Publisher's Weekly Review
In this trilogy opener based on new Netflix cartoon series Hilda-itself based on Luke Pearson's Hildafolk comics-adventurer Hilda and her mother live in a wilderness outside the city Trolberg, among trolls; furry, floating "woffs"; and their ilk. When tiny eviction notices arrive at the cabin that Hilda shares with her mother and invisible elves ransack their home to enforce them, Hilda launches a crusade to stay. She befriends Alfur, an elf who assists Hilda on a quest to find an elf official who can grant the family respite; along the way, she finds evidence of a giant in the countryside. Hilda's mother is convinced they must heed the eviction and move to Trolberg, intensifying Hilda's desire to save her home. The story wraps up neatly, but a final twist awaits readers. Dynamic cartoon art brings the book to life, Hilda's bravery is an inspiration, and the world's details-the giant she chats with, the rabbit-riding elf army-will pull readers in. Ages 7-10. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Hoping to head off an impending move to the city, Hilda makes peace with her tiny, invisible neighbors.Recast into prose from Luke Pearson's Hildafolk comics and scheduled for release in conjunction with an upcoming animated series, this episodic tale records the intrepid, blue-haired young adventurer's encounters with a troll, a pair of truly "huge-mongous" giants, and a community of thumb-sized elves whose newly elected prime minister is out to evict her and her single mom from their wilderness home as oversized nuisances. Though the faintly Scandinavian setting is contemporary (at one point Hilda's mother, a graphic designer, drives her into urban Trolberg), Hilda's quest to negotiate a deal with the elven king and the tests of courage and cleverness she undergoes along the way definitely cast her in the traditional heroic mold. The supporting cast is likewise ostensibly folkloric but dished up with a few twiststhe elves, drawn Keebler-style with little pointy hats in Miller's frequent two-color cartoon drawings, are addicted to forms and paperwork, for instance, and a tiny wooden sprite who pops up occasionally to make rude comments turns out to enjoy books and cool jazz. Multiple near disasters and hairbreadth rescues later, Hilda and her mother have to move anyway after a giant heedlessly steps on their cottage. Still, magical adventures aplenty wait in the city.Snarky and fun the first time through, and in this form too. (Fantasy. 9-11) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Hilda, the blue-haired adventurer, got her start in Luke Pearson's acclaimed graphic-novel series. Now her exploits are taking her to the screen, in a forthcoming Netflix series, and the pages of linked chapter books, of which this is the first. Hilda loves living in the wilderness among magical creatures like woffs (flying furballs) and Twig, her deer-fox companion, though not all the valley's creatures are friendly. Trolls and giants lurk nearby, and tiny, invisible elves have begun harassing Hilda and her mom. While Mom is ready to pack up and move to Trolberg, Hilda is determined to stay and takes a stab at diplomacy. Alfur, a peaceful elf, forms an alliance with Hilda, granting her the ability to see elf folk and guiding her through negotiations, which send the two (and Twig) on a dangerous trek to the elf king. Fun and adventurous, with whimsical illustrations, Hilda's campaign to save her home will delight readers, who will be further drawn in by her personal development. Whatever her medium, Hilda's sure to attract true-blue fans.--Julia Smith Copyright 2018 Booklist
