2015 book 60

Cherie Priest's I am Princess X
As is often the case when an author who usually writes for adults writes a book aimed at a younger audience, this doesn't feel as fleshed out as it could have been. The bones of the story are there, and they're GREAT--protagonist May and her best friend Libby created a character named Princess X, writing and drawing tons of stories and comics about her. Then Libby dies in an accident. Three years later, May starts to see stickers around town showing Princess X--and discovers the character is the star of a cult webcomic. May soon becomes convinced that Libby is actually alive, and determines to find her, with the help of a handy computer nerd in her building. That's all really interesting and well-done, though things get increasingly implausible and crazy as the story goes on, and everyone but May is really thinly drawn (I was sure a mysterious dude would turn out to be evil because he had no characterization whatsoever). On the other hand, the illustrations are super cute, and I really loved May. The end is mildly ridiculous, but whatever, I think kids would be pretty into this. B/B+.

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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.