I waited way too long to read Witchy, but I'm so glad I finally got to it. This story is a blast, the worldbuilding is fascinating, and Nyneve is a great protagonist. The art is also really cute and vibrant, it really suits the magic of the story. It's rooted in Asian and Oceanic cultures and intensely queer. It's a vibe all around. I enjoyed this enough (and reaped the benefits of waiting long enough) that I read the second volume right away. I can't wait to read more. Definitely recommended!

To start, the art in this graphic novel is lovely. I always want good art in my graphic novels and I was not disappointed. I really hope that Ariel Slamet Ries gets to illustrate more and more things.

The story was so interesting and unique and compelling. The characters were well built and they had wonderful dynamics. I really enjoyed reading this and I'm looking forward to the next collection.

I loved the art style of this graphic novel! I thought it was a very unique and complex plot for a graphic novel which I appreciated! Unfortunately it felt short near the end with such an abrupt ending.

I stumbled across Witchy thanks to NetGalley, and later ended up with a physical copy of the US edition thanks to OwlCrate. As someone who really appreciates enticing covers, I have to say the US one wins there. It’s just a little more magical and inviting.

Anyway, as for Witchy itself, it’s a graphic novel that doesn’t pull any punches with it’s opening. We’re instantly dropped into the Witch Kingdom Hyalin, where the length of your hair determines the strength of your magic. So much so that any with long hair are conscripted, but, and this is a big but, if they consider your hair too long they’ll be ruthless. You will be dealt with.

Our main character, Nyneve, experiences the harshness of the world at a young age. She sees first hand how she must guard herself as she ages, especially as her hair gets long. Very long.

In my opinion Nyneve is a great character to follow, given her struggles with accepting what her power could be due to the length of her hair. But also being so very aware that her fate could match that of her dads. The other aspect is to keep herself safe, she has to hide her hair which opens up a whole other struggle. Those with short hair are a prime target for being picked on, for being weak, and an embarrassment.

But these struggles of Nyneve’s allow for a good home environment; a protective mum. Someone who is there for her, hyping her up, and promising to keep her as safe as possible no matter what. It’s lovely to see present mothers in stories, and ones that are so inherently full of love.

Prill, pictured above, is possibly my favourite character throughout Witchy. They’re someone who is a lot more than meets the eye, who struggles with their identity and those who’s wishes vary from their own. Even though Prill and Nyneve don’t initially get on, the two end up forming a friendship out of protection for one and another. It was something I really appreciated, to see Prill accept her faults and grow. Through all of Prill’s faults, that mostly stem from their upbringing, she’s got a big heart.

Batu, Prill’s best friend, is a genuine sweetheart who I adore with my soul too. He’s the conscience to Prill, there to keep her on track and be an all round supportive pal. He brings a much needed warmth to this odd little friendship group.

Whilst the setting of Nyneve’s home is beautiful, I really think Ariel Slamet Ries’ creativity really gets the chance to bloom in the outside world. Perhaps to help further signify how restricted her city is. The new settings we get to explore with Nyneve open up so many lovely nature filled scenes, as well as the chance to meet an abundance of interesting characters and creatures.

Outside of characters the storyline really drew me in due to its fast pace. This graphic novel doesn’t dwell on details that don’t need to be dwelled on, it takes us on a much needed journey. From being tested for conscription and fighting for your own freedom, to getting lost in the woods and finding a new, albeit temporary home. A place to learn about another perspective for the future for Nyneve in Hyalin.

Overall I really enjoyed reading Witchy and I definitely would love to see how the story continues. Nyneve’s mum hints at there being secrets she is yet to uncover, Prill’s growth continues, and the introduction of new characters opens up a world of possibilities. Not to mention Nyneve’s own magic is something she has to come to terms with after some very drastic actions.

This was an interesting take on a magic school story that went in a direction that I did not expect. I plan on picking up a sequel if there is one because i really enjoyed both the plot and the characters.

Witchy is a beautifully written, imaginative story about a world of witches with a unique magic system. I loved the diversity and acceptance throughout the story. I can't wait to read the next volume to see how the story progresses.

3.5

TW: death of a loved one, bullying, misgendering (challenged)

In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. [...] However, those with hair judged too long are pronounced enemies of the kingdom, and annihilated. This is called a witch-burning."

I knew I was going to adore this just by the first chapter. Ries' wasn't afraid to make us sad and nervous about Nyneve and her struggles.

As you've read, your magic is determined by the length of your hair. The longer it is, the more powerful you are which can be dangerous. Nyneve appears to have short hair and her magic is difficult to control so she is constantly bullied at school.

