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The Backstagers #1
The Backstagers and the Ghost Light
Jory didn’t know what to expect when he transferred to St. Genesius Prep, an all-boys school known for their incredible theater department. He ends up on the stage crew—or “backstagers” as they like to call themselves—and discovers the magic that happens behind the scenes of each production.
When some of the cast members decide to play with a Spirit board, the ghost light goes out. Ghost lights are supposed to protect the theater from ghosts sneaking in the shadows. The kids don't think too much of it. However, when they decide to put on the musical Phantasm, strange things start happening right a fallen light, a missing prop, a star with something to hide. Could there be evil spirits in the theater?
When some of the cast members decide to play with a Spirit board, the ghost light goes out. Ghost lights are supposed to protect the theater from ghosts sneaking in the shadows. The kids don't think too much of it. However, when they decide to put on the musical Phantasm, strange things start happening right a fallen light, a missing prop, a star with something to hide. Could there be evil spirits in the theater?
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
21 people are currently reading
611 people want to read
About the author
Andy Mientus
4 books95 followersAndy Mientus is an actor, musician and writer best known for starring in the Broadway musicals Spring Awakening, Les Miserables, and Wicked, and on television in the NBC musical drama “Smash” and as Hartley Rathaway aka The Pied Piper in the hit CW series “The Flash”. Andy co-wrote the new musical Burn All Night which had its world premiere at Oberon/American Repertory Theater at Harvard University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 2, 2020
This is a nice supplement for those who enjoyed the graphic series. I wouldn't recommend starting -- not only is all the previous narrative alluded to, but here the personalities of the characters aren't really apparent unless you know them already.
This time the danger is archetypal, the performance is Phantom of the Opera, and the boys spend a lot of time separate, which proves to have both positive and negative aspects.
Although the character are in their mid-teen the reads quite young, and I'd recommend it for tweens.
This time the danger is archetypal, the performance is Phantom of the Opera, and the boys spend a lot of time separate, which proves to have both positive and negative aspects.
Although the character are in their mid-teen the reads quite young, and I'd recommend it for tweens.
November 5, 2018
I read & enjoyed the first Backstagers comic and wasn't sure what this prose novel would be? But I checked it out because I was curious about Andy Mientus as an author. (He's Broadway famous, not regular famous, but I was excited.) It's a really sweet and funny story, and it's something separate from the comics, although I think it helps to have had the (very inclusive cast of) characters introduced in the comics? Def recommended for all the theater nerd tweens & teens.
Read
July 3, 2018I felt at home as I read this book. Think "Harry Potter" meets the television show "Smash" meets Seth Rudetsky. I found it to be descriptive, entertaining and at times, pretty wild. The fantasy part of this book took me to depths (sometimes literally) I hadn't expected. I directed a teenage summer camp for 10 years and would definitely recommend it to my former students. I also appreciated how the author made the characters' sexuality just a part of the book, not the focus of the book. It's who the characters are, but not what the book is about. Read this book if you're a theater kid, used to be a theater kid, or want to know what it's like to be a theater kid.
November 27, 2018
I adore The Backstagers. One of my favorite comics. This book was an excellent addition to the world. The characters remain endearing and completely relatable. The tone is respectful and playfully challenging - written perfectly for its target audience. I love these boys!
May 4, 2021
Easily readable in a day, this is a worthy continuation of the young adult Backstagers graphic novels but which also works as a standalone introduction to the series. Being written in prose means the characters are fleshed out more and their emotions explored, while still being accessible to all ages. The action is exciting and well-done, and the representation of diversity is satisfying if underexplored. A good read for those who love both theater and stories of friendship saving the day.
November 27, 2019
The previously graphic novel adventures of The Backstagers continue with this story of ghostly goings on. Great fun and action-packed.
December 28, 2019
This was a lot of fun. Very enjoyable and very entertaining. That being said, it was not quite as good as the original comics/graphic novels. I did like the addition of the new character Reo. I'm hoping he'll show up in the next comic series, but he may only make into the next novel.
October 1, 2025
I love these characters so much. I can’t wait for more!
November 1, 2020
The Backstagers are back and this time they have to deal with a big bad ghost (and an annoying character).
I bought this book… maybe this year maybe last year. I totally forgot about it because it was downstairs hidden, but I remembered it just in time for Halloween and decided to read it.
I just LOVE the Backstagers and was eager to read more about them. I would say that I recommend reading the GNs first or read them soon after due to things that are being said in the book and the fact all the bonds between characters are pretty far along.
I had to get back in to the whole scene, but that wasn’t hard. After just a few pages I was back into the world of the Backstagers as if I never left. I just had to get used to the constantly switching POV, something I am never a fan of as it just too confusing. I would rather have one POV or if you want to do multiple give each their own chapter.
I loved seeing most of the characters again. See Jory and Hunter, see Beckett and his love for electrics and cola, see Aziz do his thing, see Hunter again and this time he is learning something new (I felt a bit sorry for him because it was just so much).
The rehearsals, seeing the old play come to finish and the party that followed, see the new play (which I would have liked to see for real). It was just all fun, and added to the fun is the magic of the backstage. With a portal, with strange things happening and coming out of it.
The big bad villain in this one was a scary one and the whole last part of the book was just one that set the pacing high and I loved every part of it. It really got spooky and a tad scary at times.
I wasn’t a fan of Chloe. Never trusted her from the beginning, it was just a bit too coincidental that she walked in at the right time. Then throughout the book we see her plot and plan. Her diary parts (thankfully only a chapter) were not my favourite to read. I feel sorry for her that she lost her sister, but she just went bonkers and just trusted the first ghost that answered her. Hello there is more than one ghost in the world. rolls eyes Later she did show a better side, but for most of the book she was my second most annoying character.
