Marissa Meyer has long been my favorite author, and as such, this was always going to be a book I'd be eager to get my hands on—no questions asked. Her ability to craft compelling characters, engaging plots, and immersive worlds never fails to pull me in and <i>We Could Be Magic</i> is no exception. This graphic novel, beautifully illustrated by Joelle Murray, is brimming with charm, humor, and just the right touch of whimsy to make for an utterly captivating read from start to finish.

One of the strongest aspects of this story is how effortlessly Meyer crafts her characters. Each one feels vibrant and real with personalities that leap off the page, enhanced even further by Murray’s expressive and dynamic artwork. Their relationships, whether filled with banter, tension, or heartfelt moments create an emotional core that makes the novel impossible to put down. The magic, brought about by the concept of building fantasy worlds and dreams, feels fresh and fun, seamlessly woven into the narrative in a way that enhances the characters' personal journeys.

One of the most intriguing elements of <i>We Could Be Magic</i> is its subtle yet pointed critique of the entertainment industry, particularly Disney’s portrayal of princesses and the subsequent manner in which Disney Parks create "magic" for customers. As the story follows the process of or lovely main character becoming a character performer at an amusement park, it highlights the need for more diverse body representation—a theme that feels especially relevant and important these days. It’s a thoughtful commentary that adds depth to an already engaging narrative.

Joelle Murray’s artwork is another highlight, bringing a vibrant energy to the pages with a style that seems to take inspiration from <i>Sailor Moon</i> and other classic magical girl aesthetics; knowing Marissa Meyer as well as I have come to over the years, it is no surprise at all to me that I felt this leaping from the pages. The character designs and transformations feel dynamic and expressive, blending nostalgia with a fresh and modern approach.

Meyer’s signature storytelling shines here, balancing humor with poignant moments of growth and self-acceptance. It’s an empowering and joyful read, with a cast of characters that are easy to love and a story that encourages readers to embrace their own magic.

For fans of Marissa Meyer, Joelle Murray, magical girl stories, or anyone looking for a feel-good, enchanting read, <i>We Could Be Magic</i> is an absolute must. It’s the kind of book that leaves you with a smile long after you’ve turned the final page.

Marissa Meyer is the queen of retellings and this one is no different. Following Laurie as she lives her dream of working at Somerland, which is clearly a fictionalized version of Disney, is so much fun. Despite people telling her she'll never make her dream.come true, she never gives up.
The art by Joelle Murray was also fantastic, as if this was its own Disney film

This was such a beautiful and heartwarming story! I loved it and cannot wait to see more like it. Amazing story combined with beautiful artwork really made this one a hit!

A beautifully magical book about following your dreams and learning to love yourself. I absolutely loved this YA graphic novel. It follows Tab who is spending the summer working at the theme park that she absolutely adored as a kid. Her dream is to play the role of a princess in the park, but quickly learns that she may not be cut out for it. Tabitha doesn't give up on her dream, though. She watches videos with tutorials for the dances she'd need to know, she works a less than awesome job within the theme park, and she becomes friends with a bot who works there. Readers will be dying to see if her dreams come true, and also to see if romance blooms with her new coworker. A magical book for readers of all kinds!

This graphic novel by Marissa Meyer is so cute and fun. I loved reading about Tabi's adventure at this world's version of Disney. It was so realistic to the life of someone whose body is bigger than what mainstream culture deems normal. I loved the cute love story between the main characters. I think this will be enjoyed by so many teens this year.

We Could Be Magic is a delightful coming of age story about finding your self worth that's not based on weight or other people's expectations of you. In.a world full of pretty, skinny princesses, Tabitha Laurie has to learn how to maintain her pride in herself despite everyone around her saying she needs to lose weight or this or that in order of making her dreams come true. Thanks to her own self esteem and a little help from her friends, she has a chance of figuring out how to navigate the standards Summerland has set for employees so she can keep her dream job. After all, this is the place where magic happens, right? This was a fun, poignant novel that I devoured. It was moving, relatable, and sweet.

This was a really sweet read! It was nice to see a main character who was upbeat and positive and who believed in herself and her dreams. I think this will be an uplifting and encouraging read for a lot of young readers.

This was so adorable! This was the first Marissa Meyer book I read and I loved it! I loved Tabi and James, their relationship was so sweet! I loved the art, it drew me in and kept me so captured. It was whimsical without being silly. I'm so happy that the relationship between Kyra and Tabi developed into something sweet!

This was one of the absolute cutest graphic novel I’ve ever read!! Illustrated in a cartoonish, yet whimsical way, was a perfect for this book to embody this allegory for working at Disneyland. Not only that, but Tabi is the BIGGEST fan of Summerland and had such passion and joy, even when she isn’t exactly getting what she wants. She’s got a touch of mischief and I loved her! This was a very cute, fast-paced story about chasing your dreams, not being ashamed to be yourself, and the joy of joy.

