, 2025
This book is very special. It follows the quiet, slightly strange summer of a twelve-year-old girl named Rhiannon, who lives with her agoraphobic aunt in a retirement town. Each summer, her friend Kit visits his grandma nearby, and this time, their world gets shaken up by Elizabeth, a sixteen-year-old punk girl also staying with her grandmother for the season.
Rhiannon is a lonely, hypochondriac kid with albinism, and her daily life is divided between running errands for her aunt, wandering the eerily quiet town, and the little window of freedom she finds at night: feeding a coyote, rollerblading, sliding down a hill on a trash can lid. I loved how her life was portrayed, mundane yet tender, touched with both love and a subtle sense of confinement. The setting, this quiet town full of aging residents, feels stifling but not without affection between all its residents. And even though Rhiannon has a lot on her shoulders (like being the one to do all the errands because of her aunt’s condition), she obviously loves her aunt very much and doesn’t resent her.
One thing I appreciated was the quiet message the book delivers: that at the heart of it, these characters, despite living with grief, instability and isolation, are just kids. They’re trying, in their own flawed, sometimes clumsy ways, to make sense of a complicated world. There’s a certain heaviness to the story, but it’s softened by the fact that it’s told from a child’s perspective, full of small wonders, confusion, and unspoken emotion.
That said, there were parts that didn’t fully work for me. I didn’t love how Kit was treated at times, but it also felt realistic. They’re all still learning how to handle big feelings with very limited tools. Elizabeth is sixteen, Rhiannon and Kit are twelve, and they’ve each been through things that would overwhelm most adults. It makes sense that they sometimes hurt each other, intentionally or not, while trying to navigate their closeness and independence.
Visually, I liked the art overall, but something about Rhiannon’s face felt off to me. Everyone else’s expressions felt natural, but hers, especially her eyebrows and the two vertical lines near her eyes confused me and didn’t quite match the tone or style of the rest of the characters.
Still, despite those quirks, Rhiannon is a beautiful and moving story. It’s not exactly happy or fluffy, but it’s heartfelt and full of quiet insight. It captures what it feels like to be young and lonely, to live in a world that feels too big, too old, and too indifferent, yet still reach out, still look for meaning, still try to connect. It’s a heavy story in places, but it’s light too.
Rhiannon is a lonely, hypochondriac kid with albinism, and her daily life is divided between running errands for her aunt, wandering the eerily quiet town, and the little window of freedom she finds at night: feeding a coyote, rollerblading, sliding down a hill on a trash can lid. I loved how her life was portrayed, mundane yet tender, touched with both love and a subtle sense of confinement. The setting, this quiet town full of aging residents, feels stifling but not without affection between all its residents. And even though Rhiannon has a lot on her shoulders (like being the one to do all the errands because of her aunt’s condition), she obviously loves her aunt very much and doesn’t resent her.
One thing I appreciated was the quiet message the book delivers: that at the heart of it, these characters, despite living with grief, instability and isolation, are just kids. They’re trying, in their own flawed, sometimes clumsy ways, to make sense of a complicated world. There’s a certain heaviness to the story, but it’s softened by the fact that it’s told from a child’s perspective, full of small wonders, confusion, and unspoken emotion.
That said, there were parts that didn’t fully work for me. I didn’t love how Kit was treated at times, but it also felt realistic. They’re all still learning how to handle big feelings with very limited tools. Elizabeth is sixteen, Rhiannon and Kit are twelve, and they’ve each been through things that would overwhelm most adults. It makes sense that they sometimes hurt each other, intentionally or not, while trying to navigate their closeness and independence.
Visually, I liked the art overall, but something about Rhiannon’s face felt off to me. Everyone else’s expressions felt natural, but hers, especially her eyebrows and the two vertical lines near her eyes confused me and didn’t quite match the tone or style of the rest of the characters.
Still, despite those quirks, Rhiannon is a beautiful and moving story. It’s not exactly happy or fluffy, but it’s heartfelt and full of quiet insight. It captures what it feels like to be young and lonely, to live in a world that feels too big, too old, and too indifferent, yet still reach out, still look for meaning, still try to connect. It’s a heavy story in places, but it’s light too.
May 11, 2025
4 stars
I always get excited when First Second has new YA graphic novels on the horizon because they tend to focus on themes and motifs that actually matter to the target audience and the representation is usually spot on. Such is the case with this book.
Rhiannon lives in a retirement community with her aunt and has since she was quite young. Much of the novel focuses on Rhiannon grappling with the loss of her mother. This happens in the form of handwritten letters (this takes place when that was still a thing), and readers have the privilege of perusing snippets and full text entries from these notes. Rhiannon also struggles a bit with her aunt who is loving but remarkably private and also prefers to stay home at all times. The illustrations provide so much insight into just how isolating Rhiannon's life and landscape are, and how badly she needs connection and experience in the world. Fortunately, she has two peers who help her begin to learn related lessons and show her that there is opportunity in the future; there is no need to dwell on the past.
One added feature I enjoyed is Brinkman's use of music and specific lyrics to punctuate moments of Rhiannon's experience. This offers a sense of time and place, but it also provides deeper insight into Rhiannon's moods and emotional landscape, which matters for a character who is trying so hard to grow.
