I had previously read and loved Jennifer Dugan’s novels Hot Dog Girl, Some Girls Do, and Melt With You and was so excited to read this graphic novel! I had really high hopes going into it knowing that it was a witchy story with LGBTQIA+ representation. Unfortunately, it fell a little flat for me as I found myself wishing for more. I wanted to know more about the magic system and each of the witches’ abilities. The resolution also happened a little too quickly for my liking, making it feel unsatisfying. It was a fun, quick read nonetheless for anyone looking for a graphic novel this Halloween season!

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good witchy read this time of year (J.K. every time of year!) This one was a lot of fun and the character was relatable with a fun journey to follow. The magic in the graphic novel is unique and the artwork is gorgeous. I would love to see another graphic novel set in this world

Definitely an amazing experience.

I rarely read graphic novels but this one is too good to pass up. Love the illustrations and the storyline.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
TW: death & grief

“My whole life it’s been ‘we moved here so you could be have a normal life Emsy’ and now suddenly, it’s a mistake? Seriously?”

Emsy has always lived in sunny California, and she’d much rather spend her days surfing with her friends or hanging out with her girlfriend than honing her powers as a fire elemental. But when members of her family’s coven back east are murdered under mysterious circumstances that can only be the result of powerful witchcraft, her family must suddenly return to dreary upstate New York. There, Emsy will have to master her neglected craft in order to find the killer . . . before her family becomes their next target.

Coven is a classic, magical witchy story filled with incredible LGBTQ+ representation! Focusing a lot on found family, my favorite trope, this story was a ton of fun and I loved following Emsy on her journey throughout the story. The artwork was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed the artist’s attention to detail. I would have loved to learn more about this magical world and the history of the covens, but I understand not everything can be covered in less than 300 pages. This graphic novel is definitely one that I could see being turned into a larger graphic novel series, a movie, or a tv show!!

I recommend this one to anyone looking for a graphic novel to get them in the spooky mood, fans of “Practical Magic” and “The Craft,” and lovers of LGBTQ+ and paranormal stories!!

Coven spends a bit too much time on exposition which, in turn, does lead to severe pacing issues and a lackluster third act.

This book is so cool! The art is absolutely stunning. My favorite kind of art style. I thought the story was super interesting and I wanted to keep reading. There was strong character development and I liked how we could see the characters change after each decision they made. Loved the ending because it felt real. My only criticism is that her California friends seem unfinished--like what happened to them? Overall, I'd definitely recommend this.

The illustrations in this graphic novel are absolutely stunning. Hats off to Kit Seaton!

As far as the story goes, I really enjoyed this quick, witchy read. There's a full cast of queer characters. I really enjoyed Esmy's character and learning more about the coven that her family belongs to even though she wasn't raised alongside them.

I loved the magic. There's some really awesome elemental magic as well as some darker magic that is addressed as well.

My only gripe is that I felt that the story was a bit too short, so the entire plot felt a bit rushed. I would love to see another installment to expand upon this world.

Happiest of Pub Days to this thrill of a graphic novel.

Emsy wants to spend her California days surfing with her friends. Instead she finds herself searching for killers, magical killers.

What a way to start the fall book season! This was a perfection of illustration, queer love, and a lyrical family.

A fairy good witchy lgbtq+ graphic novel.

I will give Dugan that I kept having to change my guesses on who the bad guy was.

However, Emsy deciding to stay at the end seemed and antithesis to her the entirety of the book. Though maybe life or death situations change a person. She was also incredibly rude to her friends when they came out to support her.

Ben and Ash’s relationship felt rushed and a tad forced. We didn’t see any hints that Ben reciprocated Ash’s feelings at all until right at the end.

I do feel like the major battle could’ve been a tad bit longer. But it was a nice touch that the adults actually knew what was going on and giving everyone just enough rope to hang themselves.

Coven was really fun and the illustrations were beautiful! They really transported me into the story and I didn’t want it to end.

