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Meesh the Bad Demon #1
Meesh the Bad Demon
A tale of unlikely heroes and myths is made real in this debut graphic novel series about a "bad" demon trying to find her place in the underworld. But she'll have to save it first!
Meesh is a bad demon. "Bad" meaning she always sees the good in those around her--which, strictly speaking, isn't how a demon is meant to feel or act.
Bullied by the other demons, twelve-year-old Meesh is more likely to be found poring over Fairy World's magazines and fangirling the fairy princesses. When disaster strikes and her family is threatened, Meesh must journey to the Fairy World to find a healing crystal that can save the underworld. And speak of the devil! She meets a fairy princess right away.
But things in the Fairy World aren't so perfect either. As Meesh makes surprising new friends and unites a band of outcasts--including her bully--she learns there's more to being a demon than being bad.
Sometimes the secret to real power is in loving yourself, faults and all.
Meesh is a bad demon. "Bad" meaning she always sees the good in those around her--which, strictly speaking, isn't how a demon is meant to feel or act.
Bullied by the other demons, twelve-year-old Meesh is more likely to be found poring over Fairy World's magazines and fangirling the fairy princesses. When disaster strikes and her family is threatened, Meesh must journey to the Fairy World to find a healing crystal that can save the underworld. And speak of the devil! She meets a fairy princess right away.
But things in the Fairy World aren't so perfect either. As Meesh makes surprising new friends and unites a band of outcasts--including her bully--she learns there's more to being a demon than being bad.
Sometimes the secret to real power is in loving yourself, faults and all.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
34 people are currently reading
998 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
October 29, 2023
This was absolutely adorable yall! I really enjoyed it. Outside of the beautiful artwork, this graphic novel does a great job tackling complex themes like bullying, discrimination, self-esteem, community, friendship, and family so well. Poor Meesh felt as though she didn’t fit in because she wasn’t like the rest of the demons, but also didn’t fit in with the fairies when she needed help to save the demons. There is definitely room for another volume or two of this series. I’m curious to learn more about the world and the various creatures that exist as well as more about the relationship between the demons and the fairies. Overall, this was a strong start to a new middle graphic novel series and I’m interested in reading the next volume when it releases.
May 18, 2023
The art was incredible. I’ve followed this creator for years now and I’m so happy she finally produced a book! I was just slightly disappointed because I expected it to be more like her insta comics - which are more grown up and tackle difficult experiences. This was kinda like a cute kids story. But it was beautiful and I’m excited for the next one.
May 1, 2023
so stinkin’ cute! loved it!
May 1, 2023
4.5 stars
August 9, 2023
Aqui les dejo mi opinión más amplia de esta novela:
https://youtu.be/aDK3CKuj1J8
Que novela tan buena. Me mantuvo en vilo con cada página. Y me divertí bastante. Además de que maneja el tema de la tolerancia, la confianza y el tema de ser diferente no es malo, sino que es extraordinario.
https://youtu.be/aDK3CKuj1J8
Que novela tan buena. Me mantuvo en vilo con cada página. Y me divertí bastante. Además de que maneja el tema de la tolerancia, la confianza y el tema de ser diferente no es malo, sino que es extraordinario.
March 23, 2023
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Knopf Books for Young Readers for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4.5 stars rounded up!
TL;DR: The minute I finished Meesh the Bad Demon I immediately wanted more! I loved this illustration style so much. All of these characters were ridiculously adorable and it made the story even more fun to read. Meesh was an adorable demon who simply wanted to be good and I loved following her as she journeys beyond her world to save her home, makes unexpected friends along the way, and learns to love who she is. This is a story about being yourself, not judging others based on differences, and most importantly, it's a story of friendship. It's a funny, heartwarming and hopeful read!
First of all, I need to talk about the illustrations. I've never heard of or seen any of Michelle Lam's work before but now that I have I want to read everything she's ever illustrated because I absolutely loved her style! It's freaking adorable and I loved the way she was able to so clearly translate all the emotions through the character's expressions. It was this expressiveness that made it easier to connect and empathise with Meesh, Nouna, and even Xavier!
Meesh is an adorable young demon who loves flowers, the faerie TV show called Princess Nouna, and simply being good. She gets bullied in school for being a 'bad demon' because she's unable to do all the things a demon *should* be able to do. Thankfully, she had a really wonderful relationship with her grandma whom she lived with. Their relationship was so heartwarming and supportive, and I loved how grandma encouraged her to just be herself regardless of how others will think of her at school. She's such an easy character to root for as she's shouldered with the responsibility of finding help to her save her grandma and her home.
