Ink Girls is a story about found family, female friendship and the power of truth and standing up for what you know is right. The gorgeously warm, glowing illustrations bring the setting to life, and there is a realness to the characters that makes them human. The diversity of the characters, both main and background, is thought out and written well, in a way that feels natural and inclusive and is lovely to see in a historical setting. An overall very enjoyable read!

Cinzina lives in an alternate version of Renaissance Italy in a city called Siannerra, where she has been adopted by Mestra Aronne, a printer, and works as her apprentice. Aronne is dedicated to publishing the truth, even at her own peril. When she discovers that the Lord Magistrate is extorting money from people, and has proof of this, she publishes an avissi (pamphlet) about this. Since the Lord Magistrate is in charge of the city council and is the brother of the Principessa, it doesn't take long before Aronne is arrested, the shop is trashed, and Arrone is imprisoned. Cinzina manages to escape, and comes across Alena, the contessina and Principessa's daughter. There are rumors around town that Alena is odd and unfit for rule, but she is just a quiet girl who likes to read and needs a friend. She decides to help Cinzina escape after hearing her story, and the two set out across the town to find people who might have clues to help get Aronne free. This proves difficult and dangerous, but they are aided by people like Carlotta, whose father is an unnamed dignitary, and who is now a pirate because life in the upper crust palace society was boring. There are many guilds in the town, and they help protect their members, but the citizens who aren't in guilds are suffering due to the actions of the council and Principessa. Will Cinzina and her associates be able to bring attention to the fraud running rampant in the town and convince the Principessa to stand up to her brother and do what's right?
Strengths: This has a strong feminist message, and a lot of good themes of speaking up for what is right and not being silenced. There's a lot of inclusion in the artwork, and a note about the fact that Italy in the 1600s had a somewhat diverse population, including people of color and those with a variety of abilities. Cinzina is depicted with a cane. Alena's running away from the palace and getting a view of the real world is interesting, and having her inspire her mother to change is depicted in a realistic fashion; it doesn't happen right away and isn't easy. I loved the support community and the agency that characters like Carlotta seize for themselves. Reading this made me sad that someone lost my copy of Donna Jo Napoli's 2001 Daughter of Venice that had a similar feel.
Weaknesses: This is one of those odd historical books that almost seem like fantasy because they are set in a world that never existed. While I thought the matriarchal Siannerra was fantastic, younger readers might be cofused as to whether or not this is historical fiction based on a real world. Notes at the back help.
What I really think: I don't have much in the way of historical fiction graphic novels, so would love to see more that depict history in a more realistic way. This reminds me a bit of Larson's Compass Point South or Walsh's Red Scare, both of which have an alternate historical setting. This was a good story about empowerment of the individual and is a great choice for readers who are interested in social activism and letting their voices be heard.

In Siannerra, the City of Gold, young Cinzia works for Mestra Aronne in her print shop, printing avvisi or news pamphlets. Cinzia admires Mestra Aronne for her dedication to telling truth to power in order to make their city a better place, though she learns that sometimes those in power feel threatened by the truth. Their latest paper declares that the Lord Magistrate, brother to the principessa, has been stealing funds from the city to line his own pockets and consolidate power, and though she has proof, Mestra Aronne is arrested and held at the palace. Cinzia escapes, stumbling across the principessa's heir, contessina Elena, and instead of turning her over to the guards, Elena helps Cinzia leave the palace and joins her in finding allies throughout the city -- and in uncovering the proof needed to take down the magistrate.

This vividly drawn graphic novel covers so much territory -- upholding honest journalism as a way to shine light on corrupt power and to inform the people, standing firm to one's principles instead of taking the easy way out, finding allies and friends, showing the power of young people (especially young women) -- but it's also an exciting adventure story. Cinzia recognizes that she's taking a dangerous path in trying to push back against corrupt government, but she knows that if she believes in what her mestra has shown her, she has to work to free her. If she wavers occasionally, it's because she wants to protect the friends (including Elena) who have joined her in her efforts. The young people who join her have their own reasons for wanting to hold their leaders accountable, which gives Cinzia's efforts more purpose and force. And those young people -- especially Elena, Cinzia's friend Aneeqah, and the "pirate" Carlotta -- bring plenty of energy and big ideas to the mission.

The artwork is stunning and really brings the Italian-inspired city to life with warm colors and Renaissance-style details. The representation in the story covers disability (Cinzia walks with a cane), a wide range of skin colors (though with no obvious labels or discrimination), and gender roles seamlessly, making this a comfortably diverse world. Overall, it's a powerful gem of a book, one that our children need right now. 4.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you, Greenwillow Books and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

I loved the plot line of this graphic novel. I really enjoyed looking at all the art and how the panels and backgrounds were used. I can’t wait to add it to my library’s collection!