This is a bit of a grittier graphic novel, which is right on brand with the target audience. I enjoyed the characters, subject matter, and presentation, and I'll be looking for more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and First Second for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I always get excited when First Second has new YA graphic novels on the horizon because they tend to focus on themes and motifs that actually matter to the target audience and the representation is usually spot on. Such is the case with this book.
Rhiannon lives in a retirement community with her aunt and has since she was quite young. Much of the novel focuses on Rhiannon grappling with the loss of her mother. This happens in the form of handwritten letters (this takes place when that was still a thing), and readers have the privilege of perusing snippets and full text entries from these notes. Rhiannon also struggles a bit with her aunt who is loving but remarkably private and also prefers to stay home at all times. The illustrations provide so much insight into just how isolating Rhiannon's life and landscape are, and how badly she needs connection and experience in the world. Fortunately, she has two peers who help her begin to learn related lessons and show her that there is opportunity in the future; there is no need to dwell on the past.
One added feature I enjoyed is Brinkman's use of music and specific lyrics to punctuate moments of Rhiannon's experience. This offers a sense of time and place, but it also provides deeper insight into Rhiannon's moods and emotional landscape, which matters for a character who is trying so hard to grow.
This is a bit of a grittier graphic novel, which is right on brand with the target audience. I enjoyed the characters, subject matter, and presentation, and I'll be looking for more from this author.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and First Second for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
August 9, 2025
Rhiannon lives with her aunt in a retirement village in the middle of nowhere. She doesn't have any children she is friends with other than Kit, who visits every summer to see his grandmother.
Then, Elizabeth show up, and seems to draw Kit away from Rhiannon, and even shows her the old abandoned RV that they hang out in.
This could have been an amazing story, except for the fact that Rhiannon is so unrelatable.She is always whining on about fake ailments like a little old lady. She is jealous of Elizabeth, and doesn't want to talk to Kit or Elizabeth. And then she is friends with an older man, Hank, who one days just leaves, and she missing him.
It took me a long time to slog through this book. Having the character never doing anything, but complaining is hard.
One thing that is touched on, and never developed, is that her aunt had a female lover, back in the 1950s that was going to go marry a man, so they had a final trip together, and the girlfriend died. And that was all we got of that story.
I'm sure there are some teenagers that would relate to the main character, but I found her and the story a slog.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the27th of October 2025.
Then, Elizabeth show up, and seems to draw Kit away from Rhiannon, and even shows her the old abandoned RV that they hang out in.
This could have been an amazing story, except for the fact that Rhiannon is so unrelatable.She is always whining on about fake ailments like a little old lady. She is jealous of Elizabeth, and doesn't want to talk to Kit or Elizabeth. And then she is friends with an older man, Hank, who one days just leaves, and she missing him.
It took me a long time to slog through this book. Having the character never doing anything, but complaining is hard.
One thing that is touched on, and never developed, is that her aunt had a female lover, back in the 1950s that was going to go marry a man, so they had a final trip together, and the girlfriend died. And that was all we got of that story.
I'm sure there are some teenagers that would relate to the main character, but I found her and the story a slog.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out the27th of October 2025.
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October 26, 2025Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an ARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rhiannon is a YA graphic novel that tells the story of a community, specifically of a young girl named Rhiannon. The story deals with themes of grief, coming of age, friendship, pregnancy, and loss. While I found the themes discussed in this graphic novel to be important, I would say overall this book wasn't for me. I think a large reason for that is this was definitely geared toward a younger audience than myself, and that is completely fine! I appreciate what this graphic novel was doing and the messages it was trying to give, I just don't think it was intended for me. I would say this is a good book for teenagers to read and if I read this when I was in high school I probably would've enjoyed it a lot more. I do appreciate the way that the author was able to tell a decent bit of story through such a short amount of time.
Rhiannon is a YA graphic novel that tells the story of a community, specifically of a young girl named Rhiannon. The story deals with themes of grief, coming of age, friendship, pregnancy, and loss. While I found the themes discussed in this graphic novel to be important, I would say overall this book wasn't for me. I think a large reason for that is this was definitely geared toward a younger audience than myself, and that is completely fine! I appreciate what this graphic novel was doing and the messages it was trying to give, I just don't think it was intended for me. I would say this is a good book for teenagers to read and if I read this when I was in high school I probably would've enjoyed it a lot more. I do appreciate the way that the author was able to tell a decent bit of story through such a short amount of time.
October 3, 2025
Rhiannon grew up in a sleepy little retirement home with her aunt
Her mother tragically died when she was young, and she has no memory of her. She thinks she is an old soul, complaining about health issues she doesn't have, like the other old ladies in her life.
This is an unusual coming of age story where the teen begins to learn who she is and actually learns who the people in her life really are as well.
I can't recommend this enough. It doesn't matter if you're an adult or a young adult. Reading this is a gift to yourself.
Expected publishing date; October 28, 2025
Thanks to @netgalley and First Second Books for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Her mother tragically died when she was young, and she has no memory of her. She thinks she is an old soul, complaining about health issues she doesn't have, like the other old ladies in her life.
This is an unusual coming of age story where the teen begins to learn who she is and actually learns who the people in her life really are as well.
