I was really excited to read this as it is a bit different from my usual reads but I was excited for the magical vibe of a Harry Potter-esque world. I loved the idea in theory but the plot was poorly executed. I had to force myself to read towards the end as I just lost interest. the plot needed more work but has promise. The artwork was beautiful and that is why I'm giving this 3 stars.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly this was disappointing. The premise sounded fantastic. I mean who doesn't love magic school. I thought this was going to follow Tom's journey of him overcoming adversity, breaking down barriers and just generally educating people that there is a better inclusive way to live. From the synopsis there was going to be a more sinister reason for him being the first black boy accepted to St. Ivory Academy but I was not expecting it to be basically run by the KKK. This was all just a bit too much and took away from what i think could have been a good story.

The art style is fab and so vibrant but unfortunaltey for me the story just fell flat and could have done with more character development as I felt no connection to any character.

The Black Mage was a comic about racism, wizardry and friendship. It tells the story of Tom Token, the first black student in a school for mages. He is immediately bullied by his peers except for his student guide who take him under her wing. Then a lot of stuff happens.

I really liked this. This was short and interesting and entertaining. I liked the two main characters and the plot was pretty good. The only thing I found unfortunate was how short it was. I felt like there could have had more character insights and developments, like it could have been longer that way and even better. Still a really nice read.

Note: I received this book from the author/publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was good and an important idea, just not fleshed out enough for my tastes. It has a very magical vibe (think Harry Potter) and I was super into the idea of a great magical school story with good messages. However, there was a lot of back plot that never got explained and parts of the story made little sense without some sort of explanation. The plot lacks a little in the structuring side of things and it makes for a slightly unfinished vibe. I really enjoyed the art and the colorful style used-this book definitely does have an anime/manga feeling that some people will really connect with and enjoy. Unfortunately, I didn't love this style much personally. I appreciated the tackling of race in fantasy stories (this was done well) and I liked the characters but I wanted so much more from the plot. There is a lot of potential to make this amazing and I hope this is a series that can be given more space to reach greatness.

I appreciate it's intentions, but I wanted something more subtle and focused on the characters (a backstory for Thomas, for an instance, would be great!). Anyway, I would still recommend if you're looking for a quick read with an important message to say.

I am an avid Harry Potter fan. After reading the description, I had high hopes for this book. The first scene with Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and John Henry confronting the KKK had me excited. The next frame took the reader to Tom Token receiving an acceptance letter to St. Ivory school of sorcery. Immediately Tom is asked racist questions and it becomes apparent that he is the "token" black. The story goes downhill from there. Tom faces off with the students, staff and head master. They are the KKK, in fact they use the tokens to power a crystal that powers the school, I am not sure what direction the writer wanted to take but this book is offensive. After discussing the premise of the story with others they also agreed that it was racist. I wanted this story to be so much more, it surely had the potential to be, but for me it fell short.

3.5 stars rounded up

I really enjoyed this story as an introduction to the Black Mage and hope there will be more stories about him. The main character is likeable as is his friend and student liason, Lindsey. The story is sort of like Harry Potter meets the Avengers in the context of the Civil War and racism. I wish there had been a bit more about how the magic worked (especially that hammer), but that may be the function of face-paced graphic novels. I also wish the message of racism and fighting back wasn't quite in your face, but after reading a few comics and graphic novels, I'm starting to realize that many stories ARE pretty in your face, so that may be just me not used to the format. Still, I would think that a person of color would feel empowered after reading this. Tom is very likeable and I found myself cheering for him throughout and the artwork was colorful and very well done, sort of in the anime style.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun and action-packed graphic novel tackling issues on racism and mixes it with fantastic imagery and magic. The art style and storytelling, especially the fight sequences are reminiscent of anime and manga, and are presented in crisp and vivid colors that young readers will absolutely love. It has strong parallels with Harry Potter, and I'm not sure if I like that about it or not. What I'm sure I loved though was it's straightforward approach to anti-racism and the honest ways white supremacy was conveyed. These timely issues were handled well and are executed perfectly for young readers to easily understand, without undermining the themes. There are references to real-life historical heroes too, and I'm positive this will pique the interest of readers to learn more about black history.

