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Steam by Shaenon K. Garrity

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Steam

Shaenon K. Garrity, Emily Holden

Margaret K. McElderry Books · Hardcover · February 3, 2026

Reading lane: YA Romance Comics

A genius humanoid escapes the university lab where she was made and gets a job at a local coffee shop in this “hilarious...excellent” ( School Library Journal , starred review) young adult graphic novel perfect for fans of Giant Days and Heartstopper .

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Wry Romance

A breezy comic read with romance, friendship, and family orbiting each other.

Come here for

  • romance with a wry edge
  • YA comic energy, queer-friendly and light on its feet

Expect

  • sustained narrative flow
  • humor doing quiet work

Book Details

Authors
Shaenon K. Garrity, Emily Holden
Publisher
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published
February 3, 2026
Format
Hardcover
Theme
YA Romance Comics · YA Sci-Fi Comics
Reading lane
YA Romance Comics

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • YA Sci-Fi Comics

  • YA Humorous Comics

  • YA Romance Comics

About This Book

A genius humanoid escapes the university lab where she was made and gets a job at a local coffee shop in this “hilarious...excellent” ( School Library Journal , starred review) young adult graphic novel perfect for fans of Giant Days and Heartstopper . Ruby is a genius humanoid who was grown in a secret lab at the local university, created to solve science’s greatest problems. But Ruby suspects she can’t fulfill her function while trapped inside, so she breaks out. Now livin...

Read full description

A genius humanoid escapes the university lab where she was made and gets a job at a local coffee shop in this “hilarious...excellent” ( School Library Journal , starred review) young adult graphic novel perfect for fans of Giant Days and Heartstopper . Ruby is a genius humanoid who was grown in a secret lab at the local university, created to solve science’s greatest problems. But Ruby suspects she can’t fulfill her function while trapped inside, so she breaks out. Now living among humans, Ruby attempts to lie low and fit in as a barista at the university coffeehouse, Inkcap. Working there gives her plenty of opportunity to figure out what problems people need solving. And as far as she can tell, most humans’ biggest problem is struggling to find happiness. And what makes them happy? Love! So, Ruby uses her superpowered brain to play cupid. As Ruby sets to work pairing up the staff and regulars at Inkcap, she feels more and more human herself: she’s got a community now, maybe even a crush. But the lab believes she’s dangerous, and it wants her back. When pursuing her own happiness leads Ruby straight into a trap, she’ll need her new motley crew of coffeehouse friends to save her from the scientist who only want to use her.

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