I can't recommend this enough. It doesn't matter if you're an adult or a young adult. Reading this is a gift to yourself.
Expected publishing date; October 28, 2025
Thanks to @netgalley and First Second Books for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 15, 2025
Rhiannon lives in a trailer park with her aunt, who never leaves home. Though Rhiannon is excited for the return of her best friend Kit, things are weird between them especially after the arrival of punk Elizabeth, an older teen who is hiding her pregnancy.
I'll admit that I mostly wanted to read this because of the connection to the Fleetwood Mac song, but even though Rhiannon hated her name, music of that era and the 80s was much mentioned. I'm not sure how much today's teens would take in of the music or if there's an easily-accessible playlist for this book but I enjoyed the references! The story gave me nostalgia for the hot, long boring days of summers as a kid, and the way Rhiannon and Kit, being twelve, struggled to talk about how they liked each other, felt realistic. Rhiannon's hypochondria was an interesting side effect of her aunt's agoraphobia. A slower story, but lots to think about.
I'll admit that I mostly wanted to read this because of the connection to the Fleetwood Mac song, but even though Rhiannon hated her name, music of that era and the 80s was much mentioned. I'm not sure how much today's teens would take in of the music or if there's an easily-accessible playlist for this book but I enjoyed the references! The story gave me nostalgia for the hot, long boring days of summers as a kid, and the way Rhiannon and Kit, being twelve, struggled to talk about how they liked each other, felt realistic. Rhiannon's hypochondria was an interesting side effect of her aunt's agoraphobia. A slower story, but lots to think about.
April 11, 2025
Rhiannon by Kiara Brinkman is a YA coming of age graphic novel. The main character lives with her aunt in a retirement mobile home community. She does not have many friends at school and waits for summer for a neighbor's grandson Kit to visit. The two have feelings for each other, but their summer is disrupted by a new girl named Elizabeth who challenges them both and their families in different ways. There are mature concepts in here with teen pregnancy, but overall the story follows these three teens over the summer. The art is easy to follow; there are a lot of references to 70s/80s music that let readers engage more.
Overall the story may be enjoyable for a high school audience. The Elizabeth character is a bit too literal, which is probably OK for a younger target audience, but it was a little over-the-top for an adult. And, honestly, the "Native American name" and "spirit animal" bits seem a bit unnecessary. Despite these parts, the story works out in the end.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGally for the ARC.
Overall the story may be enjoyable for a high school audience. The Elizabeth character is a bit too literal, which is probably OK for a younger target audience, but it was a little over-the-top for an adult. And, honestly, the "Native American name" and "spirit animal" bits seem a bit unnecessary. Despite these parts, the story works out in the end.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGally for the ARC.
July 8, 2025
I came for a coming of age graphic novel and left with so much more. Initially I just really want to read this one for obvious reasons (I literally had to read a novel with my name on it) but the way the authors covered such hard topics in such sensitive ways just really blew me away. The raw emotions of loss, packed into a story about a summer of growing up just really had me engaged. I don’t mind the art style but it was truly the plot that kept me involved. Thank you NetGalley and First Second Books for the chance to read this arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2026
A high two stars. Everything felt very atmospheric and implied through vibes and montages, and while a little of that isn't bad, I think I need a little more written out for me to actually understand what's happening with our cast. I kept expecting a grand revelation at the end but it was just a meandering summer slice-of-life.
December 6, 2025
There's definitely an audience for this book. I'm just not that audience. It felt like Rhiannon, our POV character, is the least interesting person in this entire book. And on paper, she shouldn't be. There's a lot of emotional turmoil in her life that expresses itself as hypochondria. She's just so emotionally closed off that, even in her own POV, nothing is really expressed or addressed. That's sort of the case across the board, really.
December 15, 2025
3.25 Star
***
Rhiannon lives in a retirement community, situated in a trailer park, with her elderly Aunt. Every summer, her best friend Kit arrives and the two spend every moment together. Something is different this year, and it might be the new girl, Elizabeth. She seems to fluster Kit, she is just too cool, and Rhiannon is jealous. Then she finds out the truth about why Elizabeth was sent to live with her grandmother and Rhiannon wants to help her. Elizabeth resists the help and works on refurbishing an abandoned caravan in order to escape. Rhiannon is trying to help everyone, from Kit to Elizabeth to her Aunt who she calls Gran (because she was much older than Rhiannon's mother). Gran is a shut in, fearful of the world outside her trailer. How can Rhiannon help those she loves when she cannot even help her lonely self?
This was a slice of life young adult graphic novel that takes place in 1989. So, there is a lot of nostalgia on every page. From records, to tapes, to skateboarding, and old talk shows. It was so calming, a nice read that feels like a comforting hug. Even as there are many instances of hard moments, of sadness, and drama, it always felt like the characters could face their issues and work toward something better. The muted colour scheme and illustrations added to the nostalgia, the warm hug, with warm yellows, browns, and greens. It felt very sparse and grounded. I also liked that there are moments in the dark that feel quiet and lonely. Where Rhiannon feels most isolated from others, until she is joined by Elizabeth and Kit in her secret midnight spot.
