beansprouts's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
sarah_plemmons's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jkneebone's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a lovely follow-up to The Witch Boy! In The Hidden Witch, Aster is finally allowed to take lessons on magic instead of shifting, but he is behind on witchy knowledge. His grandmother agrees to teach him in exchange for his help healing Mikasi, who is still in dragon form. At the same time, Charlie has befriended a new girl at school, Ariel. When Charlie accidentally slights Ariel, Ariel sends a shadow creature after her, identified by Aster and his grandmother as a dangerous Fetch. Aster and Charlie don't know that Ariel is the witch using dark magic, but they want to find out who it is so they can stop them before they go too far. Aster's cousin Sedge also gets some page time with a side plot about being afraid to shift after the events of book 1, and wanting to stop learning magic and go to normal school instead.
I really enjoyed The Witch Boy, and The Hidden Witch did not disappoint. Although the plot was pretty basic, it hit some strong/unexpected emotional beats. I liked the way that all Aster and Charlie continued to grow and develop, and I enjoyed learning more about characters like Sedge. Ariel makes a great addition to the group as well (I really hope I'm not misreading the budding romance between her and Charlie!). If you liked the first book, you'll like this one too, and if you haven't read the first book, you should! A great non-scary spooky/magical read with a captivating art style.
I really enjoyed The Witch Boy, and The Hidden Witch did not disappoint. Although the plot was pretty basic, it hit some strong/unexpected emotional beats. I liked the way that all Aster and Charlie continued to grow and develop, and I enjoyed learning more about characters like Sedge. Ariel makes a great addition to the group as well (I really hope I'm not misreading the budding romance between her and Charlie!). If you liked the first book, you'll like this one too, and if you haven't read the first book, you should! A great non-scary spooky/magical read with a captivating art style.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Death
thereadingchallengechallenge's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Another fantastic graphic novel! I can't wait to see how the story ends in book 3!
ladyj95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was great again. I loved the introduction of a new character and also developing moment from the previous volume. Can’t wait to read the next in the trilogy.
slavic_bookworm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
hstapp's review
3.0
Another lovely book by Molly Knox Ostertag. This one focuses on the themes of bullying, adoption, mental health issues, found family, and might touch on being asexual/aromantic as well.
Charlie is great! Her willingness to help and to love even in the face of adversity is great.
Ariel's character is very believable and also quite sad. I'm glad that by the end of this book, she is coming around.
Charlie is great! Her willingness to help and to love even in the face of adversity is great.
Ariel's character is very believable and also quite sad. I'm glad that by the end of this book, she is coming around.
aimeeboo's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
chloe_p2002's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5