Things get off to a rocky start when she encounters Princess Nouna in the faerie realm but not everything is as it seems with the perfect on-screen princess. Nouna was an interesting character who also had secrets about herself that she kept from the public. Meesh and Nouna weren't perfect but I love how they tackled the preconceived notions they had of each other and by overcoming these differences, they formed a beautiful friendship full of positivity and encouragement. It's not a conflict-free friendship either but they don't hesitate to step up for each other when the time comes. Xavier was also an interesting character as the bully because we see his own insecurities get exposed (although that's obviously no excuse for bullying). I do wish that his bullying was addressed rather than ignored due to what happened in the demon realm though but I'm looking forward to seeing how his character will change as the story progresses.
There were some moments where I felt the story jumped around a bit when it came to the world-building and particularly the history between the faeries and demons. Although I can sense that the tension between these two races will have a more prominent role in the story moving forward, it did feel a little shoehorned in as the history is only introduced halfway through the story rather than at the beginning. That said, I'm really looking forward to seeing this history explored more in the future and I can't wait to also see how it might connect to other storylines that were touched upon in this book.
Overall, I thought this was a great introduction to a new MG fantasy graphic novel series. I'm excited to see where Lam will take the story and how these more serious themes will be explored in the series and I can't wait to follow Meesh and her friends on their adventures ahead!
TL;DR: The minute I finished Meesh the Bad Demon I immediately wanted more! I loved this illustration style so much. All of these characters were ridiculously adorable and it made the story even more fun to read. Meesh was an adorable demon who simply wanted to be good and I loved following her as she journeys beyond her world to save her home, makes unexpected friends along the way, and learns to love who she is. This is a story about being yourself, not judging others based on differences, and most importantly, it's a story of friendship. It's a funny, heartwarming and hopeful read!
First of all, I need to talk about the illustrations. I've never heard of or seen any of Michelle Lam's work before but now that I have I want to read everything she's ever illustrated because I absolutely loved her style! It's freaking adorable and I loved the way she was able to so clearly translate all the emotions through the character's expressions. It was this expressiveness that made it easier to connect and empathise with Meesh, Nouna, and even Xavier!
Meesh is an adorable young demon who loves flowers, the faerie TV show called Princess Nouna, and simply being good. She gets bullied in school for being a 'bad demon' because she's unable to do all the things a demon *should* be able to do. Thankfully, she had a really wonderful relationship with her grandma whom she lived with. Their relationship was so heartwarming and supportive, and I loved how grandma encouraged her to just be herself regardless of how others will think of her at school. She's such an easy character to root for as she's shouldered with the responsibility of finding help to her save her grandma and her home.
Things get off to a rocky start when she encounters Princess Nouna in the faerie realm but not everything is as it seems with the perfect on-screen princess. Nouna was an interesting character who also had secrets about herself that she kept from the public. Meesh and Nouna weren't perfect but I love how they tackled the preconceived notions they had of each other and by overcoming these differences, they formed a beautiful friendship full of positivity and encouragement. It's not a conflict-free friendship either but they don't hesitate to step up for each other when the time comes. Xavier was also an interesting character as the bully because we see his own insecurities get exposed (although that's obviously no excuse for bullying). I do wish that his bullying was addressed rather than ignored due to what happened in the demon realm though but I'm looking forward to seeing how his character will change as the story progresses.
There were some moments where I felt the story jumped around a bit when it came to the world-building and particularly the history between the faeries and demons. Although I can sense that the tension between these two races will have a more prominent role in the story moving forward, it did feel a little shoehorned in as the history is only introduced halfway through the story rather than at the beginning. That said, I'm really looking forward to seeing this history explored more in the future and I can't wait to also see how it might connect to other storylines that were touched upon in this book.
Overall, I thought this was a great introduction to a new MG fantasy graphic novel series. I'm excited to see where Lam will take the story and how these more serious themes will be explored in the series and I can't wait to follow Meesh and her friends on their adventures ahead!
April 19, 2023
Hello Again!