Rhiannon is growing up and trying to find her place outside of the secluded community she lives in. She does not fit in with the girls at school, who make fun of her. She is independent, often doing the things her Gran cannot due to being a shut in. She is tall, gangly, and hurts herself constantly as she learns to skateboard. She has friends much older than she is, so she is considered an "old soul" by those around her. She is also out of touch with what kids her age find cool. Her best friend, other than Kit, is a 30 something named Hank, who runs the community vegetable garden and garage. Hank eventually leaves on a journey to find himself, and in doing so strips Rhiannon of another constant in her life that she feels she needs. So, Elizabeth is shocking to her with her punk attitude and her being in the know for their generation. At first Elizabeth intimidates Rhiannon. But, soon they form a deep and meaningful bond as Rhiannon tries to help with Elizabeth's pregnancy.
There were moments in this that felt a little disjointed, where there were pauses or dialogue that felt off to the story. Specifically, I could not figure out the problems between Rhiannon and Kit. I think it was all a combination of them growing up, feeling attraction to each other which has not existed before, and a third member added to their group. Elizabeth becomes a friction that causes Rhiannon to lash out at Kit. Kit, meanwhile, is trying to find his place in the group, while trying not to upset Rhiannon. Kit wants a photo of her as proof she exists to his friends back home, he wants to create a time capsule with Rhiannon, but Rhiannon is distant about both.
I thought the moments between Gran and Rhiannon were so meaningful. That her Gran entrusts her with this deep hurt that has shaped her life and why she is a shut in. That Rhiannon is able to help her confront this past and essentially move on. I also loved the coyote that Rhiannon feeds, so like her in its loneliness. I also liked that Rhiannon wanted to help single mother Elizabeth, when she has no relationship with her own mother. She has lived with her Gran most of her life, and she knows what it is to be without a mother.
Breaking up the story with journal entries from Rhiannon made the story more emotional, and created more of a connection with her character. As did the breaking up of daytime and night time. Daytime Rhiannon is sensible, she is responsible, but at night she tries dangerous things, she helps Elizabeth when she should be telling someone the truth. Her day self and night self are two separate entities, warring for her attention. She tried to be both independent and responsible, the adult in her household, and then tried to be a rebellious kid who has fun and damns the consequences.
An interesting read, which many young readers will enjoy.
***
Rhiannon lives in a retirement community, situated in a trailer park, with her elderly Aunt. Every summer, her best friend Kit arrives and the two spend every moment together. Something is different this year, and it might be the new girl, Elizabeth. She seems to fluster Kit, she is just too cool, and Rhiannon is jealous. Then she finds out the truth about why Elizabeth was sent to live with her grandmother and Rhiannon wants to help her. Elizabeth resists the help and works on refurbishing an abandoned caravan in order to escape. Rhiannon is trying to help everyone, from Kit to Elizabeth to her Aunt who she calls Gran (because she was much older than Rhiannon's mother). Gran is a shut in, fearful of the world outside her trailer. How can Rhiannon help those she loves when she cannot even help her lonely self?
This was a slice of life young adult graphic novel that takes place in 1989. So, there is a lot of nostalgia on every page. From records, to tapes, to skateboarding, and old talk shows. It was so calming, a nice read that feels like a comforting hug. Even as there are many instances of hard moments, of sadness, and drama, it always felt like the characters could face their issues and work toward something better. The muted colour scheme and illustrations added to the nostalgia, the warm hug, with warm yellows, browns, and greens. It felt very sparse and grounded. I also liked that there are moments in the dark that feel quiet and lonely. Where Rhiannon feels most isolated from others, until she is joined by Elizabeth and Kit in her secret midnight spot.
Rhiannon is growing up and trying to find her place outside of the secluded community she lives in. She does not fit in with the girls at school, who make fun of her. She is independent, often doing the things her Gran cannot due to being a shut in. She is tall, gangly, and hurts herself constantly as she learns to skateboard. She has friends much older than she is, so she is considered an "old soul" by those around her. She is also out of touch with what kids her age find cool. Her best friend, other than Kit, is a 30 something named Hank, who runs the community vegetable garden and garage. Hank eventually leaves on a journey to find himself, and in doing so strips Rhiannon of another constant in her life that she feels she needs. So, Elizabeth is shocking to her with her punk attitude and her being in the know for their generation. At first Elizabeth intimidates Rhiannon. But, soon they form a deep and meaningful bond as Rhiannon tries to help with Elizabeth's pregnancy.
There were moments in this that felt a little disjointed, where there were pauses or dialogue that felt off to the story. Specifically, I could not figure out the problems between Rhiannon and Kit. I think it was all a combination of them growing up, feeling attraction to each other which has not existed before, and a third member added to their group. Elizabeth becomes a friction that causes Rhiannon to lash out at Kit. Kit, meanwhile, is trying to find his place in the group, while trying not to upset Rhiannon. Kit wants a photo of her as proof she exists to his friends back home, he wants to create a time capsule with Rhiannon, but Rhiannon is distant about both.
I thought the moments between Gran and Rhiannon were so meaningful. That her Gran entrusts her with this deep hurt that has shaped her life and why she is a shut in. That Rhiannon is able to help her confront this past and essentially move on. I also loved the coyote that Rhiannon feeds, so like her in its loneliness. I also liked that Rhiannon wanted to help single mother Elizabeth, when she has no relationship with her own mother. She has lived with her Gran most of her life, and she knows what it is to be without a mother.