This is not only a stunning and fun graphic novel but once I wish many kids studying the Middle Ages might read! Poignant and even relatable to current life, but especially an eye-opener of what the Middle Ages were, instead of just the dark ones we might have learnt about.
I especially loved the Italian atmosphere the author and illustrator created both through the beautiful illustrations (those double pages had me pausing!) and through the language. The strong themes of friendship and found family and of community fight, team work and justice. And the fact that Cinzia and Elena are special in their own ways but that that is not the main focus of the story at all. Ah, and there’s a cat, and bad guys, and censorship and poverty, but also togetherness and beauty.

Cinzia is a young printer's apprentice with a crippled leg. She loves printing news and watching it spread. When her Mestra is arrested for printing the truth about the ruling family, Cinzia joins with the princess and other village girls to track down her Mestra's sources and prove that what was printed is the truth. Along the way, Cinzia discovers new friendships and that words have power.

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Netgalley/Edelweiss. Content warning for allusions to child abuse.)

When she was just eight, Cinzia left her home in the country for Siannerra - and Mestra Aronne. For three years, she's served as the printer's apprentice (and found family). It's Mestra's belief that trust is the glue that holds Siannerra together: the citizens trust the Principessa to keep the city safe and protected; the guilds trust the council to keep trade and justice fair - and "together, we flourish." That, and the truth will always come out.

So when Mestra Aronne uncovers evidence that the Lord Magistrate is corrupt - engaging in extortion, bribery, and threats - she doesn't hesitate to print the story in her avviso. She trusts that the truth will protect her. But the Principessa's guards come for her in the dead of night; before long, she will be convicted of treason and sentenced to hang.

Luckily, Cinzia escapes the Palazzo - and stumbles upon Contessina Elena, alone in her garden. Rumors abound about the Contessina: that she's odd, never smiles, and has no friends. In short, that she's an unsuitable heir to the throne. Cinzia makes quick work disproving all of these. Elena is everything her mother the Principessa is not: brave, curious about the city around her, and empathetic, with a wide circle of compassion. Elena vows to help Cinzia free her Mestra, and get justice for the people of Siannerra. Along with a scrappy group of girls - including Carlotta the runaway pirate - Cinzia and Elena aim to prove that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Inspired by Italia in the late Middle Ages/Renaissance period, INK GIRLS is a tale of resistance that's both charming and inspiring. Cinzia, Elena, Carlotta, Anneqah, and Mestra Aronne all make for engaging protagonists - and the city, a beautiful backdrop - and I love to see girls from different walks of life coming together to fight for the truth, their city, and those it has left behind. There's great representation, in terms of disability as well as race, ethnicity, and religion. The artwork is just lovely and masterfully encapsulates the time period.

Though the target audience is readers aged eight to twelve years, INK GIRLS is a graphic novel that's suitable for children and adults alike.

A very engaging and interesting alternative take on censorship in many countries. I loved the individual characters but feel that a little more fleshing out in the storyline would take this over the top.

Ink girls was a captivating story with a beautiful art style. It was unique in its narrative and powerful in its theme of getting your truth out in the world. The story, primarily metaphorical (or at least it feels that way), is about standing up for what you believe in, girl friendships and the empowerment they bring and the ever changing narrative from those in power to harm those that aren't.

This book was a fast paced read with a very compelling cast of characters, but what I loved most about this graphic novel was the atmosphere created by the art itself alongside the written narrative. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Greenwillow Books for the ARC!

- I loved this book so much!! The setting, the plot, the characters-everything fit together so well!
- the Italian Renaissance setting was fantastic, and I loved how it focused on a normal city/working class people in the city. The way the market was drawn was so incredibly inviting, and I love how thorough the worldbuilding was.
- Any kid who is interested in journalism should absolutely read this book!
- I loved the character design! They all felt stylistically coherent, while being really easy to recognize quickly.
- the inclusion of disabled characters was so well done, and I appreciated the information included in the author’s note about the real life diversity that is reflected in this book!

Ink Girls is a historical fiction graphic novel about 3 girls who become unlikely friends after the corrupt government of the imaginary city state (Siannera? I think) set in middle ages Italy. This story follows a very real issue that occurred where nobility and the government tried to suppress avviso to control the common people from learning of current news and affairs.

Ink Girls has beautiful and colorful art, with some beautiful light cool tones mixed with sepias and terracotta backgrounds. The architecture features is beautiful and perfectly sets the environment as middle age Italy. The story is beautiful as the art.

I truly loved the friendship that is formed between the 3 main girls, but especially between Cinzia (the apprentice of the printer who is being persecuted), and Elena (young city-state royal who is locked away within the Palazzo). Cinzia has a physical disability that requires her to use a cane as a mobility aid, and it is hinted that Elena has autism so she sometimes doesn't understand the people around her easily. However, these two girls, commoner and ruler team together to fight for truth and justice. They meet with Carlotta and another girl to take down the corrupt commissioner and free Cinzia's mestra.