I felt like the story itself went by pretty quickly. I could’ve used more information on the characters and for once, I wouldn’t have minded a cliffhanger so we would be guaranteed a sequel.

The characters were all really lovable, especially Kitty.

I enjoyed it! It was a bit slow going at times, but a good spooky read! Thanks Penguin Teen for an eARC

I absolutely loved this graphic novel. Not only was the art beautiful, but the story was interesting and fun. It was a little predictable but that's not always a bad thing. I also enjoyed how casual the queer representation was, though I wish there was a little more at the end about what ever happened with her friends back in California. Did she make up with Joss? There could have been a little more added to the conclusion, in my opinion.

A lot of what I enjoyed about this experience was the art, it was definitely one of the key reasons that I kept reading even when I wasn't sure what the story was trying to do or where it was going; and it's probably also why I enjoyed the book as much as I did. I felt that the story was definitely lacking. It took a long time for the plot to really get going and for the reader to have an idea as to what the actual conflict was going to be. Then when we finally did reach the climax it was over in approximately two panels and then the story was wrapping up and it just didn't feel as smooth or as well executed as it could have.

It was definitely a story though... things happened... just can't say it was for me.

Esmy lives in California, where she’d rather spend all day surfing and hanging with friends and her girlfriend. But she’s been neglecting her training for her elemental fire power. When her family back east is murdered under suspicious circumstances, she has to start learning to master her powers and help her family.

This is a sapphic, paranormal story where the main character discovers herself in a way. Esmy was the typical teen, where she was a bit annoying at times, but still growing up in ways. She’s forced to move and upend her normal life, so she struggles. The story was really cute and unique and different from my normal reads. There’s very diverse cast in this story. I liked Ben’s character and the story that developed along the way.

So if you’re looking for a quick, witchy graphic novel to read for spooky season, I say grab this one and try something different.

YA household name Jennifer Dugan teams up with Wonder Woman: Warbringer illustrator Kit Seaton to bring readers COVEN: the fiery, witchy, spooky graphic novel of the season!

When a grisly, mysterious murder happens in upstate New York, Cali girl Emsy is yanked out of her surfer girl way of life and thrust into the history and politics of her kind: witches. Faced with a potential witch war, Emsy can no longer run from her identity. She’s an elemental, and if she’s going to protect her family and her coven, she needs to get control, FAST.

Set amongst an upstate New York fall and punctuated with high school antics and angst, COVEN hits all the right notes. Filled with mystery, splashes of humor, and a heavy dose of wicked horror, COVEN is not to be missed!

This was such a quick fun witchy read. It's the perfect graphic novel to bring you into the spooky season. It's super fast paced from page one. My only complaint is I wish it was a bit longer. The artwork is absolutely stunning, highly recommend.

The illustrations were great and I liked the witchy story. I was hoping for more character development because they felt one-dimensional and the ending felt rushed.

I have loved Jennifer Dugan's books since I discovered Verona Comics during the Covid lock down. I devoured all of her books as soon as I could. I was so used to her being a novel writer that I was a little worried about a graphic novel, but I had nothing to worry about! I enjoyed this book just as much. I thought the illustrations were great and so was the story. The characters were very loveable. I would definitely recommend this to the Jennifer Dugan fans out there as well as to graphic novel fans and fans of witches.

content warning: death of parents, animal death

thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Honestly this was a really great graphic novel! The art style from Kat Seaton was fantastic. The only complaint I have is that some of the character development & plot felt very surface level and it could have been a bit longer/fleshed out but I would love more from this universe and from Jennifer Dugan!

Though I don't read graphic novels that often, this one immediately caught my eye and once I picked it up, I could not put it down. The characters were interesting and so were their individual stories and powers. Some parts felt a bit rushed and there were a few things that were glossed over and left me fairly confused, but overall it was incredibly enjoyable. The art was fantastic and truly added another level to the story. I loved seeing Emsy learn more about her powers and get to know the people in her coven. The ending was a bit abrupt and I wish, again, that there was a bit more of an explanation. All in all, this book was very good and definitely a good fall read!