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My Aunt Is a Monster
Curses! Adventures! And drama! Oh my! Safia might not be able to see the world, but that doesn’t mean she can’t experience it to the fullest as she finds herself on her very first adventure! This is a contemporary fantasy middle-grade graphic novel about discovering what you are truly capable of.
Safia thought that being blind meant she would only get to go on adventures through her audiobooks. This all changes when she goes to live with a distant and mysterious aunt, Lady Whimsy, who takes Safia on the journey of a lifetime!
While the reclusive Lady Whimsy stops an old rival from uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, Safia experiences parts of the world she had only dreamed about. But when an unlikely group of chaotic agents comes after Whimsy, Safia is forced to confront the adventure head-on. For the first time in her life, Safia is the hero of her own story, and she must do what she can to save the day.
And maybe find some friends along the way.
Reimena Yee returns with an all-new graphic novel filled with action, magic, and family. My Aunt Is a Monster explores how anybody can do anything as long as they are given the chance and have the right people behind them.
Safia thought that being blind meant she would only get to go on adventures through her audiobooks. This all changes when she goes to live with a distant and mysterious aunt, Lady Whimsy, who takes Safia on the journey of a lifetime!
While the reclusive Lady Whimsy stops an old rival from uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, Safia experiences parts of the world she had only dreamed about. But when an unlikely group of chaotic agents comes after Whimsy, Safia is forced to confront the adventure head-on. For the first time in her life, Safia is the hero of her own story, and she must do what she can to save the day.
And maybe find some friends along the way.
Reimena Yee returns with an all-new graphic novel filled with action, magic, and family. My Aunt Is a Monster explores how anybody can do anything as long as they are given the chance and have the right people behind them.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2022
59 people are currently reading
2195 people want to read
About the author
Reimena Yee
22 books338 followersA strange and fancy author-artist, born in the dusty city of Kuala Lumpur. Having once been an academia aspirant, she looks at the world with infinite awe and curiosity. She loves history, the beauty in the mundane, and whimsically spooky things.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
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July 29, 2020July 29, 2020: A mostly all-female + one non-binary cast? A POC blind girl? Auntie has a secret? I mean, I'm ready for this.
February 21, 2023
A one-time adventurer has become a recluse in a mansion on a hill, bitter and lonely, until a visit from a sibling's child reopens their eyes to a life of adventure. With its echoes of Uncle Scrooge McDuck's first appearance in "Christmas on Bear Mountain" with his nephew Donald Duck (for DuckTales enthusiasts, there's even a housekeeper with a mysterious background and special skills), I was primed to like this book.
The characters and their relationships are good, with the lead being a blind girl who yearns for travel and adventure, but I only wish less time was spent on the ocean cruise to the actual adventure (nearly half the book!) and more time on the action finale.
I'd certainly like to see the sequel hinted at in the closing pages.
The characters and their relationships are good, with the lead being a blind girl who yearns for travel and adventure, but I only wish less time was spent on the ocean cruise to the actual adventure (nearly half the book!) and more time on the action finale.
I'd certainly like to see the sequel hinted at in the closing pages.
October 22, 2023
Safia is blind, but she was raised by booksellers who read her stories of adventures and the wide world. After her parents tragically die in a fire, Safia is adopted by a distant relative, a reclusive aunt who used to be the world's most famous adventurer. A curse ended her traveling career, but a rival adventurer and the discovery of an ancient city might pull the whole family back into the world. This book was sillier than I expected, but I still greatly enjoyed the art style and the magical whimsy.
November 7, 2022
This is actually probably the best graphic novel I've ever read.
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March 26, 2024Oh, I adored this. This has all the whimsy, imagination, and heart of Reimena Yee's stories, and My Aunt is a Monster is no exception. A story about loving the world for all its flaws, years-old rivalry, and how love and care can save us.
