Graphic Novel Review - 'Witchy Vol. 2' by Ariel Slamet Ries

How surprised was I when I found out that 'Witchy' was actually getting a second volume, three years after the publication of the first?

Now I've finally got it.

I read it, and despite it being very much a "middle" story - it is basically all about Nyneve learning to make her own broomstick, and it is nearly a hundred pages shorter than volume 1, and the antagonists are barely in it and nothing much progresses - it is still a charming, magical and heartwarming piece. It is part of Nyneve's coming-of-age journey, about her becoming a better witch while she is a fugitive in her world, escaping with her life on the fringes every day. She is at her lowest so far.

'Witchy Vol. 2' embodies something like a training arc in a shōnen manga/anime. It is a lot funnier and somewhat lighter than 'Witchy Vol. 1' - nearly every character has their moments, and the previously closed off and sullen Nyneve is her new, exasperated and sarcastic self as a seasoned broom-maker's apprentice (she's afraid of flight, and her strengths as a scholar as opposed to practical magic, and how she needs to overcome this, continue here). Her expressions and dialogue are priceless, and especially during her witch training she reminds me of Avatar Korra. She is nonetheless scared and depressed as Hyalin's most wanted. In this way she's become more relatable, I think; it shows she is only human and is trying to cope with her devastating situation - her life will never be "normal" or safe again - in her own habitude.

Nyneve's mentor Kaveh is humourous and complex, her academy friends/frenemies from before - Batu and Prill - only appear in the first chapter (Batu really is too good and pure for any world), and her mother Veda remains a prisoner of the Witch Guard, but she has no way of knowing yet that she's still alive.

What a poor, traumatised teenage girl. Whether she is "special" or not, motivated or not, or is just being used and manipulated for some grand plan, I hope Nyneve works it all out, achieves what she needs to on her own terms. Making her own magic. I don't doubt she will, however, as indicated by the comic's end; highlighting what an individual she is, regardless of tradition and what other people think.

I expected nothing less from a fugitive who in fact did absolutely nothing wrong and is an innocent at the heart of it. It is she who will overthrow the corrupt, messed up magical system of her kingdom. A reluctant, clumsy, frustrated, low self-esteemed, but smart, creative, and brave heroine - one of the best kind.

Oh yeah, and the second volume is overtly, hella queer; queerer than the first one. Nyneve expressly wants to settle down with a girl someday (plus she calls Batu's sister "hot"), there are nonbinary players (courtesy of the nonbinary author, Ariel Slamet Ries), and a certain character's transgender identity isn't brought up, but that helps its portrayal as something that's no big deal; a nonissue that doesn't need to be mentioned in the current circumstances.

'Witchy Vol. 2' - small, but worth the wait. There's a swelling, meaningful weight to it, too. A character-driven, character development magical brew.

Read my review of the first volume here for more.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Not My Problem' by Ciara Smyth

'Not My Problem' is a YA novel about modern teenage lives. It is an often harrowing and devastating reflection of reality, viewed through the lens of the disgracefully disadvantaged youth of today (post-millennials?) who have been left to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities of the mistakes made by the older generations. They often have no choice - the old, the out of touch, the complicit and the lazy are not going to bother doing a whole lot immediately; they don't care much about the future survival of the earth and the human race, which will definitely affect the young. Yet the blame and hardship - the pressure to be the adults here and actively do something - is placed entirely on them. That is fucked up. Generational trauma and the evils of capitalism gone too far are linked.

'Not My Problem' - a scarily fitting title in this context if ever I saw one - is also one of the funniest books I have ever read. There are copious examples of witty dialogue, clever and original innuendo, and hijinks and antics that wouldn't be out of place in a sitcom. Some scenarios - or just plain character actions and reactions - even make me think that 'Not My Problem' could work as an anime. A high school comedy anime. That's set in Ireland.

Aideen Cleary is sixteen and hilarious. What I wouldn't do to possess even an iota of her wit! This is her coming-of-age story. A struggling and suffering underachiever, she uses her humour to hide her insecurities and problems at home, where she lives impoverished, with an alcoholic mother whom she feels she constantly has to protect and keep an eye on, to avoid social services knocking on her door. It's frightening how much I felt for her.

But Aideen finds she has a knack for fixing the problems and lives of other kids in her school, and seeing as she is a genuinely caring and sympathetic person underneath her snark, she lets this service or "business" continue, in exchange for little favours owed her, instead of money.

Aideen's own life is in desperate need of help. Numerous problems include her flunking every subject at school, and bunking off classes altogether - mainly PE, by way of excuse notes citing any disease that'd popped into her head that day. Plus her best (and "only") friend Holly is drifting away from her, and taking her for granted and being thoughtless and careless. Her dad is absent, and a rich parasite and creep who has been married to another woman since before Aideen was conceived. Then there's her aforementioned alcoholic mother, who is a liability on her poor child. But Aideen is afraid to ask for help. Both she and her mother show signs of depression, and need guidance. She keeps trying to rationalise the unfairness put upon her, almost gaslighting herself into thinking that her problems are not that bad and that she must be imagining some of them a lot of the time. But she's just a child, and no one should have to put up with that kind of herculean pressure alone.

Aideen, as well as being an Irish comedienne in the making, is a multilayered, soft, vulnerable yet determined, and deeply human protagonist. Oh, and she's gay (she's already out, and it is assuredly not one of her problems. Brilliant). I would certainly not object to fellow readers calling her a new YA heroine icon.

On the other side of the coin is Maebh Kowalska, the super smart and hardworking principal's daughter (of course she is). Despite her objectively being a good person - a passionate social activist who cares intensely about every issue under the sun and who would make a great world leader someday - she has no friends. Other kids find her annoying, haughty, condescending and bossy, including Aideen.

I agree with Maebh on almost every socioeconomic, political and feminist issue she unapologetically voices at every opportunity, and oh how she cares!; she's just not very approachable. She is kind of snobby, stern, demanding, and believes herself to be superior to everyone else. She overworks herself to an insane degree. It's hard for me not to like her and feel sorry for her, for she does want to be liked and, most importantly, listened to. But people can be terrible and stupid, as she points out. You can't blame her for being angry and stressed out. Someone has to care about the state of our planet right now!

Maebh also ends up being Aideen's most unexpected love interest ever (she's out, too, and it's not a problem, too; hell, there's no queer angst at all in 'Not My Problem', and there are other out gay and bisexual characters). However, the romance element of the book is kept at a minimum, allowed to develop gradually and realistically, in comparison to everything else going on in Aideen's chaotic, troubling life. A romantic partner is not what she needs to fix all of her problems - what a fucking refreshing message to see in a YA book aimed at teenage girls!

It is friendship, support, respect and trust that are the key themes presented in 'Not my Problem'.

And the happy third wheel of the trinity, as it were, is Kavi Thakrar. He is a tall and cute Indian-Irish boy who quite literally pops up comically out of nowhere every time something "wacky" (read: dangerous) happens in the book. He immediately inserts himself as Aideen's friend and partner in her "business" of doing schoolkids favours; he practically invented it for her. He is such a hilarious bundle of joy; you never know what he is going to say and do next. He is the most like an anime character out of the cast. Providing the comic relief, but clearly shown to be an equal to Aideen and Maebh, and to have a life of his own (plus standards and boundaries), Kavi is a cinnamon bun angel. I think we all require a friend like him.

There are other funny characters, like Ms Devlin (form tutor, PE teacher, English teacher, cussing feminist, and Aideen's "torturer" and possible saviour), and every single one is colourful, unforgettable, and human. Many of the main characters are passionate and work hard over something; the "slacker" D-student and truant Aideen is not exempt from this trait, though she may not believe that about herself, suffering as she is from an ebbing self-esteem.

I wish there could have been more POC representation, however. And why do all of the white characters seem to have blue eyes? Aideen, Maebh and (I think) Holly have blue eyes. Near the beginning, the former two's same eye colour is even mentioned in the same paragraph, with no hint of self-awareness whatsoever. This is utterly bizarre, especially in an otherwise self-aware and socially conscious book like this!

But regardless, 'Not My Problem' is an original teen comedy drama that is monumentally warm, lovable, life affirming, quirky without being annoying or forced, and surprisingly, necessarily distressing. As I was progressing and really getting into it, I had a few remembered flashes of terrible times in my own childhood and adolescence (school will always be associated with hell for me), and I am glad for it. 'Not My Problem' is real and relatable; I could see myself in these golden egg-hatched characters. I only wish I'd had nearly as much spunk, wit, drive, bravery and intelligence when I myself was a teenager!

In addition, 'Not My Problem' is never boring. It is never dull and frustrating. I was suffering from the worst reading slump ever, before reluctantly deciding to give books another chance and buy this one. I'm pleased I did. It is as good as practically everyone says it is.

Now I'll get onto Ciara Smyth's previous YA novel, 'The Falling in Love Montage'. Will lightning strike twice? I hope so! Let's find out.