First would be, and also was in the graphic novels, Sasha. A boy who is supposedly 15 but acts more like 4 or 5. He doesn’t understand work ethic, randomly forgets stuff that is important, just plays games when he should be helping around, goes to find candies for a ghost, and should I go on? I don’t understand why he is even still here. Maybe if I had seen him actually take his job as Backstager seriously I would have liked him more, but in this book he is just a small kid doing dumb shit.
Also I found it completely hilarious that Bailey, queen of the stage and 3 years of main roles (which is also ridiculous give someone else a chance) loses one role and immediately starts packing up her drama stuff and thinks about joining something else. WTF? I had expected better of you Bailey. Who is this dramaqueen? I get that it hurts, but HELLO SOMETHING ALMOST KILLED YOU, no wonder that your voice cracked.
Despite my frustrations I flew through this book, really, I flew. I loved seeing the characters again, see Jory and Hunter together, see that Hunter has a special job soon, see rehearsals, go behind stage again, root for Beckett and Bailey, the illustrations were fab. I definitely will be buying the other books in the series when I can. I would recommend this novel but also recommend the graphic novels!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I bought this book… maybe this year maybe last year. I totally forgot about it because it was downstairs hidden, but I remembered it just in time for Halloween and decided to read it.
I just LOVE the Backstagers and was eager to read more about them. I would say that I recommend reading the GNs first or read them soon after due to things that are being said in the book and the fact all the bonds between characters are pretty far along.
I had to get back in to the whole scene, but that wasn’t hard. After just a few pages I was back into the world of the Backstagers as if I never left. I just had to get used to the constantly switching POV, something I am never a fan of as it just too confusing. I would rather have one POV or if you want to do multiple give each their own chapter.
I loved seeing most of the characters again. See Jory and Hunter, see Beckett and his love for electrics and cola, see Aziz do his thing, see Hunter again and this time he is learning something new (I felt a bit sorry for him because it was just so much).
The rehearsals, seeing the old play come to finish and the party that followed, see the new play (which I would have liked to see for real). It was just all fun, and added to the fun is the magic of the backstage. With a portal, with strange things happening and coming out of it.
The big bad villain in this one was a scary one and the whole last part of the book was just one that set the pacing high and I loved every part of it. It really got spooky and a tad scary at times.
I wasn’t a fan of Chloe. Never trusted her from the beginning, it was just a bit too coincidental that she walked in at the right time. Then throughout the book we see her plot and plan. Her diary parts (thankfully only a chapter) were not my favourite to read. I feel sorry for her that she lost her sister, but she just went bonkers and just trusted the first ghost that answered her. Hello there is more than one ghost in the world. rolls eyes Later she did show a better side, but for most of the book she was my second most annoying character.
First would be, and also was in the graphic novels, Sasha. A boy who is supposedly 15 but acts more like 4 or 5. He doesn’t understand work ethic, randomly forgets stuff that is important, just plays games when he should be helping around, goes to find candies for a ghost, and should I go on? I don’t understand why he is even still here. Maybe if I had seen him actually take his job as Backstager seriously I would have liked him more, but in this book he is just a small kid doing dumb shit.
Also I found it completely hilarious that Bailey, queen of the stage and 3 years of main roles (which is also ridiculous give someone else a chance) loses one role and immediately starts packing up her drama stuff and thinks about joining something else. WTF? I had expected better of you Bailey. Who is this dramaqueen? I get that it hurts, but HELLO SOMETHING ALMOST KILLED YOU, no wonder that your voice cracked.
Despite my frustrations I flew through this book, really, I flew. I loved seeing the characters again, see Jory and Hunter together, see that Hunter has a special job soon, see rehearsals, go behind stage again, root for Beckett and Bailey, the illustrations were fab. I definitely will be buying the other books in the series when I can. I would recommend this novel but also recommend the graphic novels!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
May 2, 2023
The Backstagers and the Ghost Light
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.7/10 overall
Characters - 8
The main characters from the graphic novels were still enjoyable and it did a good job of adding a few new characters as well. :)
Atmosphere - 7
Fairly well put together, but I didn't find it as interesting as the graphic novels unfortunately :/
Writing - 6
Solid but not the most engaging
Plot - 6
Decent, but it just didn't hit as much for me as the graphic novels did
Intrigue - 7
Very interesting as to where the dynamics were going
Logic - 6
Fairly logical, but still kind of wacky
Enjoyment - 7
It was pretty good. I'll probably read the sequel, we'll see :)
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.7/10 overall
Characters - 8
The main characters from the graphic novels were still enjoyable and it did a good job of adding a few new characters as well. :)
Atmosphere - 7
Fairly well put together, but I didn't find it as interesting as the graphic novels unfortunately :/
Writing - 6
Solid but not the most engaging
Plot - 6
Decent, but it just didn't hit as much for me as the graphic novels did
Intrigue - 7
Very interesting as to where the dynamics were going
Logic - 6
Fairly logical, but still kind of wacky
Enjoyment - 7
It was pretty good. I'll probably read the sequel, we'll see :)
December 15, 2020
It was awesome to be with these characters again! I can't get enough of them. Fun, adorable, and inclusive. After reading the previous stories as graphic novels I l listened to this one as an audiobook, narrated by the author. That can sometimes go very wrong but he was actually really great. I did miss seeing some of the scenes illustrated but the audio was still amazing.
August 31, 2025
Picked up the audiobook on Libby because I needed a book with the word “light” in it for a reading challenge. The book was short (exactly what I was looking for) and available. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book. It was definitely for an audience younger than me and it felt like there should have been a book before this but ultimately it was a cute book with spooky elements.
