This is such a goofy mash up of history and magic to the point where I didn't really understand the rules of the magic system, but I did like the conversation about class versus talent. And the talking rats were so quintessential historical Europe.

This was really cute and wholesome with just a pinch of danger and intrigue.
It teaches the lesson of accepting and loving yourself as you are as well as confidence and that you don't need to prove yourself.
I will definitely try to get this for my library

This was a cute, fun little historical fiction graphic novel with witches thrown in! It was funny that Jerome says he is an adult at 14 and he tells Daisy gosh, she's 12, her mum can't tell her what to do anymore!! I guffawed. Daisy is a sweet witch who only wants to rise above the circumstances she's been dealt with. With the help of Dee, Valentyne, and Nathaniel, Daisy can go far!

QFW has some wonderful points, and also some significant weaknesses. I'm down for the historical fantasy, but not for the mansplaining, criticizing pals. I don't think our heroine needs to hear "what magic is about" from a rat, or to be told "what the real problem is" by her con man mentor.

This adorable graphic novel teaches that one can achieve their dreams, even with the odds against them--but one must be careful not to lose sight of what really matters along the way.

This was such a cute graphic novel! Not only was the story itself good, it was funny and also had valuable lessons in it. The art work was great and easy to follow along with, which was very appreciated. I definitely want to see more the Daisy and how her adventure as the Queens Witch continues.

The Wheel of Fortune is the first volume in The Queen's Favorite Witch graphic novel series written by Benjamin Dickson and featuring the illustrations of Rachael Smith.
In the first volume of this series set in Elizabethan England, we get to know Daisy Sparrow, a young witch who sells potions on the street market with her mum. One day, she finds out that the Queen's Royal Witch has died, and that, as someone has to take her place, they are making auditions to find a new one. Daisy decides this is her chance to have a better life, and goes to London to audition. But she'll have to face lots of challenges if she wants to be the new Queen's Royal Witch...
This graphic novel was a very quick and entertaining read for me. The story is very interesting and has great potential, so I'd definitely love to read the next volume in this series. Also, I liked the historical references made throughout the book. The illustrations are simple, but they capture the essence of the story very well.
I'd recommend it to you if you like graphic novels, historical fiction, fantasy and middle grade books.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute read and I liked that it's a fun way for kids to have a little history and gave me big Kiki vibes.

It did fall flat with character development and it felt very rushed. I know it's audience is middle-grade, but it still felt very young even for the intended audience.

I will consider picking up the next volume (if there is one), from library.

The Queen’s Favorite Witch (#1: The Wheel of Fortune) by Benjamin Dickson, art by Rachael Smith

#eightythirdbookof2021 #arc

CW: witchcraft, demons, ghosts, summoning circles

I am all about Tudor England and it just took a glimpse of the cover to hook me. Queen Elizabeth and witches in a graphic novel—sign me up! And this was super cute. Daisy is twelve and decides to try out for the newly opened job of royal witch for Elizabeth the first. Things don’t go as planned and she takes a job as a castle maid. She meets talking rats and makes unlikely friends, and when she ultimately takes part in the job competition, she realizes that not everyone can be trusted.

I enjoyed this so much! I would absolutely read more stories in this series. The artwork is bright and engaging, and the book satisfied a lot of my interests.

Thanks to @netgalley and @papercutzgn for the advanced copy. (Pub date 10/26/21) #graphicnovel #queenelizabeth #witches #thequeensfavoritewitch

This graphic novel was just cute.

I got this for my third-grade daughter who will only read graphic novels at the moment.

She loved the story and pictures!

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a digital ARC.

This is the first book in a new YA graphic novel series that follows Daisy Sparrow, a twelve year old witch who sells potions, cures and charms with her mom. She knows the craft but often gets performance anxiety if others are watching. She suffers from boredom and wants to be something more than just a potion maker for the peasants in her small village.

This opening story is set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The Queen’s royal witch has died and Daisy sees a poster looking for the next witch who will protect the Queen. Daisy’s mother forbids her from trying out for the position. This doesn’t stop her and she goes anyway, but she isn’t from a “good family”, so is blocked from auditioning. She sleeps outside the palace and, in the morning, a soldier offers her a job as a palace maid, thus getting her inside where, in her meager room, she makes the acquaintance of a talking rat named Nathaniel.

She also meets Doctor John Dee, a heretic and advisor to Elizabeth, who believes that there is a demonic plan in place against the queen, and he gives Daisy permission to join the tryouts, thinking she is a wildcard who might make all the difference.

The other girls in the group bully her because they only see her as a maid. When Daisy tells this to Nathaniel, he offers to be her familiar. The rat introduces her to a human friend of his, Valentyne, who helps her train, and Daisy's magic starts to improve. Of course, the other girls don’t like this so plot against her. When Daisy falls for one of their wicked pranks, not only is she banned from the tryouts, she is also banished from the castle. Before she has to leave, however, the ghost of Elizabeth's father arrives and demands his throne back.

When the new royal witch fails to perform her duties and drive him out, Daisy steps in to help. Unfortunately, by doing this, she makes an enemy who is now out for revenge, setting up the story for the second book in the series.

I enjoyed the fact that, before the story starts, the reader gets some quick background on Queen Elizabeth I. It really helped envision the setting of the story, which is key to the target audience. I also think the art was well done and conveyed the story line well for a YA novel.

I wasn't as fond of Daisy in the beginning. I found her a whiny, slightly thoughtless character until we arrive at the underlining message she finally learns as she begins to evolve into a mature young lady and intuitive witch. Quit trying to be something you're not; just be yourself.

Overall, I enjoyed this story for being a YA read, though would like to see some of the characters have a little more substance and possible back story in future installments. I look forward to the next volume and would happily introduce my older grandchildren to it.

This is a fun graphic novel to recommend both to fans of historical fiction and those who love books with a magical twist.

London, 1563, Queen Elizabeth needs a new royal witch and Daisy wants to take her chance. But, since she's a commoner, things are not easy for her in Palace. She is too naïve in competition with other girls from the royal families. Without John Dee's help, she may not pass the tests.

This is a fun start to a series. Daisy has a lot to learn about herself and the world around her. She's living in a dangerous time and place made even more dangerous by the story's inclusion of magic. I look forward to Daisy's further adventures.

Nice if you like your witchy graphic novel or historical type for the middle grade reader. A girl trying to take an opportunity to be better and work for the Queen

I received an e-arc copy of The Queen’s Favorite Witch through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

For a story set in Elizabethan England the “favorite” in the title is a bit off…😂
As for the story itself, I really liked it quite a lot! The characters were sweet, the art was pretty and cute and the plot-line was so extraordinary that it just called out to me. A young witch to compete for the honourable role of the court witch of Elizabeth I, what an unexpected and interesting idea! 😃
Overall, it was great fun to read this graphic novel!😊

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book!
Daisy wants to be more than just a potion seller, she wants to actually help people. The queens royal witch dies and she applies to be her royal witch. There are evil forces trying to get in her way. However, Daisy has some friends to help her succeed.

This was such an adorable story. I absolutely loved it! I would definitely recommend this story to friends who enjoy graphic novels and magic.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞 is a historical fantasy/ middle grade book that covers/ inspired a bit (so far) of the reigning time of Queen Elizabeth.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:

-the historical touch of the graphic novel story, which was the reason I requested this. I hopefully hoped that we get more of that on the following volume.

-the touch of witchy theme and the little introduction of the magic system

-the pacing of the story which really did helped me get through it

-the twist at the end


𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:

-magority the characterizations which I felt was lacking in terms of presence and the development

-it felt too rush for me. Like there's no room for breathing during those events or no room for the rising and falling of the scenes

-because of the #2, I just got bored and didn't care for the characters & events at all.


I think I would still continue this one because of the ending.


𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙖𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠｡

Thank you Netgalley for providing me a digital ARC.

The queen's favourite witch follows a teen witch who sells potion with her mother. But she always wanted to be more than a potion seller. In that due time The Royal Witch dies and she gets an opportunity to be one. But she had to go through a lot of proccess & difficulties.

The illustrations were good and so the characters.
This book shows us a fine perspective that You Don't always have to prove other's that you're better than anyone, Beacuse there are more poeple doing that same. You just need to do what YOU want.

Daisy is a witch in training. She assists her mom in her potion business but thinks it's boring. When an opportunity arises to compete to be the Queen's Witch Daisy jumps at the chance despite her mother's concerns.

It felt like there were sections missing from this graphic novel. The plot would jump with no exploration of key events. Daisy was not very likable and and the secondary characters were wooden. The portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I as kind and motherly was particularly strange.

This is a fun concept but it felt poorly executed. The plot of the magic cult trying to bring forth their master by sacrificing the Queen was interesting and I would like to have seen more of it. Even still, I think younger readers who enjoy stories about magic may enjoy this.

Dear Readers, Aliens and Creatures, I am very excited to know what will happen in the next book!

Daisy is a witch in training, who always seems to have tears in her eyes. She fears falling into the seeming mediocre lives of those at her village and only brewing potions to help the locals is not enough for her. A chance encounter one market day changes all of this and directs her ambitions; Daisy wants to become - The Royal Witch.

With the passing of the previous Royal Witch, Queen Elizabeth is unprotected at a crucial time when a nasty group of sorcerers want to sacrifice her to their terrible lord. It is left up to Dr.Dee, heretic and resident knowledge man, to identify the candidate he can most trust, until he recognises Daisy from that fateful market day.

When she is given a chance to complete the challenges at the castle, while working as a maid, Daisy will make alliances that will prove instrumental in her maturing and learning not to look down on others and their contentment. She will hone her skills, make friends with a kindly rat and con artist, and become a formidable witch in her own right.

The question is, will this be enough to thwart the infiltration schemes that have been set up by the bad sorcerers?! Will Daisy learn the necessary skills in time to help the Queen when she most needs it… Will the ghost of Henry the 8th stop partying?!

Read to find out. For children… 🤔 8 and over?

▪️ I can’t say I was much a fan of Daisy, but she has good people around her who can really help her grow.