What do you think?
Rate this book
Luna Express
Between crummy day jobs and nights out on the town, Celeste and her friends can barely find time to use their super-powers! Sailor Moon meets late capitalism in this deliriously epic graphic novel, bursting with life and vibrant color. Celeste was always told that she could grow up to do anything she dreamed of, but she didn’t exactly dream of being a delivery biker for her parents’ bakery, Luna Express. Life is so much more exciting at When the stars come out, so do her magical powers of super-strength and speed! Those gifts haven’t made her destiny any clearer, though…until Celeste and her friends are targeted by a series of strange, supernatural attacks throughout their hometown of Perth. Now this reluctant team must battle land-sharks, roller-skating disco mushrooms, mind-bending art exhibitions, and their own personal drama, while trying to unravel the unsettling mystery that connects them and their city.
280 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2026
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 15, 2026
I was SO excited for this book to be published after following the artist on Instagram, and BOY it lives up to the hype!!! The art is absolutely stunning, the story moving, what an exciting romp! Delightfully anti-capitalist and anti-fascist
February 16, 2026
OMG is this the best book ever?
It's certainly the funnest.
Campbell Whyte's Home Time, Vol. 1: Under the River and Home Time, Vol. 2: Beyond the Weaving (soon to be collected together in a surely-unweildy but beautiful paperback collection) were two of the most gorgeous Australian comics, especially for a YA audience. Whyte's use of different artistic styles for each of his young protagonists was masterful.
Well, with Luna Express he's turned everything up several notches. The artwork is stunning, especially when he lets it slip out of the extremely expressive cartoonish default into ravishing linework or harrowing charcoals and scribbles. Each of his young superpowered protagonists are delightfully written: Brown-skinned Celeste (I'm not sure if her family are intended to be Indigenous, Indian or something else) delivers orders on bicycle from her Dad's patisserie; she and Korean-Australian pop star Lorelai have history. Celeste's best friend Lucy is a tattooed aspiring artist with a history of foster homes in her past; and when Alex joins them, we find he's the mayor's son, but he rejects his privileged background, and he's clearly trans-coded. All four, in fact, are queer, something that's shown rather than explicitly addressed.
The ambiguity of Celeste's background is presumably deliberate. I'm not sure if it's for the best, but it's in keeping with Whyte's decision to show character relationships that by and large treat race, gender, sexuality and body shape as irrelevant. This is in direct contrast to the story's gradually-revealed antagonists, long-lived ghouls who both represent and facilitate colonialism and capitalism. In the book's dramatic dénoument, . It's also deliciously apt that .
So yeah, utterly gorgeous, utterly readable, anti-fascist to the core. Who could ask for more?
It's certainly the funnest.
Campbell Whyte's Home Time, Vol. 1: Under the River and Home Time, Vol. 2: Beyond the Weaving (soon to be collected together in a surely-unweildy but beautiful paperback collection) were two of the most gorgeous Australian comics, especially for a YA audience. Whyte's use of different artistic styles for each of his young protagonists was masterful.
Well, with Luna Express he's turned everything up several notches. The artwork is stunning, especially when he lets it slip out of the extremely expressive cartoonish default into ravishing linework or harrowing charcoals and scribbles. Each of his young superpowered protagonists are delightfully written: Brown-skinned Celeste (I'm not sure if her family are intended to be Indigenous, Indian or something else) delivers orders on bicycle from her Dad's patisserie; she and Korean-Australian pop star Lorelai have history. Celeste's best friend Lucy is a tattooed aspiring artist with a history of foster homes in her past; and when Alex joins them, we find he's the mayor's son, but he rejects his privileged background, and he's clearly trans-coded. All four, in fact, are queer, something that's shown rather than explicitly addressed.
The ambiguity of Celeste's background is presumably deliberate. I'm not sure if it's for the best, but it's in keeping with Whyte's decision to show character relationships that by and large treat race, gender, sexuality and body shape as irrelevant. This is in direct contrast to the story's gradually-revealed antagonists, long-lived ghouls who both represent and facilitate colonialism and capitalism. In the book's dramatic dénoument, . It's also deliciously apt that .
So yeah, utterly gorgeous, utterly readable, anti-fascist to the core. Who could ask for more?
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Modern, urban flair meets something similar-ish to Sailor Moon to create an exciting read with more than a little unique fun.
Celeste has been working as a delivery girl at her parents' bakery since she graduated from high school, which might sound mundane, but each day has it perks, calms, and surprises. Plus, she meets friends and familiar faces, which always adds social zest. It's different, but then, Celeste isn't your average young woman, either. Not only does she dance to her own tune and carry tons of personality...even the local ragtag gang wants to constantly compete with her...but she harbors a secret. Every night, she gains superpowers, which give her increased speed and strength. While logic makes it clear that destiny holds something in store for her, she has no clue what until strange, unexplainable things start happening in the town. Together with her friends, she's going to have to take on an odd mix of dangerous and quirky things and figure out what's really going on.