May 18, 2025
3.25 stars
Needed a quick read and this was definitely that though the first time I read it, it didn't really hold my attention/interest. Reread it straight after my first read and liked it better.
Characters 6
Atmosphere 7
Writing Style 6
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 7
Execution/Pace 6
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 5
Narration 7
Needed a quick read and this was definitely that though the first time I read it, it didn't really hold my attention/interest. Reread it straight after my first read and liked it better.
Characters 6
Atmosphere 7
Writing Style 6
Premise 7
Execution/Plot 7
Execution/Pace 6
Execution/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 5
Narration 7
June 7, 2018
Comic novelizations have started becoming a bit of a trend lately. Shannon and Dean Hale’s successful and enjoyable take on Unbeatable Squirrel Girl; Lumberjanes got the novel treatment last year (even if I didn’t enjoy it that much); and one of my favorite comics of all, Giant Days, will be coming to a prose shelf near you sometime very soon.
After reading The Backstagers Vol. 1 and 2 at the end of April, when I came across this on NetGalley I could not bear to pass it up. And I have to say, Andy Mientus did a heck of a job getting the same spirit and humor and general weirdness of the comics to come across in a novel.
Lovely, diverse, funny, it’s a book you can get through in a couple of hours that’ll leave you in a good mood the rest of the day.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
After reading The Backstagers Vol. 1 and 2 at the end of April, when I came across this on NetGalley I could not bear to pass it up. And I have to say, Andy Mientus did a heck of a job getting the same spirit and humor and general weirdness of the comics to come across in a novel.
Lovely, diverse, funny, it’s a book you can get through in a couple of hours that’ll leave you in a good mood the rest of the day.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!
July 13, 2018
*Thank you Netgalley & ABRAMS Kids Books for allowing me to read a digital review copy! ♥*
The great thing about Andy Mientus taking on the Backstagers in novel form is that now some of my FAVORITE characters in the comics universe now live in book format. And that's pretty cool. Frankly, EVERYONE should be BFFs with Jory, Hunter, Aziz, Beckett, and Sasha, and now more people have the chance to do so!
The heart of the story was fantastic. The mystery and the weird ghostly mystery at the heart of this story were very enjoyable. I think that I did want to see more from this novelization than I got (the characters were very quickly introduced, and I can't help feeling that people who don't know these characters would have a more difficult time truly getting into this story). I think the beginning especially felt rough, and the fact that Jory still considered himself to be Brand New bothered me a little bit, but the feeling of being kinda stuck resonated well enough that I was able to forgive it. I loved the introduction of Reo the witch, and while there was some heartache to Hunter's undergoing stage manager trials, it does give me GREAT JOY to imagine a world of the Backstagers where Hunter runs the show! (That said, I really do just want the story of Tim & Jamie, please give this to me one day)
While the beginning felt rough, and the end somewhat rushed, it was a delightful & fun story, and Mientus managed to capture quite a bit of the quirk and fantastic world of the Backstagers! There were scenes that truly added to the universe of the Backstagers, and I'm very grateful that this book exists. I think the finished product will be a delight to behold, since there will be some art by Rian Sygh that will add wonderfully to the story.
3.5 Stars!
The great thing about Andy Mientus taking on the Backstagers in novel form is that now some of my FAVORITE characters in the comics universe now live in book format. And that's pretty cool. Frankly, EVERYONE should be BFFs with Jory, Hunter, Aziz, Beckett, and Sasha, and now more people have the chance to do so!
The heart of the story was fantastic. The mystery and the weird ghostly mystery at the heart of this story were very enjoyable. I think that I did want to see more from this novelization than I got (the characters were very quickly introduced, and I can't help feeling that people who don't know these characters would have a more difficult time truly getting into this story). I think the beginning especially felt rough, and the fact that Jory still considered himself to be Brand New bothered me a little bit, but the feeling of being kinda stuck resonated well enough that I was able to forgive it. I loved the introduction of Reo the witch, and while there was some heartache to Hunter's undergoing stage manager trials, it does give me GREAT JOY to imagine a world of the Backstagers where Hunter runs the show! (That said, I really do just want the story of Tim & Jamie, please give this to me one day)
While the beginning felt rough, and the end somewhat rushed, it was a delightful & fun story, and Mientus managed to capture quite a bit of the quirk and fantastic world of the Backstagers! There were scenes that truly added to the universe of the Backstagers, and I'm very grateful that this book exists. I think the finished product will be a delight to behold, since there will be some art by Rian Sygh that will add wonderfully to the story.
3.5 Stars!
December 21, 2020
everyone who knows me knows that i love andy mientus, so as a fan of him and also the original backstagers comics, i was obviously super excited to read this book. however, i wanted to make sure i gave a totally unbiased review it, regardless of who wrote it. and I LOVED IT. every second of this felt so homey and enchanting. it was so nice to be reunited with these characters, and the writing was so funny and descriptive and refreshing to read. it was super comforting and i’m WILDLY excited for the next book. if you’re ever looking for something middle grade that you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the universe, i would 100% recommend this. so yeah i love andy mientus even MORE now
February 2, 2020
This is a novelization of a popular fantasy comic series (one that I haven’t read) and follows a group of boys at St. Genesius Prep. They are known as “Backstagers” because they are the stage crew in the school’s theater department and, in the process, end up dealing with a lot of paranormal activity behind the scenes.
In this story, the department is putting on a production of Phantasm, but there’s something amiss, something is ruining their production. And it all seems to have started when someone brought out a Spirit Board, which I imagine is like or the same as an Ouija board. Then, the ghost light, whose purpose it was to keep the ghosts at bay, blew out, thereby releasing a dangerous entity. Now it’s up to the kids to stop it before someone gets killed.
