With the same drawing style as Garlic and the Vampire, except with fewer vegetables, The Firelight Apprentice is a gorgeous book. I adored the color scheme and the way it subtly changes throughout the book. The Firelight Apprentice is ultimately a story about power and the truth. When we have power, we can often manipulate history and the truth to fit what we want. It's easy to trust everything we are told, especially when it's from someone we look up to or want to trust. But often we have to listen to our gut and realize that people don't always have our best intentions in mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading the Garlic series last year, Bree quickly became one of my favorite graphic novelists. Her art is distinct, comforting, and so expressive. Her worlds are inclusive and feel like stepping into a warm hug. I knew I'd love The Firelight Apprentice as soon as I heard of its release and I was NOT wrong!

The setting of this story is equal parts grand and humble, high-class and hard times. Bree's use of color highlights those differences, as well as adding impact to an emotional story of family, grief, magic, and love. I loved Safi's infectious joy, Ada's determination to care for their father and those close to her, and the other members of their community who made up a colorful, diverse cast of found family at its finest.

I read this in record time, but it never felt rushed or short in the slightest. It dealt beautifully with hard topics and didn't shy from sorrow, but leaves you with warmth and hope.

95% of this graphic novel was as enjoyable and as magical as the author’s previous works. I loved the magic, the circumstances, and the progression of the story. However, there is a specific scene that many are praising as inclusive that just comes off weird in the story. The dichotomy of child vs adult and what is being shared is just strange and age inappropriate. Anyway, I really liked the story minus this random addition.

Bree Paulsen's illustration style is one of my very favorites, but it's their storytelling that has well and truly won my heart over. THE FIRELIGHT APPRENTICE somehow manages to be a truly gentle story, even while dealing the harsh topics of war recovery and dead/dying parents. This is a story of sisterhood and found family in the face of hardship, with a twinkling of magic sure to soothe a tired soul.

The Firelight Apprentice was a great middle grade graphic novel read. I think the themes that dealt with grief were handled honestly and well for that age group. As someone who lost a parent when I was younger, I thought that this would be a book I would have found a lot of connection with. I especially (of course) resonated with the older sister and the pain and responsibilities she took on.
I also appreciate that through a fantasy setting in an age appropriate way dealt with the themes of poverty and poverty/military opportunities that often put those in a low economic class in more dangerous situations.
I think it’s a great read for middle grade!
#NetGalleyARC

Charming kid fantasy for a kid who’s up to a story that’s pretty grim underneath the pretty art. Mom’s dead in the wars, dad’s sick -the kind of sick you don’t truly ever recover from. Older sister looks the kind of thin and worn that you don’t get in your teens unless there’s serious hardship. But the younger sister is magic and she’s protected from the hardships as much as may be. Everyone is thrilled when she gets a good apprenticeship. This is the big chance for her to get a better life! But I did mention that it had grim undertones….

A heartwarming story about family, war, and grief.

The illustrations are gorgeous and instantly made me feel part of the world. I love the fantastical elements that are included, such as upcoming magicians needing mentors to help them hone in their powers. While the purpose of the war is never revealed, there feels to be a pretty complete world surrounding two sisters and their Papa's bulb shop.

For fans of the author's other work (Garlic), as well as The Tea Dragon Society, The Moth Keeper, Pilu of the Woods, and Amulet.

This was so different than the Garlic books, but I loved it just the same. Don’t expect cozy with this one. It’s about a family trying to persevere after war and loss. There is also a hint of mystery to it which I enjoyed. I love Bree’s artwork and I’ll read anything they write.

Loved loved loved Garlic and the Vampire. This book isn't as strong, but still a fun and great read. Will be enjoyed by lots of kids.

At its heart, the Firelight Apprentice is a story of a family's perseverance in the heart of a war. There is magic, grief, hope, and betrayal. This was so different from Bree Paulsen's previous work with Garlic and the Vampire, definitely not a cozy read...but it was a masterpiece all the same. If you're looking for a hard-hitting book with beautiful illustrations, you can't go wrong with this one.

This was so good! I loved the Garlic graphic novels by this author and was so excited to read her newest! I love her art style and the storyline of this was very interesting. Even in just a short graphic novel I felt for the characters and was so interested in the plot! Will definitely be recommending for fall!!

