Fans of the series will be thrilled to dive back into this world.
Courtney Crumrin is back in a new vampire-battling adventure.
Long ago, human brothers found their way to the Twilight Kingdom. One brother was allowed to leave, but the other, Wilberforce, had to stay. Returning to the human world 100 years later, Will is reincarnated as Courtney Crumrin’s little brother even though he is, in fact, her great-grandfather. Will struggles to fit in at school, so sorcerer’s apprentice Courtney makes him a magical necklace that makes him popular. But all magic has a price, and it’s never a price you want to pay. Can Will and his best friend, Tucker, save Courtney from a vampire, or will she be lost forever? This classic good-versus-evil story with an edgy, black-humor feel is visually compelling; the color palette and linework together effectively convey emotions. Short episodes move the story along quickly, although at times the transitions between narrative perspectives are disorienting. This volume draws heavily on background information from prior Courtney Crumrin books; newbies to this fandom may wish for more details. The magic used by Courtney, the villainous vampire, and creatures from the Twilight Kingdom is never clearly defined. Character development is also rather uneven; most cast members have just a handful of personality traits. Most characters read as White.
Fans of the series will be thrilled to dive back into this world. (Graphic fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: June 22, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-62010-930-4
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Oni Press
Review Posted Online: April 29, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2021
A few rough bits but inventive and visually stunning.
A young witch whose magic has been burned away undertakes healing journeys both physical and metaphorical in this graphic novel that was first serialized on Instagram.
Mingling riveting illustrations that incorporate fades, flashbacks, and other cinematic effects with a typographically venturesome narrative, Dhaliwal tells a tale of heroic exploits in which allegorical elements are never far beneath the surface. Burned at the stake but rescued by a pair of helpful (if often annoying) witches on a quest of their own, dark-skinned young “Singe” goes in search of her real name and the rest of her burned-away memories, as well as her lost magic, while her body slowly recovers. Along the way to a climax on the shores of Perish Lake, she meets other witches—notably Smoke Witch, a collective gathering of burnt but still aware ashes that rides the night wind—and engages in desperate struggles with three powerful, vividly portrayed demons: Disgust, Doubt, and Despair. The author’s imagination and graphic skills outpace her literary chops, but there’s plenty of entertaining friction and bonding in the colorfully wrought cast, and more than enough action in the plot to make it easy to overlook awkward phrasings and inappropriate word choices. Said plot does take some arbitrary turns, perhaps so that the ending can be left conveniently open. Still, it’s a grand adventure in a richly articulated setting, featuring a racially diverse cast and clever twists aplenty.
A few rough bits but inventive and visually stunning. (Graphic fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: May 28, 2024
ISBN: 9781770466999
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Drawn & Quarterly
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
An action-packed, magic-filled exploration of natural resource abuse.
A coven of problem-solving witches takes on a mission that tests their friendship and bonds.
Witches Anadil, Hester, and Dot are summoned to Red Isle when the animals of the Dark Lands are found starving after sludge kills all the vegetation. Mother Sorastra, the leader of the Dark Lands, confronts Prince Lexius of the neighboring Light Lands, arguing that he’s abusing nature’s gift of raaka, a resource used to power clever inventions. But Prince Lexius blames Mother Sorastra for breaking a truce and causing the pollution. The conflict escalates when citizens of the Light Lands are murdered, and their facial features are erased. Pale, white-haired Anadil, brown-skinned, black-haired Hester, and Dot, who has brown skin and Afro-textured hair, arrive in time to stop the outbreak of war and attempt to solve the mystery of the face-stealing killer. When a coven of witches impersonating the trio appears, Anadil, Hester, and Dot must overcome their bickering and work through hurt feelings in order to band together and bring peace and balance to Red Isle. This graphic novel features cleverly realized characters: Anadil with her team of magical rats, Hester with her pet demon, and Dot with her ability to summon confectionary are memorable leads. The relationship between Anadil and Hester adds a hint of romance to the story, and the environmental themes add real-world relevance. Vivid illustrations with saturated colors create a fantastical backdrop for the fast-paced storyline.
An action-packed, magic-filled exploration of natural resource abuse. (Graphic fantasy. 12-16)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780062979681
Page Count: 272
Publisher: HarperAlley
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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