I have been reading a lot lately and I have found that grabbing a graphic novel or manga in between some longer reads really helps me stay out of a reading slump. Recently, I received an E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions) for a new graphic novel called Meesh the Bad Demon. I believe this is going to become a series, and I have to say I really enjoyed volume one, so I will definitely be checking out volume two when it arrives! But for now, let’s jump into volume one.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Meesh is a young demon, she attends school every day and lives with her grandmother. However, Meesh is not very good at demon activities, but she does love many other things. One day when Meesh is on the way to school (running late again), a classmate who also bullies Meesh a lot is sent to find her. When they find one another, they get into a small fight and Meesh ends up rolling down the large hill that the school is located on. When Meesh gets to the bottom of the hill, she notices something weird is happening. The lava river is turning other demons into statues! Meesh is not sure what to do but she gets up and starts running. First she runs to where her grandmother works and finds that her grandmother is turning into one of the statues. Meesh is terrified but she decides that in order to get help she will need to leave the demon world. Will Meesh be able to find the help she needs?
I absolutely adored this graphic novel. The story was very good and the art was gorgeous. There were several pages that I felt popped off the page and would make amazing artwork to hang in a home or anywhere else. Meesh and her grandmother have an amazing relationship/family dynamic. I was also very intrigued by the mystery aspect of this story. I can not wait to see where Meesh’s story heads next!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I have been reading a lot lately and I have found that grabbing a graphic novel or manga in between some longer reads really helps me stay out of a reading slump. Recently, I received an E-ARC (thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions) for a new graphic novel called Meesh the Bad Demon. I believe this is going to become a series, and I have to say I really enjoyed volume one, so I will definitely be checking out volume two when it arrives! But for now, let’s jump into volume one.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Meesh is a young demon, she attends school every day and lives with her grandmother. However, Meesh is not very good at demon activities, but she does love many other things. One day when Meesh is on the way to school (running late again), a classmate who also bullies Meesh a lot is sent to find her. When they find one another, they get into a small fight and Meesh ends up rolling down the large hill that the school is located on. When Meesh gets to the bottom of the hill, she notices something weird is happening. The lava river is turning other demons into statues! Meesh is not sure what to do but she gets up and starts running. First she runs to where her grandmother works and finds that her grandmother is turning into one of the statues. Meesh is terrified but she decides that in order to get help she will need to leave the demon world. Will Meesh be able to find the help she needs?
I absolutely adored this graphic novel. The story was very good and the art was gorgeous. There were several pages that I felt popped off the page and would make amazing artwork to hang in a home or anywhere else. Meesh and her grandmother have an amazing relationship/family dynamic. I was also very intrigued by the mystery aspect of this story. I can not wait to see where Meesh’s story heads next!
Goodreads Rating: 5 Stars
***Thank you so much to the publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 30, 2024
Cette BD est magnifique et féerique. C'était un plaisir de découvrir cette histoire si mignonne et en même temps remplie d'enjeux importants. Comme notamment : le harcèlement, la discrimination, les préjugés, la migration et l'amitié, tous ces sujets ont rendu l'histoire touchante et captivante.
Je la recommande à tout le monde !
Je la recommande à tout le monde !
March 22, 2023
This was so cute! An adorable take on the power of friendship and the ways that our differences can actually be what bring us together.
July 7, 2023
OMG Loved it!!
September 20, 2023
Super cute 💜
March 25, 2025
With heartwarming messages about seeing through prejudice and coming together, self acceptance and friendship, this was an utterly adorable graphic novel. The plot itself did feel a little rushed at times which was a shame but overall this was an action packed, heartfelt and beautifully illustrated read and I’m already looking forward to book seeing where the story goes!
August 8, 2023
Such a cute middle grade graphic novel! I really enjoyed reading this one and I hope to pick up the sequel as it left on a cliffhanger!!
April 10, 2023
I loved this so much! It's definitely become 1 of my new favorite all time graphic novels for sure. This has unlikely heroes, & an amazing MC who's trying to find where she belongs & who she's meant to be. Meesh doesn't fit in with the other demons, because she wants to be good, & the fairies won't accept her because she's a demon. But when everyone has to put aside their differences, & see past appearances etc. to save the day, then that's when anything is possible-great messages in there alone for kids. All these characters are so easy to root for. Besides the magical aspects, they're all very relatable, flawed, endearing characters. Meesh steals your heart from the word go. She learns along the way that being a demon doesn't have to mean to her what it means to other demons. It means what she wants it to mean. During this self-discovery, she also is surprised to learn there are demon things about herself she loves & is proud of. She also learns that the fairy life isn't as "green on the other side" as it has appeared either (get it? Lol). I adored the unlikely friendship between Meesh & Nouna, & how they both helped each other so much in different ways. The cover, & all the illustrations by the author are absolutelv STUNNING! I'm obsessed with the color palette for this, & how the author goes between dark & light at all the right parts, & then a combination of dark & light...just incredible. HIGHLY recommend. Can't wait for the next one! 💜
February 15, 2023
Meesh is supposed to be a scary demon who can breathe fire and spit acid, but she'd rather play with fairy action figures and watch princess cartoons. When her whole world and everyone she loves are threatened by a mysterious curse. Meesh is sure that Nouna the fairy princess can solve all her problems, but when Meesh gets to the fairy city, she discovers decades of prejudice and misunderstanding. When an accident forces Nouna and Meesh together, they have to put aside their differences for the good of both their worlds.