Breaking up the story with journal entries from Rhiannon made the story more emotional, and created more of a connection with her character. As did the breaking up of daytime and night time. Daytime Rhiannon is sensible, she is responsible, but at night she tries dangerous things, she helps Elizabeth when she should be telling someone the truth. Her day self and night self are two separate entities, warring for her attention. She tried to be both independent and responsible, the adult in her household, and then tried to be a rebellious kid who has fun and damns the consequences.
An interesting read, which many young readers will enjoy.
November 11, 2025
Welcome back!
For today’s review, I decided to pick up a graphic novel E-ARC. I wanted to read something on my e-reader and have it completed in a day. I was going to be traveling a bit last week, and I already had a travel read picked out, so I started to look through my Netgalley and saw that I had an E-ARC of Rhiannon to read (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). So I took my E-reader and a cup of tea to my favorite reading place and sat down to read this graphic novel.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Rhiannon lives with her elderly aunt, who does not like to leave their home for any reason, in a small trailer park community. Everyone knows everyone else, and Rhiannon enjoys her life for the most part. Every summer, one of her friends comes and stays with their family inside the park. Their name is Kit. This summer will be a bit different as her friend still comes to visit, but there is another teen who comes for the first time. They are also staying with family that lives in the community. The new kid is Elizabeth; she is cool, edgy, and kind of mysterious. Everyone wants to know more about her. But Elizabeth has a secret, and this secret might change the friendship dynamic between Rhiannon and her best friend Kit, and also change their lives.
I love this graphic novel so so much. The story is very emotionally difficult in places, but it has a really important message to share. The group of teens, their families, and the rest of the little community help to illustrate how important having your people can be when growing up and when struggling in life as an adult. I am definitely going to be buying myself a copy of this graphic novel for future re-reads. I highly recommend checking this graphic novel out!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars (should definitely get more)!
**Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
For today’s review, I decided to pick up a graphic novel E-ARC. I wanted to read something on my e-reader and have it completed in a day. I was going to be traveling a bit last week, and I already had a travel read picked out, so I started to look through my Netgalley and saw that I had an E-ARC of Rhiannon to read (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions). So I took my E-reader and a cup of tea to my favorite reading place and sat down to read this graphic novel.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Rhiannon lives with her elderly aunt, who does not like to leave their home for any reason, in a small trailer park community. Everyone knows everyone else, and Rhiannon enjoys her life for the most part. Every summer, one of her friends comes and stays with their family inside the park. Their name is Kit. This summer will be a bit different as her friend still comes to visit, but there is another teen who comes for the first time. They are also staying with family that lives in the community. The new kid is Elizabeth; she is cool, edgy, and kind of mysterious. Everyone wants to know more about her. But Elizabeth has a secret, and this secret might change the friendship dynamic between Rhiannon and her best friend Kit, and also change their lives.
I love this graphic novel so so much. The story is very emotionally difficult in places, but it has a really important message to share. The group of teens, their families, and the rest of the little community help to illustrate how important having your people can be when growing up and when struggling in life as an adult. I am definitely going to be buying myself a copy of this graphic novel for future re-reads. I highly recommend checking this graphic novel out!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars (should definitely get more)!
**Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 24, 2025
This was reissued from a few years ago so I'm not sure if it was picked up by a more mainstream publisher or lost in the shuffle when it first came out but I adore this graphic novel about Rhiannon. A girl who lives with her aunt, old enough to be considered her grandmother in a retirement community area in the desert. And with a sad past like hers, Rhiannon's coping includes befriending a wild animal coyote she names Loki and a middle-aged guy named Hank in addition to chatting with her aunt's friends who help her out since the aunt hasn't left the community in a handful of years in addition to her insomnia that leads her to walk throughout the night and sit in an abandoned RV and her hypochondria; it all makes her this empathetic and endearing character. Plus the mood of the story has that overwhelming teen sadness feel that I love (think Thummler's Sheets too).
Kit comes for the summer to visit his relatives and he's got his own set of bullies like Rhiannon does on the daily. But there's something a little different this summer and it isn't just the arrival of a third teen, the wrecking ball of a girl, Elisabeth, who is a whiz with cars, has short purple hair, loves her music, and tells Kit and Rhiannon that she's a few months pregnant but no one can know while she's planning her "escape" that includes commandeering the busted RV.
Elisabeth busts other things wide open with her upfront style including Hank's past and even Rhiannon understanding her aunt's past (a queer relationship with a sad ending).
All told, this is an emotionally feeling graphic novel of the highest caliber just based on the mood alone, but with all of the other character development, setting, and conflict, it's simply five stars for me.
Kit comes for the summer to visit his relatives and he's got his own set of bullies like Rhiannon does on the daily. But there's something a little different this summer and it isn't just the arrival of a third teen, the wrecking ball of a girl, Elisabeth, who is a whiz with cars, has short purple hair, loves her music, and tells Kit and Rhiannon that she's a few months pregnant but no one can know while she's planning her "escape" that includes commandeering the busted RV.
