ALA Booklist

Cinder is restored to her rightful place on the throne of the moon, but all is not well with the world below. Former Queen Levana's wolf-hybrid soldiers still roam Earth, threatening the tenuous peace. Ivo, Cinder's loyal servant and friend, takes it on herself to hunt down these monsters. But one little android may not be enough to stop a force of monsters, even with a heart of gold wire and a lot of nerve. Meyer's first graphic novel picks up immediately after the end of her Lunar Chronicles series with a smoothly done recap at the beginning. Ivo is a feisty character and a wonderful narrator. Her tale has all the elements: action, drama, multiracial characters, some hints of romance, and quite a bit of humor. Holgate's art clearly details each young adult character, while keeping the action clear and exciting. Fans of the series will be eager for volume two, while new fans will quickly head to the novels for the backstories.

Horn Book

This first graphic novel of the continuing sci-fi series sets up female android Iko's mission to track down the remaining wolf-hybrid soldiers threatening the peace between Earth and Luna. Over seven chapters, illustrated in a monochrome blue palette with dynamic panels, Meyer skillfully reintroduces her pre-established world with appearances by familiar characters (including Cinder, Cress, and Thorne) while establishing a new heroine in Iko.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A muted palette of black and denim blue lends a bleak, sooty undertone to the world of Meyer-s Lunar Chronicles in this graphic novel spinoff. This time, Meyer focuses on Iko, Cinder-s cheeky sidekick and an assassin agent sent to hunt down the wolf-soldier hybrids that are plaguing Earth. Unlike some of the previous novels, this story doesn-t require preexisting knowledge of the series, easily catching up fans and new readers alike with capsule introductions to Cress and other members of the Rampion crew in a prologue. Iko is an entertainingly flippant yet formidable heroine, a former servant droid who now inhabits an escort-s body and takes on bloodthirsty enemies as though she were invincible. (And compared to her other fairytale friends, she is.) Yet, Iko is left questioning her own humanity, misreading romantic tension with a royal guard and perhaps finding disturbing commonality with the wolf-soldiers who have one goal in mind: to force Cinder to cure the mutations that turned them into monsters. Holgate-s dynamic, stylized artwork handily balances the story-s action and humor while bringing Meyer-s world to vivid life. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-he "Lunar Chronicles" continue in this entertaining graphic novel sequel to the existing volumes. This follow-up to the futuristic fairy-tale retellings centers on Iko, cyborg mechanic Cinder's best friend. Acclimating to her human body, the android is trying to help Queen Cinder of Luna ease tensions with Earth by hunting down rogue wolf-hybrid soldiers who were once enslaved by Cinder's evil stepmother and have now been banished to the green planet. Joined by other familiar characters (Cress, Winter, Thorne), loyal Iko defends the new queen against her enemies. Fans will be able to jump easily into this narrative and will welcome the protagonist's humorous commentary and the friends' camaraderie. Newcomers will be helped by a prologue that introduces all of the main characters and flashbacks that are sprinkled throughout. This first volume in a duology is split into seven chapters, each action-packed and fast-paced. The romantic tension building up between Iko and a protective royal guard not only is juicy but also speaks to deeper themeshumanity, loyalty, prejudice, sovereignty, and more. The blue and white monochromatic art lends itself well to the setting: a futuristic Earth and the Lunar kingdom. VERDICT The diverse cast, the charming dialogue, and the clean design make this sci-fi fantasy sequel a must-have for graphic novel and YA collections.Shelley M. Diaz, School Library Journal

Voice of Youth Advocates

Meyer continues the world of The Lunar Chronicles into her first graphic novel. It takes place several months after the conclusion of Winter (Macmillan, 2015) but before the happily-ever-after epilogue in Stars Above (Macmillan, 2016/VOYA April 2016) in which Cinder and her friends have successfully defeated the evil Queen Levana, restored the long-lost princess to the throne, and established a fragile peace between Earth and Luna. Readers follow the series’s favorite android, Iko, on her mission to prove she is more than just a machine—that she is a valued member of Cinder’s team of heroes. Iko begins tracking rogue wolf-hybrid soldiers to return them to Luna so they can be reclaimed in the queen’s army, but the soldiers have their own plan and they have zero interest in being anyone’s service again. Fans of The Lunar Chronicles and new readers alike will be delighted with this graphic novel. Fans will be relieved to find out that their beloved worlds and characters have smoothly transitioned into graphic format, and a thorough character introduction and quick recap will help new readers feel right at home. Wires and Nerve is energetic and entertaining with the right balance of action, humor, and romance. The plot is straightforward and fast-paced. Though Iko is the main protagonist, all of the major characters from the series are brought and employed wisely, without resorting to fan service. Holgate’s dynamic yet monochromatic artwork supplements the snappy dialogue and captures the characters’ personalities and mannerisms beautifully.—Rummanah Aasi.