Oh what a darling story. I loved the characterization of Misha, it was very heartfelt and sweet. Their relationship with their mother was so good too. When the central theme is family and reconcilation, it's not always easy to portray realistic relationships that make you genuinely root for them. I also really liked the premise, it was what made me pick it up in the first place. I hope the author keeps making graphic novels

A road trip gone wrong and a messy familial relationship. Venturing into an unknown fantastical world, and everything felt like a metaphor for what was happening in their "real" lives. I loved the non-binary rep and the art was great as well. It's a great story about reconciliation and forgiveness.

Trigger Warnings: misgendering, absent parent

Mom, Audrey, finally wants to spend time with Misha. She’s never around (the two don’t even live together), so this is a rare opportunity. But, Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being very open about being nonbinary. Misha even tries to write a letter to their mom to tell her how they feel, but that’s not going great either…

When a wrong turn down a forest leads to the Realm of Spirits, the mother-child duo had no clue on how to return home and must work together to try and find their way.

So, I definitely felt the Spirited Away vibes while reading this (getting lost, accidentally entering a spirit realm, having to figure out how to get home without getting eaten), but then another reviewer mentioned A Goofy Movie and now I can totally see those connections too (parent-child with a strain relationship go on a roadtrip but everything that could go wrong does).

The art in this graphic novel is fun and whimsical, capturing the magic of the spirit world perfectly. The brown and golden hues in the panels also give the feel of autumn and sets the tone.

Overall, this graphic novel is about growing up, acceptance, and forgiveness along the journey in a spirit realm that isn’t really meant for humans. It’s aimed at young adult readers, but I believe adult readers would also enjoy it (especially Studio Ghibli lovers).

*Thank you First Second and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Gorgeous, gorgeous art! It really helped propel the story and get a grasp of the greater world we're in, since this story does move rather quickly. I think, at times, it moved a little too quickly, but I still really liked a lot of this. The story between MC, Misha, and their mother was really moving. She was clearly a mother who made a lot of mistakes and messed up a lot, but this journey with Misha wasn't only about protecting them but also getting to know them. It wasn't a perfect mother/child relationship but it felt real. The central plot was also very interesting!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing an arc in exchange for a review.

Love, Misha was just the graphic novel to get me back into reading this summer. The way Misha and their mom go on a road trip as a poorly planned attempt to reconnect, only to end up in a place for lost souls because of their inability to see the other for who they are. Misha trying to get their mom to see them as their child rather than be consistently misgendered by a parent who abandoned them. And Aubrey, a mother who did not know how to deal with being a parent and in her actions only messed Misha up further.

The amount of stress put on these characters was already overwhelming, and having to navigate a way home with another character with his own intentions played out so well. I loved the art style, the development, and how things resolved between Misha and Aubrey. I look forward to selling more copies of this at work.

A very emotionally driven story, with otherworldly elements similar to Spirited Away. The character designs were really cool.

I've recently fallen in love with fantasy graphic novels, but my one complaint is the brevity of the stories, as limited by the format. Love, Misha provides the sprawling, gorgeous feel of a fantasy book combined with stunning illustrations, and its slightly longer-than-average page count allowed me to truly get to know the characters and experience the scope of their development alongside them.

Every beat of this story is just a joy to read. The relationship between Misha and Audrey is flawless, one of the most realistic and nuanced mother-child relationships I’ve recently encountered in fiction. They fight, they have misunderstandings, they care about each other, they mess up. By the end of Love, Misha, I couldn’t help but wish there were more books that portrayed such authentic parental relationships - ones that weren’t all good or all bad but instead a realistic mix of genuine confusion, badly demonstrated love, and attempts to make things better.

I truly can’t recommend this story enough - five very well-deserved stars!

Love misha was an awesome graphic novel! I loved the storyline and the illustrations were well-done. I'd read more from this author.

A teenager going on a trip with their estranged mother, accidentally entered the spirit realm because they’re lost. They didn’t know how to get back to the material realm so they reluctantly accept the help of a spirit named Odun. but was he sincerely want to help or does he have an ulterior motive?

This was good, reminded me of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away but the main problem is the rift between Misha & their mom, how their mom didn’t try very hard to understand Misha, how she’s been mostly absent from their life, and as a result, how Misha didn’t feel to be seen by their own mom. One thing, though, the peak confession session was literally in the presence of a massive angry spirit and they couldn’t be bothered to pause the talking to face that first????

But yeah overall I enjoyed this. Need more story about Odun though, since there’s still no closure for him….

I dabble in graphic novels so I'm not sure this was a hit for me, but it would be for someone who is more of a connoisseur! I love a nonbinary main character, though, so for that I appreciate it so much.

Thank you to Netgalley and First Second Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A queer coming-of-age story filled with magic, family tension, and learning to advocate for yourself. Jam Aden creates this heartwarming and heartaching story between an estranged mother and her non-binary teenage child going on a bonding roadtrip. The forced proximity is causing them to confront a lot of past hurts and feelings surrounding their relationship while simultaneously getting so completely lost they fall into the spirit realm and have to find their way home! This is giving Spirited Away vibes with all the magical creatures/spirits.

TW: misgendering (moderate), gaslighting (minor), fantasy-based violence and danger (minor)

Love, Misha is a tender, beautifully written exploration of identity, longing, and the quiet strength of love. Askel Aden’s storytelling is intimate and evocative, weaving a narrative that lingers long after the final page. Poetic, powerful, and deeply human.

