Member Reviews
'Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm' by Dana Simpson is a departure from the usual comic strip nature of these books, and presents here a full length story.
A big storm has knocked out power and while it seems like a normal winter storm, Phoebe and Marigold are suspicious. Magic seems to not be working and Marigold can't make herself invisible. Their investigation has them get help from Max and Dakota.
This was a fun story and works as a longer narrative. I like these characters and the art, and I recommend this for younger readers. It's another addition to a really good series.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Before I tell you anything else you need to know there’s a DRAGON in this book!!! 💜💜💜 Okay, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system I can continue.
Marigold’s magical sensitivity is telling her something’s not quite right. This is confirmed when a pixie’s GPS fails and Marigold can only find one bar of magical reception. Meanwhile at Phoebe’s elementary school, the teachers and kids alike are anticipating a half day due to a rumoured ice storm.
Later that day Marigold can’t even sparkle anymore when, horror of horrors, magic and the wifi go down! This is a job for Phoebegold Detective Agency! Dakota isn’t so sure that Phoebe has enough nerd power to solve this case though.
Because Marigold no longer has magic her Shield of Boringness is down, making the people she walks past actually respond to her unicorn awesomeness for the first time in the series. I can’t get enough of Phoebe and Marigold.
Although Max has been Phoebe’s second best friend for a while now (after Marigold, of course) I was so happy that he made a new friend in this graphic novel, one he shares more interests with. He’s consistently one of my favourite characters so it was lovely to have him more involved in the storyline. I loved the gentle, age appropriate way that bullying, loneliness and friendships were addressed in this story.
I loved learning that goblins have their own version of a unicorn’s Shield of Boringness called a Bubble of Non-Grossness. Let’s face it, maybe I just love the blarting goblins.
I fell in love with Voltina the dragon and can’t wait to see how much she features in future adventures.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. After not being quite as enthralled by the last two collections I read, my love for Phoebe, Marigold and the rest of Dana Simpson’s creations has been renewed with this graphic novel. I’m looking forward to bingeing the rest of the series.
Phoebe is an interesting wierdo, but in a good way. She and her magical unicorn go on adventures. This one about a dragon that eats electricity was an ok story. 3 stars. The humor is very dry and I'm meh about the next in the series.
I absolutely love this series, and would definitely recommend it to anyone - children and adults alike.
The Magic Storm is the first OGN (rather than collection of web strips) in the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series. It is INSANELY ADORABLE. It puts a new spin on all those snow days we had as a kid....
Fun for grownups and kids alike! (My 11 yo and 7 yo nieces love this series as much as I do)
Text of blog review:
First of all, if you haven’t yet been introduced to Phoebe and Her Unicorn I highly suggest checking out this webcomic series about a little girl and her unicorn. Kind of like Calvin and Hobbes, only Marigold Heavenly Nostrils is a real unicorn who cloaks herself in a Shield of Boringness so people don’t freak out when they see her. There are five collections of strips already, where we are introduced to frenemy Dakota (with her sentient hair and goblin posse) and Max (Phoebe’s adorably nerdy school friend) and Phoebe’s hipster-geek parents.
The Magic Storm is the first original graphic novel in the series. A huge snowstorm is coming, one that might knock out power to the town, but Marigold is certain that the storm has a magical cause. She’s down to only 1 bar of magic that she can sense with her horn, so something is using up the magic in the area. Phoebe recruits Dakota with her goblin minions and Max, with his science knowledge, to help her investigate.
THIS BOOK IS INSANELY ADORABLE. It puts a new spin on all those snow days I had as a kid. Also all the nerd jokes. Please to have all the nerd jokes. Phoebe and her Unicorn is one of the best kids comics going right now (and when I say “kids” I mean “anyone who likes a good pun and nerd humor of all types and ages”). The Magic Storm is out October 17 from Andrews McMeel.
<p>My kid reads this series, so whenever I see one on <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a>, I request it for her. I haven't read any since maybe number two (this one is number six). But I didn't want to think too hard the other day, so I picked this one up and it was a nice break from my heavy, literary books I'm trying to read before their library due dates on Tuesday.</p>
<p>So Dakota has a bunch of goblins now, and there's Max who likes electricity, and rather than being episodic/comic strip one-offs, <A href="http://www.librarything.com/work/19803277/book/151369917">Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm</a> is a whole story about a magic storm and there's a dragon and I thought it was kind of clever, the plot. Max has two moms and it's just so normal and not commented upon and basically,
I loved that bit the most. I still think Phoebe and Marigold and Dakota are a bit too smarmy Disney-channel sitcom rather than genuine, but they aren't bad; I'm just overly annoyed by stuff like that.</p>
<p>So yay, thar be dragons!</p>
<p><A href="http://www.librarything.com/work/19803277/book/151369917">Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm</a> by Dana Simpson went on sale October 17, 2017.</p>
<p><small>I received a copy free from <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> in exchange for an honest review.</small></p>
Another great Phoebe and Her Unicorn installment. This one had a much tighter focus and storyline than previous installments, and members of the supporting cast had some great moments to shine. As always, I'm delighted to have read this and sad it's over.
The Magic Storm gives Phoebe, Marigold Heavenly Nostrils, and their supporting cast the opportunity to shine again. These books make me laugh aloud. I often share their antics with my friends.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm is the sixth graphic novel in the Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series by Dana Simpson. I have not read this series in order, but I have seen the first three books. I think newcomers and those that might have missed some books along the way will still be able to enjoy the read.
Phoebe and Marigold decide to investigate a powerful storm that is wreaking havoc with the electricity in their town. The adults think it’s just winter weather, but Phoebe and Marigold soon discover that all is not what it seems to be, and that the storm may have a magical cause. To solve the case, they team up with Max, who is desperate for the electricity to return so he can play video games, and frenemy Dakota, who is aided by her goblin minions. Together, they must get to the bottom of the mystery and save the town from the magic storm.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm is a story about magic, friends, and bravery. I like that Phoebe cares very little about what others, including Dakota, think of her. She just goes on doing things she loves, and being a good friend to those around her. I wish more kids (and adults) focused more on their own friendships and activities than what others are doing. The mystery and conflict behind the storm and power drain was creative and fun, with an extra layer about friendship and making new friends. Even while the action was in high gear, there were aspects of the story that was still focused on character and relationship development. And, as always, I found the artwork to be charming and a meaningful part of the story.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm is just what readers of this series, and readers that like fantasy and graphic novels, will enjoy. I think this will be a hit among the target audience, and with any reader looking for a story about friendship and magic.
It's been a while since I've picked up any of the Phoebe and Her Unicorn books, but this one is unique in that, rather than a set of separate comic panels, it's actually a graphic novel!
Phoebe and Marigold have yet another adventure ahead of them, but in this story, a mysterious storm has struck their town, taking with it not only the electricity (and the wi-fi - gasp), but also the ambient magic. Poor Marigold is without her powers, which simply won't do, so the duo decides to hunt down what could be causing such a bizarre turn of events.
As always, Phoebe and Marigold are absolutely adorable, but my favorite part of this volume was the goblins! They're hilarious, gross, little green guys, and they were such a fun addition. Also, there's a dragon, as there should be in essentially every story.
BLART.
Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love these books! This is such a great series. I wholeheartedly recommend them for any school library. This one has a great message of acceptance and inclusion, in the form of a sad, friendless dragon.
The storied of Phoebe and Marigold, her unicorn, is a modern approach to fairy tales that mixes fantasy with technology and the result is so much fun! In Phoebe and her Unicorn in the Magic Storm the dynamic duo face a magical storm that interferes with electricity, electromagnetic waves and magic!
I am a sucker for all things magic but my 5 year old boy loved it too! Even though I had to translate to greek... The illustrations are cute and young readerds have a lot to learn about friendship and working together. I realy hope the series gets a greek translation!
This is a comic strip turned graphic novel that will appeal to adults and middle grade readers who delight in the delightfully absurd and glittery irony of friendship and life. This is a brilliantly engaging and epically delightful series that is impossible to put down.
Once more, Phoebe and Her Unicorn delights audiences with its delightful antics and humor. Simpson's artwork is engaging and fresh, and her characters fairly jump off the page with vigor and life. This series is a must read!
I love this series for it's wonderful portrayal of friendship, and sass. So much sass. This is by far my favorite series to thrust at parents who tell me they're kid doesn't like reading, I love being able to tell them exactly what they're getting out of this series and I love it even more when they come back and tell me their kid can't get enough of reading now, what else can I suggest?
This might be my favorite Phoebe and her Unicorn yet though. I loved that they display the different types of friendship that exist. I have a special soft spot for Dakota and Max. Seriously, frenemy friendships and you're my favorite nerd even when I don't understand a word you're saying friendships are golden. I loved this and the inclusion of a new character whom I hope to see more of in the long run.
As had been hinted back on the comic strip’s internet page, this is a new story rather than a compilation like the previous editions. I don’t know if that’s what makes the difference, and it really is weird reading a long narrative when you’re used to four-panel little stories every day, but this is the best book in the series.
No surprise that the story starts with Marigold staring at her reflection and unable to look away. There’s a unicorn summoning dance. . . why was it not shown? Argh!
“Yes, I am Phoebe’s throne thingy.” Wow, Phoebe and Marigold actually hug! She lifts her leg onto Phoebe’s shoulder.
“Bossy girls get all the goblins.”
“Then I have to warn you there may NOT be a dragon involved.” So in addition to Max’s new unicorn friend in the strips, he’s now chummy with a dragon too.
The costumes alone are worth the price of this book. Dakota would make a better Albert Einstein, though.
The extras at the end include an electricity primer, how to make a phosphorescent drink, a magic trick, and glossary.
I love Phoebe and her Unicorn - I have picked up a few of this series where it is a collection of comic shorts put into one place. This is the first full length graphic novel, one story and it is magical.
In the story there is a power outage all over town and even Marigold is having problems with her magic - and that is unacceptable! Phoebe with the help of Marigold, Dakota and Max, are off to find the problem and fix it.
The full-length is just a entertaining as the collections - Phoebe and Marigold are still besties, and Marigold is still a bit conceited but it makes for a funnier tale. Dakota and her goblin cohort are so weird and Dakota is a wonderful enemy/friend combo.
It was a bit different to read one story versus many shorts but I think that overall the story held together well and it didn't have as much punch as some of the one-liners from other issues but it was still very fun to read.
Review Live on October 13.
Hello Phoebe and Marigold! I have missed you.
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm, the sixth book in the Phoebe and her Unicorn series, is just as cute, sweet and funny as the other five. This time, the adventure involves an ice storm, electricity, and a legend of a dragon.
Something strange is happening outside! An storm is on the way, electricity is down all over town, and the magic seems to have been sucked out of the world..Phoebe and Marigold, along with Dakota and her goblins, are off to investigate what behind the magic storm.
This adorable series consistently delivers a sense of wonder and fun. Highly recommended.