December 20, 2022
This was OK. I liked the art a lot, and a lot of the concepts were fun, but it's very chaotic and frantic, especially in the last 25% or so. it's hard to tell what's happening on several pages, and there's so much jammed into the story that it feels jumbled and confusing at certain points.
I wish we had more kids' graphic novels set on cruises or ships, though! That was my favorite part.
I wish we had more kids' graphic novels set on cruises or ships, though! That was my favorite part.
November 4, 2022
first of all, let me tell you that it had one of the BEST prologues i have ever read in my life. it was soo intriguing and nicely-done like W O W.
now, i got to admit that it had a really well-thought and complex plot, and this is something you don't really encounter in graphic novels! so props to reimena yee for managing to develop such a deep plot structure in such a smooth and comprehensive way :')
moreover, the characters were all soooo unique and the color palette so beautiful ♡ safia was such a loveable protagonist and she has my! whole!! heart!!! she's also blind, and it was my first time reading about a blind MC so it was quite enlightening and thought-provoking to see things from her POV.
more people should read this book like c'mon!!! and check out reimena yee's other book 'séance tea party,' which is my personal favorite ♡
now, i got to admit that it had a really well-thought and complex plot, and this is something you don't really encounter in graphic novels! so props to reimena yee for managing to develop such a deep plot structure in such a smooth and comprehensive way :')
moreover, the characters were all soooo unique and the color palette so beautiful ♡ safia was such a loveable protagonist and she has my! whole!! heart!!! she's also blind, and it was my first time reading about a blind MC so it was quite enlightening and thought-provoking to see things from her POV.
more people should read this book like c'mon!!! and check out reimena yee's other book 'séance tea party,' which is my personal favorite ♡
April 29, 2024
Really delightful.
I love the world-building here. It's not too high-fantasy for earbuds and cars. Fully-saturated adventure, with lots of incidental gayness and representation. Safia's blindness is important to the plot, but it's not the center of this story.
Yee's style is distinctive but fully accessible. The story is dense but also feels lighthearted and fun.
Planning to take this to local elementary schools in June 2024.
I love the world-building here. It's not too high-fantasy for earbuds and cars. Fully-saturated adventure, with lots of incidental gayness and representation. Safia's blindness is important to the plot, but it's not the center of this story.
Yee's style is distinctive but fully accessible. The story is dense but also feels lighthearted and fun.
Planning to take this to local elementary schools in June 2024.
July 16, 2023
I really liked this book!
It's great to see a story with unrealistic elements (sci-fi, fantasy, etc) with a disabled MC, where the sci-fi/fantasy elements aren't "solving" or "curing" their disability. Disabled characters should be able to have adventures too—Safia is a great character. I also loved the enby rep!
It's great to see a story with unrealistic elements (sci-fi, fantasy, etc) with a disabled MC, where the sci-fi/fantasy elements aren't "solving" or "curing" their disability. Disabled characters should be able to have adventures too—Safia is a great character. I also loved the enby rep!
January 20, 2023
4.4
I picked this up for the rep, the concept, and because Reimena Yee write one of my favorite graphic novels, and I mostly feel like I got my money's worth! I adore that this is a story of a blind girl and while her blindness obviously effects the story it's never in a way that highlights it as a weakness or has to lean into the maudlin. Safia is a precocious, adventurous girl, and I loved getting to see how she grew into her life with Aunty Whimsy. I enjoyed Whimsy herself and their nanny, and the peek of world building was interesting. This feels like it's ramping up for a sequel, and I'd be interested to see where things take them!
I picked this up for the rep, the concept, and because Reimena Yee write one of my favorite graphic novels, and I mostly feel like I got my money's worth! I adore that this is a story of a blind girl and while her blindness obviously effects the story it's never in a way that highlights it as a weakness or has to lean into the maudlin. Safia is a precocious, adventurous girl, and I loved getting to see how she grew into her life with Aunty Whimsy. I enjoyed Whimsy herself and their nanny, and the peek of world building was interesting. This feels like it's ramping up for a sequel, and I'd be interested to see where things take them!
