Nimona by ND Stevenson is a stand-alone graphic novel. In this story, there is a shapeshifter who decides to become the sidekick of the villain, Lord Ballister Blackheart, but it turns out Blackheart is not as bad as society makes him out to be.

Nimona is a more light-hearted story for those who do not like angst, and it is appropriate for teens of any age. The genre of this graphic novel is comedy and action. As the story progresses, Nimona learns to be more comfortable with who she is, which is something that a lot of people can relate to.

I really like Nimona because it shows how there are many characters who are not purely good or evil. After all, there are sides to them that have yet to be revealed. It is also something you can read when you do not feel like reading a lot of text or an entire series of books. Because Nimona is a graphic novel, this is a good book to read when you feel like you do not have a lot of time but still want something to do in your free time. It seems that other people like the novel as well, as this was a National Book Award finalist, and a movie adaptation is due to be released in 2023. I recommend that you check out a physical copy of this book rather than checking out the ebook because there is a better transition between the panels.

Review by: Sarah N

Sarah is a teen volunteer at the Granada Hills Branch Library who is currently in 11th grade.

—Rachael Zak, Young Adult Librarian, Granada Hills Branch Library