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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
*Received via NetGalley for review*
A wonderfully illustrated, lush, and well-realized world is what awaits in Witchy, this graphic novel about a young girl who hates that her long hair marks her as a powerful magic user when it was precisely that that got her father killed. Even with her long hair, which is supposed to connote incredible magical talent, Nyneve isn't very good at her magic lessons and is the brunt of every joke her classmates can think of.
When her hair-shortening spell is discovered and she's conscripted in the Royal Guard, Nyneve cuts off her hair and is forced to flee, fearing for her life. On the run, she meets a group of hidden revolutionaries who practice different disciplines of magic than what she's used to. Fearing retaliation on them for harboring her, Neve runs off again, vowing to go far, far away.
She's joined by a talking raven and (in the sequel(s), I assume) her two school friends: Bantu and Prill, new members of the Royal Guard.
The characters are all lovely and well-drawn, distinct when they need to be. The only things is that it's hard to tell who's male and who's female: just because everyone has long hair doesn't mean that their faces and bodies need to be androgynous to the extent that they are.
A fun, standard tale of rebelling against something you don't like, even if you don't quite understand it yet.
A wonderfully illustrated, lush, and well-realized world is what awaits in Witchy, this graphic novel about a young girl who hates that her long hair marks her as a powerful magic user when it was precisely that that got her father killed. Even with her long hair, which is supposed to connote incredible magical talent, Nyneve isn't very good at her magic lessons and is the brunt of every joke her classmates can think of.
When her hair-shortening spell is discovered and she's conscripted in the Royal Guard, Nyneve cuts off her hair and is forced to flee, fearing for her life. On the run, she meets a group of hidden revolutionaries who practice different disciplines of magic than what she's used to. Fearing retaliation on them for harboring her, Neve runs off again, vowing to go far, far away.
She's joined by a talking raven and (in the sequel(s), I assume) her two school friends: Bantu and Prill, new members of the Royal Guard.
The characters are all lovely and well-drawn, distinct when they need to be. The only things is that it's hard to tell who's male and who's female: just because everyone has long hair doesn't mean that their faces and bodies need to be androgynous to the extent that they are.
A fun, standard tale of rebelling against something you don't like, even if you don't quite understand it yet.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Beautiful, vividly drawn, with compelling world building and charming, scrappy characters. Nyneve’s father was immolated by the Witch Guard when his hair, and thus his power, grew too great. Now a witch in training herself, Nyneve must decide if she wants to work within the system or go rogue, all while hiding her own hair and growing power. Absolutely gorgeous! So excited to see where this story goes!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I didn't expect to love this book as much I did! The art! The characters! Wow! Definitely a favourite read.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
*3.5
I got this as an extra in an Owlcrate box and that’s why I ended up picking it up. However, the synopsis/magic system was kind of weird/confusing to me so if I hadn’t gotten it in my box I might not have picked it up.
Overall, I thought the book was pretty interesting. I’m still waiting on more of an explanation on the hair magic system and the witch burnings (especially the witch burnings), but I think this was a solid introductory to the series. I loved the artwork and I think that was honestly the thing that drove me to keep reading. The artwork was super colorful and I loved how there were a wide range of colors and lighting used. Some of the plot, was kind of rushed, and I wasn’t a fan of that. Also, there was a lot of telling instead of showing which I also didn’t like. However, there was LGBTQ+ rep that I thought was a nice touch, although maybe handled a bit too quickly. I’d really enjoy if the next book expanded on that character a little more. Overall, I think the characters and the art were the biggest driving points for me. I might still pick up the next book just to see if the author improves on the story.
I got this as an extra in an Owlcrate box and that’s why I ended up picking it up. However, the synopsis/magic system was kind of weird/confusing to me so if I hadn’t gotten it in my box I might not have picked it up.
Overall, I thought the book was pretty interesting. I’m still waiting on more of an explanation on the hair magic system and the witch burnings (especially the witch burnings), but I think this was a solid introductory to the series. I loved the artwork and I think that was honestly the thing that drove me to keep reading. The artwork was super colorful and I loved how there were a wide range of colors and lighting used. Some of the plot, was kind of rushed, and I wasn’t a fan of that. Also, there was a lot of telling instead of showing which I also didn’t like. However, there was LGBTQ+ rep that I thought was a nice touch, although maybe handled a bit too quickly. I’d really enjoy if the next book expanded on that character a little more. Overall, I think the characters and the art were the biggest driving points for me. I might still pick up the next book just to see if the author improves on the story.
adventurous
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars ⭐
This book is about:
A young witch named Nyneve who lives in the Hyalin kingdom where the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those who are strong enough are chosen to become part of the Witch Guard, whereas those with hair judged too long are annihilated.
Nyneve has been haunted by the death of her father ever since she was a young child and when conscription for the Witch Guard rolls around, she has to choose between joining the institution which played a role in her father's death or stand up for her own ideals.
Pros:
I love how original this story is: this is the first time I've heard about a magic system like this and I found it to be fascinating. There is also a bit of world building which I feel is nicely executed.
Another aspect I enjoyed was how brave and strong Nyneve is, despite her perceiving herself as the opposite of that.
In addition, I really appreciated the mother-daughter bond the protagonist has with her mother and well as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.
Cons:
First, although I found the characters to be likeable, I didn't particularly connect with any of them.
Also, the art style is not exactly my favourite, not to say the illustrations aren't well done, it is just my personal preference.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, Witchy is an engaging graphic novel, perfect for those who are looking for fantasy stories starring witches with intriguing and unique magical abilities wrapped in a captivating plot and colourful art.
3.5 stars ⭐
This book is about:
A young witch named Nyneve who lives in the Hyalin kingdom where the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those who are strong enough are chosen to become part of the Witch Guard, whereas those with hair judged too long are annihilated.
Nyneve has been haunted by the death of her father ever since she was a young child and when conscription for the Witch Guard rolls around, she has to choose between joining the institution which played a role in her father's death or stand up for her own ideals.
Pros:
I love how original this story is: this is the first time I've heard about a magic system like this and I found it to be fascinating. There is also a bit of world building which I feel is nicely executed.
Another aspect I enjoyed was how brave and strong Nyneve is, despite her perceiving herself as the opposite of that.
In addition, I really appreciated the mother-daughter bond the protagonist has with her mother and well as the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters.
Cons:
First, although I found the characters to be likeable, I didn't particularly connect with any of them.
Also, the art style is not exactly my favourite, not to say the illustrations aren't well done, it is just my personal preference.
Final thoughts:
In conclusion, Witchy is an engaging graphic novel, perfect for those who are looking for fantasy stories starring witches with intriguing and unique magical abilities wrapped in a captivating plot and colourful art.