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 ...

The Order of the Circle is more than just a graphic novel—it feels like a fully realized storyboard for a dark, atmospheric film. Set in a fog-choked 1952 London, the story weaves mystery, revenge, and the supernatural together seamlessly. Dorothy’s quest for vengeance against The Circle is gripping, and the high stakes keep the tension strong throughout.

The illustrations are stunning—eerily detailed and hauntingly beautiful. Every panel feels meticulously crafted, adding to the cinematic feel of the story. This isn't just a comic; it’s a well-structured, immersive experience that deserves an adaptation (Netflix, take notes!).

A fantastic dark fantasy that pulls you in and doesn’t let go!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dead Sky Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of The Order of the Circle by Levi Cory.

So this story was a tad darker than I originally anticipated.

The story focuses on pain, revenge and grief as some of the larger underlying themes. As well as that of demons, magical societies, found friends and love. Personally, I would have enjoyed the second half to 1/3 of the book to be a bit longer because I enjoyed it the most.

Overall, the art style is definitely enjoyable!

Sadly this was a DNF for me. Some pages of the file didn't load, so it was hard to follow the story - but the main issue was that there seems to have been no English oversight on the text. As a British person (who has also been to Kensal Green), it was painful to read slang used so badly, be it misspelled or just inappropriate to a situation. Also the UK uses pounds, not dollars.

An interesting idea, but it needed some editorial oversight from a native Brit.

A really interesting graphic novel - I love alternative Londons! The art is moody and magical, the characters interesting. I enjoyed getting to know Dorothy and her mission for revenge. IThe only thing is I wish the second half was longer, bringing the stakes to a head in a more satisfying way. But overall I loved it!

What a fascinating comic book! This is a 1952 London, playing off true events of history but adding in elements of magic and the paranormal.

The main character takes her fate into her own hand when her husband is taken from her and the organization that did it made her a mute for speaking out against them. This is her story of revenge.

The art is gorey and graphic at times, but it is an adult comic. Not for kids. I would rate it suitable for 18+ but I’m a lot more strict about content then most. Just know that going into it. I look forward to the next volume. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Ok I liked this one - the art was great, the story line was fast paced and gory. You’re dropping into the middle of a plot but that works well here. The magic is good and the characters pull you in.

It’s 3 stars because it is a story line meant to be in England. However, the speech isn’t at all believable. There is the use of Mum is head of Ma’am. Bollocks is spelt wrong in every instance. And the insults don’t ring true. This could have easily been corrected if literally one person from England was consulted.


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I liked it but honestly it was nothing special. In 1950 where magic is real and institutionalized, a woman punished for talking too much is moved only by the thirst for revenge that leads her to clash with the Circle, a group of witches who hold the power and who seem to have a lot to hide. In reality there is little else... unexpected friends who will support her, a love story that runs through the entire plot and a very rushed "final" fight. It is not a stand alone because the ending is open to a continuation. Stylistically the drawings are wonderful and what is very striking is the careful use of colors and shades that characterize the scenes more than the depth of the characters.

Netgalley graciously provided me with an advanced copy of this graphic novel.
This is an interesting take on alternative history which incorporates elements of magic and demonology in a London that is both set in the 1950s but still somehow also very Victorian.
The art is beautiful and the story is action-filled. Definitely looking forward to volume 2.

The Order of the Circle was an awesome read! The artwork throughout this comic is nothing short of stunning. It’s one of those situations where it perfectly marries the artwork to the story you are reading and it works together to completely immerse you in the story.

This is a fantasy horror with an interesting magic system where Dorthy works to collect the items she needs to perform a ritual. The journey along the way is dark and painful. The way to revenge is a path that’s paved in hardship.

I throughly enjoyed my time reading ‘The Order of the Circle’ and I recommend it to any horror lovers out there.

The Order of the Circle gave me big The Mummy or Sherlock Holmes vibes at first. I could see those two in the same art style. This is the first installment, but it felt like you were jumping into the middle of an already-formed story. Though I appreciated the quick pace of the graphic novel, it felt like I was only reading half the story. I would love to see Dorothy's husband's story and his version of the story. This is a beautiful entry into a gritty magical mystery.