Early Reader Review: Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia

Source: From Netgalley and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia
Series: Teen Titans #2
Publisher: DC Comics
Publication Date:  September 1, 2020

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Garfield Logan has spent his entire life being overlooked. Even in a small town like Eden, Georgia, the 17-year-old with green streaks in his hair can’t find a way to stand out–and the clock is ticking. Senior year is almost over. If Gar doesn’t find a way to impress the Chosen Ones–the social elite at Bull Creek High School–he will never know what it’s like to matter. Gar’s best friends, Stella and Tank, don’t understand why he cares what other people think. They miss their funny, pizza-loving, video game-obsessed best friend.
Then Gar accepts a wild dare out of the blue. It impresses the Chosen Ones and his social status soars. But other things are changing, too. Gar grows six inches overnight. His voice drops and, suddenly, he’s stronger and faster. He’s finally getting everything he wanted, but his newfound popularity comes at a price. Gar has to work harder to impress his new friends. The dares keep getting bigger and the stakes keep getting higher.
When Gar realizes the extent of his physical changes, he has to dig deep and face the truth about himself–and the people who truly matter–before his life spirals out of control.

Trailer

Review: 
Beast Boy is the second book in the new Teen Titans series and follows Gar, aka Beast Boy as he realizes that something is not quite right and becomes the Beast Boy we know. 

This was another great re-interpretation of a Teen Titan back-story by Kami Garcia. I have never read other versions but I really liked this one and it was action packed and there were characters you loved and hated. In addition, the cast was diverse and we always need more of that in YA reading.

Overall, I found the plot interesting and relatable, even though we are talking teens with powers. There are still teen issues and teen drama and angst that we often find in teen-reads. Gar is a great lead character and I think both male and female readers will enjoy his back story. It is very thought provoking. The plot examines themes like finding yourself, popularity and pressures, knowing and finding your true friends, and of course "unleashing your inner beast" (quote from DC Comics announcement).

I found the book to be a lot of fun to read and the illustrations are beautifully done and elaborate. I look forward to what is coming next from this series.