A review by proudtobeabookaholic
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Aster's family everyone is born with magic. Boys grow up to become shapeshifters, girls become witches. That's how it's always been. But Aster finds himself drawn to the girl's magic, with the spells and the incantations. He's spying on the girl's lessons in witchery, and then he practises on his own. Despite having an aptitude in that magic it is strictly forbidden for him to practise. When one of the boys goes missing during a shapeshifting lesson Aster knows he can help find him - but what will happen if he uses witchery to do so?

This is a middle grade graphic novel and therefore not very complicated in its magic system: men are shapeshifters, women are witches - period. For an adult reader this might seem very stereotyped and boring, but I find it clearly makes its point this way. The target group probably won't analyze too much, and neither do I. Instead I just state that everyone should be able to become whoever and whatever they want, without any lables. 

I really enjoyed The Witch Boy and I look forward to reading the next book in the series!
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