Witches of Brooklyn (edição: 2020)

This was a nostalgic read for me as I hail from the same neighborhood mentioned in the story. As a child, I also lived with my aunts and this story brought back the memories that I had of them as mystical, other-worldly beings as they were so educated, well-traveled, and subscribed to spiritualism. The artwork was gorgeous, and the details in the grids were stunning. Each character had a distinctive voice, and the story pace was just right. I liked that this debut series gave just enough of a background of the main character, which allows readers to really enjoy her journey and learn more about her aunts while she is in training to be a witch. Highly recommended for children and adults alike. This graphic novel didn't feel like a middle-grade read and is a great introduction to graphic novels for curious people. ( )

Suddenly a young girl comes into a new home, and at first she doesn’t seem to be wanted. But with her mother dead and no knowledge of a father what is she to do?

Effie is just 11-years-old when mother dies. Sheis taken to live with her elderly, snarky, fashion-forward aunt, Selimene, and her partner, Carlota, in Brooklyn. These ladies are on the very weird side. One day Effie’s music idol, Tily Shoo, arrives at their door with might be an incurable curse, Effie thought her aunts were simply herbalists and acupuncturists. She quickly learns yet are secretly witches! Could Effie have inherited the witch gene? Magic or no magic, Effie learns there’s power in finding one’s true self and that the path to happiness comes from serving others.

I enjoyed how the relationships between Effie and her aunts grew into family. Now I wonder who will show up at the witches’ door seeking some sort of remedy next. ( )

Very cute middle-grade graphic novel about being true to yourself and magical shenanigans. I enjoyed the illustrations. ( )

I really enjoyed the illustrations here, the faces in particular are so expressive (often humorously so).

As an adult reader I probably would have preferred to learn more about the aunt and Carlota’s history with each other and with magic, as well as learn more about Effie’s mom rather than spend quite as much time on the pop star subplot. However, this is the start of series so I certainly understand gradually dispersing information about the characters over several books instead of all at once, plus I have no doubt that when I actually was the intended age for this story, two girls meeting a favorite singer would have absolutely been up my alley. And it does touch on the timely subject of how do you handle it when someone you admire says or does something you disagree with, can you and/or should you separate an artist from their art?

I do, especially in Autumn, like a story with a lighthearted take on witches and magic, nothing too dark and this delivered on that, though even more than that I loved Effie and her Aunt, the bond they develop, and how both have plenty of attitude, if they take issue with something they’re going to say something. ( )

I liked the start of what I am assuming will be a series. An orphaned girl is taken to a house with older ladies. They are her grant aunts. They are herbalists and acupuncturists. But they are also witches. And our girl finds her powers awakening and wrecking a little havoc. I really enjoyed this read and can see boys, girls, young and old alike finding enjoyment in the tale. ( )