I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love graphic novels. So when Lilah Sturges’ novel, Girl Haven came up on my to-be-read list and I dug into the adorable, romantic, and diverse story, I couldn’t help getting sucked right into it.

Never have I seen sexuality and gender identity explored in such a wholesome fashion. Sturges did a great job showing different people with different choices, making this graphic novel a cute masterpiece.

Ash, a boy exploring his identity and questioning his gender is fascinated when Eleanor, a girl at his school paints his nails the colors of the pride flag and then invites him to a Pride Club meeting. On the way back from the meeting, he invites Eleanor, Juneberg, and Chloe over.

On going through Ash’s mom’s stuff in the shed, the group is fascinated by a fantasy world Kristin created, a world called Koretris. When they find a spell book supposed to transport them to that land, they see it as the perfect opportunity to dress up and pretend.

It all comes crashing down when the spell actually works and the group finds themselves in Koretris, a place full of heroic bunnies, creepy falcons, and other magical animals. The people of Koretris see Ash as a blessing, informing him that he is meant to save them all.

The group learns about a strange villain called the “scrouge” who is apparently putting Koretris in danger. Ash finds out that his mother may be stuck somewhere in Koretris and is determined to defeat the scrouge and find her.

Ash goes through some life-changing moments and has a different sense of purpose. Together, Ash, Eleanor, Juneberg, and Chloe navigate through this new, strange world, attempting to survive.

God, this novel was everything. It was magical, fun, eye-opening, romantic, and gripping. The fictional world was creative and well-thought out, and the characters were well-written and interesting.

I loved how excited Juneberg was for their fantasy dreams to finally come true. I loved Chloe’s grumpy yet badass nature. I loved how sweet and pretty Eleanor was.

Ash was shown to grow from a boy, stunned to have such a weight on his shoulders, to a great individual, figuring things out about himself.

The illustrations were comical and entertaining, the plotlines unexpected and interesting. The author clearly has an excellent imagination.

The portrayal of LGBTQIA people as being different individuals with differing thoughts and choices was insightful and fascinating. The topics highlighted were important and wonderful.

Overall, if you’re in the mood for an eye-opening yet fun magical adventure, I strongly suggest picking this book up.

Girl Haven, written by Lilah Sturges and illustrated by Meaghan Carter, is a graphic novel currently scheduled for release on February 9 2021. Three years ago, Ash’s mom left home and never returned, leaving behind a husband and child and a shed full of mystical curiosities related to the all-girl fantasy world she’d created as a child—Koretris. One day Ash invites a new group of friends from Pride Club over, and they try one of the spells to enter Koretris. To their amazement, they’re all transported to a magical realm filled with human-sized talking animals who are fiercely protective of their world and are ready to fight to protect it. But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy—shouldn’t the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?

Girl Haven is a middle grade fantasy that holds appeal for older readers as well. Ash is trying to figure life out, find a friend group, and figure out how to keep moving forward after their mother disappeared. Making inroads with a new group is hard enough, but when you are still reeling with the loss of your mother and not quite comfortable in your own skin it is even harder. Add in a trip to a magical world with the journey of finding your own path and emotions, fear, and uncertainty can take over. I really liked the character and world building. I thin Ash and the Pride Group and are well built characters with room to grow both individually and together. I loved the world building of Koretis, and the story line surrounding is creation and troubles. I hope to see this continue on in a fun, lengthy series and plan on following it. The art style fits with the story, but I will admit is not my personal favorite style. However, it is a style found in many very popular graphic novels and cartoons, and I think it will appeal greatly to the target audience. There was great skill in the artwork, motion, emotion, and detail was well done. It is much more a matter of personal preference than anything else.

Girl Haven is a solid graphic novel for middle grade, and older, audiences that is entertain and encourages readers to find their own truth and their own story.

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
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Ash and his new friends from the Pride Club stumble upon a spell that transports them to the world of Koretris. What Ash believed to be a novel written by his absent mother turned out to be an entire world filled with magical creatures. Koretris is a haven for girls, so how did Ash get here? It turns out that Koretris is in trouble - threatened by The Scourge - and the citizens hope that Ash has the same magical gifts as his mother. The friends must save the queen and Koretris, and Ash must embrace his true self if he is to save everyone.

At its core, this is a story about gender, but there’s a lot going on here. There are some unpleasant stereotypes employed between Eleanor embodying the "Angry Black lesbian" trope, and that boys are primitive, violent, messy, and smelly. Junebug, a high-energy nonbinary sweetheart, is sprinkled into scenes like seasoning instead of really having any substantive contributions to further the plot, which is a shame because they are one of my favorite characters in this story. Ash and Chloe have some really wonderful conversations about identity and accepting oneself that then carry over to Ash and a few other characters, and this is where the majority of character development is spent. The amount of time and care spent on Ash is wonderful, so I would really have been satisfied with a little bit more time invested in everyone else.