December 15, 2022
Honestly, not sure how much I followed this storyline and the ending was a little jumbled to me. But I also read it in fits and spurts, so that may be on me.
The art is great and I liked the disability rep of the main character.
The art is great and I liked the disability rep of the main character.
March 3, 2023
I wasn't sure what to expect from that cover, but it ended up being so charming!
January 10, 2024
the ending felt super rushed but other than that i really loved this book!! the characters and the art were a lot of fun
July 27, 2023
I enjoyed it but felt something was lacking. Maybe the backstory needed to be more fleshed out, not really sure. Still a fun and different story.
February 8, 2023
this was so cute and the story was really good!! loved the artwork!
June 18, 2023
this book's reminder to all people: ❛ don't judge a person by their external appearance, but by their character, heart and actions ♡ ❜
August 1, 2021
This was a VERY VERY early copy, which I got the honor of taking a tiny peek at! AND FRIENDS. friends. You will want to add this to your TBR shelves for 2022. Trust me on this.
My Aunt is a Monster follows a blind, story-loving girl named Safia, who goes to live with her aunt when her parents tragically pass away in a fire. Little does she know, her reclusive aunt Whimsy was once The Greatest Explorer of All Time, and she’s hiding a big secret… This story was so warm and whimsical and full of wanderlust, and gave me so much joy when I was starting to feel super restless at home from a perpetual lockdown. You can find more info about the comic here on Reimena’s blog!
Digital ARC provided by the author. All opinions my own.
My Aunt is a Monster follows a blind, story-loving girl named Safia, who goes to live with her aunt when her parents tragically pass away in a fire. Little does she know, her reclusive aunt Whimsy was once The Greatest Explorer of All Time, and she’s hiding a big secret… This story was so warm and whimsical and full of wanderlust, and gave me so much joy when I was starting to feel super restless at home from a perpetual lockdown. You can find more info about the comic here on Reimena’s blog!
Digital ARC provided by the author. All opinions my own.
November 28, 2022
I read this book to check out the representation of a blind MC in an adventure-themed graphic novel. The representation was fine. I liked the way it presented the reality that sometimes one's disability is a reason for strained relationship dynamics and sometimes it's not or only part of the dynamics. That said, this was just a miss for me. I struggled to follow the story at times. I liked the rivalries, world travel, and adventure but many parts, including the ending, just seemed too quick and easy given the hype for the buildup. If I had one wish about the representation was that the MC's blindness was very rarely mentioned. Maybe youth will appreciate this but I would have liked to see her factor it more into character and story building. This one was 3 stars for me.
August 21, 2023
another adorably heartwarming graphic novel adventure from the creator of Séance Tea Party (another one i loved which fully made me cry real tears)! my aunt is a monster is a really sweet adventure tale about the renowned (and now retired) explorer lady whimsy and her niece safiya, a budding explorer in her own right. this installment follows lady whimsy's unwilling unretirement as well as being a bit of a coming of age tale re: safiya, but it's perfectly set up for a sequel - i'm not sure if that's in the works but i would love to see more of these characters! a quick, light read with beautiful illustrations and a gorgeous color palette. i loved the little touch of the prologue being done in more saturated colors, while the rest of the story following the death of safiya's parents is more muted. a neat little detail that speaks to the care put into the illustration.
so far i've loved both of the middle-grade works i've read by reimena yee and i am super excited to check out their adult graphic novels as well!
so far i've loved both of the middle-grade works i've read by reimena yee and i am super excited to check out their adult graphic novels as well!
August 18, 2025
Loved the disability representation, but I found the story to be just "okay" compared to Seance Tea Party. I liked the world, but I felt the story just dragged a little, especially in the middle.
November 7, 2022
This is such a delightful adventure book.
Safia is blind, and has been adapted by her aunt, after her parents die in a fire. People have said a monster lives in the house, but she only knows what she is told, that her aunt is disfigured.
