The premise of this book - a fantasy city where magic is feared and stamped out - is familiar, but the execution is enjoyable, and the details are unique enough to keep me interested in seeing exactly how the magic works. The art is charming, and there was enough action to make the stakes high and the story engaging. I like the characters, and enjoy the focus on people supporting each other despite the prejudices that society may put upon them. I'm also enjoying that fact that there's some queer love triangle vibes! I don't like love triangles, but I love books where LGBTQ love is centered and treated as a matter of course, rather than a plot point or a vehicle for tragedy.

I thoroughly enjoyed book one (it might be a great addition to our middle school library, actually!), and I'm looking forward to book two.

I absolutely loved this book. What a great adventure, fantasy book. I loved the art, the humor, and the story. The world-building is good. It's explained in a concise way that is easy to understand yet still gives a lot of information. The characters are likable, and not so likable, in a realistic way. I look forward to more stories in this world.

Queer YA fantasy, which in places feels so firmly situated within that niche as to lack much identity of its own. Wynd lives, surreptitiously, in Pipetown; he's both literally gay and 'weirdblood', tainted by wild magic in a way the authorities dislike, which as such clearly doubles as metaphorically gay, right down to the bit where he's tempted by brutal, risky and expensive conversion therapy just so he can try to be 'normal' in this hostile environment. Except now the Bandaged Man, with his scars and his nose for magic, has come to town, so hiding isn't an option anymore, and a perilous quest across the wilds beckons. All fairly familiar stuff, right? And ditto the visuals, at least when it comes to the principals and the vaguely steampunk city. Where it sparkles is when things get stranger – the insectoid who undertakes to guide Wynd and co. through the wider world, and above all the adorable little plant sprites which the city ruthlessly, heartbreakingly suppresses lest they spread the magical contagion. At times, the story's commitment to diversity rubs against itself; also in Wynd's escape party is the city's prince, who wants to repeal the repressive blood laws, but is a right rude bastard when confronted with anything outside his pampered experience. Presumably he's meant to represent the arrogant, condescending self-proclaimed ally, but that type feels very white, which he ain't. Oh, and a separate issue, but his dad, the hardline king? He's called Yossar, which means to any British reader of a certain age you keep expecting him to say 'Gis a job, I can rule that'. As for the timing of the raid which leaves Wynd aware that there's something particularly unusual about his blood, but with no hint as to what it might be...sometimes, plot contrivance can be a little too blatant. I've really enjoyed some of Tynion's other inclusive all-ages books, like Backstagers, which felt much more confidently its own thing. But while I can definitely see there'd be an audience who'll love Wynd, I'm not it.

(Netgalley ARC)

Wynd is a young adult LGBTQ+ graphic novel about finding yourself. Along with forbidden magic, love and adventure, this gorgeously illustrated book was a great start to the series. Incredible world building and I found myself invested in many of the characters right from the start. I really look forward to continuing this series and seeing where Wynd's story goes! I would recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I need more of this immediately! The world is fascinating, from the ideologies to the lore, to what little we’ve seen of the politics. I can tell I’m going to love this band of characters, especially our hero who is so real I. His emotions and choices he makes. I love the deep emotions that run through the friendships in the story, and the shades of grey already shown in what is “right” and “wrong” in this world. I cannot wait for more to sink my teeth into.

An excellent, tense adventure story with innovative and engaging worldbuilding! I can't wait to see what happens next.

A magical story about survival and finding yourself. Wynd is living a quiet life, working at a tavern and keeping a low profile, almost in hiding. Wynd has to keep his identity a secret because if he is found out he will be killed. But living his quiet life is getting harder and harder, as the king has sent out a hunter to find anyone with magical “differentness” and he is on the hunt for Wynd. Now Wynd must go on a dangerous journey in order to escape the hunter and embrace his magic. It’s a great fun adventure and the perfect start to a series. The artwork is great and the magic is fun!

*Thanks Netgalley and BOOM! Studios for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Wynd Book One is a classic fantasy, adventure graphic novel with a plot centered around escaping a systemic form of oppression within the magical society. Wynd, the titular character, is an elven/faerie boy with pointed ears who has to hide them from the public, as he lives in the gated non-magic city of PipeTown and eventually escape from it as an assassin hired to kill all magical stowaways stalks him in the city.

Wynd, as well as other side characters, have queer/non-straight identities.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review*

Unsurprisingly, this was just as good as I expected it to be, but surprisingly, it was touching and emotional too.

With a wide array of fascinating characters, both magical and otherwise, the comic did well to juggle them all and created great character dynamics. The character growth for all of the characters was great to see, especially in the Prince character. It’s always the one that’s the worst that grows the most and whilst I didn’t actually mind his whining (it provided a good contrast to everyone else’s helpfulness) it was satisfying to see the Prince get put in his place by Wynd so spectacularly.