The illustrations and colors are very soothing and soft. There are a few panels where the cartoony nature takes over and some of the characters end up with strange proportions. The magical creatures are really interesting and reflect the journey to maturity that Ash's mother was on while creating this world.

Oni rates this as middle grade. Given the delicate nature in which Ash travels the road of self discovery, this is one of the nicest approaches to some difficult topics that can begin around this age group.

Sara's Rating: 7/10
Suitability Level: Grades 6-8

This book was absolutely adorable! I loved the unique cast of characters and the powerful messages about self-acceptance. I thought that the big final battle seemed a little too easily won, but despite that I would really recommend this to anyone looking to read a fun and sweet middle grade graphic novel with LGBTQ+ rep (or any middle grader who might want to learn about the community).

I honestly wished I could’ve spent more time in the marvelous fantasy world that the author created and I hope that there are plans for a sequel! The ending definitely seemed to hint at it… Anyway that’s all I have to say about this graphic novel. Thank you so much to @onipress for the review copy!

An excellent choice for Pride clubs in middle grades and middle school. This book seems to have been written for children who are struggling to understand their gender identity. Anyone can enjoy it, and use it to gain some insight and discussion prompts about gender, but it will be most touching for youth questioning their gender identity. Junebug is adorable comic relief. The fantasy world itself wasn't particularly interesting to me, but I used to really enjoy The Land of Oz as a kid, and the fantasy characters in their fantasy settings remind me of adventures in Oz. I think making this book available to children and younger teens could make an incredible, positive difference for kids who need love to overcome fear. I do think the story would be more effective without the author's preface and end notes, because her message comes through the story clearly, and putting her agenda (as much as I 100% support that agenda) in the beginning and end comes off as didactic. Still, this book wasn't written for me, nor for people unfamiliar with LGBTQ+ rights. It was written to make the world a little kinder for trans kids, and in that it very much succeeds.

In which Toxic Masculinity (unnamed) is an actual Beast that must be fought...and protagonist Ash is desperate to feel any kind of certainty about her gender and finally does. Often approaches heavy-handedness—it’s not graceful like, for ex, Witch Boy—but ultimately feels somehow like an essential purchase. I’ll be interested to see how kids respond to it—it’s hard not to see it through the adult lens both of years of thinking about and studying gender, and a youth in which no one I knew talked about exploring it.

Girl Haven by Lilah sturges was a whimsical tale about Asher finding who they identify as and figuring out that even if society wants you to be a boy because that is how you look like, we don't have to conform to society and we can be whoever we are. Asher struggles with their identity until they finally accept who they are in the end.

I enjoyed the plot quite a bit. It was a very colorful world and the artwork was nicely done. i enjoyed that finding oneself was portrayed as an adventure journey in a far away land created by the stories that his/her late mother told him when they were small.

now there are some problems with the characterization of some characters I did not enjoy. First the way boys were portrayed was uncalled for in my opinion. Having them be the bad guys because the main character is fighting their inner struggles wasn't what I was expecting. The ending was more like defeating an inner villain than of acceptance of themselves. I did understand that the "evil man/Fear" was supposed to be a peaceful moment for the character but it didn't fully feel like that in the end.
My other problem was how Chloe was portrayed as a butch lesbian "feminist". Her character was just there to be mean to her friends and was not very supportive. She even labeled herself as a killjoy feminist and called Ash sexist for such a minor inoffensive comment which did nothing for the story and made the only character of color in the story come across as unlikable.

The story was still fun and short and the bunny characters were delightful.

This was a quick and cute graphic novel about gender identity and understanding who you are. Ash explores her transgender identity, while also finding catharsis over her mother’s disappearance. Ash was a cutie, and her arc through the story is very well done.

However, this story did feel rushed. Because there was so much story to cram in everything was fast paced, and so the other characters didn’t have much of a personality outside of their stereotypes. Ash was the most fleshed out because it’s her story, but the side characters I didn’t care for that much. There are a lot of cool ideas, but again they don’t have much room to breathe.

This is still a good series, but it needed to refine some story aspects to make it stronger.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I cast out all thoughts of this world. I think only of Koretris. I imagine her spires, her oceans, her forests, her valleys. I open myself to the space between worlds, let it lift me out of space. And deliver me into a haven for girls.”

Girl Haven is about four people who venture off in a world called Koretris, a fantasy world made for girls and only girls. Ash, the main character, wonders if she was brought into the world by mistake or not.