I loved this book and thought it was so much fun! I always enjoy a good ghostly mystery, and this one did not disappoint. It was captivating, suspenseful, and magical; in fact, one of the characters, Reo, is even a witch. I also thought the illustrations were well-done and added an extra unique element to the storyline.
Additionally, the detailed descriptions of the backstage really brought the story to life for me, especially the magic door that led to the deep, mysterious, and scary labyrinth of backstage, where someone could disappear for weeks or even months. There were also numerous theater references peppered throughout the narrative, and the spoofs of famous plays such as Les Terribles, Tammy, and Lease gave me a good chuckle.
As for the characters, I found every one of them lovable and endearing (well maybe, except for the monster) and feel that this could be enjoyed by middle grade and young adults alike (and adults, like myself!). I loved these diverse, quirky characters. There was such a sweet dynamic between them, and I loved how much they cared about each other. It was fun getting to know each of them.
Given that I wasn’t familiar with the comic (I believe there are eight of them in total), it was a tad rough for me at the beginning because we’re introduced to a lot of characters right off the bat, some in established relationships. But once I got the hang of who everyone was, I could relax and enjoy the ride.
A few of the kids in the story are gay, and I liked how it was normalized in the story. It was treated as a non-issue and was not the focus of the story; rather, it was casually mentioned in portrayed positively. No angsty coming out scenes here, for which I was grateful though there is a little bit of relationship drama. But yeah, I loved the gay representation in the story and felt that it was done respectfully.
Now I found that this did read a bit young, so teens on the younger end of the spectrum may enjoy this more than older teens. I think the age range listed for this was 10 to 14 years, and I feel that this is about right — though “older kids” such as myself can enjoy it as well.
All in all, this was an enjoyable paranormal story with adorable characters and a spooky, compelling plot. Overall, a gratifying reading experience. Having read the second one in this series as well, I’m now hooked and can’t wait to read more as they come out.
In this story, the department is putting on a production of Phantasm, but there’s something amiss, something is ruining their production. And it all seems to have started when someone brought out a Spirit Board, which I imagine is like or the same as an Ouija board. Then, the ghost light, whose purpose it was to keep the ghosts at bay, blew out, thereby releasing a dangerous entity. Now it’s up to the kids to stop it before someone gets killed.
I loved this book and thought it was so much fun! I always enjoy a good ghostly mystery, and this one did not disappoint. It was captivating, suspenseful, and magical; in fact, one of the characters, Reo, is even a witch. I also thought the illustrations were well-done and added an extra unique element to the storyline.
Additionally, the detailed descriptions of the backstage really brought the story to life for me, especially the magic door that led to the deep, mysterious, and scary labyrinth of backstage, where someone could disappear for weeks or even months. There were also numerous theater references peppered throughout the narrative, and the spoofs of famous plays such as Les Terribles, Tammy, and Lease gave me a good chuckle.
As for the characters, I found every one of them lovable and endearing (well maybe, except for the monster) and feel that this could be enjoyed by middle grade and young adults alike (and adults, like myself!). I loved these diverse, quirky characters. There was such a sweet dynamic between them, and I loved how much they cared about each other. It was fun getting to know each of them.
Given that I wasn’t familiar with the comic (I believe there are eight of them in total), it was a tad rough for me at the beginning because we’re introduced to a lot of characters right off the bat, some in established relationships. But once I got the hang of who everyone was, I could relax and enjoy the ride.
A few of the kids in the story are gay, and I liked how it was normalized in the story. It was treated as a non-issue and was not the focus of the story; rather, it was casually mentioned in portrayed positively. No angsty coming out scenes here, for which I was grateful though there is a little bit of relationship drama. But yeah, I loved the gay representation in the story and felt that it was done respectfully.
Now I found that this did read a bit young, so teens on the younger end of the spectrum may enjoy this more than older teens. I think the age range listed for this was 10 to 14 years, and I feel that this is about right — though “older kids” such as myself can enjoy it as well.
All in all, this was an enjoyable paranormal story with adorable characters and a spooky, compelling plot. Overall, a gratifying reading experience. Having read the second one in this series as well, I’m now hooked and can’t wait to read more as they come out.
June 3, 2019
I would highly recommend this book for kids who have read and enjoyed the graphic novels of this series. Sadly, it is not a good jumping-on point, because too many of the characters and their relationships are defined in those GNs rather than here. So, if you're going to hand this book to someone, hand them the first graphic novel before letting them start to read this book.
That said, there are some wonderful bits here, including a truly remarkable and strange bit of dark fantasy. The idea that there is an "other world" that sort of connects all theaters in the world is a cool one, but the down side of this is made clear in this story. Also, I liked the way that the author used some of the traditions related to Ouija boards and theater superstitions. I also liked the mildly twisted versions of real-world musicals that were used in the story.
Because some of the teen boys in this novel, like in the graphic novels, are gay, there may be some pushback in conservative communities. That would be really sad, because the characters in this book seem real, convincing, and caring people. There is no sexual content, nor is there any for the non-gay characters.
My take on the series is that it's kind of "Lumberjanes for boys" in intent, and I can see that working. The graphic novels are slightly better than this novel, but not by much. This book is a quick read, with sort of a fantasy/mystery vibe.
There are also some cool Easter eggs for readers of the graphic novels.
Oddly, I am still not a fan of the artist. One of the story points revolves around a girl from an adjacent school, one who is a talented actress and physically very attractive only...she isn't drawn that way. In the graphic novels, the same character looks prettier, for some reason.
