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SideQuested: Book 1
The course of true love never did run straight…For fans of The Owl House and Critical Role comes the first volume in the lighthearted and epic adventure SideQuested!
Magic makes the world go round, but no one in Charlie Goldskin’s world knows precisely where magic comes from. This isn’t Charlie’s problem. She’s the adopted daughter of a woodcarver and is training to be a librarian. It’ll be a quiet life, but that’s fine with Charlie, as magic is summoned through conflict and she would like to avoid that, thank you very much!
Then her birth father shows up to take her from her village and bring her to the king’s court.
Prince Leopold is gifted in the noble arts of diplomacy and combat, but he’s never met anyone like Charlie. Falling in love with her wouldn’t be an issue, except he’s already engaged, and his fiancée is the daughter of a very powerful evil witch. Charlie, panicking, decides to break the news to Princess Robin...but then she finds love at first sight, too. To resolve this love triangle, the teens are sent on a quest to discover the source of magic! So much for Charlie’s plans for a quiet life...
Magic makes the world go round, but no one in Charlie Goldskin’s world knows precisely where magic comes from. This isn’t Charlie’s problem. She’s the adopted daughter of a woodcarver and is training to be a librarian. It’ll be a quiet life, but that’s fine with Charlie, as magic is summoned through conflict and she would like to avoid that, thank you very much!
Then her birth father shows up to take her from her village and bring her to the king’s court.
Prince Leopold is gifted in the noble arts of diplomacy and combat, but he’s never met anyone like Charlie. Falling in love with her wouldn’t be an issue, except he’s already engaged, and his fiancée is the daughter of a very powerful evil witch. Charlie, panicking, decides to break the news to Princess Robin...but then she finds love at first sight, too. To resolve this love triangle, the teens are sent on a quest to discover the source of magic! So much for Charlie’s plans for a quiet life...
Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2026
About the author
K.B. Spangler
26 books133 followersK.B. Spangler lives in North Carolina with her husband and two completely awful dogs. They live in the decaying house of a dead poet. She is the author and artist of the webcomic, "A Girl and Her Fed," and author of novels and short stories. All projects include themes of privacy, politics, technology, civil liberties, the human experience, and how the lines between these blur like the dickens.
If you enjoy mysteries, you want to read the RACHEL PENG books.
If you enjoy fantasy adventures, thrillers, and necromancers with ADHD, you want to read the HOPE BLACKWELL books.
If you enjoy sexy romances with sexy people who solve unsexy crimes, you want to read the JOSH GLASSMAN books.
And if you enjoy coming-of-age stories with intergalactic intelligences, you want to read STONESKIN.
If you enjoy mysteries, you want to read the RACHEL PENG books.
If you enjoy fantasy adventures, thrillers, and necromancers with ADHD, you want to read the HOPE BLACKWELL books.
If you enjoy sexy romances with sexy people who solve unsexy crimes, you want to read the JOSH GLASSMAN books.
And if you enjoy coming-of-age stories with intergalactic intelligences, you want to read STONESKIN.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I received this book from Edelweiss/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
I am confused. About this book. About my feelings. On the one hand this was fun. On the other hand, it dragged. It was confusing. I struggled at times to keep up with things. And people who know me know that I am generally not in the mood for talking animals especially those with attitude. Also this whole book is actually a prelude? I mean, there is talk about quest and then continues for around 200 pages with backstory (which I loved) lore (which I also loved) but the book ends with the quest starting, um...
But I did like shipping Robin with Charlie (they need to kiss ASAP). I had a good giggle over the prince and how dumb he was/his reaction but also loved to see him grow more mature. The art was fabulous and the expressions perfection. Love that our MC's job was librarian (or she was training to be it) and was mad about books. Dragons dragons dragons! Robin's mom was A-Plus, I really enjoyed meeting her and love her design. That bonus story gave much clarity + I enjoyed the parallels. So yeah, not all bad. I did have fun.
I am confused. About this book. About my feelings. On the one hand this was fun. On the other hand, it dragged. It was confusing. I struggled at times to keep up with things. And people who know me know that I am generally not in the mood for talking animals especially those with attitude. Also this whole book is actually a prelude? I mean, there is talk about quest and then continues for around 200 pages with backstory (which I loved) lore (which I also loved) but the book ends with the quest starting, um...