This was honestly so cute. I loved all of the characters, especially Junebug they’re the cutest and funniest character in the novel. This was a quick read but it’s a great book to read for all ages. It shows many different positive representations of people on different identities they have based on their gender and/or sexuality. It had multiple interesting twists throughout the graphic novel, from the different characters the comes up, the storyline, and in the end.

Thank you Oni Press and Netgalley for providing me an eARC of Girl Haven in exchange for an honest review.

I sat a little on this review because I wasn’t sure where to start. When I first saw the synopsis on Netgalley I was excited and happy to get approved. I read Girl Haven in one sitting and at the end it I was a bit “huh”.

Girl Haven isn’t terrible but also it isn’t what I was expecting. The premise is great, it is a book that deals with gender identity and finding yourself in a fantasy setting. The scenes between Ash and Eleanor are lovely as well but, well there is a -but-

Since finishing this I’ve read other reviews and the points raised about the inconsistency in the art and choices in stereotyping which are valid. The story feels a bit rushed as well, I’m wondering length had been expanded that there would have been more opportunity for the fantasy element to be less hurried and a more nuanced exploration the emotional centre for Ash and her friends.

For me Girl Haven offers a lot of potential, but I felt a bit let down at the end. I didn’t dislike this book, but I hoped for more.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book in return for an honest review.

This was SO good. I loved how it explained gender to a younger audience. I think this is something I, and many others, needed as children to help realise certain things. It also shows the magic of one's imagination and that it can be great but also have some downsides. I loved all the characters and cannot wait to read more adventures with these characters.

Rating: 4⭐
Would I Read It Again? Yes
Would I Recommend it? Yes

Netgalley copy Review

Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges
3.5/5

'A boy is one kind of story, A girl is another kind. And they are but two of many stories. What folly to think that the complete works of humanity would fit on two shelves! Each one bending under the weight of all the books it tries to contain.'

Ash grew up hearing stories about Koretris, a fantasy world that his mother created, a haven for girls where no boys or men allowed.
3 years ago Ash's mother Kristin went missing.
One evening as Ash, his crush Eleanor and their friends Chloe are all transported to Koretris, a girls-only imaginary world, Ash must come to terms with the fact that he may actually be a transgender girl.

Overall this is a cute little story, a great book for middle graders to learn about gender identity. Short and sweet and the illustrations were cute, glad I picked this one up.

From the same the re-known author of Lumberjanes, comes a tale of gender identity, belonging, and self exploration to finding ones self, whilst overcoming your fears while at it. An intriguing tale of a boy named Ash, that jumped inside a portal of a world created by his beloved mother called Koretris. In this world everyone (humans and animals) are all female. It is a book of one persons journey to self discovery set up in a fantasy world with strong friendship and love. I could not put it down once I started.

From the art style itself this book already captured my attention, the world is so lush and beatuifully drawn. The amazing set of characters is abundantly lovely.

This graphic novel is powerful, moving and thought provoking. it discusses themes such as gender identity, as well as sexual orientation and pronouns.

I highly recommend this graphic novel for everyone that is looking for LGBTQIA+ themed books that talks about gender and racism wrapped up in a fantasy graphic novel packaging that will surely entertain readers while also spark conversation.

This is the perfect book for younger readers to learn about gender in a story filled with friendship, love, family, and adventure. There are also cute animals and I'm so happy I got to read it.
I adored the author's initial and final notes on gender and sexuality and the lovely way she spoke to her readers about what they were about to read.
Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for this DRC.

Review to come in about a week on blog/Goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

OH MAN... this book just made me feel many emotions. From aww and go go Ash (for Ash and her/his problems and how they were trying to find out their place and identity) to OMG no (Chloe, how the boys were portrayed). I have thought about dropping this book many a time during my read. I have vented on Twitter each time. I am not happy with this book. For most at least.

There are a few things in here that may be spoiler... though given the blurb and that is is pretty clear that Ash is a boy who wants to be a girl I don't see them as big spoilers. Plus, I want to use the right pronouns for Ash.

What I did like was Ash. I loved Ash. She (as per the ending) struggles, her journey, her everything was just so well done. We find out that Ash is struggling with who she is. Girl? Boy? Girl? Preferably girl it seems. I am glad she found someone to confide in. And I loved that part where she undresses out of an armour into the dress she wears under it. To show what she picked. I loved all the conversations between Ash and various characters about her identity. About what is right. What to pick. How to know if this path is right. I was cheering for her. I was rooting for her so much. She is so sweet and throughout the story shows great bravery. I am also so happy at the ending. I see that dad and Ash had a good conversation and that he is there for her. Go dad!

I did love Eleanor and Junebug. They were just so much fun and I love how Eleanor and Ash got close. How Ash felt safe enough with Eleanor to talk to her about all their troubles. And I loved the ending and what Eleanor whispered into Ash's ear. Oh yes! I am in for that! And Junebug was just adorable and fun. I loved how bouncy she (I will say she as that was stated in the beginning that she was OK with that) was and how nothing seemed to scare her. I am curious to how her test-drive (as per ending) is going.

