Name: ayani's review of Witchy Vol. 2 by Ariel Slamet Ries
Item: Witchy Vol. 2
Rating: 4
Author: ayani

Ariel Slamet Ries

The eagerly awaited second collected volume of Ariel Slamet Ries' hit online comic Witchy. In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Low on magic and on the run after committing the ultimate heresy of cutting one's hair, Nyneve and her raven companion, Banana, head into an ancient forest in search of safe transport. However, when Nynever butts heads with the gruff and overbearing broom-maker Kaveh, she starts to wonder if she wouldn't be better off in the hands of the Witch Guard.

Witchy Vol. 2

ayani

2015 Ignatz for Outstanding Online Comic Nominee 2016 DINKy for Outstanding Web Comic Nominee Danish “Pingprisen” for Best Online Series in 2017 and 2018 Nominee In the witch kingdom Hyalin, the strength of your magic is determined by the length of your hair. Those that are strong enough are conscripted by the Witch Guard, who enforce the law in peacetime and protect the land during war. However, those with hair judged too long are pronounced enemies of the kingdom, and annihilated. This is called a witch burning. Witchy is a young adult graphic novel about the young witch Nyneve, who is haunted by the death of her father and the threat the Witch Guard poses to her own life. When conscription rolls around, Nyneve has a choice to make; join the institution complicit in her father’s death, or stand up for her ideals?

Witchy

In a world where people's magic is based off the length of their hair, one cutting theirs off is both an act of defiance and crime. 

It's a pretty fast paced graphic novel that feels a bit rushed, as though it maybe should be split into a few GNs. The characters are likable but a bit shallow, just due to the speed with which the plot plays out. 

Krys C

In a world where people's magic is based off the length of their hair, one cutting theirs off is both an act of defiance and crime. 

It's a pretty fast paced graphic novel that feels a bit rushed, as though it maybe should be split into a few GNs. The characters are likable but a bit shallow, just due to the speed with which the plot plays out. 

Beatriz Aguiar

4.5

lovely art style 
cute 
great characters 
funny 
interesting story

Grace O'Callaghan

I received an ARC copy from Lion Forge via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

CW: Death of a parent (in the past), bullying

Witchy takes place in a kingdom where your hair length determines how powerful your magic is. The longer your hair, the more powerful you are. But if your hair is perceived as too long, you’re considered an enemy of the kingdom and are burned for it. We follow Nyneve as she deals with being forced into a path she doesn’t want and resenting the kingdom for killing her father because of the length of his hair.

For whatever reason, the art was really not my thing. I think it might have been the colours chosen as well as I found the lines to look a bit sloppy. 

I think the premise is a pretty cool one and I did enjoy what we learned about the world. However I found I didn’t really understand much about the world, and made it a bit confusing as to why certain things were happening.

The characters did have clear motivations which I enjoyed, but I don’t think any of them will leave a lasting impression on me.

I really appreciated how diverse this graphic novel was. There are multiple people of colour as well as a trans girl.

There were quite a few humourous moments that definitely lightened the tone. 

Whilst reading I did enjoy the plot, but this volume only just scratched the surface of it and it wasn’t enough for me to feel like continuing.

Overall, this did nothing new for me but was a quick and fun read for the most part.

Sam Pulliam

Heather Heaton

Here is my booktube video review:
https://youtu.be/YC_LmT-dByo

I am still a little new to the graphic novel world so I don't have much to compare to while I write this review, but we all have to start somewhere. I enjoyed this book and the main character Nyneve who is unique and strong, but doesn't realize it and is still trying to come into her own. She struggles with the death of her father who was executed for having too long of hair (the longer your hair the stronger your magic). I adore her mother who is fierce and strong and she is so supportive of Nyneve. Their relationship is so wonderful and I could feel their connection. I am curious as to whether this is going to be a series. The end makes you feel that way, but I'm not seeing much info on that. Overall it was a solid read and I'd like to see what happens to the characters.

laura

I really loved the magic system in this read. I also really enjoyed the art style and found this to be such a fast pace story. I also really enjoyed how this book packed quite a punch in regards to diversity.i liked how this book tackled so many different fantsay like elements like a magic school and alas a magic quest element. I think that the some the end was tad rushed but found it to be fun read and would def read more in this series in the future.

Jurassic Jones

Kelsey Holtaway

Beautiful, amazing world building, exciting plot

Witchy follows the story of Nyneve, a witch who is hiding some truth of herself in an attempt to keep herself and her family safe.

This books takes place in a fantasy world where a witch's magical ability is judged by the length of their hair. However, if a witch's hair is too long they are viewed as a threat to the kingdom and therefore burned. This is what happened to Nyneve's father. We meet Nyneve as she is about to take place in trials for conscription. But, of course, things don't always run smoothly for witches with secrets. 

I wish the world-building had been stronger. I don't think I have come across this concept in a graphic novel - witches, conscription, a possibly corrupt army, the chance for resilience and revolution. The concept is fascinating and exciting to me and yet Ries didn't make use of this world-building potential enough. 

In addition, the ending was very abrupt. As I understand, this is an ongoing series adapted from a web-comic. So sure, there is more to come. But there was no conclusion or nice rounding out at the end of the story. Please note, this could also be due to my ARC copy as well. I would love to know if the finished publication provides a more rounded out ending. 

And I really loved the art style - it was whimsical yet could portray a dark and serious setting. It really tied in well with the story and the plot's tone. 

Overall, I enjoyed Witchy but was left a little wanting in the end. 


Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Heather Killeen

This was so cute and moving! I loved the story, the relationships, and the way magic works in their world. I can't wait to read more!

 Bruna Acioly Leão

I really liked the art and the world this story is set in is very interesting and sweeping. I got some major Arabian Vibes from the story. This is not a typical witchy story, because the witches in this case are everyone who lives in this world, only some are more powerful than the others, and their power lies in their hair, thus is forbidden both to cut and to have hair too long. Nyneve's father was burned for having too much hair and magic, and ever since that happened she has hidden within herself and stopped practicing magic so much, but preferred to study its theory. But in this world, kids are drafted to join the army when they become of age based on their skill with magic and Nyneve will do anything not to help those who killed her father.

Part magical discovery, part magical games and part dystopia resistance storyline, this is a fun, easy to read and lovely story.

I really like the development that Nyneve's character is moving towards and I really hope there will be more books after this one, because it has potential to develop into a great series!

ayani &
Witchy Vol. 2 by Ariel Slamet Ries

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Witchy Vol. 2 by Ariel Slamet Ries