This is a read with energy pure and heads off into its very own direction with unique characters and plots twists. Celeste's radiant attitude is contagious and it's hard not to want to join her as she rides her bike through town...even when delivering baked goods. Because nothing in Celeste's life is boring, which is mostly due to her own attitude on life. Her friends are just as colorful and add tons of personality as well. Even the bad guys pack character, but then, they'd have to just to keep up with this original band of super-friends. So, there's never a boring moment, and it's definitely a grabbing read with surprises the entire way through...and those surprises aren't only when the tension rises.
The illustrations carry an edge of colorful chaos, which seals the deal with the plot. It took me a couple of pages to slide into the flow, but that's on me since this hit with unexpected energy. Every moment draws in and inspires, while carrying a few life lessons along the way. But that's not the main point as this tale races along.
I wasn't sure about the age group, at first, on this one, since Celeste has already graduated from high school. But it works for the YA audience and sticks mostly to paths which grab that age group. This promises to be an exciting series with tons to come.
Celeste has been working as a delivery girl at her parents' bakery since she graduated from high school, which might sound mundane, but each day has it perks, calms, and surprises. Plus, she meets friends and familiar faces, which always adds social zest. It's different, but then, Celeste isn't your average young woman, either. Not only does she dance to her own tune and carry tons of personality...even the local ragtag gang wants to constantly compete with her...but she harbors a secret. Every night, she gains superpowers, which give her increased speed and strength. While logic makes it clear that destiny holds something in store for her, she has no clue what until strange, unexplainable things start happening in the town. Together with her friends, she's going to have to take on an odd mix of dangerous and quirky things and figure out what's really going on.
This is a read with energy pure and heads off into its very own direction with unique characters and plots twists. Celeste's radiant attitude is contagious and it's hard not to want to join her as she rides her bike through town...even when delivering baked goods. Because nothing in Celeste's life is boring, which is mostly due to her own attitude on life. Her friends are just as colorful and add tons of personality as well. Even the bad guys pack character, but then, they'd have to just to keep up with this original band of super-friends. So, there's never a boring moment, and it's definitely a grabbing read with surprises the entire way through...and those surprises aren't only when the tension rises.
The illustrations carry an edge of colorful chaos, which seals the deal with the plot. It took me a couple of pages to slide into the flow, but that's on me since this hit with unexpected energy. Every moment draws in and inspires, while carrying a few life lessons along the way. But that's not the main point as this tale races along.
I wasn't sure about the age group, at first, on this one, since Celeste has already graduated from high school. But it works for the YA audience and sticks mostly to paths which grab that age group. This promises to be an exciting series with tons to come.
February 21, 2026
Luna Express was really good. You can enjoy it purely as a comic, but there is also a strong political thread running through the story. With each chapter, we learn more about the villains and their larger plan, leading to a final reveal that pulls everything together in a satisfying way.
I especially liked the visual storytelling. The present-day scenes use rich, saturated colors, while flashbacks and past events are shown in almost monochrome, making it instantly clear when the timeline shifts. It’s a smart and effective design choice. The Celeste Says interludes were another highlight for me and added an interesting layer to the narrative.
I will say that the first two chapters felt a little slow, but once I reached chapter three, I was fully invested. In hindsight, those early chapters clearly do important groundwork. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic and would recommend sticking with it past the opening chapters.
I especially liked the visual storytelling. The present-day scenes use rich, saturated colors, while flashbacks and past events are shown in almost monochrome, making it instantly clear when the timeline shifts. It’s a smart and effective design choice. The Celeste Says interludes were another highlight for me and added an interesting layer to the narrative.
I will say that the first two chapters felt a little slow, but once I reached chapter three, I was fully invested. In hindsight, those early chapters clearly do important groundwork. Overall, I really enjoyed this comic and would recommend sticking with it past the opening chapters.
February 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
4⭐
Vibrant, unapologetic and political! I was so excited to read an Australian magical girl graphic novel, and set in Perth! It felt like a niche that's right up my alley. Although the art style isn't entirely for me, I can still appreciate how well it fit the tone of the story. Comedic, saturated and gritty spreads with colours just as expressive as the characters and events of the story. I always adore when artists use colour to enhance their storytelling, it's a wonderful use of showing without telling. Some of the compositions absolutely blew me away, particularly around the 69% mark (yes really), the green page with all the scenes taking place across a pattern of cubes IYKYK! I had a lot of fun reading this! If you want something entertaining, vibrant and Australian with supernatural elements, this one's for you.
4⭐
Vibrant, unapologetic and political! I was so excited to read an Australian magical girl graphic novel, and set in Perth! It felt like a niche that's right up my alley. Although the art style isn't entirely for me, I can still appreciate how well it fit the tone of the story. Comedic, saturated and gritty spreads with colours just as expressive as the characters and events of the story. I always adore when artists use colour to enhance their storytelling, it's a wonderful use of showing without telling. Some of the compositions absolutely blew me away, particularly around the 69% mark (yes really), the green page with all the scenes taking place across a pattern of cubes IYKYK! I had a lot of fun reading this! If you want something entertaining, vibrant and Australian with supernatural elements, this one's for you.
September 14, 2025
This book is incredible! I picked up a copy at an Adelaide comic event and it's excellent. The pace of the story is top notch, it all just works to make something magic that you can easily enjoy and connect with.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews