Reviews

Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power! by Mariko Tamaki

critterbee's review

3.0

I am a huge fan of the Lumberjanes graphic novels, and it is nice to see the series branch out into different formats. The main elements of the series (adventure, friendship, acceptance kindness, respect loyalty and thirst for knowledge) are present, but I felt myself wishing that I were reading the graphic novels instead.

This book is cute, and tries to be fair and devote equal time to all of the stellar Lumberjanes stars, but it lacked a bit of the smart, offbeat flavour that I have come to expect from the series. The book seems to be written towards a younger audience, so that may be why the zaniness is dialed back.

Fun adventure, without packing the punch of the graphic novels.
*eARC Netgalley*

sstarke's review

3.0

This is always a fun, palate cleansing series. Loved it on audio.

moonlit_shelves's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

scostner's review

3.0

Welcome to Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hard-Core Lady Types. The campers in Roanoke cabin (April, Ripley, Jo, Mal, and Molly), are ready for adventure. While working on their Living the Plant Life Badge, they discover a field full of unicorns near a strange pink and purple mountain. And when the girls decide to climb the mountain and earn an Extraordinary Explorer Medal, things really get crazy. That's right, crazier than wearing a live raccoon on your head the way Molly does. Even crazier than unicorns smelling "like sweat sock stew." So prepare to be taken for a ride that includes things like the Sound of Muesli badge, accordion music, and inventions for toasting multiple marshmallows over a campfire. The girls all have their own style and strengths - inventing, leading, enthusiasm, etc., but they all know the first rule of Lumberjanes; "Friendship to the max!"

For those looking for diversity and LGBTQ titles, Unicorn Power includes a camper named Barney who were previously a Scouting Lad, but "being a Lumberjane was a WAY better fit because Barney did not feel like they were a lad." (Barney uses they rather than he or she.) And Jo has two dads, who have made her a wonderful workshop for all her tinkering an inventing. The dads are mentioned a couple of times, but not do not appear as characters in the story.

I received an ARC in a giveaway by the publisher.

brittanyae's review

3.0

I have to start by saying that I'm obviously not the target demographic for this book. I love the comics - which I firmly believe are for anyone - but this is clearly written as a middle grade book. Which is fine! I'm definitely all for spreading the Lumberjanes to as many kids and people as possible. And it was a fun story, one I can for sure see a lot of younger kids loving. It was just written a little juvenile for me. Too much all caps phrases and exclamation points and repeated phrases and such.

But hey, it was a fun read. I picked it up because I was curious about Lumberjanes getting the novelization treatment, and I'm still glad I read it, even though it wasn't quite what I expected. I might check out any other books that come up in the series, but I'm a little undecided for now. I might just stick to the comics. But who knows! It was cute, so they might just keep on winning me over. I am rather attached to these girls after all this time, after all...

bookbrig's review

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

Smelly unicorns were a delight, and I really loved all the silly puns. I didn't enjoy it as much as the graphic novels, but it's a sweet story with lots of great friendship moments, and Tamaki did a great job of capturing the characters' personalities.

megawattcole's review

Why is this series not already a show, I mean seriously, please? Saturday morning cartoon, stat.

chwaters's review

4.0

Hooray! The Lumberjanes have a whole novel to adventure around in! Everyone's favorite, supernatural-mischief-prone campers are at it again. April, Mal, Molly, Jo and Ripley run into a real, live unicorn (because of course they do) and discover an enormous mountain that, for reasons unknown, does not appear on any map. Every the over-achiever, April becomes determined to climb the mountain, so the whole gang sets off to climb a really weird mountain (after greeting the herd of unicorns who live at the mountain's base, naturally). For once, the adventure is intentional, but that doesn't make it any less unexpected.
So, it's always fun to visit Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s Camp for Hardcore Lady Types and this outing is no exception. I was a little worried about whether I'd enjoy a non-comic version of my favorite kid's comic series. Tamaki captures the essence of each character very well and the zany plot featuring unicorns (who apparently smell really, really bad, btw), improbable mountains, and a fun array of new characters, is classic Lumberjanes material. Fans won't be disappointed, but even newbies will be charmed by this fun and funny adventure.

littleflowerfairy's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

sillyrobot's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0