Artie and the Wolf Moon

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Graphic Universe for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Artie and the Wolf Moon is a beautiful book about friendship, forgiveness, rebirth, and breaking toxic cycles. It centers Black joy and community and was wonderful to read. As I got closer to the end, I found myself wanting more of Artie and her family's story, but the book ended on a very sweet and satisfying note. I was also happy to see an on-page sapphic/lesbian relationship. The relationship was shown as complex, and its ups and downs played into the overal story arc.

Artie and the Wolf Moon is the werewolf-vampire book I've been craving, and I'm excited to read Olivia Stephens' future work.

This book was SUCH a fun and amazing take on werewolves!! I adored the way the author tied in Black culture/history with werewolf lore. It was so refreshing!

NetGalley ARC Educator 550974

A great read and story line. The art is good and the cast was inclusive. I loved how the author incorporated being free from slavery and the bond between wolf and humans. Hope there will be more. I expect great things from this author.

This was super fun! I love werewolf stories and the main character having my name might have helped me pick this one up ! :’) but I’m glad I read it. The art style reminded me on the walking dead games, I loved the colour palette so much! Also, anything gay gets extra points! I love Artie and her mum, and their little werewolf family. It was a fun but emotional read, I think I would really like to continue reading this graphic novel!

At its heart Artie and the Wolf Moon is an ode to family and the Pacific Northwest, The supernatural aspects to this story were really second to the love between daughter and mother. I enjoyed how photographs, even the ones from the past, were used to move the story forward. The romance was trickled in there, but wasn't a main plot point, so I think this graphic novel could appeal even to readers who might not be entirely into romantic plots. Some of the plot points were predictable, but I think the themes are strong enough where it didn't bother me as a reader. The art style was great. The color scheme went with the story. While this story takes place throughout a year, I think this would be an especially fun read for young readers during the Halloween/fall season.

I absolutely adored this! The graphic novel so good I couldn't put it down! I mean a story about a queer girl being raised by a single mom who finds out she is a werewolf is so far up my alley. I loved everything about this! The story was amazing and fun and full of so much heart! The extended family theme in this book just really made me smile. Then the art style was amazing as well. The colors and crispness of the art was great. This is one I can not wait to get so I can gush about it and show it off to everyone!

Artie and the Wolf Moon is a coming of age story with a twist. Artie learns that werewolves are real and that her and her mother are part of that family. Artie has to navigate the trials of school and growing up, all while learning how to be a werewolf. Artie’s mom reconnects with old family friends, which also brings up more information about Artie’s late father — things that Artie never knew about him. Artie soon finds out that being a werewolf comes with its challenges. Especially when the werewolves’ enemy, the vampires, start to reappear. Will Artie survive school, learning to be a werewolf, and the oncoming threat of the vampires?

I absolutely adored this graphic novel. I loved Artemis as the main character. Watching her try to navigate school, her friends, relationships, and being a werewolf — I can relate to her. Being a teenager is hard, but also learning how to become a werewolf, it had to be even harder! I would love to read more about Artie and how she deals with the world around her. I also can’t wait to read more by Olivia Stephens!

Thanks to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for the ARC!

It is 8:30 in the morning and I am crying. This is pretty normal when I’m reading something really good.

Artie is a young girl who has a passion for photography that she got from her father, but it’s someone she has never met. She connects with him through pictures she has found over the years and her own personal love for photography. One night after sneaking out she discovers an interesting family secret that opens up her world and also answers some questions about her father. And we see there are some very scary things inside the forest!

I’m not one to reach for middle grade, but this graphic novel was great. I loved the illustrations! The relationships were lovely to read and I feel so attached to this family. Like I said earlier - I cried. A lot. Artie and her mom have gone through a lot, but even with all of the tragedy the family that they have of friends is fantastic. I would absolutely recommend this graphic novel!

This is a really fun graphic novel that will be perfect for young readers especially young Black girls. I liked what it did with the werewolf lore here. The idea of these werewolves being the descendants of runaway slaves and the traits being passed down through bloodline vs turning was so cool And it even switched it up when it came the the vampire lore I'm used to. I also love this art style which kind of reminds me a little bit of Archie comics.

This is a comic about a girl, that always thought she was the weird one, the odd one out, just to discover that her family consists in a group of werewolfs. Don't get this wrong, this is not the usual werewolf history, is a story about family, friendship and love, a lot of love.

Something that I have to add is that we have some pretty funny scenes. I won't say one of them, is not a spoiler or anything, but I'll like to let you have your own experience, but pay attention to the drawings.

The idea of a town of werewolfs, their friendship, their loyalty is so beautiful. The history of the protagonist's parents is also so lovely. The writer was really great in bringing a lot of extra content to the comic, and that world building it's really something special, especially because we have such few pages for such a beautiful history.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher of this comic for giving me the opportunity of such a lovely reading. I would love to read more of this author!

What happen if one night you found that your mom is a werewolf, and it turns out that you, too?!

