Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom: Book 2

Unicorn Boy #2

by Dave Roman

UNICORN BOY is a colourful, hilarious and heartwarming graphic novel series about a shy kid who unwillingly sprouts a unicorn horn and uses his newfound magical powers to help those in need! Perfect for fans of Jamie Smart or those moving on from Dog Man.

'One of the best comics I've read in a long time! Imaginative, thrilling, and with so many surprising twists, everyone should be reading Unicorn Boy!' - Jamie Smart, creator of BUNNY vs MONKEY on UNICORN BOY

Brian always felt a bit different compared to other kids. Even before growing a unicorn horn, discovering a talking muffin and swallowing the ruler of the Underworld to save his BFF. So when he receives a mysterious invitation for a Unicorn-Only Sleepover, Brian wonders if these fellow magical creatures might help him make sense of his increasingly odd world!

But held in an enchanted castle in the clouds, not everything at this glitzy, glamorous party is as it seems . . .
Are the negative feelings in his gut just anxiety, or is something else at play?

Genres: Graphic Novels

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 7, 2026

About the author

Dave Roman is the author of several graphic novels including Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity, Teen Boat!, Jax Epoch, and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and is the co-author of two New York Times bestselling graphic novels, X-Men: Misfits and The Last Airbender: Zuko’s Story. Roman is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and worked as a comics editor for the groundbreaking Nickelodeon Magazine from 1998 to 2009. He lives in Astoria, NY with his wife, and fellow comic artist, Raina Telgemeier.

Dave has had stories in Flight volumes 3, 4, 5, & 7 (Villard) and Bizarro World (DC Comics). His website is Yaytime.com

Reviews

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good middle grade graphic novel. This book had an enjoyable story and great illustrations. This is book two in the Unicorn Boy series and although you can read it without having read the previous one, I do think it would be beneficial to read these books in order. In this installment we follow Brian as he is invited to a unicorn only sleepover and struggles with social anxiety. Overall this was a great read and I look forward to read other books in this series.

Thank you to @mackidsbooks for the gifted copy.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian, also known as Unicorn Boy, has received an exclusive invitation to a unicorn-only sleepover, and he is nervous to attend. Not only is he still getting used to his unicorn powers, but he also has an entity living in his intestines that makes him even more uncomfortable in new situations. Back home, Brian’s friends are researching ways to return their friend Wylit to human form, but their studies lead them to more than they expect. When they discover that Brian is really in danger, they must use their own abilities and wherewithal to rescue him before it is too late. This second in the Unicorn Boy series picks up shortly after the previous book ends, and readers need to have a familiarity with the earlier story in order for this one to fully make sense. Designed as a graphic novel for middle grade readers, the book features colorful, cartoon-like illustrations and a limited amount of text. The narrative alternates between Brian’s experience and that of his companions, increasing the dramatic tension as the story unfolds. Though fantastical in its design, the story explores very real feelings of middle grade readers, including the complexity of navigating new friendships and developing one’s true identity. Filled with humor, adventure, and magic, this is an engaging addition to its series and to graphic novel collections for middle grade readers, and it is primed for a sequel.

[pineapple tofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For Unicorn Boy, Brian Reyes, every day is an adventure. So, when he receives an invitation to a unicorn slumber party, he’s a bit reluctant but decides to go to see if the other magical creatures can help him with his newfound status as a unicorn. Pillow fights and truth or dare games are just some of the party’s events, while something more sinister is at heart. Brian’s BFF senses that there’s a non-unicorn at the party, but will Brian figure out who’s the culprit before every sparkle and rainbow hue comes crashing down?
It’s unicorn time, and for this second adventure for Brian, aka unicorn boy, it’s his first official slumber party. Lavender purples and bubblegum pinks splash the pages of this graphic novel, full of making friends, social anxiety, and the ever-constant “evil” in the belly. Brian may be calm and careful at times, but all it takes is a wacky slumber party with even stranger unicorns to turn his world upside down. Fun and hilarious, this story dwells with destinies, magic, and finding yourself amongst all the chaos.

[Sacha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I LOVED _Unicorn Boy_, and _Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom!_ brings a lot of the same fun that its predecessor did. What readers are guaranteed is a great story, exceptional characters, and extremely appealing illustrations. Many wins!

In this second book in the series, unicorn boy gets an invite to the titular slumber party, but the host has left off the "of Doom!" part, so he's excited to go, make new friends, and meet others like him. This time, Unicorn Boy has to travel to Europe to a fancy spot in the sky, all of which facilitates really awesome panels. As readers have come to expect, there is action involved, but there are also solid middle grade motifs around friendship, trust, identity, and more. Ya, there are lessons, but there is mostly just a lot of fun and so, so many colors.

