Book review by Aarene Storms: I am Princess X

I am Princess X
by Cherie Priest

May is still mourning her best friend Libby, who died a couple of years ago when the car went off a bridge.

But maybe Libby didn't die.

The comic character created by the girls, a princess with blue hair, red Chuck Taylors and a katana suddenly shows up in graffiti all over Seattle. Then, May finds clues hidden in a webcomic: clues that lead her all over town, with a trail that might end with the discovery of a hiding, still-alive Libby.

This quick-moving story is interspersed with pages from the Princess X comic, and features action, adventure, friendship, mystery, and NO ROMANCE.

Extra points for racial and gender diversity among characters that does not feel forced or tokenistic.

Things get a little name - droppy in the Seattle department, but at least the author used to live here and understands that just because there's a Starbucks on every corner doesn't mean that most natives actually buy coffees there.

Recommended for readers of print and graphic novels, ages 12 to adult.

bullying, cancer, child abuse, cussing (mild), death, friendship, gay friends, graphic novel, grieving, illustrated, multi-ethnic, mystery, no sex, parents, straight friends


The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS