Review by Booklist Review
Bix is a worrier. Her younger sister Pella is a brat. After the Earth Queen creates one too many earthquakes, forcing the goblin village to pack up and move, Pella sets out across the Enchanted Forest to give the queen a piece of her mind. Despite knowing that no one returns from the forest, Bix gathers her courage and sets out to find her sister and save her from whatever mischief she's gotten into. Bix is joined on her quest by Cici, a tree troll, who lost her family to a flood created by the Water Queen. Together, the two make their way past monsters, water nymphs, and hungry herons to rescue Pella and stop the two queens from destroying the island. While Pella kickstarts the action, the story really belongs to Bix and Cici and their friendship. The reunion between the sisters is believable, and the compromise reached by the two queens is unexpected. Vibrant colors, imaginative beasts, skilled cartooning, and a well-told story make this a fun, satisfying read.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Debut creator Robinson explores the ups and downs of siblinghood in this lushly illustrated fantasy that's visually reminiscent of Hildafolk and Steven Universe. When a series of progressively worsening earthquakes threatens to collapse the underground city that their ancestors founded, the goblins of Teacup Island plan to evacuate. Troublemaking goblin orphan Pella, furious at the fabled Earth Queen for causing the earthquakes and cancelling an annual festival, sneaks into the forbidding Enchanted Forest to tell the queen off, forcing her anxious older sister, Bix, to attempt a rescue. Soon, the sisters are thoroughly entangled in an ongoing feud between two nature-ruling queens that may devastate the entire island. Bold digital art with pencil textures presents a diversity of body types across the female-presenting cast, whose clearly individuated protagonists demonstrate their own kinds of bravery through- out. Confrontational Pella, cautious Bix, and upbeat and easygoing tree troll Cici are given plenty of room to show their characters, and their contrasting personalities play off each other well. A colorful and charismatic story with an underlying thoughtfulness. Ages 8--12. Agent: Amy Stern, Sheldon Fogelman Agency. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3--6--Bix and her younger sister Pella couldn't be more different. Though both are gray-skinned, pointy-nosed goblins, Bix is a planner, rule-follower, and worrier, while impetuous Pella is unafraid to speak truth to power and call out injustice. When an earthquake endangers the sisters' underground community on Teacup Island, Pella heads for the Enchanted Forest to give the Earth Queen a piece of her mind; meanwhile, a terrified Bix is determined to save Pella. Robinson's debut adeptly follows the sisters' parallel adventures in the Enchanted Forest, allowing time for learning, reflection, empathy, and page after page of lush, colorful art. A peaceful resolution requires both sisters' smarts and experience--along with the help of new friends. Despite the story's fairy-tale trappings, the satisfying and thoughtful ending eschews a pat happily ever after. Main characters are female-identifying, with a range of body types. Images of fantastical flora and fauna packed into the detailed full-page illustrations are an unexpected delight, and sections on Teacup Island beasts and characters at the end provides inspiration for a second or third read. VERDICT Readers will delight in Bix and Pella's escapades. An ideal offering for most libraries, and great for "Hilda" fans.--Amanda Charles, Los Angeles P.L.
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A worrywart goblin must face her fears to save not just her sister, but the whole of Teacup Island. Bix's headstrong little sister, Pella, is one of her main sources of worry. Ever since they lost their parents, Bix has been responsible for Pella--but Pella is not easily controlled. Mere days before the Midsummer Festival, the goblins' underground city is struck by yet another earthquake, leading the elders to decide they all must leave. It is said that the Earth Queen who lives in the Enchanted Forest is responsible for the earthquakes, so Pella decides to go confront her. When Bix discovers Pella has left, she rushes off to rescue her despite all her fears of the Enchanted Forest that swallows up anyone who dares to enter. With the help of Cici, an enthusiastic tree troll, Bix navigates dangers and discovers the hero within herself. Gorgeous black-lined, pastel-colored art brings to life this charming adventure story of sisterhood and friendship. Bix, Pella, and Cici, who live in a fantasy land that is filled with magic and devoid of humans, are lovable for their distinct personalities and big hearts. The colorful inhabitants of Teacup Island are all pretty cute--even the ones that veer toward creepy. With danger always lurking and illustrations that are full of movement, it's easy to get quickly swept up into this tale and not want to leave. Enchanting indeed. (map, character guide) (Graphic fantasy. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
