I am a young adult reader. This is, admittedly, the first graphic novel that I have ever read. I am not disappointed. I originally didn't like graphic novels because I would end up paying $12-$15 for one and then read it in one night. I also didn't think that graphic novels had much depth to them.

This book proved me wrong.

Well, I finished it in an hour and a half, so I read it in a night. But there was some serious depth to this novel! Anya is an amazing, relatable character. She's an immigrant from Russia with a name that most Americans cannot pronounce, she is dying to lose weight to fit in with kids she goes to school with, and she struggles in school. Totally relatable.

She is grumbling through some upsetting memories and distractedly falls into a well. At the bottom of the well, she meets Emily. Emily is a 90 year-old-ghost that befriends Anya. I'll stop there because of spoilers, but there are some plot twists and endearing moments.

I loved the artwork and the theme of the story. I didn't know graphic novels could do that. The elements of literature still apply: setting, plot, characters, theme... and Anya's Ghost scored high in each category. We could visually see the setting, which was beautifully detailed. The plot was intense and page-turny in nature. All the characters I felt I could relate to in some way, each different and dynamic. There are various themes that readers could get out it. I saw the element of control in the theme.

If you end up reading it, what theme can you spot?