Think about you’re about to be trapped in a automotive on a street journey along with your estranged guardian (who has a historical past of bewilderment and misgendering you). Now think about that street journey takes a flip right into a spirit realm the place you’re trapped and need to work collectively to search out your manner again. That is what’s in retailer for Misha in Askel Aden’s debut graphic novel, Love, Misha.

Our first introduction to Audrey and Misha is as Misha says their goodbyes to members of the family as they’re about to embark on a three-week street journey with their mother, who appears impatient to move out whereas Misha is reluctant. The bond Misha has with their aunt and cousins is instantly in distinction with their detachment from their mom. The place Misha and Audrey’s relationship appears in flip contentious and awkward, Misha’s different relationships appear acquainted and tender. Already, writer and artist Aden has given a clue to the type of strained relationship we’re about to see unfold.

It solely will get worse when Audrey presents Misha with a gown “for particular events.” Misha is nonbinary, clearly uncomfortable with the thought of carrying clothes, and has lately given themselves a buzzcut; in the meantime, Audrey continues to be hoping to attach with somebody she considers her daughter. For good purpose, Misha shouldn’t be able to forgive their mom’s historical past of neglect or current insensitivity.

Their first night time on the street is spent aside, Misha feigning sickness to remain within the resort room whereas Audrey dines out alone. What begins as a narrative a few teen and their guardian making an attempt to attach on a street journey rapidly spins into paranormal fantasy when Audrey and Misha take a unsuitable flip and wind up within the Realm of the Spirits. Right here they’re befriended by one such spirit named Odun who affords to assist them get out of the realm and again to the land of the residing. However in fact, Odun has secrets and techniques and a previous, too.

The connection between Audrey and Misha is without delay messy and real looking with plausible dialogue and fraught silences. As characters, I felt like Audrey took some time to develop on me and I feel that is partially as a consequence of her lack of accountability till nearer to the top of the e-book. Total, this turns into a narrative of forgiveness, nevertheless it doesn’t tie up right into a neat ending. Characters are flawed and relatable. In addition to nonbinary illustration, there’s a transient point out of Audrey’s previous postpartum despair.

The illustrations are attractive and straightforward to get pleasure from. Full-page illustrations act as chapter dividers, and settings and characters are exactly drawn with easy traces and heat tones – giving the e-book a comfy, dreamy feeling. 

Followers of cozy fantasy like Legends and Lattes or Molly Knox Ostertag’s graphic novel The Deep Darkish will seemingly be drawn to this e-book. Teen and youthful grownup readers look like the supposed viewers, however I feel a mature center schooler or older grownup would get pleasure from this as nicely.

Love, Misha
By Askel Aden
Macmillan First Second, 2025
ISBN: 9781250866226

Firm Age Score: 14-18

NFNT Age Advice: Grownup (18+), Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Creator Illustration:  Nonbinary ,
Character Illustration:  Melancholy