But I did like shipping Robin with Charlie (they need to kiss ASAP). I had a good giggle over the prince and how dumb he was/his reaction but also loved to see him grow more mature. The art was fabulous and the expressions perfection. Love that our MC's job was librarian (or she was training to be it) and was mad about books. Dragons dragons dragons! Robin's mom was A-Plus, I really enjoyed meeting her and love her design. That bonus story gave much clarity + I enjoyed the parallels. So yeah, not all bad. I did have fun.
March 24, 2026
This was super cute and had some awesome character beats / moments, but it felt like it was missing something. Maybe the stakes could have been a little higher, or some of the humour more thought out for an older audience, or even changing the age this is meant for to middle grade as it seems a little too juvenile for YA.
I was totally getting ‘the Owl House’ and ‘Critical Role’ comparisons throughout💕
I was totally getting ‘the Owl House’ and ‘Critical Role’ comparisons throughout💕
April 26, 2026
I've been reading SideQuested in webcomic form for a while now and it's one of the comics I most look forward to a new page appearing in my RSS reader, so I was very excited to get hold of this paper copy that covers the first two chapters of the story. We're introduced to our three main characters: Charlie (aka Thinking Girl, brought up by carpenters, but really the daughter of a noble); Robin (daughter of the witch queen Boopsie [yes, really]); and Leo (prince of the Bearswood kingdom). There's a slightly adorable love triangle going on between them (and that's speaking as someone who usually just rolls his eyes at such things) and now they've been put together and sent on a quest to find the source of magic. A quest that Robin's mum, an all-powerful witch-queen, failed at when she was young. There's also an adorable talking vulture, dragons and more.
I love the art style here. It really captures the tone of the story so well (as well as making our protagonists really cute!). I love how it dips into a "chibi" cute style at just the right moment for a panel or two, but also knows when to be serious.
Going back and reading from the start, there was a bunch of stuff I'd forgotten - not least about the magic system works. But that's the joy of reading webcomics in paper form. Webcomics let you drip a few pages a week, which is great, but it does make it harder to keep the whole story in your head at once. Whereas the collections let you catch up and see connections between pages that you might miss on the web because they were weeks or months apart, rather than a few pages back.
This is a great series and I can't wait for the next volume now. But in the meantime, I can still get my fix on the web, three times a week.
I love the art style here. It really captures the tone of the story so well (as well as making our protagonists really cute!). I love how it dips into a "chibi" cute style at just the right moment for a panel or two, but also knows when to be serious.
Going back and reading from the start, there was a bunch of stuff I'd forgotten - not least about the magic system works. But that's the joy of reading webcomics in paper form. Webcomics let you drip a few pages a week, which is great, but it does make it harder to keep the whole story in your head at once. Whereas the collections let you catch up and see connections between pages that you might miss on the web because they were weeks or months apart, rather than a few pages back.
This is a great series and I can't wait for the next volume now. But in the meantime, I can still get my fix on the web, three times a week.
May 11, 2026
SideQuested: Book 1 by K.B. Spangler is an energetic and emotionally engaging fantasy graphic novel that blends magic, adventure, romance, and identity into a story that feels both whimsical and emotionally grounded.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balance between lighthearted fantasy and genuine emotional complexity. Charlie Goldskin begins as someone who wants nothing more than a quiet life, yet the narrative quickly transforms into a larger exploration of destiny, belonging, and personal connection. This contrast between ordinary aspiration and extraordinary circumstance gives the story strong emotional momentum.
The book also stands out for its refreshing treatment of relationships and identity. Rather than relying on predictable romantic structures, the evolving dynamic between Charlie, Prince Leopold, and Princess Robin creates a more nuanced and inclusive emotional landscape. The relationships feel driven by sincerity and emotional discovery rather than formula.
Another major strength lies in the worldbuilding and tone. The concept of magic being fueled through conflict adds philosophical texture beneath the humor and adventure, while the graphic novel format allows the story’s energy and charm to come alive visually. The result is a fantasy adventure that feels accessible, emotionally warm, and highly immersive.
Fun, imaginative, and emotionally sincere, SideQuested will appeal to readers of fantasy graphic novels, LGBTQ+ young adult fiction, adventure fantasy, and character driven stories centered on friendship, self discovery, and magical exploration.
What makes this book especially compelling is its balance between lighthearted fantasy and genuine emotional complexity. Charlie Goldskin begins as someone who wants nothing more than a quiet life, yet the narrative quickly transforms into a larger exploration of destiny, belonging, and personal connection. This contrast between ordinary aspiration and extraordinary circumstance gives the story strong emotional momentum.
The book also stands out for its refreshing treatment of relationships and identity. Rather than relying on predictable romantic structures, the evolving dynamic between Charlie, Prince Leopold, and Princess Robin creates a more nuanced and inclusive emotional landscape. The relationships feel driven by sincerity and emotional discovery rather than formula.
Another major strength lies in the worldbuilding and tone. The concept of magic being fueled through conflict adds philosophical texture beneath the humor and adventure, while the graphic novel format allows the story’s energy and charm to come alive visually. The result is a fantasy adventure that feels accessible, emotionally warm, and highly immersive.
Fun, imaginative, and emotionally sincere, SideQuested will appeal to readers of fantasy graphic novels, LGBTQ+ young adult fiction, adventure fantasy, and character driven stories centered on friendship, self discovery, and magical exploration.
March 22, 2026
It's a fun and enjoyable read, you should check it out.
My reading of Sidequested started with the webcomic, and I did the thing were I saw it popping up in my social media feed for months and finally read it, quickly read through the entire published catalogue and now impatiently wait for the new releases in real time lol.
The story is fun and the characters are endearing. I can see how some might find the pacing a bit slow to progress the overall storyline, I feel like that allows time for more detail and a more gradual getting to know the characters.
It took me a minute to warm to the art style. The book alternates between more detailed pages and what I am going to call simplified anime adjacent reactions (but that's maybe not the right descriptor). I bumped into these changes a bit on first reading but now I find them to complement the overall storytelling.
I would have preferred a hardcover personally but in the end I very happy with the softcover. There is a quality to the printing and overall impression of the matte page that I quite like.
I pre-ordered the book and I am super glad that I did. More please :)
My reading of Sidequested started with the webcomic, and I did the thing were I saw it popping up in my social media feed for months and finally read it, quickly read through the entire published catalogue and now impatiently wait for the new releases in real time lol.
The story is fun and the characters are endearing. I can see how some might find the pacing a bit slow to progress the overall storyline, I feel like that allows time for more detail and a more gradual getting to know the characters.
It took me a minute to warm to the art style. The book alternates between more detailed pages and what I am going to call simplified anime adjacent reactions (but that's maybe not the right descriptor). I bumped into these changes a bit on first reading but now I find them to complement the overall storytelling.
I would have preferred a hardcover personally but in the end I very happy with the softcover. There is a quality to the printing and overall impression of the matte page that I quite like.
I pre-ordered the book and I am super glad that I did. More please :)
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
If you are a fan of Nimona, Disney cartoon movies or romantasy, you might love this as much as I did.
"Sidequested" set itself apart for me with how it handled the themes it touched on, and turned every trope on its head. I literally could not predict what was going to happen next, and I loved it.
The story does drag a bit towards the end, and the colours need to be reworked, because at certain points there is too much dark blue or black, and it becomes a huge blob, but I loved everything else, and couldn't stop reading. I could see this story being enjoyed by a wide range of ages.
The humour is brilliant, and this is one of the best love triangles I have ever seen. They become a throuple!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Andrews McMeel Publishing and Simon & Schuster for this DRC.
"Sidequested" set itself apart for me with how it handled the themes it touched on, and turned every trope on its head. I literally could not predict what was going to happen next, and I loved it.
The story does drag a bit towards the end, and the colours need to be reworked, because at certain points there is too much dark blue or black, and it becomes a huge blob, but I loved everything else, and couldn't stop reading. I could see this story being enjoyed by a wide range of ages.
The humour is brilliant, and this is one of the best love triangles I have ever seen. They become a throuple!
Thank you to Edelweiss, Andrews McMeel Publishing and Simon & Schuster for this DRC.
March 27, 2026
When Charlie finds out the Prince who was supposed to rescue his betrothed Princess from a tower has fallen in love with her and changed his mind about his engagement, she is horrified. She cannot be the reason a girl is left languishing in a tower! So she takes it upon herself to complete the quest. Which turns out to be just a formality. The Princess was perfectly comfortable in the tower and didn't need rescuing. But Charlie ends up making an instant friend in Princess Robin. The two girls travel to see Robin's mother,the Wicked Witch Queen, and soon find themselves tasked with a quest--with the hapless Prince making up their third. This one was a lot of fun. It reminded me a lot of the Princeless series and I am looking forward to the next book.
April 5, 2026
Volume 1 of a YA comedy-fantasy webcomic about a librarian-in-training, a princess with superstrength, and a dumb prince going on a quest to discover the truth about magic. There's a prologue and 2 chapters of the webcomic compiled here and they don't actually leave for the quest until the end of the book, so this is mostly just worldbuilding and character setup. The art very much reminds me of all the webcomics I used to read in the mid-2000s lmao. It's a decently fun read, I could see myself continuing this if the next volume comes out.
