I really liked this, but I feel like I didn't get it. My grown-up brain was unable to suspend disbelief. There were too many illogical, confusing things about this world. Why doesn't that final bubble kill Strata? How does Kleidi still work when she's been broken into three pieces? How is it so easy to kill pipers and at the same time they've almost completely wiped out human civilization? Where did Kleidi come from? Will it be explained in sequels?

Still, very fun to read and I'm sure less critical readers will just enjoy it and not demand that the world make more sense. ( )

│Graphic Novel│Science Fiction│Dystopian│Steampunk│

One Trick Pony is a fun graphic novel set in a futuristic world where technology has become rare and strange creatures called pipers are constantly eating up what's left of the TVs, cameras, guns, cars, computers, robots and movies of the past age. This is the land Strata and her family and friends live in, and when she discovers (and falls in love with) a robotic pony, she invites trouble to their door—in the form of the piping aliens.

I gotta say that this book was a little strange, but then again, I could list quite a few graphic novels that are stranger than this one. The thrills, adventure, and chases of One Trick Pony alone make this a satisfying and worthwhile read. Other than that, I also loved the gray and gold color palette that helps to distinguish this book as both dystopian and steampunk. ( )

I tried to win this in a giveaway but didn't succeed, so recommended it to my boss for purchase at the library. And I'm glad she got it! We've got a couple of Hale's Hazardous Tales series, and while they have plenty of adult appeal, I think they're a tough sell to middle schoolers. One Trick Pony is quick-paced, fun, and imaginative, and kids will love it.

(From the beautiful cover I was expecting the contents to be a little more colorful, but I guess the grey/blue-scale with splashes of yellow makes sense in context.) I love science fiction novel that start in media res and actually pull it off, and this one does a pretty good job. Immediately there's the impression of a barren world where it's hard to survive, and the relationship between Strata and her brother is full of warmth. I don't understand why they hang out with Inby, but it's nice to have a male character who's annoying and whiny instead of a female, for once.

The reveal of the aliens was great, their motivations classic, and their downfall perfectly in tune with the story that came before. The idea of the Pipers getting their name from the Pied Piper of Hamelin was great, as were the hints that they initially came because the technologies of our wars attracted them. The glimpses of various surviving modes of civilizations was nice, too. I just wish we could have stuck around to see what happened with all the huge chunks of metal and technology falling from the sky. ( )

*reviewed by uncorrected egalley* - thanks to ABRAMS kids publishing, and NetGalley.

children's graphic novel (3rd grade and up?) - fantasy/sci-fi action/adventure. Richly illustrated adventure story with a little everyday diversity thrown into the supporting cast (I guess the main character could be interpreted as diverse too?) The vocabulary isn't too difficult so I think kids as young as 3rd graders would enjoy all of the action in this story--I could easily recommend this to lots of kids. ( )

This was great!

Awesome art and characters. The story had some weak links, (the overall premise lost it 1 star for me), but I'd have read this straight through if I hadn't started it on a lark before work (for some unknown reason).

Definitely worth a read. ( )