The way the world is drawn, I was mesmerized. Nyneve's home was so cozy, I wish I could stay there and enjoy the surrounding views. And I adore her mother and how fiercely protective she is of Nyneve.

It was such a fast-moving novel and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our main character or overall, for this world!

Love it - especially the strength of magic depending on your hair length. I'd be a pretty great magician, then! Fingers crossed we get more to this story soon.

I absolutely LOVED this graphic novel! Unfortunately, when I first received a galley of it I wasn't able to download it to any of my devices and had to reluctantly set it aside, but I purchased a copy and fell in love. The strength of the characters, beautiful illustrations, and impeccable storytelling have all made me into a huge fan. I CANNOT wait for the next installment to find its say into my hands and on my shelf.

What a fantastic concept and so well drawn and illustrated!
Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

I enjoyed this comic a lot. Thanks for letting me read this before it was published to the masses!!!!!! <3

Enjoyed this one! The art was not quite my style, but the minimalism works and the story is solid and unique. Easy to read and it kept me interested until the end. Would definitely read more in this series!

I love when I pick up a graphic novel and, within just a few pages, know that I’ve found a new favorite series to follow (at least, I’m assuming it’s going to be a series, based on the ending). Witchy takes place in a magical world where each person’s power is dictated by the length of their hair. Having watched her father burned when she was a child due to his hair being deemed too long by the government, Nyneve spends her life hiding who she is in hopes of going unnoticed by the army.

Witchy is a delightful tale that my teens are going to go crazy over! I can't wait for future installments; I may just have to go read the webcomic to get my fill! I especially loved the way that Ries created a completely believable trans teen who knows exactly who she is, and even though she doesn't have the greatest relationship with her mother, it doesn't seem to be the absolute worst and she has a teacher who stands up for her.

A charming comic, but not to my taste. This is through no fault of the author's - I was expecting something more akin to Ghibli and got something rather different instead. Clearly an "it's not you, it's me" situation, and therefore while I do give it 2.5 out of 5 stars, I urge the publisher not to consider this an indictment of the work itself (perhaps recategorization is in order?)

'Witchy' with art and story by Ariel Slamet Ries is a graphic novel full of beautiful art and an unusual world.

In the kingdom of Hyalin, the length of your hair determines how powerful your magic is, but grow it too long and you can be declared an enemy of the state. Nyneve lost her father years ago, and now hides the length of her hair using a spell. She attends a school that wants to recruit her, but she wants nothing to do with that. She does something unthinkable and is on the run.

I really liked this world and it's pretty good world-building. I loved the art which has a fluid and colorful style that drew me in on just about every page. The style is kind of minimal, but that works well to its advantage.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

I really liked the art and the world this story is set in is very interesting and sweeping. I got some major Arabian Vibes from the story. This is not a typical witchy story, because the witches in this case are everyone who lives in this world, only some are more powerful than the others, and their power lies in their hair, thus is forbidden both to cut and to have hair too long. Nyneve's father was burned for having too much hair and magic, and ever since that happened she has hidden within herself and stopped practicing magic so much, but preferred to study its theory. But in this world, kids are drafted to join the army when they become of age based on their skill with magic and Nyneve will do anything not to help those who killed her father.

Part magical discovery, part magical games and part dystopia resistance storyline, this is a fun, easy to read and lovely story.

I really like the development that Nyneve's character is moving towards and I really hope there will be more books after this one, because it has potential to develop into a great series!

Explorations of magic aren't unusual in fiction, both traditional and graphic novels. Ries has taken a fascinating approach with this story, tying the characters' magic to their hair. The length of their hair is a representation fo the strength of their magic as well as their respect for the spirits that provide their magic. Magic doesn't have rules, per se, but does have a direct tie to another aspect of the world. They don't fully understand their magic because they don't understand the spirit world. It's a complex mythology but Ries does not shy away from explanations and explorations. The progression of the plot only adds to the complexity of the world. The art is charming, cartoony and unafraid to take risks.

I love graphic novels and I always get excited when a new one comes onto my radar. I was really excited about Witchy but for me, this one just didn't really work. I struggled a lot with the art style, and the pacing of this novel. The world building in this one was really cool, but my struggle to connect with the characters kept me out of the story.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to this title!

This graphic novel follows a girl called Nyneve who lives in the kingdom of Hyalin where a person's powers are affected by the length of their hair.
Witchy has a fun art style, it wasn't my favourite, but I found it quite funny sometimes and I liked that it had lots of scenery.