Renegade Girls comes out in about two months and we just got our first trade review… and it was STARRED!! That means Publisher’s Weekly really, really liked it. Whoo for a Renegade Girls review!
What means the most to me, personally, was how the reviewer really picked up on some of the deeper themes of the book that would be easy to overlook for a fun romance (which the book also is). There’s both kissing AND “a heartfelt exploration of labor rights, agency, and queer identity,” in the words of the review hah.
The reviewer also used the phrase “engrossing [and] socially conscious” which, to be earnest for a moment, makes me feel very seen. That combination is EXACTLY what I aim for in all my work, and it can be hard to do both at the same time. I’m grateful that it comes through in Renegade Girls.
So without further ado, here’s the full review:
Renegade Girls Review from Publisher’s Weekly
A determined teen spending the summer with her wealthy aunt and uncle in 1880s New York City eschews societal expectations to find a suitor, instead working as a stunt reporter to expose the city’s injustices in a gripping historical graphic novel by Muhammad Najem, War Reporter creators Neus and Robine. When Helena “Nell” Cusack learns that close friend Lucia, who also serves as Nell’s family’s household staff, endures grueling conditions in a sweatshop, Nell endeavors to shine a light on the systemic exploitation plaguing the city’s working class. With support from photographer Alice, Nell delves into N.Y.C.’s darkest corners, grappling with ethical dilemmas and confronting the powerful elites who control the city. Robine’s evocative illustrations and subdued palette effectively contrast the opulence of high society with the dire realities of factory life, while expressive characters and dynamic layouts amplify the emotional stakes, capturing the protagonists’ exhaustion, defiance, and camaraderie. Nell and Alice’s tender, nuanced relationship unfolds against the backdrop of a rigidly conservative society, offering a heartfelt exploration of labor rights, agency, and queer identity in an engrossing, socially conscious tale that resonates with contemporary discussions of systemic injustice and personal resilience.
Reserve your copy!
RENEGADE GIRLS is available for preorder now and is released on April 1, 2025!