I have some issues with the choice made by the creators in showing Alexis as a villain, as well as Tom's characterization in the later half of the book. I personally think it needed more depth and the story would be richer if Tom's, even Lindsay's motivations were clearer.

Still, I liked this book a lot, and will recommend it to my friends. I will also be on the look out for a sequel, or continuation of Tom's story if possible.

This was fantastic, an absolutely gripping, potent story with a phenomenal art style that brought it to life with utter vibrancy. It would have been lovely if this was the first in a series and there would be time later to see more of the world-building and magic system as well as the characters, but it worked wonderfully as a stand-alone book too. Ideal for middle grade readers but enjoyable for teens and adults too.

I thought this was a thoughtful, solid first that I hope to see continue in a series. The set up was a little off, it came off very heady but the topic and subject matter is very important to the story.

Tom Token is the first black student in St. Ivory Academy for wizards. And the academy is run by KKK, which is rather surprising but also fresh. And there is a reason behind Tom's admission to the academy. Everything is not what it seems.
The story is full of adventure and dashing battles. The artwork resembles manga. The colors are vibrant and vivid.
Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for a copy of this book.

This graphic novel draws strongly on others - like Harry Potter - but isn't shy about getting its anti-racism metaphors and message clearly front and center. I think this may be its strongest point. This gives readers a strong message to get behind and cheer on to victory. The art is also a very strong point, and will have strong appeal to manga enthusiasts. Unfortunately, I did lose the thread a few times in the stories, especially during fight scenes. This will still have an audience among younger teens.

I really enjoyed this! It's a bit confusing at the beginning, but it's filled with plot twists and layered characters, morally grey characters, and inclusiveness. This is a recommended read!

I hadn’t heard of this new graphic novel until it exploded onto my Twitter feed but I knew I had to read it as soon as I saw the ‘a retelling of Harry Potter exploring racism’ pitch.

This story centres around a wizard named Tom. He's the first-ever black mage to be admitted to the illustrious wizarding school, St Ivory Academy so he experiences a fair share of harassment, ignorance, bullying, and microaggressions from his white classmates. I really appreciated how the exploration of racism was by no means subtle. A lot of fantasy do explore similar themes but the way they go about it is often more metaphorical. Barnes did not flinch from making his message clear. It was refreshing. There is a lot of imagery drawn from the Ku Klux Klan though (which can be confronting) so please note the trigger warnings.

The promo said the art style was reminiscent of Japanese-inspired media, which definitely rang true. I haven't read a lot of manga myself but the expressive character faces definitely conveyed that inspiration. The style was more ‘cartoonish’ than I usually prefer but the bright colour palette was a lot of fun. It also lent really well to the magic system, making the fight scenes play out like an anime. I don't think it'll be everyone's cup of tea but you can see a sneak peek on the author's Twitter if you're iffy.

What let me down, however, was the worldbuilding. Or rather, the lack of worldbuilding. I almost felt like I had picked up a sequel. There is a lot left unexplained and underdeveloped -- which wouldn’t be so disappointing if it was the first volume of a series, rather than a standalone. It was short and sweet but a little too short; like it was a sneak peek, rather than a completed work. It really could have benefitted from more time to flesh out the story, the world, and the characters.

Overall? If you’re looking for a new graphic novel, I wouldn’t turn this one down. It’s rather short and a little hard to read at times with the unsubtle racism but it’s filled with heart. I really adored Tom and the world does deliver on the promised HP vibes. I haven't read anything similar that I could compare it to but if you love wizards, unlikely friendships, ghosts, magical schools, libraries, and animal companions, this will probably be up your alley!