This graphic novel touches on the fact that just a few people can push forward a movement for justice, even 4 young girls. It also makes it known that people back then in history were like us, fighting for causes, loving their families, they had dreams, and that they could be like Elena and Cinzia.

I highly recommend picking up this book for yourself or any young one in your life. I will be getting a copy for my younger cousins.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for free in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions on this work are my own.

Justice through journalism and speaking up in an Italian Renaissance-inspired setting! A great tale about the power of the press and doing what's right paired with beautiful illustrations. Also, a subtle-smooth representation of women of color and disabled people. I also really loved reading the author's note at the end about some of the history of journalism in the Middle Ages/Renaissance.

Bestselling YA author Marieke Nijkamp knocks it out of the park with her debut graphic novel for middle grade kids.

In a fictional city full of guilds and overseen by a female ruler during the early days of the printing press, we find two 11yo girls who couldn't be more different than their city's people, and each other.

Cinzia, who walks with a cane, is on a mission to free her mentor and guardian who has been imprisoned for exposing the ruler's brother's extortion and theft. She meets Elena, the ruler's socially awkward, not-so communicative daughter, who has been pent up in the palace her whole life.

Elena and Cinzia escape the palace, and try to evade the guards throughout the entire city while searching for proof, to expose the rotten uncle and free the printer.

Sylvia Bi's illustrations make me think of that of the Lumberjanes: great hair, lanky girls, expressive. It's hard to believe it's her debut too!

Full of subtle nods to classism, normalizing disability, the truths sought by journalism, feminism, and strong women of color.

Corrupt politicians vs a bunch of girls with a printing press. The politicians are definitely not ready for what's coming. This historical fiction comic shows a side of the medieval world not often seen; one that's filled with so much more than able-bodied straight cis white men. The art is beautiful and intricate and every page has so many details you'll want to spend hours just looking at one page. Plus, its themes of friendship, telling the truth even when it's hard and dangerous, and standing up for the rights of yourself and your neighbors are incredibly relevant to today's readers.

The illustrations are really lovely in this graphic novel.
I liked Ciniza and how she believed in fighting for what was right. I loved the theme of ink and newspapers to get out the written word.
A middle grade graphic novel that many kids will read again and again.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

Ink Girls was so good! This is one of the best middle-grade graphic novels I have ever read. And do not get me started on the beautiful artwork.

We start with Cinzia she is a printer apprentice. Mestra Aronne has taken Cinzia under her wing to show her the ropes of printing. Cinizia notices that the next printing could change their lives forever because it goes against the ruling family. Cinzia was right because once the next printing is out.Cinzia and Mestra Aronne are imprisoned. But Cinzia escapes and bumps into Elena, the next heir to the ruling family, and the story takes off from there.

I am blown away. I requested this graphic novel because of the beautiful cover and artwork (I know, shallow.) Once I got into the story, I noticed how much I was involved, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Ink Girls sucked me as we overhear the gossip from the townspeople on the street to the guards chasing children through the town to meeting other lovable characters. I don’t want to say too much, but there is one character in the story that is my favorite, but you will have to read it to find out which character I am talking about. I also loved the found family trope. This graphic novel brightened my day.

If you have not noticed, this was a 5-star for me. Thanks, NetGalley and Publishers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For eleven-year-old Cinzia, working as a printer's apprentice is a dream. But for one moment of telling the truth to the citizens about the royal family's lies, her world is upended completely. When, on the run from guards, she meets the royal princess Elena, who the country knows as quiet and shy. Together, Cinzia, Elena, and the few folks from the guilds come around and fight for the honesty of the royalty. It's up to them to stop Elena's uncle from overtaking control of all of its citizens.
A bit historical and a bit adventurous, Ink Girls weaves together two young girls' lives in a world of guild-making and censorship in a time where having the power to create change is everything. I enjoyed the friendship between Elena and Cinzia and the pirate lady. And how the whole city comes together to fight injustice. I liked how the ending was wrapped up in a satisfying way.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was super cute! I loved the story, it's a really important message about trust and revolution. The illustrations were gorgeous, I really loved the color scheme and world building. Overall, I think this was a really cute, fun graphic novel.

This was a great read! The art style is vibrant and expressive, something I find very important when reading a graphic novel. The story itself was also excellent, I really liked the way the author portrayed censorship and prosecution of journalists in a realistic and digestible way for the age range it is intended for. The message is empowering, touching on trust, community, power disparity, and friendship. The main character, Cinzia, uses a cane, and I think Elena is neurodivergent, which was great to see in a story like this. Overall, a powerful and compelling read.

I received this book for free from netgalley for an honest review.

I wanted to be a beta tester for this book so that I could tell my niece about it. It had great representation and it really held up. Although I'm not as crazy about graphic novels as other people I really found it engaging.