Cover Image: Paranorthern

Paranorthern

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Read it for the chaos bunnies alone. But also a great story about friendship and coming to terms with your own power.

Was this review helpful?

I myself couldn’t get into this book, but I know plenty of kids at work that would absolutely love this book. The book was good just not my style.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very cute and fun graphic novel. I love Mari Costa's art, and I love the world that Stephanie and Mari brought to life together. I appreciate that this is a fully self-contained graphic novel, but that it would be perfectly easy to create another story in this world. The things I didn't like so much.. there were some small plot holes in the story. I didn't find Abby particularly likable for most of the story. She was so stubborn and sure she could do everything herself that she let the rabbits get really out of control, which led to a lot of damage in her town. I will recommend this book to patrons who, like myself, love graphic novels and can't get enough of them. But if someone came to me for recommendations, ParaNorthern will not be at the top of the list.

Was this review helpful?

This is a delightful LGBT friendly novel for middle grade and teens with a wonderfully diverse group of friends, good humor, and fun worldbuilding. It will appeal to fans of books like The Okay Witch. I look forward to this becoming an ongoing series and I can't wait until it is released so I can get it in the hands of my library kiddos

Was this review helpful?

A very cute graphic novel with a wide cast of diverse human and non-human characters! Abby, an aspiring witch, accidentally opens a portal that releases chaos bunnies into her town. Rather than ask for help to close it, Abby is determined to close it herself, even while the bunnies are causing problems for everyone around her.

This title has a very appealing art style and a easy to follow story that teaches important coming-of-age lessons for middle grade readers. Definitely will appeal to fans of shows like STEVEN UNIVERSE or ADVENTURE TIME and other graphic novels like LUMBERJANES and BEETLE AND THE HOLLOWBONES.

Was this review helpful?

There is nothing to dislike about this charming and adorable graphic novel. It's a tale about a girl with new powers, her supernatural besties, and a bunch of adorable yet deadly bunnies. The artwork is eye catching and the story is so good I smiled and giggled the whole way through this book. Pick it up and enjoy a bright spot in your day! Will be recommending.

Was this review helpful?

This middle grade graphic novel was cute. I loved the story, the illustrations, and the diversity portrayed. I think this will do well with young readers who enjoyed similar titles such as The Witch Boy or Moonstruck. Also has series potential.

Was this review helpful?

Fun and diverse. I think fans of something like Witch Boy or Backstagers will enjoy this. Reads well for middle grade or young teen

Was this review helpful?

Abby Morgan is a teenage witch who, with the help of her supernatural companions, needs to harness her power and save their home. Beautifully drawn and with a well-rounded cast of likeable characters, ParaNorthern is a joy to read. Cooke uses a deceptively simple format to weave together some quite complex storytelling. It is a tale about growing up, growing together and growing into yourself. I loved it and desperately hope there's more to come.

Was this review helpful?

A brilliant read for teens, ParaNorthern follows a group of supernatural friends as they get up to accidental mischief, learn about themselves and kick butt!

Readers will love this group of teens, and be eager to find out more about them and their worlds. The art style and colouring are gorgeous. There's humour, warmth and intrigue here. What's more, there's a diversity of races in all characters, including the main four, and some LGBT+ elements, which is fantastic.

For fans of Lumberjanes, Giant Days and ZomCom. I can't wait to read more!

Was this review helpful?

I’m not a big graphic novel person, but this was really cute. It sends a good message to kids about friendship, working together, and believing in yourself.

Was this review helpful?

This was such a fun read, even the evil chaos bunnies were cute!

Abby has accidentally opened a portal into a realm populated by destructive chaos bunnies and now they're on the loose, causing mayhem. With the help of her three best friends; a pumpkin-head, a ghost and a wolf-girl, she works to find a way of fixing her mistake inbetween helping her mum run their coffee shop and being contacted by her super powerful, possibly dead ancestor.

I love how supportive Abby's friends are and how they help her work through her problems. This book has a really great message for kids and adults alike, on top of being vibrant and beautifully drawn. I hope there's a second installment of their adventures!

Thank you Netgalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

This graphic novel was amazing. I loved the characters, the story, the magic.

After accidentally opening a portal in their town, letting in hundreds of evil bunnies, Abby and her friends must try to close the portal and get rid of the threat to their town. But it isn't as simple as it seems. Abby must conquer her fears and gather her confidence in her own abilities to close the portal and banish the bunnies. Abby learns to lean on her friends when she needs help, and that the love she has for her friends and family will help her in her journey.

This was really cute. Great message, great artwork. I loved the magical vibes and diverse group of characters. The world-building was great as well. I would love to go to a coffee shop and be able to add a shot of good luck to my drink! Super cute graphic novel, would highly recommend to anyone looking to add a little more magic and a few laughs to their day!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley*

Was this review helpful?

Mayhem ensues when young witch Abby unlocks a portal and unleashes a horde of chaos bunnies on the town of North Haven. They might look cute, but these bunnies have got real bite!
With the help of her friends and family (past and present), Abby must work out how to use her new powers to save North Haven from the bunny ahopocalypse.
Loved this magical story, Abby and her friends fun to spend time with - especially liked Silas' crusade against the PSL. The artwork is gorgeous, so vibrant, everything pops.
Perfect Halloween read.
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ebook review copy.

Was this review helpful?

So cute! I love the current trend of middle grade graphic novels to be spooky and fun. I loved this and i'm going to buy a copy for my nephew.

Was this review helpful?

A great mix of friendship, finding yourself, and strength. The colors and illustrations were vibrant and eye catching. The story was very fast paced and engaging, but still had very clear character backgrounds. A definite recommendation for those that like graphic novels. Was reminiscent of The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner.

Was this review helpful?

Playful graphic novel set in a fantasy universe that is populated by witches, werewolves, ghosts, and other monsters more commonly associated with Halloween. The story follows a group of young friends (pre-teens, perhaps?) as they work together to resolve the accidental opening of a portal between their world and a world inhabited solely by carnivorous chaos-seeking rabbits. It might be a part of a series (based on the lack of character introduction), but familiarity with other works in the series (if indeed one exists) is not necessary.

Was this review helpful?

Young witch Abby works hard at being the best sister, daughter, friend and student she possibly can. But lately her magic has been on the fritz, and she's not really sure what to do about it. When an accidental misfire causes her to open a portal to another dimension - a dimension full of chaos-causing bunnies - she must face her fears head-on in order to close the portal before her town is completely destroyed.

With a diverse set of characters (Abby herself is Black, and one of Abby's best friends is a Muslim-presenting ghost while another is an LGBT werewolf) and tons of magical goodness, ParaNorthern is a great next-read for fans of graphic novels like The Witch Boy and The Cardboard Kingdom alike. Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely sweet graphic novel about a girl with fledgling magic powers that seem stronger than they should be. Includes evil bunnies, precious wolf girl, forgetful ghost, and a pumpkin head looking for some basic rights for pumpkins! This was charming and fun and had a lot of heart and I was just smiling the whole time I read this book. Love it!

Was this review helpful?