Skip to main content
book cover for Agent Cupcake

Agent Cupcake

You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now

Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app

1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 4 Nov 2025 | Archive Date 15 Oct 2025

Talking about this book? Use #AgentCupcake #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!


Description

Go undercover and crack the case in Agent Cupcake, perfect for fans of Mac B. Kid Spy and Spy School!

Twelve-year-old Miguel Mangayayam has always loved one thing: mystical beasts. So he’s thrilled when he’s hired by the Mystical Beasts Bureau (MBB) to be their first ever human spy where he’ll use his encyclopedic knowledge of hippogriffs, mermaids, dragons, and more to solve the latest cases. Even better? He’s partnered with the supercool unicorn superspy, Agent Cupcake! Together, they’ll go undercover, gather intel, crack codes, and collect clues to solve the MBB’s toughest mysteries. But when they receive reports that unicorns are losing their magical powers, Miguel and Agent Cupcake will have to put their spy skills to the test to figure out why, even if it means going up against a mega corporation like HOARD. Could someone be trying to steal magic to put unicorns out of business?

Join the MBB and solve the case in the candy-colored mystical world of Agent Cupcake, all while learning facts about real life spies and spycraft in the next graphic novel from the dream team that brought you Debian Perl: Digital Detective: Mel Hilario, Lauren Davis, and Katie Longua!
Go undercover and crack the case in Agent Cupcake, perfect for fans of Mac B. Kid Spy and Spy School!

Twelve-year-old Miguel Mangayayam has always loved one thing: mystical beasts. So he’s thrilled...

Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781637158760
PRICE US$14.99 (USD)
PAGES 192

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (PDF)
NetGalley Shelf App (PDF)
Download (PDF)

Average rating from 31 members


Featured Reviews

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Absolutely amazing. Fun, entertaining with great artwork. I loved it and can’t wait to read anything else by this author in the future.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

When I was a little kid, I liked unicorns so much. I even asked for one for Christmas, and this fixation never really went away. I want more books and films about unicorns, so I was so pleased that NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read this graphic novel before publication.

IT WAS SO CUTE AND PASTEL AND MAGICAL. I enjoyed every second of it, and I'm really hoping there will be a next one.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

What an absolute joy this was!

The graphics were so bold, colourful and vivid which really drew me in.

I loved all the mythical creatures featured, especially all the unicorns who were beautifully drawn!

The plot was intriguing and I can definitely see it being enjoyable for children as they can easily picture themselves as the main character.

Overall a really great mystery graphic novel for kids and adults alike!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the e-arc!

I love when I get to read stories that make me nostalgic for my childhood. I had a fun time reading this and it mixed some of the genres that I enjoy in a great way. This is definitely a must read for the children in your life.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

What can I say I'm a sucker for unicorns and agents. It was honestly a little too perfect. I couldn't recommend it more and will continue to do so.

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

A hilarious story about a lonely boy who ends up working in a spy agency for magical creatures. With his unicron partner he must find out who is stealing magic from unicron's. The story uses really spycraft and at the end of the book as information on real life spies! The story itself also has some thoughts to impart about corporations. A fun read for children but adults will also get something out of it as well. I would be delighted if more volumes where written.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Miguel is a bit of an outcast at school, so when he gets the chance to join the Mystical Beasts Bureau to help them solve mysteries, he jumps at that, as he loves all things mystical.

This is a fun spy story, for the middle grade set, that actually teaches how to solve problems, such as how to read ciphers, how to pick locks and what spies use to communicate with each other. Not all things can be done by the average kid, but at least that gives them an idea of how to do it.

I really like Miguel, the main character. What I like, besides that he is an outcast, and not popular with his school friends, is that he isn’t perfect the first time he tries to spy. But as everyone around him points out, no one is good the first time, at anything they try.

A fun book, with bright colors, and silly characters, but with heart as well. Very enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 4th of November 2025.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Miguel is a 12 year old who gets to work as a spy for mystical beasts but he has to keep it a secret. He loves mystical beasts and love to learn about them. He is paired with Agent Cupcake, a unicorn and he is over the moon as unicorns are his favourite beasts. They work on a case and we go on this adenventure with them.
I was invested in the story since page one, it was introduced in simple way and was very easy to understand. Miguel was adorable and his and agent cupcake's dynamic was fun to read. I loved the messages it gave to the young readers how power is not just something you are born with but something you can learn and develop by having different skills.
The art style is beautiful, magical and enchanting. I want to see this to be turned into a series and see the duo go on different adventures.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Agent Cupcake follows Miguel, a 12yo, who gets to work as a spy for the bureau of mystical creatures (MBB). He has always been passionate about mystical creatures and can't wait to use his knowledge about them to help the MBB. He gets paired with Agent Cupcake and they immediately get to work, going undercover, investigating and uncovering mysteries.

This graphic novel is the perfect middle grade read, it touches on important real life themes while using a language that fits the demographic in question. It's a fun spy story and the mistery elements are very interesting and captivating. Throughout the story there's also little magnifying glasses that lead you to the bonus material at the end of the story, and give more info about certain aspects of the story.

The illustrations are very colorful and cute, I loved how the different mystical creatures are represented.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

I'm not sure there are words for how much I loved this book, but I will try. There is so much packed into such a small book. The use of real spy tricks and knowledge as well as the extra information at the back of this book, makes it really special. The reader learns so much about spies, mythology, and more without even realizing it as they are brought along on this thrilling adventure. The parallels to the real world and "subtle" commentary on how certain businesses run themselves and the cost of those choices was a great addition as well. However, most of all, the characters and their journeys to find a sense of belonging is such a relatable story no matter your age. Highly recommend this one!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

"Agent Cupcake" is a middle grade graphic novel by Mel Hilario and Lauren Davis. Human middle schooler Miguel has landed the job of his dreams! In this magical world where mythical creatures exist alongside humans, Miguel has been hired to be the first human spy for the Mythical Beasts Bureau, partnered with unicorn spy Agent Cupcake. This humorous graphic novel is fun and interesting, with small amounts of information included about real spy technology and techniques. Readers will enjoy seeing how Miguel and Cupcake handle their jobs despite being at a disadvantage with magic. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

Thank you Net Galley and Oni Press for the ARC. This was a super cute! a must buy for the school library. Uplifting story about finding yourself and being ok with learning and making mistakes. The illustration style is super cute and I loved the story and connections that could be made to the real world.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars

A fun and lighthearted children's graphic novel with themes of friendship, feeling like you don't belong here and a hint (more like a bucket) of magic.

I would recommend this to everyone who has children that love magical creatures and to anyone who struggles with friendships and connections.

This book isn't just amazing for younger folks but it's also wonderful for young adults and adults.

4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
4 stars
Was this review helpful?
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars

Endearing and cute and fun! I loved the characters and the art style, it was really lovely to read and follow along. I think this is a great new addition to the middle grade graphic novel capers that are all the rage right now!

5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
Was this review helpful?

Readers who liked this book also liked: