Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic

Aster #2

by Thom Pico, Karensac (Illustrator)

Aster is charming, resourceful, and fun." - Dana Simpson, author of Phoebe and Her Unicorn

Magic turned Aster's life upside-down -- and it's not over! Get ready for more family, more fun, and even more magic in this graphic novel adventure.

Moving to the middle of nowhere has been less of a disaster than Aster expected. Her mom's science experiments are actually pretty cool; her dad's cooking has gotten much better; her new dog is possibly the best canine companion anyone could ask for.

And she's gotten to save the day -- and her family -- and the whole valley she lives in -- from various magical calamities in what even she has to admit were extremely fun adventures. So now she can have a break, right?

Guess what?

Oh no; things get even more interesting.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Comics, Childrens, Graphic Novels Comics, Magic

256 pages, Paperback

Published March 2, 2021

Reviews

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's equal parts Adventure Time and Asterix in this French YA graphic novel, and it is blended perfectly. Magic, absurdity, chaos, secrets, parents, responsibility, and animals all comingle to create a story and a set of characters that are charming, funny, and enjoyable to spend time with. I haven't read he first volume, but despite not having extensive exposition, I didn't feel too lost. After reading this, however, I do want to go back and read the first one (and will wait eagerly for the next one!).

**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More creative than a TV cartoon, the stories have a feeling of joy even at their existential heights. Strange, lovely, colorful, funny. (Sucks I didn't know that this was part 2--I have not read the first one, so a few references were lost on me!)

[Parker J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this had just come out! I will have to pick this up ASAP

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's a wee bit too much going on here. I suppose all the action was supposed to keep the reader engaged, but I found it confusing. The characters were cute, however.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointed with the second book, everything was a little too mixed up and disjointed for my liking, to the point that I just didn’t really get it. Unfortunate because I liked the quirkiness of the first book.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less entertaining than the first and rather disjointed in terms of plot. Still adorable with its drawing style, but it felt like two books crammed into one. The cliffhanger(?) at the end, if this was the final book, was clunky and the story could have instead wrapped up in a neater fashion. Liked the characters still, even if they didn't really grow, especially our grouchy miniature fox king.

[Eliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aster and the Mixed-Up Magic
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4/5) or 8.28/10 overall

Characters - 8

Atmosphere - 9

Writing - 8

Plot - 8

Intrigue - 9

Logic - 8

Enjoyment - 8

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--Here's the second adventure in this fun fantasy series. The Aster books are creative and silly, with great whimsical character designs.

[Ian Hrabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Aster books are excellent. My 7 year old is currently in that weird transitional phase where the Disney princess stuff is more babyish and she wants something more mature, but the more mature stuff is about like, middle schoolers. The Aster books hit that perfect middle ground where they're not about crushes and frenemies, but have a more mature sensibility than the more babyish stuff meant for wee kindergarteners and not big first graders. It certainly helps that the humor in this book is for all ages (I frequently bothered my daughter with my cackling) making them a treat to read at bedtime.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is volume 2, and probably it makes more sense to begin with volume 1.

Having said that, it still seems like a confusing mix of nonsense, humor, & fantasy. Sometimes the main character uses snark & irony, and it just feels like she's kind of mean & dismissive.

Nevertheless, it's fun enough, especially if you like the tragic-comic facial expression of open-wide eyes, gaping mouth, and hands-on-their-cheeks shouting.

It's coincidental that the main character is named Aster, exactly like the main character in Ostertag's The Witch Boy series. If you compare & contrast them, Ostertag is more sophisticated in its character development & world-creation & the characters are a bit older, while Pico's world feels a little slap-dash & silly in comparison.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

When a girl and her talking dog and a talking fox the dog dislikes all get kidnapped by an army of anarchic sheep, you know you really need to have read the first volume in this pair of books first, and recently. I say pair, for the English-language market is getting larger volumes combining two separate issues of the French original each, and in the year since part four arrived there's been no sign of the continuation it tells us is coming. That comment then may be made out of date in the future, but just in case it serves as a reminder that I don't think I care to return to this scatter-brained young fantasy world. Nothing here is awful, especially for the right audience, but it was not my taste, even when I could get a handle on what was what. Two and a half stars.

[Sarah Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle grade graphic novel for fans of "Adventure Time" looking for a gentler read. In this second volume of the series, Aster expect things to calm down after saving her entire valley and becoming the reincarnation of a season. But, as they say, great power comes with great responsibilities! Now it's up to Aster to defend the land from a range of absurd enemies, some of whom could became her next allies. At the same time, she has to decide if her brother and parents can handle the truth of her magical abilities, especially her scientist mom. Readers who haven't picked up the first volume will be fine jumping in, but the narrative of this particular book is uneven. Regardless, child readers will be delighted.

[Eric Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun follow-up to the first book "Aster and the Accidental Magic." It continues the story of Aster and her friends from nature in her small mountain village. In this second volume, her brother returns from college and is frustrated that his little sis (Aster) is too busy to play video games with him as they did together before he left. Instead, she's running around outside. Something she never did when he was younger.

Aster is keeping from her brother and mother that she can do magic. In fact, she is trying to hide the fact that magic exists at all.

Of course, magical calamities happen again in the valley and Aster has to work with new friends (and old) to save the day. Does she? Well, you'll have to read "Mixed-Up Magic" to find out!

[StephanieNicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid continuation that is just as sweet and humorous and adventurous as the first book. My review (copied below) for the first applies to this second book as well.

Review for Aster and the Accidental Magic:
This is a graphic novel about a little girl named Aster whose family moves together to a remote countryside, and there she goes on fantastical nature adventures. Aster is independent and hilarious. The illustrations are cutesy and show nature and magical beings beautifully. The story is full of adventure and friendships and fantastical beasts and tough decisions and whacky hijinks. This is one of those stories that could be for anyone - adults or children - it's just cute and fun.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Aster series so much! The art style is amazing, the characters are great, the adventures are fun; an all around great book!

Aster is so fun and adventurous! She is up for any challenge along with her talking dog Buzz and all her other friends in the valley.

Highly recommend. Kids and adults will really like this one! I hope she will have more adventures in the future!

Thank you to Thom Pico, Random House Children's, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this graphic novel before I added it to good reads, and the series number on the spine was barely noticeable, so it wasn't until I added the book to goodreads (when I was halfway through it) that I learned it was book two in the series.
The good thing is, this book does stand alone very well, the characters are easy to figure out from the start, and the plot is cute, as are the illustrations.
I really enjoyed the story and I look forward to going back to read volume one, or "the origin story" as I will be referring to it for my reading.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle

A wonderful follow-up to Aster's adventures in book one. This volume includes new perils, some familiar characters, and tons of adventure. As with the first book, this one is broken into two interconnected tales, each with magic, danger, and Aster's quick-thinking.

Karensac's artwork is spectacular. Loved seeing new character designs and more of old favorites.

Mystery, humor, adventures, and magic. Another fantastic story featuring Aster.

[JJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy imaginative and nonsensical plot (in a good way).

I picked this up without reading book 1 and it's still enjoyable. Granted, readers are thrown straight into an action packed plot, so perhaps knowing Aster's back story from book 1 would help prepare you for the craziness that unfolds.

Nonetheless, it was the fun and vibrant illustrations that kept me reading. After orientating myself to the rapid-paced silliness, I just enjoyed this graphic novel for what it offered: a zany adventure with equally zany characters.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aster and her magical friends are back to: vanquish the Dumbacabra, fight a Goatzilla, and save the world.

This second installment in the Aster series seemed a little more jumbled and disjointed than the first. I still enjoyed it overall, but I'm not sure these stories will hold up as much for my students who really loved the first book. It could be because I received a not completely finished ARC that this felt a little off, but overall it was just okay.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the first Aster and was super jazzed when I saw the second one make its way on our shelf at the library. This series gives me Adventure Time vibes but with magical forest creatures. I definitely enjoyed this installment in the series but there was a lot going on and it was difficult to keep up with. Within this book they are several stories separated, so the book is not one cohesive story.

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aster spends all her time trying to stop the sheep. Even after her brother returns home, she hides what she's doing from him. With her father and the Chestnut Nights, Buzz and the tiny fox helping can Aster stop the sheep from terrorizing the village? The leader of the sheep, he's a ram, is kinda crazy with power and not willing to listen to reason. Aster doesn't want to fight but she will to save her village. This magical world is filled with cool characters and wild excitement.

[Kelly Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aster's magical adventures continue in this sequel. This time, the mysterious and vengeful sheep that have been hiding from the villagers start causing trouble by sabotaging the village. Why are the sheep so angry? This adventure is fun and action packed, just like the first one. I love this series!

[Adam Sequoyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the first in the series, two stories make up this book. The first is humorous but shallow. The second has huge stakes and ends up very satisfying.

Lots of spectacular illustrations with some silly jokes and with nearly every panel depicting emotions with cartoony super-exaggerations.

MPA ratings: G

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the details in the art and I also Enjoyed the theme of magic in the book. One of my favourite parts was when Aster didn’t tell her mum the secrets of hermagic and that her dog could talk. The book did not inspire me that much however, and I would have liked it if there were more secrets to uncover. I would have prefered this to have been a bit longer.

[Lorie LovesBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny graphic novel. I read #2 and have not read Aster #1 s maybe reading both will change how I feel, but I really liked this book. The illustrations are playful and colorful, there is action and conflict, but it doesn't feel too serious or dangerous. I liked the fox character the best, but all the characters are enjoyable.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. After reading the first Aster book I was wanting more. I enjoy how the stories are a normal book size but have two different stories. Normally I don't like a multi-story book but this one is an exception and I really enjoy it. The stories can be quite silly and fun and I really enjoyed it.

Age 9

[D.T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the ongoing lore with the seasons and the magical animal friends, but all the stories felt like they were dragging to me. I think the series may be done for now, but the open ending leaves room for more adventures.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another adorable Aster adventure! Super cute art coupled with a funny and heartwarming story that’s got good underlying messages. Perfect for fans of Hilda, which this is obviously inspired by. Love it and I will be looking out for future volumes!

[Abigail Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sequel so much! Especially the illustrations of the mini fox and the mountain top! I can’t with the cuteness!!! I’m really obsessed with all of these characters and I really hope there’s another story to come!

[Gretchen Schlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second one in the series. Got a bit crazier in the storyline. Why is the second in a series not usually as good as the first one? Do like the fact that Aster reached out and got more people involved, instead of trying to do everything by herself.