Thank you First Second and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this book. This is a beautifully illustrated, well written story about being true to yourself and finding the people who support and believe in you. Originally published in Italian, with English translation coming out in April.

Death and birth. Those are the opening moments of Rebis, the new medieval fantasy graphic from Irene Marchesini and Carlotta Dicataldo and translated from Italian by Carla Roncalli Di Montorio.
Shown in terrifyingly elegant detail, readers see a mob influenced execution paired with the birth of a child who is immediately viewed as “not right.” These panels cut back and forth with such rapid jumps that the reader can tell immediately these two elements will be intrinsically linked. Martino, our central character, is an albino with paler than pale skin and paper white hair. In their superstitious village this alone would be viewed as a curse, but Martino’s differences go beyond that. (Due to the nature of the story and Martino’s eventual transformation, I’m choosing to use they/them pronouns).
Martino simply isn’t what their father and children their age think a boy should be; they’re soft and quiet, obsessed with bugs, and seem more comfortable in the company of their sisters then other boys. And in a town ruled by fear, these differences are quickly seen as a curse. Martino’s father is ready to send them away to save the town’s harvest, to make the neighbor’s cow give more milk, to be like anyone else. And the unknown is as scary as a place where they are unaccepted.
Desperate for any place to belong, Martino finds Viviana, a woman living alone in the woods. This is a tricky story to summarize without giving away some lovely plot reveals, but meeting Viviana sets Martino on the path to self discovery which shows them exactly how hard it is to be yourself and how much you may be asked to sacrifice, even in a world where magic weaves through the everyday. This is a story about the family you choose and the incredibly hard journey towards loving oneself and rebirth.
Where this book really sings is in the art. Marchesini and Dicataldo show their story in rich, saturated panels that hint at Renaissance art while being entirely their own. They play with shadows, especially around Viviana’s face, in a really interesting, captivating way. The art is so good in fact, that there are times when they forgo potentially useful dialogue or exposition in favor of wordless scenes that, while beautiful, do not round out the plot. There is a lot left to reader interpretation in this graphic and I feel like the story would have been stronger if more questions were answered.
The publisher’s description of Rebis compares it to Nimona and Snapdragon and I think that does the story a disservice. There is a lightness and humor to the latter graphics that Rebis just doesn’t have. That’s not a bad thing, in fact the reserve, frustration, and unfulfilled rage that the creators give this story make it very impactful. It’s a story that the young adults the book is targeting can relate to. Rebis resembles Nimona and Snapdragon in that they all involve a child connecting to an adult and finding their own path to who they are, but that is where the similarity ends. Don’t read Rebis if you’re looking for a follow up to Nimona. Read Rebis if you want a more serious, at times heartbreaking, story that still manages to leave the reader with the promise that hope and love can triumph. This graphic does depict state sanctioned violence against women, ableism, and attempts at self harm.
Rebis
By Irene Marchesini, Carla Roncalli Di Montorio, ,
Art by Carlotta Dicataldo
Macmillan First Second, 2025
ISBN: 9781250359087
Company Age Rating: 14-18
NFNT Age Recommendation: Older Teen (16-18), Teen (13-16)
Creator Representation: Italian,
Character Representation: Trans,

This was a great fantasy graphic novel. I think young readers that are into D&D and Baldur’s Gate will like the storytelling vibes of this book. I really enjoyed the story and I think middle grade and YA readers will too.

The art and story are both beautifully done. I really felt for the characters and the art was so emotive.

Thank you Netgalley and First Second Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Rebis” by Irene Marchesini is a stunning graphic novel that weaves a tale of self-discovery, acceptance, and the beauty of found family. At its heart is Martino, an outcast child born with albinism, who is shunned by his village and blamed for misfortunes he has no control over. His only solace is the nearby forest, where he encounters Viviana, a wise and compassionate witch. Viviana offers Martino the warmth and guidance he’s longed for, creating a heartfelt bond that forms the basis of this beautiful coming-of-age story.

The graphic novel’s illustrations are simply enchanting. Marchesini’s art is a visual masterpiece that beautifully complements the story’s gentle yet profound themes. The visuals captivate from the cover onward, inviting you to a world of enchanting forests and haunting shadows, where themes of otherness, queerness, and self-acceptance bloom. The layout and flow of the panels sometimes challenge clarity as sometimes I was confusing with exactly what was going on in the story, but these moments are balanced by a deeply emotive and satisfying storyline that immerses readers.