When a mystery comes up, the aunt, who was an explorer before she got “disfigured”, decides she must go on one last trip, and takes Saphia her.
There are bad guys, who want to find the treasure that her aunt left behind, and there is her arch rival who seems to want the same thing. It is a race, sort of, but Saphia is enjoying it all.
Delightful story. Wonderful illustrations. Totally logical reason for Safia’s aunt to turn into a monster.
Here is hoping that there will be more books about their adventures.
Safia is blind, and has been adapted by her aunt, after her parents die in a fire. People have said a monster lives in the house, but she only knows what she is told, that her aunt is disfigured.
When a mystery comes up, the aunt, who was an explorer before she got “disfigured”, decides she must go on one last trip, and takes Saphia her.
There are bad guys, who want to find the treasure that her aunt left behind, and there is her arch rival who seems to want the same thing. It is a race, sort of, but Saphia is enjoying it all.
Delightful story. Wonderful illustrations. Totally logical reason for Safia’s aunt to turn into a monster.
Here is hoping that there will be more books about their adventures.
February 8, 2024
2.50 ★
i loved Séance Tea Party but this was.... confusing and forgettable
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: poc vision impaired mc; bipoc, nonbinary and sapphic scs.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
i loved Séance Tea Party but this was.... confusing and forgettable
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: poc vision impaired mc; bipoc, nonbinary and sapphic scs.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
November 7, 2022
Sweet middle grade graphic novel about a young blind girl who loses her parents in a fire, then is sent to live with her aunt. Aunt turns out to be a famous explorer who was turned into a monster by a curse. Beginning of a fun series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2022
A very sweet, kind story, though the plot was kind of scattered. Not as strong as Seance Tea Party was, but definitely worth checking out if you're a Reimena Yee fan.
June 17, 2023
Safia has always had big dreams and loving parents, but everything comes crashing down when her parents perish in a fire. Now she’s living with her distant aunt, a retired adventurer, near an area that a monster is rumored to live, she gets a taste of that life by proxy. So when Walteranne Whimsy needs to come out of retirement and go on one last adventure, of course Safia is ready to head out and experience the adventures she thought she’d only ever go on through audiobooks. Once out and gaining the experiences of her dreams, she learns that the monster of the hill she’s heard about is none other than her own dear Aunty Whimsy!
I checked out a different book that I enjoyed from Reimena Yee, so when I saw this was available, I knew I had to pick it up. We follow Safia shortly after her parents perish in a terrible fire. She’s always dreamed of adventure, but she thinks she can only experience them with her audiobooks because she’s blind. However, when she finds herself living with her aunt, she learns that’s not the case. We get to follow Safia on her very first adventure where she’s thrilled to experience the world with a side of the supernatural.
Along the way, we see Safia get close to her aunt, Walteranne Whimsy. Now, Aunty Whimsy has been living in seclusion ever since she was cursed on what she thought was her final great adventure! However, Safia doesn’t know this until later since her aunt said she’s disfigured. I love that, together, they learn that they are capable of so much more than the world makes them believe.
One of the things I love about this book is that Safia is blind, but that it’s not presented in a negative way. I also love that Safia is a fully developed character rather than having her blindness being all that she is like many forms of media do. She’s curious, adventurous, caring, and thoughtful. She also makes friends easily, whether it’s with a ghost who lives on her aunt’s property or a self-conscious person on a boat. Safia also has dreams, and one of them is being a writer, which is why she’s so excited about going on her very first adventure. Now she can write a book about it!
We also have Aunty Whimsy, who brings a fantasy aspect to the table. She’s been cursed and lives in seclusion because she knows people will judge her based on her appearance. She fears how people will react when they see her, so she retired and let the world think that she disappeared on the very trip that led to her curse. I love the relationship that Aunty Whimsy has with Safia as well as Cathryn, who was once Aunty Whimsy’s nanny! The three of them are such wonderful characters in addition to making a great trio.