That said, the writing of Andy Mientus was very good, and I look forward to reading more of his work in this series.
That said, there are some wonderful bits here, including a truly remarkable and strange bit of dark fantasy. The idea that there is an "other world" that sort of connects all theaters in the world is a cool one, but the down side of this is made clear in this story. Also, I liked the way that the author used some of the traditions related to Ouija boards and theater superstitions. I also liked the mildly twisted versions of real-world musicals that were used in the story.
Because some of the teen boys in this novel, like in the graphic novels, are gay, there may be some pushback in conservative communities. That would be really sad, because the characters in this book seem real, convincing, and caring people. There is no sexual content, nor is there any for the non-gay characters.
My take on the series is that it's kind of "Lumberjanes for boys" in intent, and I can see that working. The graphic novels are slightly better than this novel, but not by much. This book is a quick read, with sort of a fantasy/mystery vibe.
There are also some cool Easter eggs for readers of the graphic novels.
Oddly, I am still not a fan of the artist. One of the story points revolves around a girl from an adjacent school, one who is a talented actress and physically very attractive only...she isn't drawn that way. In the graphic novels, the same character looks prettier, for some reason.
That said, the writing of Andy Mientus was very good, and I look forward to reading more of his work in this series.
August 22, 2018
Disclosure:
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Whoever thought Jory would find such amazing friends when he moved? Whoever thought the backstagers would gain two new recruits that year. But as with great gifts, comes great suspense.
Just when things were going great, strange things start happening when they are picked to conduct a play that is still showing on Broadway.
Roe is a new strange student, who just happens to be from a family of witchcraft. Chloe Murphy a strange student from another school tries out for the female lead. But what are your true intentions? What is that strange noise coming from deep inside the restricted access door? There's only one way to find out.
In my honest opinion, I absolutely loved this book. There may be a age limit on it, but I could picture everything. I would love a copy, when the book is completed finished because there was a good amount of pictures that were missing from this unfinished book. I already want to read the second book, which is already available for ARCS.
The storyline is one that you can follow, very intensely and it takes a very stable turn of events, which throws you in very quick. This being a short children's book, I fully understand. I can't even lie, I would recommend this book from Children & up or anybody who still has a imagination.
Whoever thought Jory would find such amazing friends when he moved? Whoever thought the backstagers would gain two new recruits that year. But as with great gifts, comes great suspense.
Just when things were going great, strange things start happening when they are picked to conduct a play that is still showing on Broadway.
Roe is a new strange student, who just happens to be from a family of witchcraft. Chloe Murphy a strange student from another school tries out for the female lead. But what are your true intentions? What is that strange noise coming from deep inside the restricted access door? There's only one way to find out.
In my honest opinion, I absolutely loved this book. There may be a age limit on it, but I could picture everything. I would love a copy, when the book is completed finished because there was a good amount of pictures that were missing from this unfinished book. I already want to read the second book, which is already available for ARCS.
The storyline is one that you can follow, very intensely and it takes a very stable turn of events, which throws you in very quick. This being a short children's book, I fully understand. I can't even lie, I would recommend this book from Children & up or anybody who still has a imagination.
December 8, 2023
"You know that thing when you see a show and you know you are looking at a room that is missing a wall, and you can see the wires making the kids fly, its obvious that the maid is pouring air into the ladies' cups instead of tea, and people start spontaneously breaking into song in the middle of conversation - but for some reason, you just go with it, and by the end you're leaping to your feet and slapping your hands together? Thats the magic at the heart of theater."
.
Something i have really been enjoying is reading books on the apps through my local library this year. I ended up reading The Backstagers last night and it was so cute and imaginative that I read through it all in one sitting. While it's only a bit over 100 pages, it doesn't happen often anymore that I stay up reading past my bed time, or finish an entire (short) book in one day or night 😀 Even though I never performed in theater much growing up, I've always had the biggest imagination and a passion for the arts in general. From acting in church and school skits as a child, to creating my own shows and writing stories or playing outside at home and with my brother, to playing violin in orchestra from age 8 through senior year of high school, to trying out theater and being part of the ensemble in west side Story, this story was so sweet and I loved how creative and even deep and meaningful it was.
Part of me picked this up for research for some of my own ideas, and Part of me was just looking for something fun and feel good, and to make me feel connected to theater since i really enjoyed my summer working at a local theater and I'm sad that time has ended.
But regardless of the reason, I'm very Glad I picked this up and enjoyed it 👏🎭
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Something i have really been enjoying is reading books on the apps through my local library this year. I ended up reading The Backstagers last night and it was so cute and imaginative that I read through it all in one sitting. While it's only a bit over 100 pages, it doesn't happen often anymore that I stay up reading past my bed time, or finish an entire (short) book in one day or night 😀 Even though I never performed in theater much growing up, I've always had the biggest imagination and a passion for the arts in general. From acting in church and school skits as a child, to creating my own shows and writing stories or playing outside at home and with my brother, to playing violin in orchestra from age 8 through senior year of high school, to trying out theater and being part of the ensemble in west side Story, this story was so sweet and I loved how creative and even deep and meaningful it was.
Part of me picked this up for research for some of my own ideas, and Part of me was just looking for something fun and feel good, and to make me feel connected to theater since i really enjoyed my summer working at a local theater and I'm sad that time has ended.
But regardless of the reason, I'm very Glad I picked this up and enjoyed it 👏🎭
April 1, 2022
First of all, and mild spoiler, ***the Meta-Moment of reading Hunter battling villains using sound wave blaster weapons, and knowing this was written by the multi-talented Andy Mientus who played the Pied Piper on The Flash completely caught me up in why I already love and appreciate Mientus for his work.
