3.5 rounded up to 4.

I've not really read many graphic novels, but when I read the synopsis of this one I knew I had to pick it up and give it a whirl, and I'm so glad I did.

This is a super engaging, fast paced novel which I thoroughly appreciated. It's emotional, tense and includes some fantastic representation which I really loved.

It's a quick read and one I would definitely suggest you pick up!

Brooms was such a fast paced book that I never knew I needed in my life. I loved the concept and the plot of the story.

#NetGalleyARC A definite must-buy for my HS library. This was a great graphic novel about magic, broom racing, and having to hide who you really are. The illustrations and the story were both great and I can see this being a popular book in my HS library.

Brooms is about an underground broom racing team in a world where only certain people can use magic, and for certain things.

This is a queer, witchy Fast and the Furious that has so much representation that is not usually seen in stories set during the 30’s.

This made me feel so many emotions and the ending was just what I wanted.

This book made me cry, I loved it. There's a magic system that is explored, but still leaves enough for imagination, plentiful queer joy, amazing character design, that tells stories less often seen in historical fantasy.

If you get a chance to read this, I fully recommend it. Even if you aren't big on graphic novels, this tells a fully condensed story (that could easily be expanded in future stories) about love, acceptance, liberation, and really really fun/cool looking broom racing.

anyway. graphic novel. queer and disabled and pos witches in the American south in the 1920s (I think? from the blurb? I don't think it's ever specified in the book itself?) competing in dubiously legal broom races. pretty cool.
I don't do very well with graphic novels and I'm always stressing about recognising the characters and missing something in the background but I would love to learn more about this alternate universe and the characters.

Very fun and interesting. I enjoyed it. Downsides: the twins, who I thought were going to be the main characters, did not do a lot or get as much page time as other (more interesting) characters. On my phone, I was unable to zoom in on the panels, which often made it difficult to read.

Representation: Native, Black, queer, trans, deaf, lesbian, fat

Themes: belonging, togetherness, racism, overcoming adversity

Summary: In an alternative reality in the early 1900’s, if a teenager of a racially marginalized identity comes of age and shows magical abilities, their ancestral magic is squeezed out of them by the government and replaced with approved white magic. The only way to retain ancestral magic is through a petition, but that costs money. Sisters Mattie and Emma are forced to enter a dangerous broom race to win enough money to keep their ancestral magic.

Rating: 3 out of 5📚📚📚

Review: “Brooms” by Jasmine Walls and Teo Duvall was an inclusive and action packed story using magic realism to reimagine ways people with marginalized identities fought back against white supremacy, racism and oppression. The storyline was pretty heavy for such a short read and quite a bit of the storyline felt rushed. I wish we got to learn more about how Emma and Mattie developed their magic, and what made them such natural broom racers. Also, at times it seemed like very heavy topics were rushed or glossed over like they were included simply to check representational check boxes. The cast of characters was also quite large making it difficult to keep up with sub-storylines.

The illustrations were beautiful. The storytelling behind this found family was beautiful. Each character’s motivations were clear and all came back to love and sacrifice. It was a quick read and I would recommend adding this graphic novel to a lazy weekend read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Levine Querido for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was the witchy, broom racing book I didn’t know I needed in my life! I was so impressed with how much I ended up caring and loving these characters in such a short read. This is a graphic novel set in 1930s Mississippi where magic is permitted in certain circumstances and for certain people. I found the parallels between this and real history to be so well done. I was really immersed in the world and wanted to understand all the magic and the rules of broom racing. This was just an inspiring story, with beautiful and simple art that makes an impact and gives all the found family feels.

Thank you NetGalley, Levine Querido, and authors for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Levine Querido for letting me read an arc of this graphic novel.

I loved this story so much. The premise of this book is that we follow different queer witches racing brooms, however this was so much more than that. The struggles that the characters goes through, seeing them battle just to have basic human rights was so heartbreaking. The diversity was so nice to see from queer identities to disability rep. I can’t recommend this more, truly wonderful read.

This review was made possible via an ARC through NetGalley.

Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall are a wonderful pair, painting a picture of an alternative American history that has magic but still recognizes the pain people of color have faced in the US. It doesn't shy away from that history and even draws attention to it in a respectful manner while also highlighting the stories of QPOC of the time period.

The personalities of Billie Mae, Luella, Mattie, Emma, Loretta, and Cheng-Kwan shine through on every page. The difficulties Luella faces from having her magic stripped from her after defending herself are heartbreaking and work with the allegory. Secret broom races are a clever way to highlight inequality as well as the impact of racism in the 1930s in it's various forms. The team of older women broom racers was a special touch that I really enjoyed.

A lot of love and respect went into creating this graphic novel and it resonates throughout in every line, every stroke, and every choice.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I recommend reading.

