Black Dolls Vol. 1: A kick-ass graphic novel about a Black female pop-punk band

by Rachel Faturoti, Flo Woolley (Illustrator)

Heartstopper meets pop-punk as four Black teenagers form a band to slay the music industry and smash its exclusionist rules. A YA graphic novel about finding your tribe and figuring out your identity in a world that tries to define you.

Jada, has always dreamed of tearing up the tired rulebook of the music industry. When Clash of the Bands is announced, she grabs the chance to creahte Black
Influencer Sassy on lead vocals
Silvee, shy but a killer bassist
Dana, guitarist and ex-child star with insider knowledge on the industry
And Jada herself, rhythm legend on drums and vocals
But with competing leads and rivalries, band life is continual drama. The Black Dolls are also battling overbearing families, identity questions, paternity tests, and media exploitation as they try to keep their dreams alive.

Can Black Dolls work together to overcome their differences and take over the music industry? Or will they crash and burn before they skyrocket ...

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Contemporary

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Rachel Faturoti is a British-Nigerian YA and children’s fiction writer, editor, and poet with a passion for broadening the scope of authentic Black representation in YA and children’s fiction. She believes it’s important for readers to see themselves represented well in stories.

Reviews

[Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé]

I have been waiting for a story like this since I was a kid. The illustrations were wonderful, the writing was great and I now have a new favourite literary cat.

[kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a great concept and I really liked the illustration style, however the execution of the story felt a little clunky at times. It was a fun read and I’d be intrigued by the sequel but the flow didn’t quite work for me.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SO fun. I finished it and immediately wanted to start a band 😭

Black Dolls Vol. 1 follows four girls who come together to form a pop-punk band, and what I really loved is how distinct each of them feels.

Jada, the band’s founder, is bold, stubborn, and completely determined to break into the music industry no matter what.
She reminded me so much of Galleria from the Cheetah Girls.

Sassy, the lead singer, leans into her influencer persona, but it quickly becomes clear there’s more going on underneath it all.

Silvee brings a quieter presence to the group, while Dina, a former child star, is trying to navigate being back in the spotlight on her own terms.

The art is vibrant and the humour lands. It gave me Heartstopper meets Josie and the Pussycats but louder, angrier, and unapologetically Black.

Honestly, it just made me really happy seeing Black girls take up space. Would I be crazy to hope for an adaptation ?

[Staf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een ‘black girl rock band’ met alle struggles, vooroordelen en spanningen die daarbij komen kijken. Heel goed gedaan. De vier persoonlijkheden komen mooi uit de verf, met hun eigen angsten, verledens en ambities. Ideaal om te lezen in de periode van Sound Track. Also: Queenie de poes is wel érg grappig. Supertoffe referenties naar DnD ook. Heel benieuwd naar deel 2!

[Joyreadsbuku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot! Although I liked it, the stories didn't feel all that connected. I found myself missing certain context, and it felt like it jumped from one story to another. All in all really enjoyable. Loved the characters and their personalities. Sassy & Silvee are my fav and they're sisterssss <3 , and I liked Dina and even though Jada pissed me off many times, I want to know where her anger is coming from. Sassy's story pulled me in immediately, and I'd love to see more of how Silvee and Jada explore their emotions, especially Jada and her anger. Jada's beef with Charlene felt out of nowhere tho. Queenie the cat was a fun addition. The 4 girls are different, which I really liked. Pacing was great, I liked the podcast bit and loved the illustrations. Would love to see the girls' friendship develop, and will read the second volume.

[Alice magical library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was quite different from other books that I have read before, which made it very unique and interesting!

When Sassy the lead vocalist, Silvee the bass player, Dina the guitar player and Jada the band founder and drummer all come together to create a band called Black Dolls, everything seems all so exciting. However, with the each band member having their own flaws, they don’t seem as compatible as they first thought…
Will they ever make it as a successful band? Or will they flop and be Zombified?

I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I have never read anything like this before, so it was very interesting to read! I loved Rachel Faturoti’s writing style, and Flo Woolley’s illustrations paired with it perfectly! I really liked the characters, especially Silvee, and I kind of saw myself in her at some points in the story! I also really liked Jada’s cat, as I thought that she was really funny and cute! I really cannot wait for the next one to come out, as this one kind of left on a cliffhanger!

[Takealookinsideabook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a must for me as I love Rachel's books and also adore graphic novels!

This was a fun and feisty story filled with misfits and mayhem and im already so excited for volume 2..

Black Dolls introduces us to...

🎤Sassy, our leading lady on vocals and is also an influencer! She tends to have commitment issues and some drama of her own to deal with.

🎸Silvee, our badass bass player who is not a stranger to the music world but suffers killer stage fright.

🎸Dina, and ex child star and a glorious guitar player! She has an obvious love for music but isn't so fond of the cameras.

🥁Jada is the founder of Black Dolls and is a force to be reckoned with! She is our daring drum player and can never say no to a fight 🤣

If you're in the mood for a brilliant story filled with music and major girl power then you need to pick this up!

[Heaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this graphic novel, each character feels like a very real individual person, and they all bring something different to the band. i will say that jada being extremely control was frustrating and kinda stressing me out

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this genre and loved the story and illustrations

[Dami Fawehinmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely INCREDIBLE book, I loved every page and felt so seen in these characters especially Dina. I can’t wait for volume 2!!!!!

[Hilda · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ rating

Hopefully there’s character development for Jada in Vol 2 because she be getting on my last nerve!

[Amy Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one and I can't wait for volume 2.

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 Stars ⭐️

[Mariia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Mattat Salmon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn't given enough to care for these incredibly annoying characters (not my lovely Silvie tho), which is a shame cuz I really wanted to love it

[Emily Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

Loved this