There's a love triangle in this and for once I don't want it to end in a throuple lmao Leopold stay the hell away from Charlie and Robin 🔫
There's a love triangle in this and for once I don't want it to end in a throuple lmao Leopold stay the hell away from Charlie and Robin 🔫
April 6, 2026
There are several fun moments and positive messages to be had from SideQuested. It's truly the kind of queer fantasy quest with trope roles that I didn't know I needed to read.
The prince is disconnected from hard reality but trying in his own way. The princess is probably the physically strongest person ever. The Duke's newly reclaimed daughter is smart and quick on her feet. There's also a feathered companion in the form of a vulture. Now they're on a quest to find the source of magic.
Together it's a recipe for a truly enjoyable read. Highly recommend
The prince is disconnected from hard reality but trying in his own way. The princess is probably the physically strongest person ever. The Duke's newly reclaimed daughter is smart and quick on her feet. There's also a feathered companion in the form of a vulture. Now they're on a quest to find the source of magic.
Together it's a recipe for a truly enjoyable read. Highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you ro Edelweiss for the advance copy. Despite the slightly cumbersome start, I found this to be a funny, turn on its head questing adventure. the message does feel a bit heavy-handed at times,and the flow is a bitt stuttered here and there. But overall thos was a fun and quick read. "Youth is a condition, not an excuse."
April 1, 2026
I'd already read this in webcomic form, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the book! It's a quirky fantasy adventure full of personality, and it flows even better when you read all the pages at once. Maybe because each page needed to be a complete update in its original form, it also feels very dense and satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was so adorable and fun! I love a good quest, and fixing the mistakes of their parents? Finding their own magic? Heck yes! I'm not one for a love triangle, but with an idiotic Disney princess for a prince, a bruiser for a princess, and a bookworm, I'm not mad about it!
April 14, 2026
Fun rambling graphic adventure with damsels (not in distress), princes under stress, dragons, witches and blood/found family traveling thru the kingdoms to find magic’s mysterious source. Delightful collaboration of printed version off web comic, look forward to book 2!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I loved this book! Great illustrations, world building, characters, and plot. It's fun and light-hearted, like I most enjoy!
March 20, 2026
A lot of fun.
Officially YA, but definitely enjoyable to adults as well.
Officially YA, but definitely enjoyable to adults as well.
Did Not Finish
March 20, 2026my arc is gone and its not at the library yet😫
March 29, 2026
*4.5 stars
April 2, 2026
Wonderful
I truly love these characters and can't wait to see the boundless trouble they get into! Well written, the artist is amazing capturing emotion
I truly love these characters and can't wait to see the boundless trouble they get into! Well written, the artist is amazing capturing emotion
April 9, 2026
okay this was a fun setup now where is book 2 and the rest of the quest??????? those weavers are very much up to no good...
April 13, 2026
Awesome! The perfect book for an Owl House fan like myself.
April 18, 2026
Delightful and charming. Top 5 in my first 100 books this year.
April 19, 2026
Really just the beginning of the story, but so far I like the characters, and I am interested in where this is going to go. Beautifully drawn and colored artwork.
April 22, 2026
I get the feeling that these three kids are going to be learning more about themselves and each other than about the ostensible object of their quest: the source of magic!
April 23, 2026
Lovely art and cute characters make this a great start to a fun story. I strive to be Boopsie!
May 16, 2026
Cute, adorable, and a whole lot of fun. The art is fantastic, as is he cast, the story intriguing, and I absolutely love the queer rep. I'm really hoping to see the entire series get published!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
SideQuested is a super fun fantasy, adventure, romcom graphic novel based on a webcomic, perfect for readers around fourteen to seventeen. There's a dragon, different types of magic and a light love triangle. Robin is cute, capable and despite not having magic of her own she knows how to use it. Charlie is smart, practical and curious. Leopold is well-meaning but clueless. He runs around flirting with Charlie and trying to duel her, which she refuses to engage in. I especially loved the emphasis on books, researching a journal or diary entries, and even the reading of a children's book about the types of magic in order to figure out its source. The importance of understanding one's history is emphasized. This volume definitely feels like a starter quest as just as the adventure gains some momentum, it ends with the trio planning to search for Charlotte, Charlie's mother. Supposedly, Charlotte once attempted the same quest with Queen Boopsie and Charlie's father. Perhaps she holds the answers that they seek.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews