Middle grade novel about black wolves. With a Sapphic romance. I really loved this book it was super cute.

It's family focused supernatural novel. And our main character Artie is a photographer. Who discoveres that she is decided from wolves.

This is just the type of fictional family I would love to be a part of - one that prides itself on passing down family histories, makes jokes at each other's expense, protects each other - oh, and did I mention they're all werewolves?

Artie and the Wolf Moon is a great addition to the werewolf canon. I loved the way that Artie's passion for photography was woven into the visual storytelling of the novel, particulary her family's history. There was also wonderful representation of strong women role models and loving marriages. Plus the moody color palette with pops of red really suited the narrative and tied everything together.

Saying that I enjoyed reading Olivia’s debut graphic novel is an understatement. She’s served an empowering story about Queer Black girls and family. The lore surrounding werewolves and vampires is not only refreshing but provides a new angle to the mythos and Black history as well. The history of forgiveness and freedom seamlessly unravels throughout Artie’s narrative arc. This complex and well structured supernatural graphic novel will draw you in with its themes surrounding grief, self worth, and the courage it takes to move on towards the future.

Read the rest of the review here: https://thegeekiary.com/artie-and-the-wolf-moon-by-olivia-stephens-graphic-novel-review/100422

Thank you for this copy - I was able to read it here for consideration in the YALSA Quick Picks for Recluctant Readers list.

Olivia Stephens coming out of the gate with a great debut novel! This book has everything: vampires, werewolves, a dash of romance, family drama, and all in a unique art style. I found the story to be compelling in a way that many short form graphic novels fall short of. The author knew what story they wanted to tell and kept it concise enough to stay engaging but not feel incomplete.
Would absolutely recommend for any age range from about 12 and up.

Information about the published review can be found at the link shared below for the publication Booklist.

Thank you to the publisher for this review copy. I have this one to my graphic novel obsessed, nearly eight year old to read. She really enjoyed it, she thought it was cool to read about someone interested in photography. She related to the main character struggling to fit in at school, even though it was different reasons than she personally experiences. I really liked the art style of this one. Thanks again

Artie and the Wolf Moon is a charming graphic novel about finding your pack - literally. When Artie catches her a wolf transforming into her mother, she learns their family secret. They're werewolves. As she learns to hone her shapeshifting abilities, she learns the meaning of family and identity. Also, vampires.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Really liked this book! liked the artwork and the story was really interesting too!

This book was an interesting twist on werewolves. I love that Artie is Black & queer. There are elements of family & elements of intrigue. Would be great for tweens & young teens into monsters.

A middle grade graphic novel about a girl in 8th grade who discovers she's a werewolf. As she learns to be a werewolf, she also learns about her family as her mother has hidden her past from her. I loved the focus on family. There's a shy same-sex romance subplot too. I found the shift to the werewolves vs. vampires plot a little out of place and the changes to the vampire myth seemed out of place and kind of dumb. Still, I think middle school kids will really like this book.

When Artie discovers she's the descendant of werewolves, she begins to learn even more about her past, as well as what being a shape-shifting wolf means for her future.

Entertaining and a quick read, middle grade graphic novel fans will enjoy this newer and fresher take on the classic werewolves vs. vampires trope.

Growing up can be stressful enough, but after sneaking outside one night, Artie (short for Artemis) finds out her mother is a werewolf, and so is Artie, even though she hasn't "shifted" yet. Artie and the Wolf Moon discovers and develops family and community support, belonging, Black History, and manages to add in a bit of romance as well. It's a beautiful story, and I recommend it for the middle school, YA, and adult audiences!

8th grader Artemis "Artie" Irvin, bullied as one of the few Black people at her school, finds solace in her favorite activity, old school film photography. Artie ventures out late one night to take pictures and encounters a wolf who ends up on Artie's doorstep. Artie's sees the wolf transforms into her mother, demands answers and is introduced to her heritage as a werewolf - including why vampires pose a threat to them. The narrative weaves deftly through time, going back to the origins of werewolves during slavery, to Artie's late human father's romance with her mother, to Artie's coming of age in the werewolf community. The queer romance between Artie and Maya, who Artie meets in the community, is sweet. The art integrates with the story beautifully; color is used skillfully to set time, place, and ominous moods. This just-scary-enough book will delight middle schoolers. The werewolves are all Black and the vampires are light skinned.

A great graphic novel with a coming of age story intertwined perfectly with the paranormal. The illustrations are wonderful and full of life. It also has just the right amount of spooky vibes.