Aside from this fantastic myth storytelling about werewolves and vampires, I love how this graphic novel tells how important a family is in the whole story. How the family connections deepen, know more about your family backgrounds, and a big family who come together to help each another. My favorite part from the story is when Artie searching hint and clues about the truth, and her strong character that grow through the story,

I describe the storyline is dramatic and an empowering one. It is also raise awareness of issues such as injustice, racism, and bullying.

Thank you :)

I received an e-arc from NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review.
Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens felt like a refreshing re-telling of the werewolf myth. It’s a story about family, acceptance and change. It had a very interesting narrative, and I can’t wait to read more from this author. I definitely recommend this read! The story is fast-paced and very entertaining. It doesn’t avoid talking about heavy subjects and deals with them spectacularly.
Cw: racism and violence.
Spoiler alert: The queer romance between the main character, Artie and another girl was surprising and very charming. It helps normalize queer love to a young audience.

Phenomenal mid-grade graphic novel. I love this and will be buying it for myself and for my local library!! Fun story - intense action, family ties, little bit of (middle school) romance - and great art. Good messages about finding/being yourself, overcoming bullying, forgiving family with a delightful bit on maybe-possibly finding a girlfriend.

Eighth grader (Artemis) finds out she is (half)-werewolf and that there is much more to her past than her mother has told her. As she comes into her own, danger lurks just waiting to take a bite.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I adored this graphic novel so much! The art style itself was absolutely stunning and captivating, perfectly crafting the atmosphere of each scene, to touching moments between Artie's parents in the past, eerie slivers of information about vampires, and Artie's emotional turmoil over new and old friendships. The story itself was deeply beautiful, using werewolf packs as representations of community and exploring the pain tacked onto losing access to your own. Artie's desire to connect with her werewolf heritage ties into this wonderfully, through both her increasingly honest relationship with her mother as well as friendships and romances with the children of her mother's old friends. Of course the concept stands on its own, but the symbolism beneath the werewolf and vampire lore is what made this book so compelling because so many kids struggle to relate to their familial culture, especially when from mixed heritage backgrounds. The way Artie was welcomed into this community but also had to discover for herself what it means to be a werewolf is something I think readers of all ages but especially children will connect with. Ultimately this was a wonderful read, kept me thoroughly engaged the entire time, and went above and beyond telling a beautiful story through beautiful art. Would absolutely read more of this author's work in the future.

Black girl magic, Werewolves, and family that is built from those who love you for you, all come together in this wonderful graphic novel to make a story that I could reread over and over. I loved the ties of Artie and her mom and their history and present all meshed together. I loved the mythology mixed with the very real feelings of being a teen and figuring yourself out along the way.

Thank you Lerner Publishing Group for providing me with an early copy of Artie and The Wolf Moon.

I love this story so much! everything from the art to the story telling was beautiful.

This is a story about learning about one’s self, of family, of how family isn’t always just about blood, and also falling in love with life. it’s also about grieving a loved one you never had the chance to meet.

I never knew I needed a story, especially a graphic novel, that mixes werewolf and Black culture together. But now that I know that, I want more.

I don’t think there will be a second volume by how it ended, but I want more from this author!

Will be buying a physical print once it is released.

Thank you NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for this early review copy!

WOW, this might be my absolute new favorite graphic novel!!!!! I just could not put this book down and I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.

While this book is only 256 pages, it felt like so much longer (in the best way possible). I can't believe how much happened in this graphic novel.

At the start of this graphic novel, we are introduced to Artemis "Artie" Irvin who is a young girl who loves photography and lives alone with her mother after the death of her father. One night Artie sneaks out of her house to take some photos and discovers that her mother is a werewolf... and so is Artie...

HOWEVER, Artie soon discovers that not only are werewolves real, but so are vampires and that there is conflict between the vampires and werewolves. One of my favorite parts of this graphic novel was learning the history for both the werewolves and vampires and the events that led to the main conflict.

This graphic novel deals with so many important topics such as first crushes, family, friendship, and grief. The relationship between Artie and her mother is one of the best relationships between a mother and a daughter that I have read in a long time. The artwork is also absolutely stunning.

I highly recommend this graphic novel. It deserves all of the stars. I am definitely going to be rereading this closer to the release date in September and I will immediately be pre-ordering a copy for my home collection!

Thanks NetGalley for giving me a copy of this amazing graphic novel in exchange for an honest review!

How do I explain how perfect this graphic novel is?
The first thing I liked was the illustration but as I progressed I ended up trapped by the plot.

It tells the story of Artie, the daughter of a single mother, who lived alone with her until one night she learned that her mother can transformed into a wolf. It narrates the story of Artie's transformation intertwined, in an excellent way, with the love story of her parents and of her mother with her family.
It's about family, grief and growing up, but from different points of view, which makes the story more interesting.

I love it, it's very quick to read because the story grips you to the point where all you need is to know more, super entertaining and emotional.

I just finished it and I want to read it again. I recommend it to everyone, no matter how old you are, if you see this read it.

A very unique and refreshing take on the common trope of werewolves versus vampires. The story of Artie, her immediate family and the discovery of her mythical creature family is touching and will definitely resonate with readers.

This was a fantastic graphic novel, I loved how the mythologies of werewolves and vampires were used in this story. I really enjoyed Artie as a main character, and her mom and extended wolf family were really great as well. I liked that everyone had flaws and did some growing throughout this book. The themes of racism, grief, and feeling like an outsider were woven into the main story nicely.

Even though this is marked as middle grade, this is one that straddles the border of YA so it would make for a great read for anyone in either age group (and adults of course!).

Not to long after sneaking out late at night, something her mother has always warned her about, and seeing a huge wolf change into her mother, Artie must come to terms with her own wolf side. Artie gets her mom now to talk about everything she never would including her late father.

This was a really good book with awesome graphics. It has loads of action and suspense you could cut with a knife. This will be appealing to many with the paranormal mixed in seamlessly with life as we know it. I think this would be a good addition to any collection.

This review will appear on my blog on Sept. 7th.

Artie and the Wolf Moon is, on the surface, a YA graphic novel about werewolves and vampires, but there's so much more waiting for you here. Artie Irvin lives with her mom, a park ranger. She's a burgeoning photographer who sneaks out one night, against her mother's wishes, to take some photographs and discovers a huge wolf that somehow morphs into her mother! Confronting her mother, Artie learns that she comes from a long line of werewolves, but may be a "late bloomer" because she hasn't shifted yet. Artie's mom agrees to tell her about everything, including her late father, but when racist bullies at school lead to Artie shifting, her mom realizes it's time to introduce her daughter to her family - and learn about what it means to be shifter. 

Olivia Stephens has created a truly original werewolf story with origins in Black history, infused with the power of the wolf to guard and survive. I could read stories about every character in Artie's family and still want to read more; I love Olivia Stephens's storytelling and artwork so much. She creates realistic characters and her origin story reminds me of indigenous artwork with earth tones and primitive figures. She creates harrowing moments in the struggle between wolf and vampire and gives readers an incredible story of Black culture, community, family, and history. Fantastic storytelling and I want more.

Artie and the wolf moon is a coming of age story with lots of surprises. Becoming a wolf and defending her pack her pack she didn’t know existed is a surprise for here. Great illustrations and writing.

Artie finds out that her mom is a werewolf. How? Artie confronts her mom and finds out that she is a werewolf too. However Artie hasn’t come into her ability to turn into a werewolf. One day she turns into a werewolf because she is very angry at the school bully. Artie tells her mom. Later when she tries to turn into a werewolf she can’t. Her mom gets some friends to help her learn how to become one and also reverting to human form. A friend takes Artie to her house where Artie will learn that there are vampires. She howls for help. Will help arrive in time?

As I don’t want to tell any more about the story as I want all readers to enjoy the mysteries in the graphic novel. The author has written about a black girl coming to terms with her life. There is bullying in her predominantly white school. She learns what true friendship is besides family that isn’t part of her biological family is. It’s an amazing story which has both sad and happy moments. I enjoyed watching Artie learning how to be a werewolf and standing up for herself as a human. . The author has written a great story. The illustrations are perfect for the novel. The novel is not scary. It’s a novel for anyone and any age to read.

Artie and the Wolf Moon is a fast-paced, thrilling read!

While the first chapter started a bit slow, the story quickly picked up. I enjoyed the dynamic between Artie and her mom. They weren’t just mother and daughter, but had a special friendship too. She supported Artie, and encouraged her love of photography.

The werewolf aspect didn’t kick into high gear until nearly the halfway point, but things really took off afterward. The action between the wolves and vampires added the right amount of excitement.

The artwork is both beautiful and eerie at times. Overall, a nicely done graphic novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lerner Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review. <i>Artie and the Wolf Moon</i> is scheduled for release on September 7th, 2021.

Artie Irvin is in eighth grade (which is stressful enough as it is) when she finds out that her mom is a werewolf and guess what? SO IS ARTIE! This story follows Artie as she comes into her own as both a wolf and a teenager over her last year before high school as she meets new family and friends who change her life in a number of ways.

Artie never got to meet her dad, but we learn about her parents’ history over a series of flashbacks that depict their beautiful and heartbreaking story from the first moment they meet to the last time they ever see each other. (yes, i would read a full length prequel about them even though most of their relationship milestones are depicted in here.)

I grew up in the <i>Twilight</i> era, so the werewolf v. vampire story is a tale as old as time as far as I’m concerned, but this story takes vampire mythology in a direction that I’ve never seen before (i don’t consume a lot of vampire media so don’t come for me if you’ve seen it before). In this universe you can’t kill a vampire if you know what’s good for you which raises the stakes of their threat to an incredible degree that never truly goes away.

This story is a fun, fast, and emotional read appropriate for readers of all ages. I would highly recommend and I’m looking forward to what else Olivia Stephens has in store for us.
Trigger warnings: images of blood, mentions of death, loss of a parent, pregnancy, mild stalking