Graphic Novel Review – Baba Yaga’s Assistant by Marika McCoola and Emily Carroll (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade/Young Adult
Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy
Length: 136 pages
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: August 5th, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-0763669614
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eGalley from NetGalley.com
Rating: 4/5 stars

I got a copy of this graphic novel to review through Netgalley. This ended up being a well done young adult graphic novel that explores both growing up and the myths surrounding Baba Yaga.

Masha is struggling when her dad announces that he is getting re-married. Part of the “new” family includes a viscious little girl. Masha is desperate for an adventure (and to escape her new family) answers an ad looking for an assistant for Baba Yaga. After undergoing a number of trials and outwitting Baba Yaga at her own game; Masha not only learns that a lot of the myths around Baba Yaga aren’t quite true…she learns a lot about herself.

This was a wonderful look into some of the Baba Yaga mythology. Masha’s grandmother told Masha a number of different stories/myths about Baba Yaga when she was alive and Masha retells her grandmother’s stories throughout this book.

The story is entertaining and fun. It was fun to watch Masha outwit Baba Yaga and twist Baba Yaga’s requests to match her own morals. Additionally throughout the story Masha learns to make peace with her new family and learns how to stand up for herself better.

The illustration was a bit more cartoony than I like and had a bit of an unfinished look to it. I did enjoy that the illustrations were full color and didn’t have any trouble following the illustration; it just wasn’t my favorite drawing style.

The character, Masha, seems to be more YA age…however, there isn’t anything here that would prevent the middle grade age group from enjoying the story as well.

Overall this was a fun and entertaining graphic novel about the mythos behind Baba Yaga and a young woman’s struggle to fit in with a new family. I loved the mythology throughout and loved learning more about Baba Yaga. I enjoyed Masha’s character and loved how she grew throughout the story. This would be a great read for those readers middle grade and older who are interested in mythology.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Graphic Novel Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– Mythology Reading Challenge