I love a good graphic novel, and this book really did it for me! The fantasy and family mix was a very nice flip on the typical tone of werewolves. Normally, werewolves seem to be portrayed as scary monsters who go hide in fear alone from society. This story makes the werewolves as a pack front and centre. The family unit is important and learning about one's self is key. I liked that aspect, especially since this book was more fun and friendly about it.

Artie wants to learn all about herself, her family and werewolves in this coming of age story. Her Mother recruits family and friends to help her learn about the story behind her lore. Throw in Artie's crush on Maya and the secret past of her family... and you've got one fun hit on your hands. Oh, and did I mention the illustrations are also SO FABULOUS. I love them. They work so well with this story.

The mythology of the story is cool too, with the freedom aspect being heightened. I think, overall, this book did justice to what I would want in a positive spin on werewolves. There's so many ways to do werewolves "wrong" or make them not relate to the reader, but I think this book did a great job of making werewolves not seem as scary and seem more like just a "different" kind of person. Not different in a bad way of course, similar to how your neighbours might drive you insane from their recycling ways but there's nothing bad about them. They're different from you, but not bad.

This book will make you smile, laugh and cry as Artie learns more about herself. It's a true coming of age story in a fun, fantasy environment. Add in the LGBT presence, and it's got one heck of a story that does representation well. The whole book felt very cohesive and nice to read. It was elegant and just all around awesome. It's hard to find books like this these days (at least for me), so finding one that wows my socks off... Well, I just have to share it!

I highly recommend!

Five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

1st Line: "Oregon. Early September."

Prose (Story): When teenager Artemis "Artie" Irvin accidentally discovers she comes from a long line of werewolves, she sets out to learn more about not only the history or her family, but also of the relationship between her mother and late father - who died before she was even born. But among the many other things Artie's mother needs to teach her is that a far more fierce predator awaits in the darkness. One that takes particular pleasure in hunting fresh, young werewolves.

Don's (Review): Though the trope of a young girl missing the long-deceased father she never knew, trying to learn more about him from a mother who doesn't talk much about the past - period - is fairly familiar, author Olivia Stephens makes Artie a fresh and sympathetic character from the beginning. So much so, when the girl accidentally sees her mother transforming from wolf to human and learns her full heritage at last, the reader is just as frustrated when Artie's mom still manages to avoid revealing more about her past, their family, and especially Artie's dad. But it's hard to ignore your dauther's budding werewolf traits - especially when the girl has a mild freakout at school, while being bullied by classmates, and very nearly transforms in front of them - so things become clearer at last when Mom brings in some loving found-family members to help teach Artie how to best handle her lineage. It's no spoiler to reveal that Artie also soon learns of the real enemy out there - vampires - and for me at least here is where the book faltered just a bit; the author makes a couple of change-ups to the vampire legend, including what happens when you kill one, that felt just a bit forced, as if changed only to better fit the story here. That said, this graphic novel remains a winner, with strong characters you care about (especially our heroine), plenty of action, and dark, moody illustrations that fit the tale perfectly - not to mention the LGBTQ+-inclusive storyline (Artie develops a crush on another girl) and largely African-American cast. There's a lot to enjoy here, and while I feel the book could have benefitted from one more edit been a bit shorter, it's a no-brainer to recommend this werewolf vs. vamps tale with bite. Yeah - I went there. 4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

I wish this book was published when I was a child! This is fun and creepy and just wonderful. I have nothing bad to say about this graphic novel. The art was wonderful and brought the story alive. Also this is queen and the representation was just perfect. I love this graphic novel!

This comic was so rad!! This is a perfect read for younger teens with some middle grade crossover appeal. Artie is a Black girl loner & late bloomer whose shift into a werewolf is incited by bullies at her school.

Artie would have freaked out had she not discovered she comes from a long line of werewolves just a few weeks prior. Struggling to adjust to her newfound supernatural powers, her mom takes her to visit a town of werewolves just ninety miles away. Here, Artie finds the community, family, and crush (heart eyes) she has long craved.

But along comes trouble when feuding vampires track them down. At its heart is a thrilling coming of age story about learning how to accept support and realizing that you deserve love that celebrates you not just whatever attention you can get.

A great coming-of-age story that combines family issues with the supernatural. Artie and her mum are likeable, robust, strong-willed women. Most of the characters are complex and their family history and dynamics drive the plot of the story. There's a bit of romance and mystery and a real emphasis on community. The artwork is dynamic, the people look believable and the forrests evoke a lush, otherworldliness.