Final Score: 4/5

EDIT: I've read 'The Falling in Love Montage', and what did I think? It's a good lesbian YA book, if inconsistent, frustrating and maddening in a few places. I can't condone its leniency towards every romcom ever made, even when it criticises some of them; and a lot of them are objectively terrible - and hideously sexist and heteronormative - films. I cringe just thinking about them. But the book is mostly great for a debut, and in my opinion the author's talent and promise is realised more fully in 'Not My Problem'. 

Graphic Novel Review - 'Bingo Love, Volume 1: Jackpot Edition' by Tee Franklin (Writer), Jenn St. Onge (Artist), Various

To go back to 'Bingo Love', and more of its story, its world, its characters, it feels like coming home.

Has it truly been years since I read the first 88-page paperback edition?

The 'Jackpot Edition' expands and explores further avenues - into the characters' lives, spanning decades. The extra stories at the end - with different writers and artists - are all wonderful. They are so real, so human, and so positive and full of love! Gail Simone even wrote one, to my pleasant surprise, and of course it involves superheroes! It is absolutely adorable, and also sad and bittersweet, which suits 'Bingo Love' perfectly.

A lot of questions from when 'Bingo Love' first came into the world are now answered. Now I know the name of Mari's husband! And who her (five) children are. This time round I also noticed the inclusivity of both Elle and Mari's big families. For example, one member is wheelchair bound, and another has one arm. Pay attention to subtle details like this and it makes the experience of reading 'Bingo Love' even more enjoyable and like everything is bright and hopeful in life. Mari's one-armed, multicoloured-haired granddaughter, and possibly some of her other grandbabies (and Elle's), are queer too!

I already said so much - gushed ever so - in my review of the original 'Bingo Love' comic. Read it here for more. Much, much more.

I love 'Bingo Love, Volume 1: Jackpot Edition'. There is further to add to the story; details, blanks to be filled in the lives of Hazel "Elle" Johnson and Marian "Mari" McCray, and their bond. Their true love relationship, which contains many, many tragic elements but, despite everything, it never falters in pure, passionate, everlasting love, for over sixty years.

It is a beautiful, and important, love story.

They are meant to be together, always.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Book Review - 'Prince & Knight: Tale of the Shadow King' by Daniel Haack (Writer), Stevie Lewis (Illustrator)

A sweet, wonderful and action-packed sequel to the amazing and revolutionary 'Prince & Knight'.

The illustrations are as beautiful, adorable, and full of life as ever. This time, however, there is also darkness. A cloud, a toxicity, that is more threatening and dangerous than any dragon.

But there is a little rainbow at the end of it all. A rainbow of hope. And change and acceptance.

'Prince & Knight: Tale of the Shadow King' is ultimately about depression, and self-love and acceptance, and how social norms must change, for the happiness and light of everyone. It is more, well, violent than its predecessor - there are warriors going out to battle with the Prince and the Knight, with swords, shields and armour, and there are higher stakes and heavier perils - but its heart, its pacifist and antibigotry message, are not lost; the ending is a teary, heartfelt, comforting, healing, cathartic and exultant accomplishment.

Only, are there any female warriors in the book? I can't really tell by the artwork. I think a couple of the Prince's warriors are meant to be women? Or genderfluid? I hope that gender equality and LBGTQ representation extends to this in 'Tale of the Shadow King'. But I'm not sure it does, as it isn't made clear.

However, an extra bonus is that same sex couples, other than the now-married Prince and Knight, are shown at the beginning, inspired and encouraged as they are by those fabulous two, to express themselves and their love in public. Could have shown more of them at the end, too, though.

Oh well. Still a great LGBTQ children's picture book with an important message. The poetry is as gorgeous as the art and the story, as well.

Love is love.

Another bonus is this not-so-hidden lesson: crossdressing and people wearing whatever they want is a good thing. Deeper, conscientious inclusivity like this, yes please!

Click here for my review of 'Prince & Knight'.

Final Score: 4/5

Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Mary Wears What She Wants' by Keith Negley

A cute, satirical, and simple children's picture book about the "origin" of Mary Edwards Walker.

Too simple, really, considering that it's about someone who not only got arrested multiple times just for wearing men's pants, but who would become a female doctor in the 19th century. Going above and beyond still in brilliance, she was a surgeon in the American Civil War. Even to this bloody day Mary Edwards Walker is the only woman to receive a Congressional Medal of Honor. In 1865.

AND she supported women's right to vote, of course.