Chloe is the type of girl I would avoid in real life. And probably would have made me avoid a pride club if there was one in my high school. Constantly making remarks about everything. I was pretty disgusted by how she reacted when Ash said she (again using the right pronouns though at this time of the story she was using he/him pronouns) wanted to try nailpolish and how Chloe went into a full rant about male and what aggressive colours they should like and all that. And then came the you can't say "Hey Guys". Which just had me rolling my eyes. I am a girl, and frankly I don't give a crap if someone says that to me as I CAN SEE that it isn't meant in a wrong way. But these days people can't it seems. *rolls eyes* Even Junebug agrees with me and calls Chloe grumpity. To which Chloe replied that she is fun. Sure, but your fun is not to everyone's liking. Dismissing people, acting better than others. No thank you.

I HATED how the boys were written. Stereotypical (boys are violent, boys can't show emotions other than rage or happiness, boys are messy) and hurtful. I am a girl myself, but why do we need to hate on boys like this? Our world is split in female and male. We are both needed for this world. There is no need to act like this.

BUT I am confused. Koretris is for girls... but yet there are all these boys? So they aren't boys? I am so confused about that part. Especially since dad specifically says that Koretris is for girls and that he cannot go there. Umm? So all these boys are trans/non-binary? I am trying to make sense of it, but I just cannot. I think this part could have been better written.

I do love the fantasy world, well for most. I think it is an amazing place and there is so much still left to explore. I wouldn't mind more journeys to it.

The art was pretty great, I like the style.

But yeah, I just cannot rate it high as I was frustrated at several things. 2.5 stars is all I can give. Chloe, how boys were portrayed, the war, the battle. No thank you.

I wish this book had been around when I was a kid. What a beautiful way to explore so many themes kids might be struggling with, all wrapped in a fantasy setting with a cast of diverse, wonderful friends.

This was perfection. I seriously loved everything about it! Eleanor, Chloe, and Junebug were so welcoming of Ash into the LGBTQIA+ club, and they definitely didn't turn down the opportunity for an adventure. Each character had so much personality, but Eleanor was my favorite! The art was beautiful, and I hope there is a sequel!! :)

As soon as I saw I read the description, I knew it was going to be an important story. And it was, but done in a way to make anyone understand. It was cute and funny, but hit me in the feels when it needed too.

Ash meets some new friends who are part of a Pride group at school. He invites them back to his and they go into his mothers shed, all that's left of her, and find themselves in a little more trouble than they expected. The end up in the world Ash's mother created, Koretris, which is only for girls. ...So how did Ash get through?

Lilah Sturges really did explore this one side of gender and it was very insightful and can see it helping so many young ones who are stuck in a place in the middle, unsure of themselves and not knowing what to do.

It was an absolute joy reading this in advance, thank you again NetGalley and Oni Press for the chance to review this.

Girl Haven
Author: Lilah Sturges
Illustrator: Meaghan Carter
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 160
Publication Date: 2/2/2021

Description: Ash follows his crush, Eleanor to Pride Club at his school. Afterwards, Ash invites his new friends to his home and shows them the magical world his mother created Koretris. His mother disappeared many years ago but has left behind all the artwork and writing about the world. When one of his friends casts a magical spell, they are all transported to this world which is for girls only. Ash simultaneously realizes that he is a girl and needs to save Koretris from the Scourge, an evil force tormenting this world.

What I liked about this book:
*The story was thoughtful and powerful. I have not seen many epic tales that tackle the patriarchy, gender and talking bunnies woven together so artfully.
*The illustrations are a beautiful blend of simplicity, color and detail that creates the beautiful world of Koretris.
*I loved the ending of this story – especially how Ash’s dad reacts to his journey to Koretris.

What I wanted more of:
*I wanted to see more of Koretris. We got to see the Reed Rabbits and the Candy Babies, but I wanted more. I’m glad that the story left the door open for more explorations into this world.
*I wanted a bit more of the supporting characters throughout the story. They are heavily featured in the first 25% of the graphic novel and then slowly fade away.

This is a delightful tale that blends fantasy with exploration of gender and the patriarchy. I would recommend this comic and look forward to reading more in this series.

"Every person is a story"
I had high hopes for this story after reading the intro which was incredibly inclusive and affirming of all gender journeys. My kids love graphic novels, and I feel like this would be a really great story for both my elementary and middle school children. I was concerned that we weren't going to learn more about Asher's mom, and I feel like there is plenty for me to sit with about her tale still. Overall, I enjoyed the characters (especially Junebug) and the adventures.