On to the rest of the story though, I found Mientus to beautifully capture the soul behind these characters that I loved from the Backstagers comic series that precedes the books. I already knew he could embody the passion behind the words, especially after catching him in London in 2019 as Patrick in The View from Upstairs, but I never expected to be so roped in from him as a writer as well. He has a great talent in storytelling in all its forms, and I become a bigger fan every time I explore a new project of his.
This story was so emotional, and tackled themes from exploring new love, hiccups in first relationships, and the happy moments in friendships, to the low and anxiety-ridden points of feeling distance in friendships, the desire to belong, learning to accept disappointments on the road to your dreams without giving up, and coming back stronger to meet them, and even confronting and accepting the grief of great personal loss. I felt all of the feels on this incredible journey through the Backstage, and I can’t wait to feel more in Book 2!
Also, I am SOOOO looking forward to Mientus’ next foray into queer YA dark Academia coming this September (days before my Birthday actually=)) titled Fraternity!
On to the rest of the story though, I found Mientus to beautifully capture the soul behind these characters that I loved from the Backstagers comic series that precedes the books. I already knew he could embody the passion behind the words, especially after catching him in London in 2019 as Patrick in The View from Upstairs, but I never expected to be so roped in from him as a writer as well. He has a great talent in storytelling in all its forms, and I become a bigger fan every time I explore a new project of his.
This story was so emotional, and tackled themes from exploring new love, hiccups in first relationships, and the happy moments in friendships, to the low and anxiety-ridden points of feeling distance in friendships, the desire to belong, learning to accept disappointments on the road to your dreams without giving up, and coming back stronger to meet them, and even confronting and accepting the grief of great personal loss. I felt all of the feels on this incredible journey through the Backstage, and I can’t wait to feel more in Book 2!
Also, I am SOOOO looking forward to Mientus’ next foray into queer YA dark Academia coming this September (days before my Birthday actually=)) titled Fraternity!
February 14, 2019
So happy to finally see these characters in a novel. I love the comics. They are some of my absolute favorites. This was not a disappointment for me.
The overall plot with the ghost light was fine. Definitely spooky. DIdn't love the diary entry section. Felt like there could have been better ways to get that information to us but it worked to get us there quickly.
The Jory and Hunter angst that I once said I wanted almost killed me. I was not ready for that at all. I was stressing out. I need them to be endgame and get a HEA honestly.
Loved Jory in this. I think I relate to this character too much sometimes. The way he felt when he went back to visit his old friends. I was like this is too relatable. These thoughts are about me I don't like it. It's really nice to have that, though.
Reo. Sweet Reo. I love this guy and he's a welcome addition to the cast in my opinion. High School me would have crushed on Reo hard. Like for real. I was worried we were going to get a love triangle when he showed up but it's been avoided so far which is nice.
I feel like I want more Aziz. I think I said that with the comics before. He doesn't get much of a focus and I think I'd really like if we got to see more. His self-esteem and feeling of belonging issues are shown here a bit but I still feel like I don't know the character enough.
Can't wait to read the next comic and the next book which comes out this year.
The overall plot with the ghost light was fine. Definitely spooky. DIdn't love the diary entry section. Felt like there could have been better ways to get that information to us but it worked to get us there quickly.
The Jory and Hunter angst that I once said I wanted almost killed me. I was not ready for that at all. I was stressing out. I need them to be endgame and get a HEA honestly.
Loved Jory in this. I think I relate to this character too much sometimes. The way he felt when he went back to visit his old friends. I was like this is too relatable. These thoughts are about me I don't like it. It's really nice to have that, though.
Reo. Sweet Reo. I love this guy and he's a welcome addition to the cast in my opinion. High School me would have crushed on Reo hard. Like for real. I was worried we were going to get a love triangle when he showed up but it's been avoided so far which is nice.
I feel like I want more Aziz. I think I said that with the comics before. He doesn't get much of a focus and I think I'd really like if we got to see more. His self-esteem and feeling of belonging issues are shown here a bit but I still feel like I don't know the character enough.
Can't wait to read the next comic and the next book which comes out this year.
June 27, 2020
5/5
I LOVE THE BACKSTAGERS WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!!!!!!!
I was so excited to find out about the novel tie-ins to the comics. And it lived up to all my hopes and dreams.
The magic of the comics was present and all the characters still felt like themselves.
I love that we got chapters from each of the characters and really got to know more about them and their personalities.
Beckett - such a caffeine addict and I am so proud of him and excited for his relationship.
Hunter - my sweet child, you poor overwhelmed cherub, but you are still the strong leader and sensitive guy that we all fell in love with.
Jory - my heart aches for Jory, but I absolutely adored him being able to find himself. It felt like such an important story.
Aziz - my baby, what a kind and fragile soul. I want to hug him all the time. Backstagers are allowed to be noticed. He needs to be protected.
Sasha - what a gem. He never fails to bring a smile to my face. HE FIXED SOMETHING. He’s the best, always.
I am loving Reo, the coolest character!!! It was so cool to have positive witch rep and his friendship with Jory was really special. I especially love his anime hat trick.
The Ghost Light was hauntingly beautiful, and as someone who recently lost a sister it really meant a lot to me. So very beautiful and sweet.
I loved this story and I cannot wait for the next one!!
I LOVE THE BACKSTAGERS WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!!!!!!!
I was so excited to find out about the novel tie-ins to the comics. And it lived up to all my hopes and dreams.
The magic of the comics was present and all the characters still felt like themselves.
I love that we got chapters from each of the characters and really got to know more about them and their personalities.
Beckett - such a caffeine addict and I am so proud of him and excited for his relationship.
