Cute graphic novel! Shakti is new in town and discovers some strange things happening. Along with her friend, Xi, they investigate and try to stop HEK before things get worse. This was such a great story about friendship, family, and forgiving others. I loved how Hinduism was integrated into the story and that the characters are all diverse. The backgrounds of the characters are relatable, and I can see many young readers being able to connect with them. I’ll definitely be recommending this to students and our school library. Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins Children’s Books for the arc.

I loved this graphic novel! I love the art style. I loved how they incorporated real Hindu beliefs while adding fantasy but I also just loved the coming of age elements also this was so cute!

A fun, magical story that will appeal to fans of both fantasy and realistic fiction graphic novels, which is a major accomplishment. The characters are fleshed out well and the diversity of appearance (Indian, Black, Asian, and more) and experiences is a lovely breath of fresh air. Everyone's interactions are natural and the flow of the story is good. The run of frames that shows Xi and Shakti's friendship growing were adorable and perfectly suited for their ages. The conflict is predictable, but still intriguing, as the art is gorgeous and Shakti's discovery of HEK's backgrounds is solid grounding for her personal development. The epilogue was honestly my favorite part - a resolution, but not a perfect happily ever after. Overall, a wonderful edition for your shelf that I will be recommending to all of my patrons.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

Shakti was a wonderful story that combines culture with its magic whilst following a strong female main character.

This story was very simple, which not necessarily a bad thing, did slightly detract from the enjoyment as there are ways to make it simple whilst still expanding on the story and character development further.

For what it is, it's sweet, has multiple queer characters and just beautifully weaves a tale of belonging, growth and accepting the messier parts of yourself. A truly lovely story for a younger audience.

Shakti is used to being the new girl at school. She’s hopeful that this new home will be their forever home since she has a baby brother on the way. On her first day, she makes a friend in Xi. They are quick to form a bond with their shared interests, but the three mean girls in school are determined to make their life miserable.

Upon discovering that the three mean girls are casting spells in the woods, they are determined to stop them, but will they be able to accomplish it?

The art here is beautiful. The colors were beautiful and each character was able to stand out in their own way. It was easy to follow as more action started too. The panels with magic were truly wonderful and felt enchanting in their own right.

There is so much to learn in this graphic novel. For those who aren’t familiar with any bits of Hindu religion, like me, Shakti talks about some of the figures in the religion which can be easily captivating. Beyond that, there is a really good family dynamic and the friendship between Shakti and Xi was wonderful.

The core audience is middle schoolers, but this is a graphic novel that I can see someone of any age enjoying. It’s beautiful, enchanting and has a number of good things that make it a memorable read.

I'm not sure what to think about this one. I was really looking forward to a graphic novel with Indian inspired magic and deities, but it just fell super flat. It moved so fast that I never cared for any of the characters because I never established a bond with them, and it's a perfect example of telling instead of showing: there are insets explaining the worldbuilding which subtract from the experience a lot more than they add.

I'm not sure if removing the informational insets would be enough, but it would definitely help. I think it could also benefit from some padding to help show what it's using paragraphs to explain and to help us better connect with the characters.

Overall the concept is good and it shows some important things, especially for juvenile readers, but the execution is lacking, especially on the fantasy/magic side. This title doesn't release until May so I'm not sure how much, if anything, will be changed by then, but I hope some improvements are made.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this ARC.

Shakti will be published on May 23, 2023.

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974


This graphic book was Amazing. The art and storyline makes you want more. We explore Shakti's journey as her and friends navigate through a spelled school. She is descended from magic women powered by Durga Ma whose twin is Kali. The book explores good and bad, friendship and bullying.

A great read for adults and kids alike.

For seventh grader Shaki, moving a lot over the years with her two moms is exhausting. So when she arrives in Amherst, Massachusetts, the townspeople act strange. With her new friend Xi, they encounter three girls (or HEK for short) practicing witchcraft in the woods. With the help of one of her moms, Shaki learns of her Indian heritage and the powerful goddesses of Durga Ma and Kali Ma. But when anger overpowers Shaki, Kali Ma takes over the town in vengeance. Can Shaki and Xi save the city and her unborn baby brother before it's too late?
Magic, goddesses, and friendships are just the sort of things within this graphic novel. Shaki is a young girl who lives with one mom who's pregnant and one mom who's a witch. She's a determined girl who makes friends with shy Xi, and with some mayo on pizza combo, they become fast friends. With facts here and there on Indian mythology, I learned quite a bit about monsters and mayhem. It's quirky and fun and a wonderful read.

The cover and premise of this graphic novel immediately caught my attention, and I’m so glad I was able to read it. Shakti and her moms have just moved to Amherst and she immediately makes a new friend in Xi, but they quickly realize something isn’t quite right in the town. A group of three girls - Harini, Emily, and Kelly (aka: HEK) - have been casting ingratiation spells to make the whole school seem them positively, even as they actively bully the other students. When Shakti and Xi learn of HEK’s plan to cast the spell in a bigger way so the whole town will be under their spell, they try to call on Durga Ma to stop it from happening. Unfortunately Shakti isn’t as peaceful in her heart as she needs to be and instead they summon Kali Ma.

This is a really great story of friendship, community, and family. I also really loved the mythology and story of Durga Ma and Kali Ma, as I’m not as familiar with them. The art is also such a perfect accompaniment to the story and flowed really well. Overall I really loved this graphic novel and Shakti’s story.

This is such a sweet story, with lovable characters and a beautiful message for teens. I really loved the development of the characters and the accessible information about witchcraft and deities, and the importance of responsible practices.

Shakti is the new girl in school. After a few weeks of noticing some strange activities relating two a group of students, nicknamed HEK. The teachers always call on them, and they never get in trouble. One of Shakti's moms helps Shakti defend herself and her new friends from HEK's magic.