4.5 stars

It’s 1930s Mississippi and only certain people are allowed to do magic. Unsanctioned broom racing isn’t allowed…unless you know the right channels and the right people. Billie Mae is one of those people, captain of the Night Storms racing team. Together with her second in command, she’s determined to make enough money to move to a state where Black people are allowed to do magic.

Also on her team: Cheng-Kwan (trying her best to be the “son” her parents want and still be true to herself). Mattie and Emma (dodging government officials who want to send them to boarding school). And Lucella (in love with Billie Mae and whose powers were sealed for fighting back against the government).

Thanks to Levine Querido and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Brooms by Jasmine Walls to review! I knew from the premise that this was going to be a graphic novel I loved, and it definitely didn’t disappoint. A little bit of fantasy, inspired by history, with a great cast of characters to boot.

Set with the frame of magic use and broom racing, this tells the story of the struggles of queer, people of color in the United States in the 1930s. I honestly loved the way that Walls used magic to represent the racism and oppression that occurred (and honestly still occurs) in the US. IT was such a great comparison, and worked really well to bring to light some darker aspects of history.

And the characters! We have such a diverse cast, and they’re all working to be able to find their place in the world to just be themselves. Each one had their own storyline, set within the world of illegal broom racing. They were able to support each other and fight against the powers that were acting against them.

The art was also spectacular! I read it on my phone, so I’m excited to see the full version when it comes out. Because I definitely think this is a graphic novel that I need to own.

All in all, if you’re looking for a thought-provoking fantasy graphic novel with a great cast of characters, definitely pick this one up when it comes out this fall!

First of all thanks Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to read this novel for free.

Secondly, the art was very nice on each character, especially the facial expressions as if they were in a real life action movie. However the story and adding in too many characters were confusing. If it was only about Cheng-Kwan, Luella and Billie Mae, it would’ve been easier on my stupid brain to know why the characters are there in the first place. Still I read the rest and it was only alright to waste time on…

I really enjoyed this graphic novel, it was a welcome shift from what I normally read.
The storyline was so easy to follow, though well thought out, which is sometimes an element overlooked in the graphic novel genre.
I loved the representation across the characters.
Finally, the art was GORGEOUS. The use of colour to portray moos was exquisite, and the character drawings were detailed enough without making that the main focus

<blockquote>Your hatred is your curse, it tightens around your heart like a noose, Act in Violence and Pay the Price, Live in Kindness and you will go Unharmed.</blockquote>
I have received a copy of This Graphic Novel ARC in exchange for an honest review (It's read now ARC on Netgalley so all people can read it if it's still up) Thanks Jasmine, Teo, Netgalley for the opportunity.

This is taking back Magic from harry potter, a huge statement, but the Graphic Novel really delivers Big.
I loved this so much, I loved the marginalized group of protagonists so much, You are including so many marginalized groups, but it didn't feel forced at all.

However, I didn't like that There was no white protagonists at all, Like just one would have been enough, specially that White People are pretty much portrayed the mother of all evil throughout this work, There was no single white person who can pass as a decent human being at all.

I understand the time period, but it felt counterproductive really, because we should all be against racism and marginalization, but sometimes i feel works border on counter racism, or exclusion of white people (and i never felt that more than in this Graphic novel), I feel like if i was a decent white person these days, i would feel like everyone needs to vent, everyone have a lot of bent up frustration that racism still even exists, or the KKK flags are still held up high in demonstrations of racist people, and i would shut up, but we can always try to feel what the other feel, and sympathize.

But we really have to include everyone, or at least a side character who is a good white person you know?
Not sure if i am making any sense at all, But let's learn from self-proclaimed Transphobe Dave Chappell, even when he was pretty much saying horrible things and identifying as a TERF, he still tried to stick his friendship with a trans woman as a shield.
Here we have all white people are evil, but no shields? Specially really that this was alternate reality, Like let's say 1930 or 1940 whenever this is supposed to be, Had not a single decent white person on the face of America, who is against slavery and racism, In an Alternate reality you can make up that person.
(There could be a philosophy behind this choice, trying to balance things out perhaps? But i am not in the know of such Philosophy really, i wasn't invited)

I read recently Summer in The Bayou by European Writer/Artist [author:Johann G. Louis|19226217] he pulled that off amazingly, White kid a friend with a Black kid, they want to work as detectives when they grow up, and they stick together through out the entire Graphic novel.

The parallels this has with reality, Just proves what an amazing writer Jasmine is, It's scary, and just conveys a deep sense of oppression through out the novel, While the families were supportive of their Queer kids, Trans Kids, Protective of their growing up girls, There was a real sense of danger throughout, Pay attention to the text, the white regime in control is policing magic, policing schools of magic, having patrols in the streets, it was pretty much a dystopia that didn't concentrate on the dystopian Aspects, and tried to concentrate more on what people do to fight back, the totalitarian regime that is controlling everything.

The art was amazing Teo, felt like it was simple? But at the same time i have not seen such beautiful real characters in a long time, no sexualization of women, no super model figures forced on everyone, Just beautiful faces, that showed real emotions in their simplicity, Beautiful natural bodies, and i was just amazed through out by the fabulous art 5/5 all the way.