This clever story plays with classic superhero tropes and ponders systemic racism in an approachable and whimsical way. The characters are fun and believable, and I loved seeing new magic pop up at every turn. Fans of the Legend of Zelda and Crystal Cadets should definitely pick up this exciting first in series graphic novel. I can't wait for the second one to come out!
This clever story plays with classic superhero tropes and ponders systemic racism in an approachable and whimsical way. The characters are fun and believable, and I loved seeing new magic pop up at every turn. Fans of the Legend of Zelda and Crystal Cadets should definitely pick up this exciting first in series graphic novel. I can't wait for the second one to come out!
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October 22, 2023DNF’d at page 82
May 5, 2024
Super cute graphic novel about friendship, overcoming differences, forgiving, saving people and more.
July 31, 2023
Meesh is not like all the other demons, she is obsessed with a fairy princess show, is behind the other demons on fire breathing and lives with her grandmother. I love their relationship and how her grandmother supports what she loves even if it’s unusual of a demon.
When a terrible green liquid turns most of her town into statues, even her grandmother, she knows she must turn to the fairies for help. What she finds out is the princess she always thought was perfect has her own flaws too and together they must figure out a way to save the demons.
I absolutely loved the characters and the message in this book. The illustrations were incredible and I just had a blast reading it, I’ll be looking forward to the next volume!
When a terrible green liquid turns most of her town into statues, even her grandmother, she knows she must turn to the fairies for help. What she finds out is the princess she always thought was perfect has her own flaws too and together they must figure out a way to save the demons.
I absolutely loved the characters and the message in this book. The illustrations were incredible and I just had a blast reading it, I’ll be looking forward to the next volume!
March 19, 2024
The art was adorable!! I can really tell this was made by a storyboard artist because of the use of dynamic camera angles and general sense of space!
The story was a little rushed and some choices seemed a bit random and contrived- (them knowing the ruby would be in the museum?? The mother putting the ruby in the museum knowing they'd look for it there????) But in general I enjoyed this comic and will be reading more of Miss Lam's work!
The story was a little rushed and some choices seemed a bit random and contrived- (them knowing the ruby would be in the museum?? The mother putting the ruby in the museum knowing they'd look for it there????) But in general I enjoyed this comic and will be reading more of Miss Lam's work!
May 1, 2023
A pretty cute middle grade graphic novel that speeds through a lot of different issues. I wish it hadn't originally been painted as black and white but luckily things do get discussed and elaborated. I almost wish it had been a slower journey so we could really see Meesh's development but I'm assuming following books will delve deeper!
August 7, 2024
Such a sweet story - the artwork was beautiful, and the story itself was a beautiful message of seeing through prejudice and working together!
TW for bullying, presumed death of a loved one, presumed death of a community, prejudice, xenophobic speech, mentions of ableism.
TW for bullying, presumed death of a loved one, presumed death of a community, prejudice, xenophobic speech, mentions of ableism.
July 11, 2023
I would kill for Meesh tbh
August 12, 2023
Super duper cute, and got plenty of magical girl vibes from it!
July 6, 2024
The most cutest book ever!!!😍
February 1, 2025
Ahh! This was cute! Not quite what I was expecting coming from what I’d seen on insta - but a lovely story aimed at a middle grade audience.
March 21, 2025
[3.5⭐]
amazing artwork and the dominant color palettes were simply stunning 🩷 just wish the main characters had more depth!!
amazing artwork and the dominant color palettes were simply stunning 🩷 just wish the main characters had more depth!!
January 4, 2026
Oh, I REALLY liked this one. This was such a great story. It did a really great job of building background to set the stage for the sequel. This was really fun.
December 19, 2024
I love Meesh so many good charecters and a lot of magic too.
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December 27, 2024Me gustó la ilustración. Linda historia para niñxs.
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January 23, 2025this was so cute!
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