Plot: Brooms’ main characters are two teen girls on the cusp of being discovered for illegal magic (because they’re not white or using Latin-sourced magic), their older sister, and the Night Storms team (three illegal broom racers). In order to avoid being sent away to a boarding school (like the Native American schools of America’s history or the similar indigenous schools of other countries meant to suppress their heritage) or have their power bound (as their sister, Luella’s, had been), the girls need to earn enough money for a permit to allow them to learn and live in peace. Other members of the Night Storms are looking for enough money to move out of the area to a place where broom racing is legal for them.

The book centers around the Night Storms teaching the girls the magic of broom racing, while avoiding being caught by the law. Broom racing is a dangerous sport in this world for multiple reasons. Among them, it was illegal for people of color to be racing brooms in this area, and other competitors throw magic to increase their own chances of winning.

I thought the art was great, and I really loved the diversity here. It hit many of the letters of the LGBTQIA+ community, there were multiple ethnic backgrounds represented, as well as those of mixed heritage, and one of the main characters is Deaf. The disability representation (Billie Mae has chronic pain and another character has damage from a stroke) was also an excellent touch for me.

The book’s focus is discrimination against minority populations, so reader beware that it could certainly be triggering for some. If you can’t handle/don’t like white people being the main antagonists, probably avoid this book.

The beginning (about the first 40%) was a little slow for me, otherwise this would’ve been a 4.5 or 5 star read.

I absolutely adored the post-credit scenes. Please be sure to go past the author’s note to check them out!

Thank you, NetGalley! I can’t suggest this enough. The story and illustrations are beautiful. The representation and diversity is phenomenal! I cannot wait to read more from this author!

This historical fantasy set in the rural south during the first half of the 20th century looks at the racism, sexism, and bigotry faced by marginalized communities through magic. The mostly female cast of characters come from a wide variety of backgrounds and intersections - black, indigenous, Mexican-American, deaf, LGBTQ+, impoverished, and more. All people who are not supposed to have or practice their own magic. All of these identities come face to face in the world of illegal broom racing in a way that never feels heavy handed in their portrayals. Equal parts fun, uplifting, and adventurous. A definite purchase.

Brooms is a gorgeous graphic novel exploring race, class, disability, oppression, and identity through a magical world. Within this magical world, there is an underground movement of illegal broom racing primarily used by the BIPOC and LGBT+ communities. This is because magic has been made illegal or regulated for many BIPOC communities who are forced to hide their magic or learn white magic in residential schools.
Brooms follows two girls who enter the world of broom racing to make money for the permit that will allow them to remain at home to learn their family's magic.
Brooms is a powerful commentary with beautiful artwork. There were times when the reading order of the panels was slightly hard to follow, but it was absolutely worth the read.

Being from Mississippi, I am always on the lookout for new stories set there. Brooms was a wonderful addition. It's diverse and full of life and character. And it will probably make it's way to our library's shelf after it has been officially released.

Representation: Asian, Black, Cantonese language, Chahta sign language & written language, Chinese, Choctaw, chronic pain, deaf, disabled, fat, Indigenous, leg brace, lesbian/sapphic, Mexican, trans woman

Context/Trigger Warnings: child abuse (in the past, from a teacher, not graphic), lynching mention, racism, residential schools

Brooms is about of magical team of broom racers who are hiding from the law. It mixes fantasy via magic with the real world plights of erasing the religion and practices of Black, Indigenous, and other marginalized communities experienced. It talks about residential schools, certain types of magic becoming illegal, and the government forcing assimilation onto those they feel don't practice magic the 'correct' way. While the focus of the story is about defying the oppressive government tactics, it still has a lot of cute moments! I'm really happy to have read this!

I loved seeing the acknowledgements in the back mentioning where the creators learned about the languages they don't speak and acknowledged that some things were not for them to discuss.

I loved this!!

This was honestly such a pleasure to read! Every character has my heart. I loved how the more serious topics were handled. The art style was really beautiful, really made the story come alive. The broom races reminded be a bit of how roller derby is played which I loved.

ps- Not going to lie I did cry a bit at the ending.

A very cute, quick read perfect for fall 100% recommend!


Thank you Netgalley, Levine Querido, and Authors for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

I love a graphic novel that can tackle a lot while adding magical realism and great art.

Brooms is about 1930s Mississippi where only certain people can use magic so people that aren’t allowed have started illegal broom racing games.

Queer. Witchy. With a lot of disability representation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Levine Querido for an eARC.

This is a well crafted graphic novel with an impactful story and inspiring characters. The art work beautifully complimented the storyline and made reading the novel, a wholesome experience.

I have zero to little knowledge about the Choctaw Indians, their heritage and culture. But I could understand the anger of the characters which stems from denial of their basic rights and limiting their practices. The author has perfectly blended history with fantasy in this graphic novel.

I loved the characters. They are strong-willed, rooted and marvelous. Their camaraderie and friendship is awe-inspiring. Overall, this is a short yet powerful graphic novel with a strong message of love and acceptance, willpower and friendships, that is a must read.