Included Groups, Black People, Indigenous Americans, Latinos, Asians, Trans, Deaf, Lesbian, People with chronic joint pain, people with bad leg due to stroke, Cooking husband, i mean everyone was here, one of the girls was wearing glasses so i feel included, and i am a person of color, so i am glad i wasn't one of the evil guys 😆

I think every single magic novel should have this kind of magic, ancestry magic, to call upon your ancestors in your darkest hour, a huge part of our real world traditions come from love for our ancestors, honoring and remembering them, i don't have to share those beliefs, but using it in magic, and making it really look like your ancestors were watching over you is really cool.
Maybe once in a novel, But imagine a novel with this kind of magic as the specialty of the protagonist, That would be wicked, Also shoutout to [book:The Shadows of Thule|62919033] that i read recently because Ancestry magic was the magic solution in there too.

This was Emotional and beautiful, the romance scenes were brief and felt sincere, and didn't overshadow the story, just how i like them lately, it was magical, but for that one blemish, imagine you are a white teenager born in 20xx, and is supposed to sit reading this and take the blame for things you never had part in the first place, unless we put a ticket no whites allowed!

Also Take a bow, I noticed that most Read now ARCs available for all readers are always from LGBTQ creators or part of the creation team, Which is just awesome, such an amazing community, All love to every single one of you, These Novels can really be the light someone needs in a dark time, and it could help them persevere.

A cute GN with lovely art. This has wide appeal for a pretty big swathe of readers from older J up through teens and adults who enjoy this structure of story. A good suggestion for readers growing out of [book:Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy|22554204] who are looking for more adventurous girl groups and positive female friendships.

The characters in this book represent a lot of identities. An author note at the back indicates that this isn't supposed to be strictly historical but is based on underground queer culture contemporary to this story. The younger girls (sisters) are of mixed Black and Native heritage, and one of the sisters is Deaf. They live with some adults but it's not clear what the relationship is-- it's not hugely important to the outcome of the story, just kinda vague. The older-sister-type person they live with is queer and in a relationship with one of the other female characters, who is Black and has a chronic pain condition. That character's (step?)sister is also dark-skinned and has a mobility device. The third team mate is Asian and trans, not out to her family at the beginning of the book.

While the book was longer than I originally anticipated, the ending felt pretty rushed. A longer epilogue would have felt more in keeping with the pacing of the rest of the story.

eARC from NetGalley.

This story is more about more than just witches practicing their magic. It’s about Black, Brown, and Indigenous resistance in the face of oppression and reclaiming their various ancestral practices; and the right to practice freely. As someone whose own ancestors had to hide their magic and spirituality, I am definitely able to relate to this.

I loved how this story explores race, culture, and trans identities. I also appreciate that it represents queer people of color and includes differently abled people as well without othering or exotifying them.

I found myself truly rooting for the characters. I desperately wanted Emma and Mattie to succeed in harnessing their magic. And my heart cringed whenever they and the other characters experienced an injustice - from Luella and the residential schools to Billie Mae and the hostility she faces while racing. I loved how the different families were portrayed as well: the sisterly like bond between Loretta and Billie Mae; Luella’s fierce determination to keeping her cousins safe; and Chen Kwan’s family’s acceptance of her. Though, I do wish we could have gotten more of Chen Kwan’s backstory.

This was my first time reading a graphic novel and it took a while for me to get used to the format but once I did enjoyed it. The illustrations are beautifully done. I love the vibrant colors used, especially for the night time scenes.

Overall, I felt this was a beautifully written story; even if sometimes were a bit painful to read. I am pretty sure I am not the target audience for this book as it is geared towards teens but I definitely enjoyed reading it. Honestly, I wish I had access to stories like this when I was a teenager. I would definitely recommend this book to others, especially teens of color who don’t fit into the cis able-bodied heteronormative box.

DNF at 66%
I just couldn’t get into this graphic novel at all, there’s so much going on in the story and there’s so many characters to focus on. I didn’t really take to any of the characters because we jump from one to the other.
The main story overall seems like something I would enjoy and I like the idea of the graphic novel.
Usually I like multiple POV’s, but it switching within the chapters and jumping to a different storyline with a different character just wasn’t it for me

This was so good. The art is stunning. The story really moved me. There's so much representation here. If you're looking for a historical fantasy, I definitely recommend this one.

That said, Netgalley, please figure out a way to let us zoom in. I could barely read it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jasmine Walls for the e-arc!

I ADORED this book! The representation was *chefs kiss*, the art was absolutely stunning, and the characters were all amazing. I wish we had a bit more focus on the characters relationships rather than the plot being purely about racing but other than that I really liked this book! Go check it out when it cones out on October 2nd!

For sure 5 stars.
The story was beautiful, gripping, heart-warming, filled with representation,... Everything anyone could ask for.
The broom races are very cool and interesting to see unfold.
I believe that story-wise it did not do anything groundbreaking (the story went where you would think it would go), but representation-wise, and education-wise, it is the best thing I have ever read.

The art style is also gorgeous. I loved just taking in the scenery and the art as it was presented.

