The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
droar's review against another edition
4.0
3 stars for me, but I'm not the target audience. Cute but not my favorite. It's interesting that Chmakova has managed to blend her Awkward series & Nighschool series so exactly but for me it only highlighted the most meh aspects of both. Like the excitement & suspense of the magic plot was held back by needing to get in that drama & crushing with the school aspect. I'll certainly keep reading the series & it will likely grow on me, but for a book one I was left wanting more than I was amused ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. I do think this will circ well with younger fans of 'magic school' series.
saramarie08's review against another edition
5.0
Ailis and her cousin Na’ya are Weirns, a particular type of witch who has an Astral paired with them at birth. The girls attend school at night to learn all sorts of magical abilities, and can compete in Astral races with their partners. The girls often take a shortcut through the Silent Woods and past a house their grandmother has forbade them to go near. Of course, something bad happens with the scary house. This fun adventure comes complete with bullies and crushes, annoying little brothers, and lots of magic!
This book is very cute and the girls are a great team. I love the idea of an astral as a protector and sort of another arm of the character, complete with its own personality. Some of them are noble and keep their Weirns safe, others are troublemakers, and others are shy. Chmakova’s illustrations are cartoony but beautifully colored, conveying the magic of the world. The characters are all animated and have great facial expressions when they are shocked or acting sneaky. Even the astrals get some facial features!
This title is part of Yen Press' JY Imprint, a line of middle grade graphic novels. JY's age rating wasn't available, but this fun title is definitely something middle grade audiences would enjoy. There is no cussing, no drug use, and only a bit of scariness at the very end to of which warn some of the more timid readers.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 4-10
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale TODAY! June 16, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
This book is very cute and the girls are a great team. I love the idea of an astral as a protector and sort of another arm of the character, complete with its own personality. Some of them are noble and keep their Weirns safe, others are troublemakers, and others are shy. Chmakova’s illustrations are cartoony but beautifully colored, conveying the magic of the world. The characters are all animated and have great facial expressions when they are shocked or acting sneaky. Even the astrals get some facial features!
This title is part of Yen Press' JY Imprint, a line of middle grade graphic novels. JY's age rating wasn't available, but this fun title is definitely something middle grade audiences would enjoy. There is no cussing, no drug use, and only a bit of scariness at the very end to of which warn some of the more timid readers.
Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 4-10
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale TODAY! June 16, 2020.
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
christelesavage's review against another edition
4.0
Une belle découverte. Un univers que j'ai bien aimé découvrir avec un peu de mystère.
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Child death, and Death
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just LOVE Svetlana’s work and when I saw this book on Netgalley I had to request it. A big thank you for the publisher for granting my request! is so hyped
Meet Allis a sweet girl with chaotic hair. She is a weirn. A witch with an astral (for life). Her town is full of people like her and other beings. There is even a special school for her and those like her. She goes to school during the evenings (and I loved how the building just POOF changed from normal to freaking fancy awesome and can I please please go there). We see her try to juggle with school, being a weirn, but there is something spooky going on as well.
I loved Allis family. Her grandmother was awesome, albeit a bit grumpy at times (and did she really lick the food o.o). I loved the cousins, especially Na’ya. Though girl, please watch out with those spells.
I just LOVE Svetlana’s work and when I saw this book on Netgalley I had to request it. A big thank you for the publisher for granting my request! is so hyped
Meet Allis a sweet girl with chaotic hair. She is a weirn. A witch with an astral (for life). Her town is full of people like her and other beings. There is even a special school for her and those like her. She goes to school during the evenings (and I loved how the building just POOF changed from normal to freaking fancy awesome and can I please please go there). We see her try to juggle with school, being a weirn, but there is something spooky going on as well.
I loved Allis family. Her grandmother was awesome, albeit a bit grumpy at times (and did she really lick the food o.o). I loved the cousins, especially Na’ya. Though girl, please watch out with those spells.
sc104906's review against another edition
5.0
I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
https://youtu.be/iuuGFavX8Do
Ailis is a young weirn, or a magical being with a supernatural familiar that assists with magic. Like any typical student, she has to go to school, but her takes place in a super awesome building that appears at night. Ailis walks with her cousins to school everyday. They are also late, everyday, so they must take a short cut through the haunted/dangerous Silent Woods. The urban legend surrounding the abandoned building keeps them from staying too long in the woods. When they encounter a strange being in the woods and a classmate starts acting strangely, Ailis and her cousins are going to need to get to the bottom of this mystery.
We had laugh-out-loud fun with this novel and can't wait for more. Chmkova creates great characters who you just want to become best friends with. These novels will appeal more to readers of the fantasy/Amulet fans, but creates a great bridge from the realistic fiction world into fantasy. The art is amazing, it is a perfect pairing of English and Japanese graphic novel style. Sarah still can't get over the cute little emoji faces in the text boxes. We can't wait to get this book on display and encourage our readers to check it out. For a more detailed review, please check out of video review on Youtube.
https://youtu.be/iuuGFavX8Do
Ailis is a young weirn, or a magical being with a supernatural familiar that assists with magic. Like any typical student, she has to go to school, but her takes place in a super awesome building that appears at night. Ailis walks with her cousins to school everyday. They are also late, everyday, so they must take a short cut through the haunted/dangerous Silent Woods. The urban legend surrounding the abandoned building keeps them from staying too long in the woods. When they encounter a strange being in the woods and a classmate starts acting strangely, Ailis and her cousins are going to need to get to the bottom of this mystery.
We had laugh-out-loud fun with this novel and can't wait for more. Chmkova creates great characters who you just want to become best friends with. These novels will appeal more to readers of the fantasy/Amulet fans, but creates a great bridge from the realistic fiction world into fantasy. The art is amazing, it is a perfect pairing of English and Japanese graphic novel style. Sarah still can't get over the cute little emoji faces in the text boxes. We can't wait to get this book on display and encourage our readers to check it out. For a more detailed review, please check out of video review on Youtube.
emeraldreverie's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! A good romp, fun characters, great art and colors. The only thing I could ask for is more queer!
jkenna90's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for a free review copy of this book!
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one but it was so good!! I loved all the magical aspects of it as well as the spooky story of the Headmistress. The two main characters, Ailis (Leesh) and Na'Ya and so cute together and I love their friendship throughout the book. I also really loved the town that they live in - it gave me really strong Halloween Town vibes from back in the day on Disney Channel. I would highly, highly recommend this to anyone but especially kids that are interested in books that have magic in them. I absolutely LOVED this book!!
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one but it was so good!! I loved all the magical aspects of it as well as the spooky story of the Headmistress. The two main characters, Ailis (Leesh) and Na'Ya and so cute together and I love their friendship throughout the book. I also really loved the town that they live in - it gave me really strong Halloween Town vibes from back in the day on Disney Channel. I would highly, highly recommend this to anyone but especially kids that are interested in books that have magic in them. I absolutely LOVED this book!!
tobyyy's review against another edition
5.0
The artwork and colorwork in this little graphic novel was PHENOMENAL and I’m always down for stories about little paranormal kids and their schools and their adventures! I love how some things never change — classes and bullies and learning and friendships and growth and being brave.
Will definitely look for book 2!
Will definitely look for book 2!