How do I keep never hearing of these amazing women in history and their accomplishments? There are so, so many of them, and far, far too many of them keep getting erased; never talked about, never taught in classes, never educated on. They are lost.

This needs to change. Is feminism still a taboo subject in schools? Why? It's not merely about feminism anyway, it's just plain common sense, courtesy, and education.

Education. Remember that vital part of life; early life in particular?

But books like 'Mary Wears What She Wants' can be a good starting point. After the simple, sweet and funny little story - about equality and how clothes are clothes and it is ridiculous to gender them - it gives the reader more information about Mary Edwards Walker, the marvellous, brave and talented doctor and suffragette and activist extraordinaire who never, ever backed down from wearing "men's" clothes, no matter what.


“I’m not wearing men’s clothes, I’m wearing MY clothes.”


From clothing, to other aspects of society. Continue to challenge and change the countless ways the patriarchy controls our everyday lives. The system can and should be smashed.

'Mary Wears What She Wants' conveys the message that girls can wear whatever they want, and that times need to go on changing, progressing, for the betterment of humankind. This fact, this evolution, is inevitable. Screw societal norms.

I wish that the book made the point also that boys can wear dresses, to make it even better, and for its message to be stronger.

And was Mary's father really the only person in her life who supported her from the start? Who encouraged her to keep going, keep making her own choices (like that was easy for females in the 1840s!), after all the hostile pushback from other people got her down and she nearly gave up wearing pants? At least she had accepting schoolgirl friends at the end, who joined her in her "radicalisation" and "revolution" of girls not wearing uncomfortable dresses that prevented them from having fun and being kids.

Trousers equals freedom! (Trousers have pockets, for one)

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - 'Frindleswylde' by Natalia O'Hara (Writer), Lauren O'Hara (Illustrator)

2023 EDIT: Part of my 2023 clear-up, of books I no longer like, or am no longer interested in, or remember well as standing out, or find as special anymore, or I otherwise will not miss.

Final Score: 3.5/5





Original Review:



'Frindleswylde' is an homage to fairy tales like 'The Snow Queen', that uses familiar Hans Christian Andersen story motifs. It really is like reading a book from when I was very young, at a grandparent's house, in winter, and I could also listen to that book on tape. Yes I'm that old. I'm that old now. Wow.

It took me a while to get into 'Frindleswylde' - and it is wordy for a children's picture book, so some patience is required - but the twists came, the triumphant yet mystical and enigmatic ending satisfied me, and overall I can fully appreciate it in all its icy, snowy, flowery, fluttery beauty.

In its most basic, basic summary (wintery?): It's a young girl and her grandmother vs. a sinister and manipulative male shapeshifting ice bogeyman story. Yay for the feminist layers and subtext there! Lots of snow and ice are involved, as well as ice statues, lamplights and hazelnut shells (yes, in that order; it makes sense in context), flowers, blossoms, clouds, animals, polar bears, snowflakes, fairy tale metaphors, and cosy home and food metaphors. It is a little sad, a little scary, and slowly but surely it warms up and burns and glows towards happily ever after.

It didn't have as big an impact on me as the authors' previous picture book, 'Hortense and the Shadow'. But 'Frindleswylde' is its own fairy tale gem, with or without 'The Snow Queen' influence, which is very loose.

I mean, who remembers or cares that Disney's 'Frozen' is "based" on 'The Snow Queen'? These retellings work great on their own because they are written well, and are creative, meaningful and engaging as their own unique, snow globe entity. The structure, writing and execution of an old story can be original - with its individual spin on established things - and wonderful, when made out of passion and care.

So 'Frindleswylde' - a colourful, lovely, sad, tender, slightly sombre, if a teeny bit clunky, picture book to read in the winter.

It has storks in it, too. Storks that can carry girls and grannies through snowstorms.

Also the 'eerie song of mermaids'?



'Everything changes, then changes again.'



Final Score: 3.5/5

Non-Fiction Review - 'The Cosmic Slumber Tarot' by Tillie Walden

Another lovely, inspirational, Delphic or oracle-esque, and opal-esque (hey I just invented two O-words!) modern tarot card deck; this time by comic artist and cartoonist Tillie Walden, the creator of one of my all time favourite comics, 'On a Sunbeam'.

This deck is about dreams and the subconscious, in particular; about finding your true self, your path and your purpose in the long run, all from within yourself.

'Cosmic Slumber' is the perfect title for such a deck - such astronomical, as well as mystical and mythological, images in the art of the cards! Luminous and astral and celestial.

Fresh and beautiful.

Final Score: 4/5