ALSO, and I don't know if this is the case... But...
Could it be there is a Dungeons and Dragons fan among the artists? The team "The Red Hornets" gave me very much "Inspired by Dimension 20 cast" vibes.
And saying "Hell's Bells" on the exact same page? Was that a nod to Critical Role??
It might be a coincidence of course, but it would be a very cool coincidence.

An amazing recommendation!

Beautifully illustrated and well thought out Brooms is rich with history and a diverse cast of characters. This is a perfect addition to all YA graphic novel collections.

I received a free ARC from Netgally in exchange for an honest review.

Such a quick, amazing book. Read it in one sitting. It's has great representation (queer, trans, black, native, deaf), the characters have depth and are well developed. Moreover, the art is beautiful as well.

Rating: 3.75

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy for review! This graphic novel comes out October 3rd, 2023.

This graphic novel is so rich and layered with culture and history.. Set in Mississippi in the 1930’s, magic is restricted for all except for the privileged. Magic is regulated by the government; ancestral magic is discouraged and only a government sanctioned magic is taught through a mandated residential school for those who are discovered to have magic. The themes of togetherness and resilience were strong throughout the entire novel. The characters were rich and interesting; they were impossible not to passionately root for. I do wish that this novel had more in-depth world building; I felt that I did not fully comprehend how the magic system worked and what was possible with the magic. This could be due to the fact that the story is told through a graphic novel medium.

A huge shoutout to NetGalley for hooking me up with this gem, and major kudos to Jasmine Walls, Teo DuVall, and the whole crew behind this captivating masterpiece. You folks rock!

Ever stumble upon a literary treasure purely by cosmic accident? That's me stumbling upon "Brooms" on NetGalley. The cover alone had me drooling, and the fact that it's a historical fantasy graphic novel? A chance discovery that turned into a year's favorite read. This graphic novel blends a historical fantasy with unforgettable characters, diving into 1930s Mississippi's challenges for POC, magic restrictions, and clandestine broom racing. A mix of reality and hope, this captivating tale is a celebration of diversity with characters like Cheng Kwan, a Chinese American trans woman, adding their magic to the broomstick rebellion. "Brooms" is a must-read that casts an enchanting spell impossible to resist.

A cute, unique and uplifiting GN! Brooms is easily relatable for anyone who has played sports or even just wanted to win something but had to face obstacles along the way. The book's setting is very unique and its string parallels to a Jim Crow south but with magic were also engaging. I really enjoyed the epilogue at the end and thought it wrapped up things nicely.

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, as well as Jasmine Walls, Teo DuVall, and everyone involved with the creation of this beautiful story and these incredible characters. Thank you!

Every so often, you come across something special in life purely by chance, only to wonder if it really was by chance at all. That's what finding Brooms on NetGalley felt like for me. Drawn in by the stunning cover art and intriguing genre (as I haven't come across many historical fantasy graphic novels), I quickly became immersed in a world full of strong, memorable characters and beautifully flowing narrative.

Brooms manages to balance the hardships and horrors that POC faced in 1930's Mississippi with powerful moments of joy and the unequaled feeling of having the freedom to be yourself. In a time and place where magic is unfairly limited to certain people and situations, underground broom racing is illegal. It also becomes a source of liberation for our characters in the form of prize money and the ability to be open with their magic. Still, the risks are as large as the rewards, and it is through these risks that we are shown glimpses and stories of the threats that faced POC in those times - a hard reminder that those same threats and acts of violence still exist in society today. I appreciated that the narrative didn't shy away from hard truths, yet managed to keep a hopeful and determined tone.

Not only did I find this book gorgeous to look at and captivating to read, but the characters were unforgettable and incredibly diverse. My favorite character is Cheng Kwan, a Chinese American trans woman who is as skilled at making brooms as she is at riding them. Besides being a cast full of BIPOC, there's also great queer and disability rep, including a main character with chronic joint pain and another who is hard-of-hearing. I also love narratives that give people the opportunity to see themselves - and give the rest of us a chance to learn.

Overall, this quickly became one of my favorite reads of the year! I can't recommend it highly enough!

This graphic novel has both really good art, and a good and well researched story (I loved the notes at the end about the resources used and choices made, always a plus to see that!).

I really enjoyed seeing the different types of diversity displayed in the story! But besides all that, it was also just an engaging book, interesting worldbuilding with the magic systems and broom racing and I loved getting to know the characters!

Important: keep going after the acknowledgements, there's more to be had!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Levine Querido for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is beautiful -- I loved every panel! Though it seems intended for a YA or adult audience, this could work for a large range of ages -- in fact, I gave it to my nine-year-old to read. A little romance, a lot of anti-racism, and a heaping helping of magic! I'd love to read more graphic novels set in this world.

Many thanks to the creators, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

I’m in love with this story!! Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down, I loved the representation it has and how each character’s story is told.
I also loved how we got to see the backstory of each of them and how they grew up to be 💜
Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

I loved this book! The art was lovely. I appreciated that the story and designs felt rooted in real history while building up a world of the story's own. The characters were interesting and the storyline will have readers invested quickly.