Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson
Age Range 14-18
Format: Ebook
Nimona, an impulsive young shapeshifter with a knack for evil-doing, decides that she would be the perfect sidekick for notorious villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart. Unfortunately for Blackheart, who was not looking for a sidekick, Nimona is here to stay and ready to wreak some havoc. Together, they work to prove that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics aren’t as good as everyone thinks they are. When Lord Blackheart realizes that his new sidekick has a dangerous wild side and a shadowy past, he realizes he may be a little in over his head.
For those who like magic and science side-by-side, this irreverently funny and fast-paced comic is the perfect fit. The book itself takes classic fantasy tropes and turns them on their heads. Stevenson’s revised illustrations feature simplistic, stylized characters. Nimona has the awkward proportions of a preteen girl, and her shapeshifting forms are fun to see. It is easy to see the webcomic origins in the episodic nature of many of the pages, filled with puns and punchlines that still work well in the new format. Perfect for fans of webcomics, strong female characters, and fantasy, readers may also enjoy Friends with Boys by Erin Hicks, or the Lumberjanes series, of which Noelle Stevenson is a co-writer.
Deanna Schiffman 