Hunter - my sweet child, you poor overwhelmed cherub, but you are still the strong leader and sensitive guy that we all fell in love with.
Jory - my heart aches for Jory, but I absolutely adored him being able to find himself. It felt like such an important story.
Aziz - my baby, what a kind and fragile soul. I want to hug him all the time. Backstagers are allowed to be noticed. He needs to be protected.
Sasha - what a gem. He never fails to bring a smile to my face. HE FIXED SOMETHING. He’s the best, always.
I am loving Reo, the coolest character!!! It was so cool to have positive witch rep and his friendship with Jory was really special. I especially love his anime hat trick.
The Ghost Light was hauntingly beautiful, and as someone who recently lost a sister it really meant a lot to me. So very beautiful and sweet.
I loved this story and I cannot wait for the next one!!
April 3, 2019
The Backstagers and the Ghost Light by Andy Mientus, illustrated by Rian Sygh, 195 pages. Amulet Books (Abrams), 2018. $15.
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (High School Dating); Violence: PG (Fighting Ghosts and Monsters).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The Backstagers are highly skilled high school stage techs at St. Genesius Prep. They are gearing up for their production of Phantasm, but someone (or something) is making a mess of the rehearsals. A light falls during auditions, the ghost light breaks and the girl they cast as their lead explores backstage where she shouldn't go setting off an epic battle between good and evil.
There are 8 comics preceding this novel, and while the author fills in the reader so the story is in context, it will make much more sense and you will keep track of the characters better if you've read the comics. I hate to see that these kids produce a whole show and face mortal danger without any adult supervision at all. Also, there's a magical, supernatural quality to these adventures, so don't expect an authentic theater story.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (High School Dating); Violence: PG (Fighting Ghosts and Monsters).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - OPTIONAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
The Backstagers are highly skilled high school stage techs at St. Genesius Prep. They are gearing up for their production of Phantasm, but someone (or something) is making a mess of the rehearsals. A light falls during auditions, the ghost light breaks and the girl they cast as their lead explores backstage where she shouldn't go setting off an epic battle between good and evil.
There are 8 comics preceding this novel, and while the author fills in the reader so the story is in context, it will make much more sense and you will keep track of the characters better if you've read the comics. I hate to see that these kids produce a whole show and face mortal danger without any adult supervision at all. Also, there's a magical, supernatural quality to these adventures, so don't expect an authentic theater story.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
June 10, 2019
I received a copy of the book from Abrams Kids in exchange for an open and honest review. All opinions are my own.
I initially had a really hard time getting into this book. It is based on a graphic novel series I have not read. Maybe that was part of it; the author would refer to things that had happened to the characters in previous iterations that I knew nothing about. The other thing that was hard was it’s not an AR book, but I’m guessing the writing is probably 4th grade reading level, with an interest (based on the cover, and the illustrations, and the story) level appealing to tweens. However, the characters are all in high school; some of them are seniors and planning college visits, even. The five backstagers are all boys. (A little gender diversity, please?) In addition to Jory and Hunter being a couple, there is also their senior stage managers, Jamie and Timothy. While I'd personally rather put this in the junior fiction area (I think the cover is just too juvenile looking to make it an appealing choice for teens), the ages of the characters make it teen content in my library.
Other than that, the book is a light and sparkly celebration of friendship and magic and of course, theater.
I initially had a really hard time getting into this book. It is based on a graphic novel series I have not read. Maybe that was part of it; the author would refer to things that had happened to the characters in previous iterations that I knew nothing about. The other thing that was hard was it’s not an AR book, but I’m guessing the writing is probably 4th grade reading level, with an interest (based on the cover, and the illustrations, and the story) level appealing to tweens. However, the characters are all in high school; some of them are seniors and planning college visits, even. The five backstagers are all boys. (A little gender diversity, please?) In addition to Jory and Hunter being a couple, there is also their senior stage managers, Jamie and Timothy. While I'd personally rather put this in the junior fiction area (I think the cover is just too juvenile looking to make it an appealing choice for teens), the ages of the characters make it teen content in my library.
Other than that, the book is a light and sparkly celebration of friendship and magic and of course, theater.
September 4, 2019
Going into this book I had no idea there were actual comics that these books are based off of. The book mentions a few adventures The Backstagers have had to endure but I didn't feel lost while reading the book because these can be read solo. It's not 100% necessary to know what's in the comics to understand the book. I love that!
I was introduced to an extremely diverse and fun-loving cast. I couldn't help but fall in love with everyone's little quirks and relationships with one another.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book are adorable! I also quite enjoy the fact that the author, Andy Mientus, is famous on Broadway. I really felt like I learned a lot about how theater is just after reading this book due to all the little tiny details he sprinkles in throughout his novel.
The plot was wild and at times, sad. I loved each and every character and the roll they played in each other's lives and the story. They're all so fun loving and care about each other so much even I felt like I was included in their little group backstage! I especially loved Jory and Beckett!
This was just the light-hearted yet kinda spooky story I wanted to read starting the fall months!
I was introduced to an extremely diverse and fun-loving cast. I couldn't help but fall in love with everyone's little quirks and relationships with one another.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book are adorable! I also quite enjoy the fact that the author, Andy Mientus, is famous on Broadway. I really felt like I learned a lot about how theater is just after reading this book due to all the little tiny details he sprinkles in throughout his novel.
The plot was wild and at times, sad. I loved each and every character and the roll they played in each other's lives and the story. They're all so fun loving and care about each other so much even I felt like I was included in their little group backstage! I especially loved Jory and Beckett!
This was just the light-hearted yet kinda spooky story I wanted to read starting the fall months!
