ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Aster is back, after becoming Queen of the Summer and protector of the valley (Aster and the Accidental Magic, 2020), with two interlinked adventures that expand her wacky, magical world. In "Why So Much Wool?", an armed uprising by intelligent d, yet, not so intelligent eep threatens to overrun the village, culminating in a Battle of Helm's Deep inspired game of tag. Then, "The End of Everything (and What Was Left)" sees Aster navigating an interdimensional labyrinth in order to repair the shattered Crown of Seasons and contain the chaotic powers of the omnipotent Trickster Rapscallion. This volume builds beautifully on the first, introducing new characters while still including established favorites and fleshing out the mythology of their zany world. The name of the game here is adventure, and Pico doesn't let off the gas, except to pump the brakes for well-timed bits of absurdist humor. Meanwhile, Karensac adeptly balances goofy charm with breakneck action, this time bringing a number of quirky, fantastical settings to colorful life. Epic, funny, and exciting.

Kirkus Reviews

More magical al fresco adventures abound!In this full-color follow-up to Aster and the Accidental Magic (2020), Aster and her talking dog, Buzz, return in two new tales. In the first, "Why So Much Wool?" strange accidents repeatedly occur around Aster's village, and upon investigation, she and Buzz discover a rogue band of muttonheaded sheep (known as the BAAAAAH-ligerent Army) led by a talking ram named Keras, who has proclaimed himself the Great Leader of the Sheep Revolution. Lucky for Aster, the dimwitted sheep are easily outsmarted, but not Keras, whom she must stop before he destroys her home. The second tale, "The End of Everything (and What Was Left)," focuses more on the natural magic from the previous volume. Each season has a royal who helps preserve the balance, passing along a crown to mark the transitions between their reigns. When the crown disappears, Aster ventures to the Labyrinth of Chimeras in an attempt to reforge it and restore the balance before the trickster Rapscallion can escape. This second outing pulls readers into a delightfully wrought world with a strong emphasis on nature and the outdoors and the real and imaginary magic contained therein. Joyous, effervescent illustrations mark this French import. For Aster aficionados, further journeys are hinted at in a subsequent volume in which Aster and her family travel to Japan. Aster and most human characters read as White.Imaginative, feel-good fun. (Graphic fantasy. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Tue Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2020)

Gr 3-6 This lively, episodic sequel finds 10-year-old Aster and her family still settling into their new home in a rural valley. Aster's duties as the magical Queen of Summer intrude on playing video games with her older brother, Reed, and making friends at her new school. Saving the town from a bureaucratic talking ram and his army of rebellious sheep requires Aster to let Reed in on her secret, and seek help from her classmates and neighbors. Later, Aster explores a magical realm and continues her epic battle of wits against the valley's trickster spirit. Pico's script is even more warmhearted and humorous than the last installment. This title stands alone well enough, but because it builds directly on preceding adventures, the series is best read in order. Karensac's character design and coloringgreat in the last bookare even better here. Aster's talking dog, Buzz, and her eclectic band of magical friends are quirky and cute; most human characters, including Aster, are white. Noteworthy in this installment is how Aster devises nonviolent solutions by understanding her adversaries and relying on the cleverness that served her well in Aster and the Accidental Magic . VERDICT Great for fans of the "Hilda" tales and Adventure Time, this title is a recommended purchase, especially for collections that include the first book. Amanda Charles, Los Angeles P.L.