Once upon a time, in a faraway village, there lived a young girl named Aster. Aster was an ordinary girl in every way, except for one thing – she had the ability to perform unintentional magic. When Aster was born, a shooting star had soared across the sky, leaving behind a faint trail of stardust that settled on her forehead. People in the village saw this as a sign of great power and believed that Aster was destined for something extraordinary. However, as Aster grew older, her unintentional magic became a cause of trouble. Whenever she felt strong emotions like anger or sadness, her magical powers would unintentionally activate, wreaking havoc in the village.
I love the many characters that Aster meets and the stories that happen as she meets them. I think that each teach her a lesson and each of them make me want to read more. I think that each story blends well with each other and continues the story but I also like how each story can also be read on its own.
First blush this story seems science fiction; a more futuristic tale as humans have destroyed the crows nesting area to the point of almost extinction. What comes from this is Granny do not call her that, or old whom has some interesting surprises up her staff, wooly dogs who give wool, Buzz, a wooly dog with no wool, one Trickster Rapscallion who grants three wishes, monsters who are nice but stinky and magic.
Whenever she felt strong emotions like anger or sadness, her magical powers would unintentionally activate, wreaking havoc in the village. Objects flew through the air, water turned into ice, and sometimes, even small fires would ignite. The villagers started to fear Aster, and many believed that she was cursed.
Aster and the Accidental Magic: (A Graphic Novel) (Paperback)
Aster is not happy when her family decides to relocate to the middle of nowhere. But no matter how much whining, begging, and pleading she does, her family's decision is final. The great migration (of bloodthirsty birds who terrorize the country side!) is just around the corner, and her mom must finish her solution to the problem (a gigantic robotic bird!) before it is too late! But this is just the beginning of Aster's magical adventures. She will soon encounter old ladies with herds of magical dogs, trickster spirits, and the Gods of each season. Somehow it will fall upon her shoulders to keep the balance of the mountainside intact. This little graphic novel was such a delight; I fell absolutely in love with these characters and their wacky adventures. Not to mention the adorable art! This series is perfect for fans of Adventure Time and Hilda.
Spring 2020 Kids Indie Next List
“This book is perfect for fans of Hilda, with the simple design of Adventure Time and the guileless charm of Steven Universe. Aster is NOT happy to be moving into the boring old woods, but she quickly learns that there is more in this valley than meets the eye when she stumbles into the truth at the core of every local legend.”
— Stephanie Heinz, PRINT: A Bookstore, Portland, ME
Description
A fun, action-packed fantasy adventure about a girl, her dog, and magic gone wrong!
Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .
That's what Aster expects when her parents move their whole family to the middle of nowhere. It's just her (status: super-bored), her mom and dad (status: busy with science), her brother (status: has other plans), and . . .
In her new home, Aster meets a mysterious old woman with a herd of dogs who gives her a canine companion of her own. But when she and her dog Buzz are adventuring in the forest, they run into a trickster spirit who gives Aster three wishes. After wishing for the ability to understand and talk to her dog, she becomes only able to talk in dog language . . . and the trouble she gets into is just starting.
Maybe the middle of nowhere will be more interesting than Aster thought.
"Crisp, vibrant artwork." -The AV Club
About the Author
Thom Pico was born in 1989 in Périgueux. Since then, his enthusiasm for writing has led him to a number of different projects, including theater, writing and youth workshops -- until Karensac offered to collaborate with him on their new comic book project. You can find him online at @ThomPico.
Karensac was born in 1990 in Grenoble. Always passionate about comics, her webcomic won the Angouleme New Voices prize for online work. Aster and the Accidental Magic is her first graphic novel. You can find her online at @MlleKarensac.
Praise For…
“Full of sardonic asides and general whimsy, this will make readers eager to snag the promised sequel and begin rural adventures of their own.” —The Bulletin, starred review
“An entertaining and lighthearted fantasy." —Kirkus Reviews
"Spirited adventure and an oddball sense of humor make this a promising start to a series that will be perfect for fans of the Hilda comics." —Publishers Weekly
"Featuring simple lines and appealingly bizarre creatures, the art will entice readers." —School Library Journal
- Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels
- Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Action & Adventure
- Juvenile Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
- Hardcover (March 3rd, 2020): $20.99
- Library Binding (March 3rd, 2020): $27.59
Quiet . . . birds . . . nature. . . .
They began to avoid her, leaving her feeling lonely and isolated. Aster's parents did their best to protect her, but they couldn't always control her magic. One day, a wise old woman named Baba Yaga came to the village. She had heard about Aster's unintentional magic and wanted to help her. Baba Yaga was a powerful sorceress who had mastered her own magic. She knew how difficult it was to control such powers. Baba Yaga took Aster under her wing and guided her in understanding and harnessing her magic. She taught Aster to channel her emotions into positive outlets, such as painting and writing. Baba Yaga also gave Aster a pendant made of moonstone, which helped to calm her magical energy. With Baba Yaga's guidance, Aster began to gain control over her unintentional magic. She no longer feared her own powers, and the villagers started to see her in a new light. They realized that Aster's magic was not a curse, but a unique gift that could bring joy and wonder to their lives. Aster's unintentional magic became a source of inspiration for the village. She used her powers to create beautiful light displays during festivals, to heal the sick, and even to fix broken objects. The villagers began to appreciate her for who she truly was – a kind-hearted girl with a magical spark. In time, Aster's unintentional magic became intentional. She learned to control her powers and became a skilled sorceress in her own right. She continued to use her magic to help others, spreading happiness and wonder wherever she went. Aster's story teaches us that sometimes our greatest strengths can initially cause chaos and fear. However, with guidance and understanding, these powers can be harnessed for good. Aster's unintentional magic became her greatest asset, and she was able to bring joy and magic to the lives of others. So let us remember Aster's journey and embrace our own unique abilities. Who knows? Maybe we too have a little bit of unintentional magic waiting to be discovered..
Reviews for "Embracing the Marvels of Unintentional Magic with Aster"
1. Michelle - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Aster and the unintentional magic" but I found myself struggling to get through it. The plot felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The magic system was also confusing and poorly explained. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - I found "Aster and the unintentional magic" to be incredibly boring. The story dragged on and I couldn't connect with the main character at all. The writing style was also lackluster and the dialogue felt forced. I was expecting an engaging fantasy read but instead, I was left feeling uninterested and unimpressed.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While "Aster and the unintentional magic" had an interesting premise, I felt that the execution fell flat. The pacing was slow and the story did not hold my attention. Additionally, I found the world-building to be lacking, as crucial details were not fully explained. Overall, I think this book missed the mark and I would not pick it up again.
4. Thomas - 2 stars - "Aster and the unintentional magic" was a bit of a disappointment for me. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. There were also certain inconsistencies in the story that distracted me from fully enjoying it. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - I had a hard time getting into "Aster and the unintentional magic". The writing felt juvenile, which made it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. The protagonist was also quite annoying and I couldn't relate to her struggles. Overall, I didn't feel invested in the events unfolding in the book and I wouldn't recommend it to others.