Elisabeth busts other things wide open with her upfront style including Hank's past and even Rhiannon understanding her aunt's past (a queer relationship with a sad ending).
All told, this is an emotionally feeling graphic novel of the highest caliber just based on the mood alone, but with all of the other character development, setting, and conflict, it's simply five stars for me.
August 11, 2025
A sweet coming-of-age graphic novel, Rhiannon follows the titular 12 year old character over the course of summer in 1989. Having never known her father and losing her mother when she was three, Rhiannon has spent her life living with her aunt, who lives in a retirement trailer park in California. She's a bookworm and a writer, and she cares for the people and world around her. The summer this story captures follows Rhiannon as her childhood best friend, Kit, comes to visit his grandmother for the season as well as a newcomer: Elizabeth, the ballerina-turned-punk granddaughter of another resident in the trailer park. It is rife with teenage angst, finding oneself, and learning to live with hurt.
Truthfully, I initially was only interested in this because it's not often I see my name used in fiction (and I do wonder if that's why they accepted my request for an ARC lol). However, when I read the synopsis and looked closer at the cover, I became a lot more intrigued. I think the art was really well done in this and I loved the themes presented and how they were handled. Honestly, I almost cried over some of the scenes between Rhia and Aunt Gran because I don't think it's often I see elderly queer people represented and that storyline was just heartrending.
I do think the story in general was a bit sparse and some of the conflict a little juvenile, but it is YA and I remember being that kind of melodramatic (I still am sometimes). Overall, I really liked the characters, especially Elizabeth with her arc through the story and the way her relationship with Rhia evolves over the course of it. I think this is something that the target audience will really enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Truthfully, I initially was only interested in this because it's not often I see my name used in fiction (and I do wonder if that's why they accepted my request for an ARC lol). However, when I read the synopsis and looked closer at the cover, I became a lot more intrigued. I think the art was really well done in this and I loved the themes presented and how they were handled. Honestly, I almost cried over some of the scenes between Rhia and Aunt Gran because I don't think it's often I see elderly queer people represented and that storyline was just heartrending.
I do think the story in general was a bit sparse and some of the conflict a little juvenile, but it is YA and I remember being that kind of melodramatic (I still am sometimes). Overall, I really liked the characters, especially Elizabeth with her arc through the story and the way her relationship with Rhia evolves over the course of it. I think this is something that the target audience will really enjoy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!
January 13, 2026
★★★★☆ (4 stars)
Rhiannon by Kiara Brinkman is a raw, unsettling coming-of-age novel that doesn’t flinch from the darker corners of adolescence. Set in rural Arkansas, the book follows a teenage girl whose sharp intelligence and emotional detachment set her apart, even as her home life and inner world grow increasingly volatile.
Brinkman’s prose is lean and unadorned, which suits the story’s emotional chill. Rhiannon is not an easy character to like, but she is a compelling one—observant, angry, and painfully self-aware. The novel excels at capturing the claustrophobia of small-town life and the way neglect, boredom, and buried trauma can curdle into something dangerous. There’s a quiet inevitability to the narrative that keeps the tension simmering even in its quieter moments.
That said, the book’s emotional distance can be a double-edged sword. Some readers may find it hard to connect deeply with Rhiannon or may wish for more interior reflection to balance the stark exterior action. The bleak tone is consistent and effective, but it leaves little room for relief.
Overall, Rhiannon is a strong, thought-provoking novel that lingers after the final page. It’s not comforting or cathartic, but it is honest, sharply observed, and memorable—well worth reading for those who appreciate psychologically complex, morally challenging fiction.
Rhiannon by Kiara Brinkman is a raw, unsettling coming-of-age novel that doesn’t flinch from the darker corners of adolescence. Set in rural Arkansas, the book follows a teenage girl whose sharp intelligence and emotional detachment set her apart, even as her home life and inner world grow increasingly volatile.
Brinkman’s prose is lean and unadorned, which suits the story’s emotional chill. Rhiannon is not an easy character to like, but she is a compelling one—observant, angry, and painfully self-aware. The novel excels at capturing the claustrophobia of small-town life and the way neglect, boredom, and buried trauma can curdle into something dangerous. There’s a quiet inevitability to the narrative that keeps the tension simmering even in its quieter moments.
That said, the book’s emotional distance can be a double-edged sword. Some readers may find it hard to connect deeply with Rhiannon or may wish for more interior reflection to balance the stark exterior action. The bleak tone is consistent and effective, but it leaves little room for relief.
Overall, Rhiannon is a strong, thought-provoking novel that lingers after the final page. It’s not comforting or cathartic, but it is honest, sharply observed, and memorable—well worth reading for those who appreciate psychologically complex, morally challenging fiction.
September 14, 2025
Rhiannon, Rhiannon, where do I begin?
This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster I was not fully prepared for. I was not anticipating many of the turns this took but I think, given the coming of age story that it is, that may be exactly the point.
Rhiannon is a teenage girl who is very obviously insecure and trying desperately to figure out who she is. She spends her summers with her grandmother at her retirement community where she meets up with her friend, Kit. The two of them obviously have a past and are both doing some soul searching when they meet a new, very eccentric friend.
Over the course of the summer, Rhiannon becomes more comfortable in her skin while learning that the lives of the people around her are more complicated than she origianllly believed.
The only complaint I would say I had with this particular story was Rhiannon’s attitude.. her sass, and the way she treated her friends, got on my nerves but I think her immaturity is likely intentional. Brinkman did a great job developing her character.
This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster I was not fully prepared for. I was not anticipating many of the turns this took but I think, given the coming of age story that it is, that may be exactly the point.
Rhiannon is a teenage girl who is very obviously insecure and trying desperately to figure out who she is. She spends her summers with her grandmother at her retirement community where she meets up with her friend, Kit. The two of them obviously have a past and are both doing some soul searching when they meet a new, very eccentric friend.
Over the course of the summer, Rhiannon becomes more comfortable in her skin while learning that the lives of the people around her are more complicated than she origianllly believed.
The only complaint I would say I had with this particular story was Rhiannon’s attitude.. her sass, and the way she treated her friends, got on my nerves but I think her immaturity is likely intentional. Brinkman did a great job developing her character.
January 14, 2026
I can maybe sort of see how this was marketed as being a read alike to This One Summer, but aside from one of the characters , it was a really big stretch to compare the two books. Actually... Completely different vibe. Entirely.
I enjoyed it, though, once I got into it. But that took a minute or two, as it wasn't really the sort of book that grabs you straight away and keeps you hooked. More of a slow burn, with both plot and character development. And there were quite a few plot elements that could've been fleshed out better. For example, . The whole story was very surface-level with not much depth. In the end, I was left wanting.
3 Stars.
I enjoyed it, though, once I got into it. But that took a minute or two, as it wasn't really the sort of book that grabs you straight away and keeps you hooked. More of a slow burn, with both plot and character development. And there were quite a few plot elements that could've been fleshed out better. For example, . The whole story was very surface-level with not much depth. In the end, I was left wanting.
3 Stars.
October 11, 2025
I loved this coming-of-age graphic novel! It had an interesting quiet, and kind of weird, mood. The relationships between all the characters were fascinating, although Rhiannon was a jerk to Kit for a lot of the book (as a 12 year old might be). The book wrestles with some difficult topics, like Aunt Gran's agoraphobia, teen pregnancy, and growing up in general. I just generally really liked this and I think teens would enjoy as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Side note that's a spoiler: Perhaps this is me reading far too much into things but is it possible that Hank was actually the father of Elizabeth's child? He says something weird about age not mattering to him and then leaves really suddenly later in the book, and Elizabeth talks about how much she likes him and appreciates his kindness. She has a different story for how the pregnancy happened but I don't know, my alarm bells were ringing a little bit. But maybe I'm just paranoid.
Side note that's a spoiler: Perhaps this is me reading far too much into things but is it possible that Hank was actually the father of Elizabeth's child? He says something weird about age not mattering to him and then leaves really suddenly later in the book, and Elizabeth talks about how much she likes him and appreciates his kindness. She has a different story for how the pregnancy happened but I don't know, my alarm bells were ringing a little bit. But maybe I'm just paranoid.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
Graphic novels have a unique way to conveying a story that isn't necessarily possible in a traditional novel. Rhiannon (and Kiara Brinkman and Sean Chiki) captures one transformative summer for the teen protagonist as she navigates changing relationships among family, friends and even a first love. The illustrations along with snippets of songs/song lyrics and Rhiannon's journal entries all create a vivid picture of a confusing period of time when you're trying to understand your place in the world, connecting to others in new and different ways and exploring some topics that are bigger and heavier than what you've had to deal with previously. Although I'm further out from this period of my life (yes, I love YA even though I'm definitely not YA anymore), the themes still resonate and, as an educator, I know this will be a story that many of our students will devour quickly.
Many thanks to First Second and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
Many thanks to First Second and NetGalley for the e-ARC.
July 1, 2025
3 ⭐️
First off I would Like to thank NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC.
Rhiannon is about a girl that is having a hard some but everything is about to change when her friend Kit comes into town. But also another teenager named Elizabeth. Where secrets are held that could make or break current friendships.
I really enjoyed the concept of the graphic novel, the friend ships, secrets and how Rhiannon was treated during her summer. Also the atory about her grandmother was very interesting. I also enjoyed how Rhiannon got out of her shell and tried a new thing skateboarding
But I felt like the ending just fell flat. I wanted more of the story. I felt like it just kind of left me hanging. It didn't tie everything together for me. Otherwise it would have been a great graphic novel!
First off I would Like to thank NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC.
Rhiannon is about a girl that is having a hard some but everything is about to change when her friend Kit comes into town. But also another teenager named Elizabeth. Where secrets are held that could make or break current friendships.
I really enjoyed the concept of the graphic novel, the friend ships, secrets and how Rhiannon was treated during her summer. Also the atory about her grandmother was very interesting. I also enjoyed how Rhiannon got out of her shell and tried a new thing skateboarding
But I felt like the ending just fell flat. I wanted more of the story. I felt like it just kind of left me hanging. It didn't tie everything together for me. Otherwise it would have been a great graphic novel!
