While a little dark for my tastes, this is consistently compelling, with luscious visual treatment by Mkheidze and De La Cruz. It evokes a realistic, European style rather than an overly-stylized approach that the supernatural subject matter might imply. I appreciated being thrown right in and would definitely read more stories in this world.

3.5 Stars (I received an e-arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

I did have a couple of pages where I could only see the speech bubbles but I was still able to get the gist of the scenes. I am not the biggest fan of more horror related fantasy but this was an interesting story. Honestly there is a sneaking suspicion in my mind, that the ghost character is hiding something big from the main character. I feel like a good amount of the main plot was resolved but then the ending introduced a new plot point. I am curious to see where the story goes and if the story ends or if there will be multiple volumes.

Thank to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the ARC of this.

First, the artwork was really well done. Second, I’m a little curious to see where this goes, but I don’t know if I care enough to keep track of when it comes out.

The story wasn’t bad, but the going back and forth in time could have been done a bit better. It got confusing at times. It also just wasn’t that exciting. The idea was interesting, the things happening were intriguing and yet, it just wasn’t executed in a way that made the story itself interesting. Even the big climax, which could have and should have been exciting, was too simple and boring.
Overall, it’s really the artwork that makes this even somewhat interesting

How far would you go to avenge the ones you love?

I recieved a copy of The Order of the Circle from NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, I have to rate this book lower than I normally would because my digital ARC copy was missing full spread images - about 6 pages total - at key moments of the narrative which made it slightly hard to follow but mostly just a bit of a let down.

Story-wise, I think that the concept is okay. Gritty for gritty sake, without much real development of our FMC as a person outside of "I love my dead husband so much." Don't get me wrong, I think there's a lot of room for FMCs who go full anger/revenge - I'm a sucker for good for her stories. But this? It left me wanting.

I don't see what help placing the story in 1950s London did for it, considering how little it actually played into the narrative. Alternate timelines are interesting to play with but I don't feel like this added enough to the story. This could have been any fictional place with fully made up people and locations and it wouldn't have changed a thing about the story at all.

On a less harsh note, the art was well done. I might not be seeking out this artist as a favorite but she did a good job with her work.

The cover of this graphic novel is so beautiful, it pulled me in right away. The plot and characters were engaging and compelling, but I wish we had a bit more worldbuilding, especially since this is the first volume.

It's fun, well-paced and well-written. Longer review to come soon, when I have more time to sit and write it.

I want to know what happens in the next book out of pure curiosity, but I’m hoping the next one is better than this one. It’s not terrible, but it’s no masterpiece either. It’s right in the middle. 3 stars.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I really liked the world building in this graphic novel. The strange order, the demon summoning and spell craft is all interesting and mysterious at the same time. Overall very good. Waiting for the next installment.

Thank you so much Netgalley

The art is absolutely stunning. I love all the gory aspects of the story. I think it beautifully represents the content of the story. While the story is very intriguing and has a good premise, I am not sure if I am following entirely.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the opportunity to read/revel in The Order of the Circle by Levi Cory.

In an alternative 1950s-London steeped in magical realism, Dorothy Schafer plots her revenge against the Circle, a magic-wielding cabal, for their frame-up and damnation of her husband to hell. Dorothy hopes to assemble the objects necessary to construct a cursed weapon strong enough to take down the demon responsible. The preparation gets messy.

The Order of the Circle is a gore-soaked melodrama dotted with historical characters and events. Elisabeth Mkheidze’s art is atmospheric, and the comic relies on color to convey the heavy contamination of a smog- and magic- suffocated city. Mkheidze’s characterizations are striking, and Dorothy personifies the fight and fragility of her internal conflict of rage, grief, and love.

The team behind The Order of the Circle has done some solid world-building. I recommend this book to adult readers who enjoyed Alan Moore’s A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. I eagerly await the next installment.

This is ok...love the graphics and some of the goriness ... I'm not sure if it is just my copy but I find some of the fonts hard to read due to the colour and background. Also the sentences and phrases are not complete so it is kinda hard to make sense.