NOTE: Review will be live on the blog on the 5th of July, 2019 and cross-posted to Goodreads, Twitter & Instagram on that day.

This was seriously immersive to the point that I read it in less than 30 minutes.

Truthfully, this graphic novel is shocking, disturbing and terrifying, and that's exactly the point. It exposes and highlights racism in a way that's completely uncomfortable to the point where it makes you feel pretty sick knowing that it's all too real.

However, it does all of this in a way that's completely accessible to young people, through magic, spells and really amazing graphic art.

I /wanted/ to like this book. I requested it because the premise sounded amazing!

"Harry Potter meets Final Fantasy in this subversive original graphic novel where race, history and magic collide.
When St. Ivory Academy, a historically white wizarding school, opens its doors to its first-ever black student, everyone believes that the wizarding community is finally taking its first crucial steps toward inclusivity. Or is it? When Tom Token, the beneficiary of the school's "Magical Minority Initiative," begins uncovering weird clues and receiving creepy texts on his phone, he and his friend, Lindsay, stumble into a conspiracy that dates all the way back to the American Civil War, and could cost Tom his very soul."

I'm posting the description I was given because I need reviewers to understand how absolutely ridiculous the story turns out to be.

Everything is a pun and it honestly feels like a parody. Tom Token (token black kid), Jim the Crow (jim crow laws), headmaster Lynch (eurgh), and the fact that they're all wearing KKK hoods is just a rotten cherry on top of the cake.

I think my perspective might have been different had this book been aimed at children over young adults. Everything was just too blunt, too fast, more tell than show. Just.... here's what's happening but with magic and a harry potter parody.

I /wanted/ to like this book so much and I think the premise still has a lot of promise, what what was delivered just didn't read well for me.

The ARC of this graphic novel was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tom Tolken is a first black mage who was accepted to the St. Ivory Academy for your magicians. His first days at school are not easy because of the color of his skin. He meets Lindsay who keeps his company from the first day there. Besides the high rate of racism in the school, everything looks normal until someone sends Tom an I.D. student card of a black girl Summer who also was a student of this school. He tries to find out more about this mystery girl and how it is possible that there is no information about her in school records and the internet. Together with Lindsay, he tries to resolve this mystery.

The modern story combination of Harry Potter and The Magicians' Guild, which speaks loud about racism and power of friendship. Speedy book with amazing story and art.

Tom is a fantastic example of a person who doesn't take words of other people to his heart and instead shows them how much he is worth and stronger than they are. He doesn't resign even if the situation is very tense and hard to solve. He's caring about people he cares about and let no one hurt them.

I enjoyed reading this book, even if it took me less than an hour to finish it. However, the book has a lot of important values inside that should be pointed out to everyone. I'd like to recommend this book to all of Harry Potter's fans but also YA fantasy lovers.

I thought this book was <i>alright</i>, you can tell that it was trying to draw on parallels with Civil Rights History, the moment the black MC was called "Mr. Token" in an all-white school (lmao) while the headmaster was called Mr. Lynch — too obvious!

I appreciated the attempt, but felt the execution was lacklustre. But if you like magic and fighting the bad guys without much depth in plot, just a lot of action, this might be for you.

This was a fantastic graphic novel. It deals heavily with race and racism at a magic school called St. Ivory Academy. Our main character Tom Token, is the first black student at this school (that we know of). We start off seeing him get asked stupid, racist questions by his new school mates and dealing with people being horrible right off the bat. The rest of the book deals with Tom and his friend Lindsay discovering what the school is really about.

I really loved this book. It was very uncomfortable at times because of of the racism that is depicted. But I feel like it should make you uncomfortable. If you read this and you're not like wow all of that is horrible and no one should ever go through that then you need to reevaluate. The artwork in this was amazing and the bright colors were really fun. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

"The Black Mage" is a fun read from start to finish. There is a lot to love in this one. I'll be recommending it to our younger patrons.