I enjoy these books very much and truly love these characters. I look forward to the next installment!

*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.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 2️⃣ in the Unicorn Boy series!
🦄
Brian is living his life now with a unicorn horn and feels more on the outside with other kids than ever before. When he receives an invitation for a unicorn-only sleepover, Brian wonders if other magical creatures could mentor him as he struggles to understand his new world as Unicorn Boy. But when Brian gets to the enchanted castle in the clouds he’s nervous and a stomach full of butterflies. Is it anxiety or something bigger at play?
🧒🏻
Like book 1 I think this beginner graphic novel has just the best representation and truly allows some of our kids to see themselves on the page in elementary school. It also deals with issues of bullying guilt and anxiety. This title releases May 5 from @yaytime

CW: anxiety, bullying

3.5 ⭐️ Art work not my fave

[Relena_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an eARC for this book, but I had to go back and read Unicorn Boy in order to have any idea what was happening, which always feels a bit strange in a middle grades series. There's normally at least a bit of a recap that catches the reader up to speed.

Once I knew the characters, this book felt very much like a filler volume, which is also odd, as this seems like a concept that could go on interminably if the author wanted it to, but hopefully the intent is only three or four volumes because this is moving both too fast and too slow.

The art is very cute, but sometimes the characters are too similar, which was an even larger problem during volume 1, so I'm going to hope it reduces over time.

I like the very matter-of-fact inclusion of Avery's non-binariness and I love Wylit, so I will keep reading, but this won't be at the top of my list.

[Steff Fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom! pretty much picks up in a similar spot to where the previous book left off; there's some consequences existing as a result of the big battle from the previous book. One of those consequences seems great, that of the powers Brian's best friend now has, and one not so great—the leftover remnants of swallowing the villain from the previous story.

Familiar characters are brought back immediately, but the crux of this story exists in an invitation to a sleepover that's only for unicorns. But not is all as it seems at this sleepover and, in fact, there's a certain danger afoot. Fortunately, unicorn boy isn't alone as his best friend and the wizard muffin are there to fight alongside him. That said, this story definitely ups the stakes a little bit as there's certainly danger they'll be facing.

I...liked this book well enough, I suppose. I think the first one might have been a little better. All in all, this is the sort of story I imagine I'll be somewhat meh on regardless but definitely exceedingly grateful for in that it offers an opportunity for a bunch of young kids to have a fun and pink filled story about an amazing boy and his friends being superheroes. It'll definitely be high on my recommendation list for the type of kids who'd love this story.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an early copy of this middle grade graphic novel that is a sequel to Unicorn boy and feel like I should have maybe started with book one. That said, it was still a moving story about friendship and anti-bullying. It's also funny and an entertaining unexpected super hero story about good vs evil. Things end on a cliff hanger and I can't wait to read the next book! Great illustrations, great queer nonbinary rep too! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

[Mara K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

two stars
i found that is was a bit hard to follow, i often felt like i lost the plot.
nothing much seemed to happen, also, besides the sleepover bit near the end, and even that twist i saw coming from a long way off.
and the art wasn't very good quality, sometimes appearing crysitlized and out of focus.
overall though there were some parts i enjoyed, so a solid two stars.
i skimmed the last half.
thanks to netgalley and the publisher for letting me read it in advance!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun. Unicorn boy is special. They get invited to a unicorn only slumber party and while they are trepidatious about going, they still do to meet others like themselves. But things are a foot. There’s a mystery to solve and more research to be done and Unicorn Boy and his friends are going to do that. I read this book without having read book one. It was easy enough to follow along with, but it would’ve been helpful to have read the first book.

[Raven Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

The build up was fun, the fight scene(s) were clever, but the cliff hanger was less satisfying than book one. Overall, I enjoy the series. I will find book three and like promoting/recommending this book to the 7-to-12 crowd. This large age group allows for all types of readers, due to fantasy action, might not be for the too young or sensitive reader. The older ages are for the lower readers but want a little more in the way of concepts).

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

From my 8-year-old son who LOVED the first Unicorn Boy book! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was awesome and a bit mysterious, and I loved it! This story was a great adventure and was very engaging and enjoyable. This was a great continuation of the first book, and I am excited to see where Unicorn Boy goes next.

[Haruka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this chance to read this book in advanced.
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It was an enjoyable read. The storyline was so fun. I love the art and colors in the book. It so pretty and I feel like the striking color will make kids excited to read it. The storyline is simple and i cant wait to read more~