Marissa Meyer does it again! I love Marissa Meyer and this graphic novel was so cute. As someone who loves Disney and did the DCP, this graphic novel was definitely relatable. I really liked the main character and like the messages around her character. She had big dreams and worked hard for those dreams, but also had to readjust the idealistic view she had of her life in Summerland. It was nice to see a character work through the reality of what her dreams look like. And not to mention, the romance was so sweet! Obviously with it being a graphic novel, the story is shorter and it can be difficult to develop a story, especially a relationship, in a graphic novel format. I felt like Marissa Meyer did a fantastic job with that. Even though it was short, I still felt like the relationship was believable and made sense. And she was able to pace it in a way that felt like the natural progression of a relationship.
Overall, the graphic novel was really cute and I would highly recommend it, especially for people who are fans of Marissa Meyer or Disney.

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for this Arc!

I think this was super cute and I liked the representation! I know it's a graphic novel but the pacing felt soooo fast.

I really enjoyed this! I loved how Tabi is a bigger main character and to me I love to see this! She give us all hope. I loved how Tabi went after what she deserved and got it in the end! This was so enjoyable and I read it in one sitting.

I love all things Marissa Meyer, so I was excited to read this graphic novel!

We Could Be Magic follows Tabitha in her journey to achieve her dream. Ever since she was little, Tabitha wanted to become a princess at Sommerland. However, once she starts working at the park, she learns that she may not fit the typical role of a princess. This is such a great story about body image, confidence, reaching for your goals, and had a touch of romance mixed in. I loves reading this story, the art style, and the color choices.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends, Marissa Meyer, and Joelle Murray (artist) for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

We Could Be Magic is an exceptionally beautiful graphic novel with a heart-warming story. Think Disneyland, but it's Sommerland, with all the fun of the happiest place on earth.

Ever since she was six, Tabi has dreamed of being the princess from her favorite show. Near the end of high school, she is eligible for a three month summer program where she can stay in the Sommerland dorms and work there. While she wants to play the princess role, still, after all these years, she'll take anything, because working at Somemerland is its own dream.

After landing a nacho stand job, she continues to pursue her dream of being a character, specifically a princess. Auditions are more than she expected, and she puts so much effort into fulfilling her dream. What's stopping her? Society. Tabi doesn't "look the part" of the princess characters. She's black and plus-sized. And maybe that's the image people should have of a princess. It's a very diverse world out there!

I love the "follow your dreams" aspect of this novel and how hard Tabi works. Despite society's view of her in relation to the characters she wants to portray, she continues to try hard and never give up, an excellent lesson for young readers. I also love the representation and overall message. Society does place us based on our appearance, but people come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and a need for more diverse representation in our world today has never been higher!

Meter is a fantastic writer and has executed a flawless story about hard work and determination. Murray makes for gorgeous illustrations that really make this book come to life and give the reader that feeling of magic-making that this story is truly going for.

I love Marissa Meyer, but I was a little reluctant to read this one, both because it was a graphic and because I feared that it would be about discrimination (and it was, but not in the way I thought it would be). I was delighted by the story. I grew up as a big Disney Fan, and dreamt of working at Disney World, and the behind-the-scenes setting at a theme park was the stuff I dreamed of as a girl. I read the ARC (thanks, NetGalley!) as a test to see if I should buy it for my middle school, and I will order it. It has a very sweet romance, both good and bad characters, a very hopeful heroine, and a pastels-colored theme park based on fantasy. 5 stars!

We Could Be Magic is a heartwarming and enchanting graphic novel that beautifully captures the magic of dreams coming true. Marissa Meyer weaves a sweet and uplifting storyline that feels like a love letter to hope, self-discovery, and the power of believing in yourself. The Disney-esque parallel adds a delightful touch of whimsy, making it feel like a modern fairy tale. What truly sets this story apart is its representation—having a plus-sized main character who becomes the most beloved princess is a refreshing and empowering choice. This book is a celebration of diversity, self-love, and the magic that exists within us all. A must-read for anyone who loves stories that inspire and uplift!

This was such an amazing book. The art style was dynamic, I was invested in the characters, and the overline plot and storyline was interesting to read.

Oh my goodness I loved every single second of reading this, I couldn’t put it down! The artwork, the characters, the magical that filled my heart, all of it was the perfect comfort

I can see myself coming back to this every time I need a little pick me up, just feel that moment of magic in my heart again!

I would love to see more about Sommerland in the future, maybe some other characters finding their happily ever after as well! There is just so much to explore in that park, and I want to hear all about it!

A joyful jaunt in a spoof of working for The Mouse.

We Could Be Magic follows Tabitha, who desperately wants to be cast as a princess to create the magical moments she remembered as a child. Through hard work, dedication, and passion, she works tirelessly to chase after her dreams.

The art style is charming, and I love seeing the parallels to another famous amusement park, and an emphasis on creating spectacular moments.

🌟ARC🌟
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This comes out on June 3, 2025!

📚 We Could Be Magic
✨ by Marissa Meyer
📖 Genre: Comic, Romance
⭐ Rating: 5/5 stars

📝 Review:
I could not put this one down! When I went out I couldn't wait to get back to read more of this one. It's pretty obvious what it relates to in real life, and is probably similar to what a lot of people have gone through. I fell in love with the characters immediately and was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next, wishing for the happy ending. This was enjoyable and I highly recommend it!

🤔 Why You Should Read It:
This is so relatable for anyone who as a kid looked up to a princess, or superhero, and wanted to be them but don't fit the "mold." I was in tears at certain points and at the ending. You will love the heartwarming story and the reminder to make magic.