All in all, this is an absolutely wonderful book. Of course, the artwork is absolutely stunning, and I loved getting a glimpse at some of the concept art at the end of the book. However, the main draw is Safia and Aunty Whimsy’s stories as well as the friendships between the different characters. I’m excited to see what Reimena Yee publishes next!
I checked out a different book that I enjoyed from Reimena Yee, so when I saw this was available, I knew I had to pick it up. We follow Safia shortly after her parents perish in a terrible fire. She’s always dreamed of adventure, but she thinks she can only experience them with her audiobooks because she’s blind. However, when she finds herself living with her aunt, she learns that’s not the case. We get to follow Safia on her very first adventure where she’s thrilled to experience the world with a side of the supernatural.
Along the way, we see Safia get close to her aunt, Walteranne Whimsy. Now, Aunty Whimsy has been living in seclusion ever since she was cursed on what she thought was her final great adventure! However, Safia doesn’t know this until later since her aunt said she’s disfigured. I love that, together, they learn that they are capable of so much more than the world makes them believe.
One of the things I love about this book is that Safia is blind, but that it’s not presented in a negative way. I also love that Safia is a fully developed character rather than having her blindness being all that she is like many forms of media do. She’s curious, adventurous, caring, and thoughtful. She also makes friends easily, whether it’s with a ghost who lives on her aunt’s property or a self-conscious person on a boat. Safia also has dreams, and one of them is being a writer, which is why she’s so excited about going on her very first adventure. Now she can write a book about it!
We also have Aunty Whimsy, who brings a fantasy aspect to the table. She’s been cursed and lives in seclusion because she knows people will judge her based on her appearance. She fears how people will react when they see her, so she retired and let the world think that she disappeared on the very trip that led to her curse. I love the relationship that Aunty Whimsy has with Safia as well as Cathryn, who was once Aunty Whimsy’s nanny! The three of them are such wonderful characters in addition to making a great trio.
All in all, this is an absolutely wonderful book. Of course, the artwork is absolutely stunning, and I loved getting a glimpse at some of the concept art at the end of the book. However, the main draw is Safia and Aunty Whimsy’s stories as well as the friendships between the different characters. I’m excited to see what Reimena Yee publishes next!
January 2, 2024
I like the premise of this book a lot, and I enjoyed the three main characters (Safia, Aunt Whimsy, and Ms. Cathryn), plus Aunt Whimsy's nonbinary rival Pineapple Tart. The climax didn't interest me very much, though, because while I liked the drama of Aunt Whimsy hiding her identity and her monstrous appearance, the chaotic Bureau didn't interest me or make much sense. I suppose they fit in with the story's whimsical tone, but... I just didn't enjoy them as villains, not even Hebe. Her budding friendship with Safia was sweet, but I didn't fully understand or sympathize with her character motivations, which circles back to my lack of appreciation for the Bureau as villains.
Regardless, this graphic novel is cute, and I love seeing representation for visually disabled characters. Yee does a good job of emphasizing Safia's love for travel in ways that don't involve seeing: eating delicious foods, reading Braille plaques at museums, going on audio tours... Safia's blindness isn't ignored or glossed over, yet it doesn't stop Yee from writing a complex and adventurous young girl (which I think some authors would struggle with, based on their preconceived notions of what it would be like to be blind).
I also appreciated the lack of romance in this story. At first, I thought that Whimsy and Cathryn might have been romantic partners, or that Whimsy's rivalry with Pineapple Tart would take on a similar lens. I also wasn't sure if Safia and Hebe would go the same way. It's not that I felt their relationships were romantic at all; but I'm so used to stories having at least one romance in them that I was expecting something to start or be revealed at any moment. I'm glad that the emphasis remained fixed on family and friendship, because I don't think this story needed romance to be satisfying and complete.