Misha, a recently out nonbinary teen, doesn't have much of a relationship with the mother that left them with their aunt as a baby, for obvious reasons. So when their mother plans out a "mother-daughter road-trip," Misha really isn't excited. In fact, they're pretty reluctant. But when they get so lost that the pair ends up in the Realm of the Spirits, they have to learn how to work together and get over their issues if they want to get out alive.
The story is, as promised, very Spirited Away, and it also feels like the Avatar the Last Airbender Spirit Realm. The spirits are all so beautifully drawn and the art is really good. This is genuinely a very pretty book. The storyline is also good. The relationship between Misha and Audrey is so complex and beautiful. Neither of them are perfect, but they still are able to overcome their differences. Also, the side characters, like wolf Odun and the other various creatures they meet, are very neat.

This is one of the best new graphic novels I've read so far this year. The incorporation of mythology in this story of a nonbinary teen with a mother who loves but still fails them is beautifully done. I was invested the entire time, and the read went by very quickly. I adored the tarot cards throughout and how they foreshadowed or provided context to their circumstances. Odun is such an intriguing character and I want so much more story from this world, especially surrounding him and his history in the spirit realm. I really enjoyed the artwork and use of colors, I think it was well-executed the whole way through. I can already tell, "We do things we aren't proud of, out of grief" is a line that's going to stick with me.

Love, Misha is a gorgeously illustrated graphic novel that follows nonbinary teen Misha and their mom as they try to escape the spirit realm after taking a very wrong turn on an already painful road trip. The story holds a beautiful balance between peril and gentleness, pain and acceptance. Moving through an eerie and beautiful world, characters show their flaws, goals, and feelings in a way that feels genuine and relatable.

Absolutely blown away by this graphic novel! Aden has crafted a visually stunning adventure that's as heartwarming as it is thrilling. The artwork is simply phenomenal, bringing the Realm of Spirits to life with vibrant colors and intricate details. What truly resonated with me was the way Aden handled Misha's journey as a non-binary character. It's a powerful and important representation, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The exploration of family ties and acceptance is also beautifully done. The complex dynamic between Misha and Audrey is so relatable, and their struggle to understand each other is both touching and thought-provoking. This is more than just a fantasy adventure; it's a story about love, acceptance, and the importance of family. A must-read for anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories with a touch of magic.

Loved it! I liked the art style a lot but the story was where it really shined.

The characters were excellent, so much personality from them that just jumped off the page. They felt like real people; even the antagonist was relatable.

The story definitely has spirited away vibes in many ways while still feeling distinctly like it's own story. So that's huge points in its favor for me.

And it's awesome seeing non-binary representation in books, especially approachable ones like this for a younger audience.

The author's note mentions the struggle people can have AFTER they've come out and wanting to focus on that and I love that. I think its a super valuable point to make and I think they were super successful incorporating that into the story.

Also while this book has a happy ending, there's a lot of past pain that got us there that lingers a bit just like it would in real relationships. So be prepared for a little sad with your HEA in this one.

Highly recommend this for lovers of graphic novels, ghibli-esque type soft world-building, and story's about queer healing.

"Love, Misha" by Askel Aden is a beautiful and poignant graphic novel about a non-binary teen's relationship with their mother, along with an accidental trip to the spirit world. I enjoyed the fantasy elements, beautiful illustrations and character development

5 stars

Buckle up, Friends. Askel Aden is about to take you on a ride into your FEELINGS, and it will be a journey you will not forget.

Misha, the titular character, is heading out on a parent/child roadtrip against their will. Readers learn immediately that Misha is much closer to their aunt than their mom because their aunt raised them and has, as far as readers know, proved a continuing force of acceptance in Misha's life. Misha's mom? Well...it's complicated.

When Misha sets out on this road trip (think of that AC/DC song, and embed here), their expectations are grim. They do put some of their energy to good use in the drafting of this letter to their mother: hence the "Love, Misha" motif. As Misha struggles with the thoughts, feelings, and drafting, they come upon a truly wild situation: magical realism. It's best to go into this scenario with as little detail as possible and just enjoy it, so I'll leave the details out and just note that this is a truly powerful way to present Misha's story, journey, and discoveries.

This is my first book by this author, and I can't wait to teach next week so that I can enthusiastically recommend it to my students. I love how the central motifs are portrayed here: moving but not sappy and utterly creative throughout.

This is easily one of my favorite ARCs I've read!! I love the blending of real and magic! The color palette is beautiful, the characters are interesting and complex, and the story is very good!

I really loved the character designs and the art! Especially the designs for all the different spirits and creatures! It felt very mystical and magical! I loved how much emotion and expression was conveyed in the faces!

The relationship between Misha and their mom was very good! I love that it was complicated and Audrey's reluctance to gender Misha correctly had nothing to do with the fact that Misha wasn't cishet or anything like that, it stemmed from Audrey's own issues. And of course, from Misha's perspective it seems like just a refusal to accept them as they are. But I love the way it concludes and that their relationship isn't just perfect after their talk, it feels very realistic and normal!

I love what the author said in the author's note: "...that even if you try your best, it might not always be good enough, and it isn't necessarily anybody's fault." I think that we all need to remember that.