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fionak's review against another edition
4.0
Funny and clever. I'm enjoying the developing friendship between Margo and the main character, Charles, and annoyed it was over so fast
marmoset737's review against another edition
5.0
Promising, fun new series about kids and monsters in a NYC-style setting. Great illustrations, unique characters, good humor for kids and the adults that sometimes read with them and even some fun little pokes at gentrification as well.
turrean's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this "Buffy for the junior set" very much, from the hapless intrepid boy reporter to the mysterious Margo herself. (There have been many, many fantasies over the last few decades with strong female characters, but there can't be too many! Every one like this soothes my 1960s soul.) The fact that Margo is largely protecting the monsters from human incursion is just one more delicious twist on the usual way this story goes.
The dialog is intelligent (Charles and his dad have a conversation about gentrification, for heaven's sake, albeit a bit at cross purposes.) The scene where Charles and the first monster bond over collectibles was a standout. I was annoyed at the main character's spouting every cliche about the city out there (drug addicts, muggings, city crime, etc.) but Echo city has all the vibrancy you could hope for to balance it out. (And trolls!) Charles does soften his anti-city stance a bit toward the end, largely because, hey, the city has monsters and Margo.
Can I just say I love Charles' parents? The glasses! Dad's tattoo and potbelly! Their earnest, geeky embrace of their new neighborhood!
If the story had a flaw, it was the pace of revelations about Margo herself. Considering the wait kids will have until a second book, they've been given very few clues to ponder about Margo's background, her motives, and her mission.
The dialog is intelligent (Charles and his dad have a conversation about gentrification, for heaven's sake, albeit a bit at cross purposes.) The scene where Charles and the first monster bond over collectibles was a standout. I was annoyed at the main character's spouting every cliche about the city out there (drug addicts, muggings, city crime, etc.) but Echo city has all the vibrancy you could hope for to balance it out. (And trolls!) Charles does soften his anti-city stance a bit toward the end, largely because, hey, the city has monsters and Margo.
Can I just say I love Charles' parents? The glasses! Dad's tattoo and potbelly! Their earnest, geeky embrace of their new neighborhood!
If the story had a flaw, it was the pace of revelations about Margo herself. Considering the wait kids will have until a second book, they've been given very few clues to ponder about Margo's background, her motives, and her mission.
avagracie003's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
oneangrylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This is such an odd and ultimately enjoyable graphic novel. I really enjoyed the artwork and the writing is great. While providing short stories rather than one cohesive tale, the comedy and writing is so charming in this book. I really do wish it was longer because the monsters are so cute and well designed. For me, that is the part where this entry is lacking the most. It is too brief. It provides you mere glimpses of some wonderful things to come but the payoff is not big enough for me. That being said, this seems to be the start of a series, so those choices are understandable. This is a quirky, humorous gem that I am glad to add to my schools graphic novel section.
tefani12's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lalanier's review against another edition
4.0
This was recommended to me and luckily my library had it so I checked it out. I'm participating in my own Halloween season celebration, by doing 61 Days of Halloween and thought this "creepy" book would be fun to add into the mix.
I don't regret my decision, while Charles took some warming up to (can't really blame him), I was instantly intrigued by the mysterious Margo Maloo: Monster Mediator. She appears to be a kid, but is she? I don't know for sure but have some speculations about her origins. The cases are cute and likely fun for kids while being a little spooky, but not too scary. I'm actually looking forward to more books (which I hope are coming) because there's quite a bit of questions floating around. Anywho, dug the artwork style and like the guide about all the monsters/creatures featured in the cases and their sketches.
While the Halloween/fall season might be an ideal timing, reading this graphic novel obviously works any time of the year and might encourage the kiddos to do their own monster mediation or investigations :)
I don't regret my decision, while Charles took some warming up to (can't really blame him), I was instantly intrigued by the mysterious Margo Maloo: Monster Mediator. She appears to be a kid, but is she? I don't know for sure but have some speculations about her origins. The cases are cute and likely fun for kids while being a little spooky, but not too scary. I'm actually looking forward to more books (which I hope are coming) because there's quite a bit of questions floating around. Anywho, dug the artwork style and like the guide about all the monsters/creatures featured in the cases and their sketches.
While the Halloween/fall season might be an ideal timing, reading this graphic novel obviously works any time of the year and might encourage the kiddos to do their own monster mediation or investigations :)
theybedax's review against another edition
4.0
The art in this is super adorable! I love all of the monsters and especially the breakdown in the back of each monster they come into contact with while on a case.
drowsyreaper's review against another edition
4.0
Read on the recommendation of a coworker. Very cute, though I am a bit outside the target age group. Still, if you have kids who like monsters and spooky things(but don't want contend with bad dreams), I would highly recommend it. There's a great message about learning to empathize with others, as well as talk about gentrification, not measuring yourself negatively against others, and respect for others. Also, the illustrations are pretty cute.