April 1, 2025
Such a beautifully done story. I feel like I haven't read something like this in a good long while. Nostalgic, heartfelt, and vulnerable. High school me would have loved this, and adult me does too. Rhiannon's complicated feelings around Kit and Elizabeth are portrayed so well, it really brought me back to my own messy feelings around that age. The little community of characters has depth without distracting from the main characters. You know everyone has their history and entanglements and can see how it carries through into daily life. I particularly loved Rhiannon's connection to her Aunt Gran, the need to know her story, and the gradual building of a friendship with Elizabeth. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC!
Many thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the ARC!
June 9, 2025
In RHIANNON, Kiara Brinkman's flowing, authentic dialogue and eloquent storytelling and Sean Chiki's brilliant drawings blend to create a truly alive, utterly absorbing work. Each character--from the titular Rhiannon, a motherless "ghost" of a sixteen year old, to her reclusive aunt, to the friends who populate the mobile park where they live--reveals secret depths as the story unfolds. Their profound losses and vital, lifesaving connections are evoked as vividly as the scorching heat of the California desert setting. Upon finishing this fine graphic novel I already missed these beautiful, mysterious, funny, tough, sensitive characters and their world. (I even wanted to see more of the mean girls!)
July 13, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Straight away the narrative has a lot of potential with intriguing elements you'd think would pay off later on, but most of them don't. Rhiannon has an abundance of quirks with her own personhood as well as things like her relationship with the wolf that end up leading nowhere. The slice of life writing style is the best feature of the graphic novel. This world feels lived in and realistic. I do wish that character dynamics were more fleshed out. Rhiannon treats Kit terribly for so much of the story and it's unclear why that is. It could be explained away as them being unable to properly identify and speak about their emotions as twelve year olds, but that also feels like a bit of a writing excuse to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the arc!
Straight away the narrative has a lot of potential with intriguing elements you'd think would pay off later on, but most of them don't. Rhiannon has an abundance of quirks with her own personhood as well as things like her relationship with the wolf that end up leading nowhere. The slice of life writing style is the best feature of the graphic novel. This world feels lived in and realistic. I do wish that character dynamics were more fleshed out. Rhiannon treats Kit terribly for so much of the story and it's unclear why that is. It could be explained away as them being unable to properly identify and speak about their emotions as twelve year olds, but that also feels like a bit of a writing excuse to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second Books for the arc!
November 6, 2025
It’s the summer of 1989. Rhiannon is a teenager who has been living with her aunt aka Gran since a young girl when her mother passed away. Yes, she is named after the infamous song by Fleetwood Mac and absolutely loathes it because her classmates call her a witch. She is also ridiculed by her peers for living a senior community trailer park. Basically, her life sucks. The bright penny is that Rhiannon is looking forward to her BFF Kit coming to spend the summer with his grandmother who also lives in the trailer park. Things should look better for Rhiannon, right? Right?! It’s not turning out to be quite that way because a summer newcomer Elizabeth also shows up. Rhia becomes jealous because it seems like Elizabeth draws Kit’s attention and Rhia starts to feel like an outsider even with her BFF. The summer does not seem to be as Rhia had planned and that can suck for a young teen.
I loved this coming-of-age story with an interesting background of a senior community in a trailer park. Very different! The illustrations were lovely and accurately convey emotions of a young teenager. This would be a great story to read across all generations.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
I loved this coming-of-age story with an interesting background of a senior community in a trailer park. Very different! The illustrations were lovely and accurately convey emotions of a young teenager. This would be a great story to read across all generations.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
January 20, 2026
Growing up can be hard enough, even with a more traditional upbringing, but Rhiannon is the only kid living in a retirement community with her aging aunt who never steps outside. Still, the secrets, loneliness, challenges and changes of adolescence are universal and unavoidable. Rhia finds direction along with her friend Kit and newcomer Elizabeth, as together they navigate one memorable summer.
Brinkman’s narrative adroitly captures the depth of a teenager’s emotions underneath the awkwardness of self-expression. Chiki’s masterful artwork contrasts the dark, monochromatic scenes of insomniac Rhia’s nocturnal world with the day’s harshly relentless sunshine at Golden Canyon Retirement Community. Well done!
Brinkman’s narrative adroitly captures the depth of a teenager’s emotions underneath the awkwardness of self-expression. Chiki’s masterful artwork contrasts the dark, monochromatic scenes of insomniac Rhia’s nocturnal world with the day’s harshly relentless sunshine at Golden Canyon Retirement Community. Well done!
May 27, 2025
I received an ARC from First Second Books via NetGalley. This YA graphic novel follows Rhiannon during one entire summer in 1989 where she lives in a retirement trailer park community with her grandmother. Kit who spends every summer with his grandma, just got home and is someone Rhiannon is excited to see. Elizabeth, who is staying with her grandma for the summer, is a rebellious edition to their community.
This story has depth of characters. Rhiannon’s grandma is a recluse. Hank is a wise sage the teens like to talk to who lives in the park. Each character has their own backstory and their own problems, which make this story just a slice of life for good or bad.
This story has depth of characters. Rhiannon’s grandma is a recluse. Hank is a wise sage the teens like to talk to who lives in the park. Each character has their own backstory and their own problems, which make this story just a slice of life for good or bad.
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