Beyond the lovely art, Rebis resonates on an emotional level. For those who feel like outsiders or who grapple with finding acceptance—both from others and within themselves—the story strikes a poignant chord. Martino’s journey of self-acceptance, supported by Viviana and a community of others who live outside society’s norms, provides hope in a dark world. The inclusion of queer themes, the simplicity of the story’s progression, and even an adorable subplot involving a magical grub add layers of warmth, complexity, and relatability.

Ultimately, “Rebis” is a powerful, hopeful tale that showcases the importance of embracing one’s true self and finding a place of belonging. Marchesini’s story is a gentle reminder of the resilience that can grow from love and understanding, making “Rebis” a sweet and empowering read for those who have ever felt different or alone. It’s a story that lingers, lighting a path for anyone seeking acceptance.

This was an interesting graphic novel with lovely illustrations. It feels a bit disjointed in order to tell the story the author wanted, however, I feel they did a good job in making the characters feel like people. For people who struggle with finding acceptance, in themself as well as others, this will strike a chord casual enjoyers might not feel. In an increasingly sad world I am pleasantly surprised to enjoy a story that gives hope.

This unbiased review provided in exchange for a review copy from Netgalley.

This graphic novel was so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. If you enjoy witches or the salem witch trials I would recommend. The connect between Rebis and others will have you in love.

This definitely would have benefited from like 30 more pages. The ending felt super rushed but I still really enjoyed the story and art.

Rebis caught my eye with the cover illustration, and I quickly became invested in the characters and story. Based on the book description I was looking forward to a cast of witchy women, but I hadn’t initially expected a story with themes of gender expression and queerness. I was so pleasantly surprised by the nuance and sensitivity used to explore these topics and Rebis’s experiences. The story is at times both sad and hopeful, aided by the expressiveness of beautiful full color illustrations with atmospheric lighting and detailed backgrounds. The relationships between Rebis, the witches, and Rebis’s sisters are so sweet, in stark contrast to the abuse doled out by other children and adults in the village. I do wish that there had been more expansion on the ending of the story, as it felt a little sudden and too open-ended for my liking.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!

The art in this one is beyond gorgeous.

BEYOND.

GORGEOUS.

The moment I saw the cover I really hoped the publisher would bequeath me a copy... and they did!!! Thank you!!!! The art is just as gorgeous inside the book as it is on the cover.

Okay now that that is clear...

The narrative is very sweet and simple with some VERY dark themes woven in <spoiler>(death by burning at the stake; terrible parents; attempted suicide; etc.)</spoiler>. Rebis's journey of self-discovery is assisted by Viviana and her other new friends/found family, includes queer themes, and the grub subplot is just adorable. ADORABLE. It's a quick read and very satisfying, I was so worried there would be some terrible drama near the end and <spoiler>was pleasantly surprised it was handled so smoothly instead!!!</spoiler>

Absolutely gonna snag this for my collection once it's out in print and read it again.

This story is in turns extremely dark and very sweet. I do wish some pieces were developed further, but that's often the case with graphic novels that are trying to tell big stories with limited space. The art is gorgeous, but I do think some of the scenes that involve partial nudity may prevent this from being used in book clubs/other youth programs, especially at schools - it's pretty mild and not at all sexual in nature but given the current climate, I wouldn't be surprised by complaints from admin or parents.

Such a sweet and heartwarming read. Made me tear up a bit but the ending was worth it :) Thank you netgalley for the early copy of this graphic novel!

A sweet and beautiful story about the friendship between an outcast runaway child and the mysterious witch who lives in the woods. Martino was born an albino and seen as a curse by the village, not only being bullied and shunned but being blamed for everything that went wrong in the village. Martino finds solace in the woods where Viviana, the witch lives. Martino befriends Viviana and soon a sweet friendship grows. As Martino begins to grow and find a new family, the story shows the delicate and sweet progress of it all. It's a really charming story about found family, change, and acceptance. So beautifully drawn and charming, it's a great coming of age story and a really sweet one that deals with being an outcast and coming into yourself and embracing who you are.

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and First Second Books | First Second for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*