Regardless, this graphic novel is cute, and I love seeing representation for visually disabled characters. Yee does a good job of emphasizing Safia's love for travel in ways that don't involve seeing: eating delicious foods, reading Braille plaques at museums, going on audio tours... Safia's blindness isn't ignored or glossed over, yet it doesn't stop Yee from writing a complex and adventurous young girl (which I think some authors would struggle with, based on their preconceived notions of what it would be like to be blind).
I also appreciated the lack of romance in this story. At first, I thought that Whimsy and Cathryn might have been romantic partners, or that Whimsy's rivalry with Pineapple Tart would take on a similar lens. I also wasn't sure if Safia and Hebe would go the same way. It's not that I felt their relationships were romantic at all; but I'm so used to stories having at least one romance in them that I was expecting something to start or be revealed at any moment. I'm glad that the emphasis remained fixed on family and friendship, because I don't think this story needed romance to be satisfying and complete.
October 27, 2022
As a reader I prefer standalone books, but it can be a little harder to keep track of an author if you don’t have the easy classification of a series to follow. One new-to-me author from a couple of years ago, whom I loved (and was determined to follow!) was Reimena Yee. Her newest middle grade graphic novel, My Aunt is a Monster, is not directly related to her debut, Séance Tea Party – which I enjoyed very much – but it has some of the same fantastical charm (and of course Reimena’s whimsical storytelling and artistic style!).
Safia Haziz, a blind girl who dreams of visiting the far-off places in the audiobooks she reads, once had a happy family. When tragedy struck, she was placed with her mysterious Aunt Whimsy, a famous (retired) adventurer – who happens to have a monstrous secret. Safia finally gets her chance to travel when Aunt Whimsy discovers that her rival rediscovered her discovery (yes, that’s a mouthful), and they set off to protect the world from secrets that should remain hidden. Along the way, Safia will make a friend, Aunt Whimsy must confront her nature and stop running away from the world, and everyone must unite and use their strengths to save the day!
Things I loved: the disability representation in the book, Yee’s humor (look no farther than the family pet Lord Fauntleroy, an invisible animal no one can identify), and the variety of texts within the text: newspaper clippings, magazine covers and articles, maps, etc. I also appreciated Yee’s inclusion of a complicated friendship – one where the characters do not know everything about each other, but connect and want good things for each other anyway. Also, the charming and ridiculous institutions in the story made me smile every time – who wouldn’t, with names like the Bureau of Suspicious Intent (mission: sow chaos) and the Institute of Extremely Found Things in Lost History.
I also loved that there’s a Cecilia in the story, even if she was Pineapple Tart (so-named for her favorite dessert), Aunt Whimsy’s nemesis! Aunt Whimsy’s inventive wardrobe choices made me want to stock up on flowy blouses, tailored slacks, and neckties of all shapes and sizes. One thing I found especially sweet was that both an adult AND a child had a lesson to learn in this story – a good reminder that we are all on a lifelong learning journey.
Reimena Yee’s art is a delightful mix of thickly drawn lines and bright colors without shadows, which give the comic a 2D, classic storybook feel. This feels just right for the intended audience’s age range and tastes, but it’s fun to take in as an adult, too. There’s nothing muted about this book! Yee draws and colors her art online (except for thumbnailing), and shares a fun and informational look at her process and timeline for creating a graphic novel in the backmatter, which will interest aspiring artists.
In all, My Aunt is a Monster is FUN, silly, pretty, and a breath of fresh air. I’ve never read a graphic novel quite like it!
Recommended for: middle grade graphic novel readers, fans of fantastical stories, and anyone with a large imagination and a hankering to explore the unknown.
Safia Haziz, a blind girl who dreams of visiting the far-off places in the audiobooks she reads, once had a happy family. When tragedy struck, she was placed with her mysterious Aunt Whimsy, a famous (retired) adventurer – who happens to have a monstrous secret. Safia finally gets her chance to travel when Aunt Whimsy discovers that her rival rediscovered her discovery (yes, that’s a mouthful), and they set off to protect the world from secrets that should remain hidden. Along the way, Safia will make a friend, Aunt Whimsy must confront her nature and stop running away from the world, and everyone must unite and use their strengths to save the day!