January 9, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5 or even a little higher. This book had some really good things going for it (representation, humor, strong relationships between male characters, etc) but it also had some major pitfalls with the writing. I know that this is a spin-off/prose retelling of a graphic novel, but my understanding was that since this was a BOOK ONE, it would still start at the beginning (think Wings of Fire here folks). But, that was wrong. There were MULTIPLE times when the book/story referenced ideas and plot points from earlier books in the graphic novel series and it was a bit disconcerting to not have that background information. ALSO, the characters are supposedly sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school. The way they are written and interact with each other places them FIRMLY in the middle school age group (no language, no sexual content beyond hugs and asking out on a date and talking about crushes). Beyond that though, this is a solid book. It will definitely appeal to those quirky readers who like their stories mixed with adventure, fantasy, and especially those who like the theatre. Strong second purchase.
April 11, 2019
Anyone that has ever been swept into the wonder of a theatrical production should be unsurprised to learn that there is a magical door in the Backstage that leads to other worlds, other theatres. When the Ghost Light for the Archetypal Theatre there is broken, a powerful ghost is released to wreak havoc on theatres around the world. It’s up to the resourceful Backstagers of St. Genesius Prep to stop it. Luckily, the tight-knit crew is up to the task! It’s a lot of fun to witness this multicultural crew band tackle this challenge together while at the same time, staging a musical. Dialogue is laced with drama club lingo and the overall impression is welcoming and non-judgmental. Two of the main male characters are in a loving relationship that everyone accepts. Any flaws in execution are offset by the personable characters and entertaining story. Although this is the first in the book series, there are references to earlier episodes that took place in graphic novel format (Backstagers Comics).
May 15, 2025
2 1/2 Stars, rounded down to two.
I went into reading this thinking (and hoping) it would be similar to Andrew Keenan-Bolger's Jack & Louisa series. However, I didn't realize that there was a whole Backstagers comic book series before this book. So, all the world-building had already been done prior to this book, so I didn't understand that all theatre backstages are somehow connected to each other, and various Entities live (or Un-Live?) there. And a bunch of other stuff I still don't understand. Plus, I'm assuming that the characters of the teens had already been established before, other than their physical descriptions, I felt like there wasn't a whole lot to differentiate them from each other.
I did really like the way that the Ghost Light problem was solved. That whole section of the book was my favorite part. I actually shed a couple tears.
I would recommend reading the comics before this book. Hopefully it will make more sense to a reader that way.
But I wouldn't suggest this be read as a stand alone book.
I went into reading this thinking (and hoping) it would be similar to Andrew Keenan-Bolger's Jack & Louisa series. However, I didn't realize that there was a whole Backstagers comic book series before this book. So, all the world-building had already been done prior to this book, so I didn't understand that all theatre backstages are somehow connected to each other, and various Entities live (or Un-Live?) there. And a bunch of other stuff I still don't understand. Plus, I'm assuming that the characters of the teens had already been established before, other than their physical descriptions, I felt like there wasn't a whole lot to differentiate them from each other.
I did really like the way that the Ghost Light problem was solved. That whole section of the book was my favorite part. I actually shed a couple tears.
I would recommend reading the comics before this book. Hopefully it will make more sense to a reader that way.
But I wouldn't suggest this be read as a stand alone book.
October 13, 2018
PLOT ---
How great is the backstage world? I didn’t know anything about the story behind the ghost light. Is it true? I didn’t investigate about it, but I want to believe it’s true and there are thousands of ghost lights on right now in theaters all around the world. This supernatural adventure was fun, a tiny bit scary, and sad since it dealt with loss.
CHARACTERS ---
The same characters from the comics make an appearance showing more depth since there is more space for inner monologues. I loved being inside their heads and getting to know them better. They’re going through some changes and through hard times, but the good thing is they have each other and that’s beautiful. Also, new characters! Yay! Amazing addition!
THOUGHTS ---
After reading the two Backstagers comics, I knew what to expect but this story just gave me more. In the comics there is so much to see, a lot of details, yet there are not enough pages to narrate a big story. They did it and I loved it, but with books, there is so much narration, more space for feelings, also more space for a little bit of heartache. I enjoyed how Andy Mientus portrayed the characters from the comics. It was a great beginning!
CONCLUSION ---
From the ending and the spine of the book, this is the first of a lot of Backstagers books and I really can’t wait to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes. These stories are simple, easy to read, and very interesting. Its simplicity doesn’t take anything from the overall experience and it leaves you wanting more. And I definitely want more.
How great is the backstage world? I didn’t know anything about the story behind the ghost light. Is it true? I didn’t investigate about it, but I want to believe it’s true and there are thousands of ghost lights on right now in theaters all around the world. This supernatural adventure was fun, a tiny bit scary, and sad since it dealt with loss.
CHARACTERS ---
The same characters from the comics make an appearance showing more depth since there is more space for inner monologues. I loved being inside their heads and getting to know them better. They’re going through some changes and through hard times, but the good thing is they have each other and that’s beautiful. Also, new characters! Yay! Amazing addition!
THOUGHTS ---
After reading the two Backstagers comics, I knew what to expect but this story just gave me more. In the comics there is so much to see, a lot of details, yet there are not enough pages to narrate a big story. They did it and I loved it, but with books, there is so much narration, more space for feelings, also more space for a little bit of heartache. I enjoyed how Andy Mientus portrayed the characters from the comics. It was a great beginning!
CONCLUSION ---
From the ending and the spine of the book, this is the first of a lot of Backstagers books and I really can’t wait to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes. These stories are simple, easy to read, and very interesting. Its simplicity doesn’t take anything from the overall experience and it leaves you wanting more. And I definitely want more.
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