Quinnelope and the Unicorn Utopia

by H.F. Brownfield, Kayla Coombs

256 pages, Paperback

Published July 22, 2025

Reviews

[Mystic DreamClouds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to the author(s), publisher, Goodreads and/or NetGalley for the review copy. All views and opinions expressed are honest and my own.

Surprisingly this volume felt more composed and mature compared to the previous volumes. I enjoyed how this volume took a measured pace and didn’t rush the characters’ adventure but instead let them experience each situation.

An age old question, are unicorns real? I believe that if you can dream about it, then it does exist. So for me, unicorns do exist. I think this volume started great with the Rainbow Day celebrations and depicting the different events, costumes and highlights happening around Pleasant Towne. Although Quinnelope is known to be expressive, I found it didn’t align with her personality when she wasn’t listening to her friends call out to her many times. I know it happens, but it just didn’t feel like Quinnelope in those moments.

The adventure towards Unicorn island was short but engaging when on the island. I liked how the story builds the curse with suspense and anxiety of whether or not it could be cured! I liked reading them stay positive and supportive all throughout the journey! There was also a sudden turn of events, which was unexpected but promises were kept and the day was colorful once again!

Similar to all previous volumes, I felt like this book captured quite a few hidden lessons and new words. I also enjoy how the tone turns slightly serious when relaying a message and the font changes depicting new words or phrases. I think this series does a good job in capturing this while keeping an overall light and fun tone.

The artwork is just as fun as the previous two volumes. There are less characters involved in the adventure compared to the previous two volumes, but it was nice to see Quinnelope, Bub and Star working together. This volume also uses a range of colors, yes even the greys that magically works with its unique playful art style. I also liked how it uses different panel sizes and angles throughout.

Overall this was an enjoyable volume. I liked this adventure because it felt more structured, focused and composed. I liked how they tackled the situation with the curse bringer and everything ended happily. It’s not necessary to read previous volumes in order and we don’t revisit those characters, but I do recommend reading in order to experience the journeys with Quinnelope and friends. Nevertheless, you’ll have to read this volume to know if unicorns are real and if Quinnelope gets to meet one!

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[Rian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of this sounded very interesting and fun, so I was excited to read this graphic novel. The illustrations were cute, and the story was indeed very fun.

I think lots of young readers would love to read this, so definitely keep this in mind to read with kids or to give to a young reader as a present. (If you get it as a present, definitely borrow it after they are done reading, because you might find it fun too!)



Disclaimer: I got this book as an ARC (thank you to the author, publisher, and all other parties involved!), and I'm leaving this review 100% voluntarily.

If you'd like to read about more books I liked, check out my Goodreads profile. I also sometimes post reviews on Instagram and talk about bookish stuff on Threads.

[Lindsay McDella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC copy of Quinnelope and the Unicorn Utopia! We thoroughly enjoyed it!

This book was absolutely hilarious! While clearly a children’s book, Quinellope and the Unicorn Utopia had so many clever little jokes and subtle moments that made it just as entertaining for older readers. It strikes that perfect balance between silly and smart.

One of my favorite moments was the map of Unicorn Utopia that proudly declared “Where all your dreams come true” — only to sneak in the fine print “if all your dreams are nightmares.” That line genuinely made me laugh out loud!

I also really appreciated the nod to environmental consciousness. When the characters were getting boba and the girl offered them straws, they responded with, “No thanks, we have our own metal straws because they’re good for the environment.” Such a cute, subtle way to teach kids about eco-friendly choices without making it feel like a lecture.

Overall, this book was a joyful, quirky read with vibrant humor and heart. Perfect for kids — and for adults who enjoy a little absurdity and clever wordplay in their stories.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and whimsical book about the importance of friendship! This is the third book of the series but one can easily read it as a stand alone book. Quinnelope and friends go on an adventure to find a real unicorn. I really enjoyed the silliness of the book. It reminded me of reading Captain Underpants when I was a kid. The artwork is cute and the dialogue was hilarious! I like that the font is dyslexia friendly making it easier for anyone to read. This is a perfect graphic novel for a child.


Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and educational book for kids! It teaches about friendship, creativity with recycled materials, and taking care of the environment. The story follows a group of friends on Rainbow Day, where the main character dreams of seeing a real unicorn—though no one believes they exist. Together, they go on an exciting adventure, learning important lessons along the way. The colorful art and charming characters bring the story to life.

[Leean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic children’s book and my 9 year old daughter absolutely loved reading this while looking at the beautiful artwork which brings the book alive. I give this book five stars and highly recommend it to anyone with children as it is a fantastic book.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review submitted to School Library Journal for publication in the upcoming Fiction SMS article.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Melissa Flanagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me never had read these til now is a crime. This series is hilarious

[bookcookery]

For those unfamiliar with the world of Quinnelope, it belongs to the same whimsical genre as Dog Man or The Bad Guys. Like those books, it thrives on absurdity and chaos, but Quinnelope leans even further into randomness, with deliberately unresolved plot points that are intentionally nonsensical. Adult readers might find this frustrating, but its intended audience will likely find it both baffling and hilarious.

Young readers will finish the book brimming with questions: Where did the horns originally come from? What’s Shark Squid’s backstory? How does the ink work? They’ll notice that not everything makes sense, and they’ll want more anyway.

What sets Quinnelope and the Unicorn Utopia apart from other books in this genre is its overt sincerity. Beyond the familiar themes of friendship, the importance of critical reading and thinking, and the value of color in life, the creators include a land acknowledgment, advocate for nondisposable straws, and give the character Star a gender-neutral parade title.

Due to popular demand, I’ve already borrowed the other books in the series, Quinnelope and the Cookie King Catastrophe and Quinnelope and the Mystery of the Missing Moon. Maybe they’ll help fill in some of the narrative gaps. Then again, even if they don't, I suspect kids will still find it delightful.

Thanks to Oni Press and NetGalley for providing an advance reading copy.