Really loved the Garlic graphic novels and had this on the list of my most anticipated releases for the year and it didn’t disappoint! I loved how magical this was and it was very fitting for spooky season ironically! I can’t what to see what Bree Paulson releases next - she is an auto buy other for sure!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc 💗

My family are huge graphic novel fans so I was thrilled to receive an ARC from HarperCollin's to read The Firelight Apprentice. The artwork is beautiful and alternates between colors of grief and worry to childlike wonder and joy. The supporting characters are rich and the storyline engaging. My biggest complaint is I wanted more. I feel like the story ended rather abruptly and I wanted more details on the sisters lives.
Ada and Safi work hard to support their father, a veteran of the war that claimed the girls mother not long ago. Ada is worried for her younger sister Safi. Safi's magical power continues to grow and she lacks proper training. Safi will become a target for the hideous Liche that target untrained magic users. When Safi is invited to train with traveling magicians Ada reluctantly lets her go. Safi learns and grows while life grows more and more desperate back home.
This is a beautiful book of grief, death, and horror. Things are not always as they seem in this spooky graphic novel for middle grade readers. Can Ada and Safi save themselves?

I am a huge Garlic fan, so I was really excited to read Firelight Apprentice. It did not disappoint. The art is adorable as always and the story was so engaging I could not put it down. Can't wait to get this in the hands of my students.

5 stars

4.5 rounded up
I adore Paulsen's style-- everything from the details, to the coloring, to the eldrich horrors.. simply a masterpiece!

Nothing will probably ever top Garlic for me because that is the book of my heart but gosh this was a fantastic book. The characters are complicated and have their own traumas. The world has so much depth but Paulsen doesn't give so much information as to bog down the reader in the GN format. The trans and aro/ace rep was heartwarming as well!

The conclusion felt a little rushed to me in the epilogue. I think I would have liked one more chapter after the big fight before we got to the happily ever after bit.

But truly fantastic and I can't wait to recommend the firelight apprentice!

The Graphic Novel “The Firelight Apprentice” by Bree Paulson follows the sisters Ada and Safi dealing with Safi’s emerging gift to conjure magic after the war has torn apart their family.

I read “Garlic & the Vampire” and “Garlic & the Witch” by the same author last year and fell in love with the characters. It was magical and whimsical. So I was really excited to take a look at the new series from Bree Paulson. In “The Firelight Apprentice” the tone is much darker than in previous novels. The story centers around the subjects of loss and war. While Safi always had the childlike sense of wonder and joy, it wasn't enough for me to balance out the darker plot points.

The story takes its time to introduce the world and characters and rapidly picks up speed in the second half. I liked the little twist and the way the conflict was resolved in the end. The world felt unique and had some interesting elements. The characters however didn't really resonate with me.

This was a solid read that didn't quite hit my taste but still showed Bree Paulson's talent for tackling important topics in a magical way.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins Children’s Books and Quill Tree Books for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting graphic novel that almost left me wanting a full length novel. The use of Magicians in the war is such a different aspect than I have normally read. I cannot imagine having a gifted child and knowing you don't have the capability of training them, so you are forced to let them leave to excel. Although, I think I would have tried a little harder to get to know the people she was leaving with. I get that life was tough without their mother and their father dying, but geez. The switch off was so instantaneous. The art style was interesting, I enjoyed the style except for the main MC. The child was apparently harder to draw. Over all, very interesting and quick read.

As a lover of the Garlic graphic novels, I was so excited to read this new one from Bree Paulsen. There is so much magic and whimsy on every page. Even while taking on some heavier themes and conflicts, it still has a lot of joy. From the story to the illustrations, everything is unique and gorgeous. I particularly loved how the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disability representation were all so naturally incorporated and that the grief, both of the dead and the dying, felt so real. People of all ages will relate to and enjoy reading this book. It was the perfect read on the first day of fall. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Firelight Apprentice is a cozy fantasy read that begins with sisters Ada and Safi that live in a magical world where magicians power the country, Safi is developing magical skills and she has yet to find an affordable tutor since their Father's shop is struggling and they're also still mourning the loss of their Mother.

It's such a palatable read, perfect soft introduction for children to some adult topics that might be hard to grasp. The story was beautifully illustrated, and the characters are lovable! The twist at the end was a nice touch! This will be a great addition to your young children library, I know i will add it to my sons once the book is out! And definitely will check out more of the artist work! Thank you to NetGalley for this e-book ARC.

This was a sweet graphic novel about the love between sisters and the dangers of greed and power. The magic system is simple, yet elegant, while leaving space for creativity. The illustration style isn’t my favorite, but it didn’t take away from the storytelling.