I did find it slightly confusing to have the explanation of the magic structure of the world change half way through, but I also saw how that was kind of the point of it. The reader learns about the world along with the characters and the uncertainty lends itself well to the mystery of it.

It was cool to see this vol manage to be both cute at times and serious at others. I loved the raised stakes of it because it was unexpected and that only made it seem even more genuine.

This laid down a great foundation for what’s surely going to be an even better sequel. I can’t wait to read book 2!

Wynd is the story of a young man who is struggling to fit in to his life in Pipetown. He has to hide part of his identity and soon learns he needs to leave to protect himself. It's definitely an introduction to a much longer story arc and I thought it had a great balance of giving information and leaving enough of a mystery to encourage readers to come back for more installments later. I definitely will be looking up the Wynd series to find out more of the story! Super neat word, beautiful illustrations, loved it!

A delight. Very strong world-building, though a lot of them are fantasy tropes they feel unique enough to this world. The art is fairly simple but strong. The characters all feel unique and developed. And though I didn’t know it when I requested a digital copy, many characters are queer and I love them all the more. I definitely want to continue with this world. I’m already much anticipating book two

A gripping fantasy adventure for teens centered around a relatable protagonist who feels forced to hide an important part of himself.

This charming, compelling fantasy story is never too dark or too light, sitting right in that sweet spot of having real weight without feeling gory. The characters start out feeling like they were chosen out of a stockpile, literally—The Mother Figure, the Plucky Sister, the Sensitive Boy, the Royal Pain—and yet it's easy to become to attached to each and every one of them. Excited to see where this goes next.

What an enjoyable graphic novel! I really enjoyed the illustrations. They really pulled me into the story and held my attention. The characterizations were nicely done. A solid 4/5 stars for me!

An adventurous fantasy— with a magical main character who was found and adopted into a family that hid him in a town where being magic is unsafe. Bonus points for gay main characters.

At first glance is the typical fantastical racism angle where anything in relation of magic brands people as diseased. But there's a lot more than bigotry, hate is without reason where people do bad things to people just for existing. The villains instead rather use misinformation to make everyone complacent in order to enact a status quo. Because what better way to control the public than with a narrative while bootlickers thrive by withholding real power?

Which is really a shame considering people like our title character for the most part live regular lives that while not perfect still feel lively. But the fact Wynd has to hide part of his identity for fear of having what little good of his life taken away feels compelling. Especially when he dreams of speaking to his hunky crush.
Meanwhile, the people who want to make a big difference like the prince have to deal with the struggles that come with how these responsibilities are a burden. Sure there are noble intentions, but it requires a lot of sacrifice that can scar people for life..
James Tynion never ceases to impress on how misinformation serves as a major villain in today's age. I'm really looking forward to where this is going.

Wynd is an entertaining graphic novel read. I was familiar with James Tynion’s work in shared universe storytelling, and was pleased to get the opportunity to read about a world of his creation. So much to enjoy in this visual text, and so much adventure and interest in these pages. Also love the artwork of Michael Dialynas.

This was a super cute comic.

I think this will do wonders for kids. The art was super cute and the storyline really captivated me.

Overall, great.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boom for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wynd is a wonderful comic with an uplifting story and vibrant art. The titular character, Wynd, is a young boy with pointed ears living in a kingdom where magic is shunned and feared. Wynd's ears reveal his magical nature, so he hides them in order to live a peaceful life. But when Wynd and his family's existence is threatened by the arrival of "The Bandaged Man," Wynd, his sister, Oakley, a gardener, and a prince are forced to work together to save themselves, and ultimately the entire kingdom.

Although each of the five chapters, originally serialized as five issues, is about 40 pages long, characterization was sometimes given less priority in favor of plot. As such, the pacing was a big quick in places while character development lagged behind—the characters chased after the plot, and their motivations followed. Nonetheless, the plot and the main character was well developed enough that I continued and was treated to a satisfying and joyful ending.

I appreciated that the characters, specifically Oakley and Miss Molly, did not hesitate to voice their feelings, thus avoiding the trope of conflict caused by bad communication. It was also nice to read about queer characters in stories that didn't use their queer identies as points of conflict. Some themes conveyed through dialogue stood out and felt a little unnatural (e.g. "I don't think I'm supposed to carry that much weight"), but it wasn't anything that couldn't be overlooked.

I also enjoyed Aditya Bidikar's lettering which complemented the text and art while also highlighting important emotional beats.

I'm excited for the next chapters/book two, and I would definitely recommend this to a friend. I wasn't familiar with this Boom title before I received this ARC, but now, I will look for it the next time I head to my local comic book store.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Set in a fantasy world where beings know as weirdbloods are feared and hunted down, a pointy eared boy must hide his identity to continue living with his human family.
But when the king of the last pure, human city dies everything changes.

This was such a fun read! The illustrations are colorful and playful, and the story flows beautifully.
It's a wonderful fantasy story with all kinds of characters that makes the story grow more and more interesting.

Can be read by both kids and grownups alike.