Wallflower

by Iasmin Omar Ata

From the author of the critically acclaimed Nayra and the Djinn comes a stunning graphic novel about a girl who must uncover the truth behind her strange visions.

For as long as Marlena can remember, she has seen flowers growing on everyone she meets: personalized poppies and daisies and roses of every color that give away what their owners truly feel. Invisible to the rest of the world, the flowers have always felt too overwhelming, too much for Marlena to take in when they don’t always match what their owner shows. She’s long since given up convincing anyone else that they’re there.

Until she meets Ashe, a charming transfer student who can somehow see these mysterious flowers, too. Unfortunately for Marlena, Ashe wants nothing to do with her. But as their thorny connection blooms, so do hidden secrets buried years ago. In this stunning graphic novel where dreams are woven into reality and not everything is as it seems, Marlena and Ashe must unfold the truth together, no matter where it may lead.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, LGBT, Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 2026

About the author

I'm Iasmin Omar Ata, a Middle Eastern & Muslim comics artist, game developer and illustrator who creates art about coping with illness, self-acceptance, and Islamic futurism. I’m currently working on two books with Viking Books, the first of which is to release in 2022! (They/them pronouns, please!)

I'm an Ignatz Award winner and Excellence In Graphic Literature Award finalist; I’ve been interviewed & reviewed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Electronic Intifada, Library Journal, and NPR. I've worked with clients/groups such as PEN America, L’Institut du Monde Arabe, Palestine International, Bigmouth Comix, O/R Books, and more; I’ve also spoken/taught at Harvard University, the New York Public Library, and University of Maryland.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this. The art is gorgeous and stimulating. The story is just confusing and seemed rushed. It just didn’t make sense. Maybe just me. But I am so lost.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

Wallflower has a great premise: Marlena can see flowers growing on everyone she meets that give away what their owners truly feel. Since no one else can see it, she is desperately seeking answers about her ability. Then she meets Ashe who also sees flowers, but their relationship is tenuous-a push and pull type as Ashe's mask tends to fall and reveal their vulnerable side. Marlena and Ashe work their way to friendship and soon find out that they have a lot of things in common.

I love the digital and manga-styled illustrations and the beautiful color scheme. The flowers really pop on the page. I just wished the plot was fleshed out a bit more. I wanted to linger a bit more on the flower aspect and their significance. I was also a bit alarmed on how long Marlena and Ashe did not have emotional support from their families to address their issues.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art. I do kind of like the concept: the main character has visions of flowers on people that represent their personalities. Unfortunately, I don't think she really did anything interesting with it. The concept doesn't really get explored, which is kind of par for the course with this book. There's a lot that's brushed past very quickly, to the detriment of the book.

[Frida · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️