“The Order of the Circle” is a graphic novel written by Levi Cory, illustrated by Eva de la Cruz and Elisabeth Mkheidze.
It’s about magic and power, anger and revenge, and also love, specifically lost love, for which our main character, Dorothy Schafer, is prepared to do impossible and terrible things.
When we first see Dorothy, her mouth is sealed shut by a magic spell casted by the Circle, a group of witches which has been protecting London since the Middle Ages, because she accused them of falsely charging her husband John with murder for which he was dragged to hell by a demon they summoned. So she decided to avenge her husband and their lost future, by crafting a special blade, said to be able to kill a demon.
But the road of revenge is hard and the price gets higher with every task she completes to craft the blade, but as she pointed out, she “had nothing left in the world”, nothing to lose.
As the story unfolds, it turns out that the Circle are not the benevolent protectors they portrayed themselves to be, and also that John was not as innocent either.
What drew me to this graphic novel was, firstly, the cover, so peculiar and kinda creepy but also beautiful, then I read the synopsis, and I was all in.
The style is very realistic, makes it feel like you’re watching a movie; there is a bit of gore which may not be everyone’s cup of tea but for me it was very well executed.
The story begins in medias res, then information is given to fill the gaps and get the whole picture.
I think this is an engaging first act as quite a few things happen and a few characters get introduced but the focus is on Dorothy, her pain and determination but also her moments of doubt, as even for someone as determined as her, it’s not easy to do things you never thought you would or could do.
I can’t wait for the next volume because if the last few pages are any indication, it’s gonna be a wild ride.
I highly recommend to people who like supernatural stories, horror elements and a good revenge plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing to allow me to read this graphic novel in exchange of an honest review.

Beautiful story about magic, love and revenge.
The art was stunning and I really loved the world building. I’m hoping this is the first of a series because I’d love to see Dorothy’s next steps.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

"The Order of the Circle" had not only an interesting premise but also hooked me with an amazing cover.

The story of revenge is an old one but I always love to see it in different settings. The society in this comic is interesting and dark - something I always like. Dorothy is a determined character that struggles with her revenge on multiple occasions and that made this first installment very enjoyable.

I like the shading and build up of the individual panels and how they support the story. With John's banishment to hell and Dorothy's curse of silence interesting story decisions were made possible and I liked how Dorothy needed the help of others that could also support her a little bit.

The fight against the demon was a little short but impressive and I would read the second installment!

The Order of the Circle by Levi Cory is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that delivers a captivating blend of adventure, mystery, and intricate world-building. The storyline revolves around a secret society, who took the voice of Dorothy. Dorothy also has a connection with her late husband. Cory’s dynamic illustrations perfectly complement the fast-paced plot, bringing depth and tension to every scene. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motivations, adding complexity to the unfolding drama. It’s clear that Cory has crafted a universe with much more to explore, and I’m excited to see where he takes it next. If you enjoy thought-provoking plots and striking visuals, this is definitely worth picking up!

London. The winter of 1952. A mysterious and deadly Smog has enveloped the city leaving it in a panic. Crime is up, hospitals are overrun, businesses are closed and all travel is shut down. To get vengeance for her husband, Dorothy undertakes a quest to craft a blade for battle against The Circle– an agency of mages and witches sworn to protect London from crime and disease since the Middle Ages...and Hell itself.

Some have called this graphic novel grotesque or gory and I will not argue. The difference is I do not say it as a negative. A story, even an alternative history story, that involves demons, magic,and murder should be grotesque.
Using the very real and deadly Lo don Smog of 1952 as a back drop just made the story more believable and scary.
The art also is stunning, bring such realism and detail to the novel. It gave the novel the feeling of a fully realized cinematic experience.
Looking forward to the next issue and Dorothy's trip to hell.

Highly recommended. Published 2/18/2025

Thanks to @Netgalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

quite an interesting -and a bit gory- story about a woman wanting to get revenge for her husband - Dorothy is truly a strong yet sensitive character, and her reactions make her quite relatable. I especially liked to see her interactions with John - her devotion to him knows no limits and she would do everything to get her husband back. The buildup was good tho I would say that the other characters seem a bit pale in comparison to Do and John - except the rat. The rat was perfect.

This is a rad book. I really dug the narrative along with the alternate metaphysical-endowed historical era really punched in with some great artwork. Feels like there’s a lot of depth here to be explored in further volumes and/or other mediums. I’m here for it. This might be my favorite Dead Sky graphic novel yet.

Thank you for the opportunity.

When a deadly Smog enter 1952 London, Dorothy Schafer decides its ther perfect time to get revenge against the Circle of witches and mages sworn to protect London since the middle ages
The Circle had wrongfully charged Dorothy's husband John with murder, his punishment: being dragged to hell by a demon and Dorothy's punishment is having her mouth sewn shut
Dorothy begins a quest to craft a blade to kill the demon and free herself from the curse

This was a pleasant read, although the story was a bit grotesque. You are drawn into Dorothy's despair at having lost her husband in such a terrible way and completely understand why she wants revenge. The magical elements are few, but when they do appear, they are an important part of the story. The illustrations in dark, saturated tones also contribute to the feeling of mystery.

Found myself really liking this book and hoping for a sequel ...