Things I loved: the disability representation in the book, Yee’s humor (look no farther than the family pet Lord Fauntleroy, an invisible animal no one can identify), and the variety of texts within the text: newspaper clippings, magazine covers and articles, maps, etc. I also appreciated Yee’s inclusion of a complicated friendship – one where the characters do not know everything about each other, but connect and want good things for each other anyway. Also, the charming and ridiculous institutions in the story made me smile every time – who wouldn’t, with names like the Bureau of Suspicious Intent (mission: sow chaos) and the Institute of Extremely Found Things in Lost History.
I also loved that there’s a Cecilia in the story, even if she was Pineapple Tart (so-named for her favorite dessert), Aunt Whimsy’s nemesis! Aunt Whimsy’s inventive wardrobe choices made me want to stock up on flowy blouses, tailored slacks, and neckties of all shapes and sizes. One thing I found especially sweet was that both an adult AND a child had a lesson to learn in this story – a good reminder that we are all on a lifelong learning journey.
Reimena Yee’s art is a delightful mix of thickly drawn lines and bright colors without shadows, which give the comic a 2D, classic storybook feel. This feels just right for the intended audience’s age range and tastes, but it’s fun to take in as an adult, too. There’s nothing muted about this book! Yee draws and colors her art online (except for thumbnailing), and shares a fun and informational look at her process and timeline for creating a graphic novel in the backmatter, which will interest aspiring artists.
In all, My Aunt is a Monster is FUN, silly, pretty, and a breath of fresh air. I’ve never read a graphic novel quite like it!
Recommended for: middle grade graphic novel readers, fans of fantastical stories, and anyone with a large imagination and a hankering to explore the unknown.
May 14, 2024
It's got everything I love from a younger person graphic novel. I like that the plot was both driven by the characters and the world. The world was developed with just enough silliness to not feel too heavy but also enough important events to feel flimsy. The disability rep, a blind protagonist, seemed like a very realistic representation, though I don't have much experience. What is enjoyed most was the art. I felt like the style was exceptional and I was very impressed with how well the author used her art to tell a story without words. I would honestly recommend this for all ages. There is no romance scene between any characters, though there is plenty of family bonding hugs and such. None of the scenes seemed scary, even for the younger crowd.
March 28, 2024
Silly or sensational?
Safia - a young POC protagonist who is also blind is adopted by her aunt after her parents die in an awful fire. Safia, who has always read about adventures finds herself living with someone who used to BE an adventurer, until a terrible curse sent Whimsey into hiding.
This is a convoluted story, deep on characterization and at times (as so many others have pointed out) very reminiscent of a Ducktales adventure. Which isn't a bad thing! Overall I loved this book and couldn't wait to see where it went next. Definitely unusual, but well worth reading.
Safia - a young POC protagonist who is also blind is adopted by her aunt after her parents die in an awful fire. Safia, who has always read about adventures finds herself living with someone who used to BE an adventurer, until a terrible curse sent Whimsey into hiding.
This is a convoluted story, deep on characterization and at times (as so many others have pointed out) very reminiscent of a Ducktales adventure. Which isn't a bad thing! Overall I loved this book and couldn't wait to see where it went next. Definitely unusual, but well worth reading.
October 13, 2024
Found by browsing the Vermont Golden Dome Awards. Originally written, illustrated, and published on the respective lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Lenape, and the Orang Asli. "My Aunt Is a Monster" is a delightful graphic novel that combines humor and fantasy. It follows a young girl who learns that her seemingly ordinary aunt turns into a monster at night. The story explores themes of love and fear in family relationships and highlights the complexities of human nature. The vibrant illustrations add to the whimsical yet eerie feel of the book. Key moments, like the girl discovering her aunt’s secret and their confrontation, emphasize the emotional journey toward acceptance and understanding. Overall, the graphic novel encourages readers to embrace the different sides of family and identity, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read.
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