Member Reviews
Honestly, don't bother with this book. It was missing so much. It had the potential but it failed don't read it.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
.5 out of 5 stars
A YA graphic novel about a witch? How could I resist?! A couple of notes about the galley: it was unfortunately not in color like the printed book will be (and based on the cover and sample page, I expect it to be quite vibrant!). I also had some trouble reading this one because the quality was a bit low; there were some parts where I just could not make out the words due to too much pixelation. Alas! The story was fun, though, and a very relatable one for me. I appreciated the exploration of how lonely and troublesome it can be as a teen when you don't fit in to various social groups. I related to Faye and her self-reliant approach very much, although I wish I had had a witchy mentor when I was younger! I thought this was a nice story with some empowering messages in the end, and I enjoyed the cute art style. I'd definitely pick up a physical copy to add to my witchy graphic novels shelf.
**Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. **
Witch for Hire was an exciting ARC for me as I love Ted Naifeh's previous graphics and his fun, slightly sarcastic, storytelling. This however was a little confusing. I didn't feel that the storyline flowed quite well, not that I found the graphic bad but it lacked a bit of content. If this will turn into a series like Courtney Crumrin, then I can overlook the slight holes in story.
Naifeh introduces the reader to a grumpy loner who ends up making friends despite her best efforts. The group must solve a case of supernatural cyber bullying. Overall I enjoyed the story, but I do hope this turns into a series so we can get to know the characters more.
Okay… Listen! I’m a fan of the author’s art style, but the story just felt incomplete. We get a typical beginning, middle(ish) and end, but it’s everything that builds those that feels like there is something lacking.
Honestly, this could have been longer. It felt short for no reason. There is a lot of the book that is shown and not explained. We get no story about all of these side characters. They go from eating lunch together, to being haunted by a cyber-bullying spirit.
Are you confused by my review? Now you understand how I feel.
This was a cute little book that will appeal to younger readers. I sort of wished for more world building and more character development, but I tried to keep in mind that this was meant for a younger crowd. The art was cute, and I really liked the underlying message about bullying.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc I received in exchange for an honest review.
I don't think this graphic novel was long enough to be a fully fleshed out story. There could've easily been 100-150 more pages added to this novel.
The main character, Faye, was unlikable and mean. Every side character was naïve or undeserving of sympathy. Witch for Hire is, unfortunately, not developed enough for me to even write a full review.
The illustrations were interesting, but a little confusing at some points. The font/coloring on my iPad made it nearly impossible for me to read any small text in the novel.
Overall, I just didn't like this book.
I could not finish this. The story line started out mean and trivial and it didn't keep my interest.
Everyone thinks the Loser's Table is where you crash socially, but it's actually where others catch you. Faye Faulkner welcomes high school freshman Cody to the table when Cody's sadistic older sister leaves her nowhere else to go. Soon, Cody is experiencing some supernatural phenomenon that Faye may be able to stop. That pointy hat Faye wears isn't just for show.
As a big fan of Ted Naifeh, this was an easy pick for me. His art is gorgeous and portrays his character's depth of emotion so well. As with Courtney Crumrin, Naifeh's protagonist is an outsider with immense magical abilities. The story also deals with cyberbullying with a magic twist. It turns out evil spirits live on Instagram as well.
This was a fun read, and I can't wait to recommend it to teens and tweens!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Witch for Hire in exchange for an honest review.
While I really like the idea of which for hire and quite enjoyed the art style, I think this needed to be a tad longer to give the resolution a heavier weight. We get dialogue about characters becoming best friends but don't get many scenes of them being amiable which kind of dilutes the sentiment. We get a few frames of the impact the characters have at their school but no scenes that really show how that transition begins to happen. The villain here was so unique and I'd definitely want to read more of Ted Naifeh's ideas though.
This one was okay. I like the concept of a witch for hire, and I’d be interested in seeing her future. I didn’t like the friend in it though, and I found it hard to root for her even with how awful her sister was.
Also, the NetGalley version had a font that was challenging to read on my iPad. I bet the colors and finished art looks fantastic though.
Faye Faulkner has no interest in making friends or moving on from the loser table. It's easier that way. No one to lose. But when a social media account promising #selfacutalization begins tormenting students, Faye suspects there's something supernatural going on. And as a trained witch trying to live up to her late mentor, she feels duty-bound to help. But defeating a digital demon is no simple thing.
I loved prickly loner Faye and her band of losers that become her friends despite all her best efforts. And Naifeh's illustration style and signature spooky storytelling is on impeccable display here.
TW for characters making fun / light of mental illness, cyber bullying, and attempted suicide.
I did enjoy the art style very much. I wish the story was longer to flesh out the plot more and to provide more to the resolution. Although this is categorized as YA I would consider putting a trigger warning to make readers aware that there mentions about sucide and outings
Just the right amount of spooky, Witch for Hire is a great graphic novel for young readers who might be looking for something a little edgier. The monkey's paw wish with intriguing worldbuilding makes magic feel just a little bit dangerous in this story. Kids won't be able to resist it. Don't let this one fly under the radar!
I enjoyed this book, and i understand therein about bullies and about standing up for yourself but I just think it came across too harshly. There was something very dark about this and not in the way it needed to be to discuss tough topics. Also that a spirit was involved when bullies are very real human beings, just didn’t click for me.
Devil-may-care witch solves a dangerous mystery.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The art style was cute and I really liked the main character. Don’t read on if you don’t want to know some minor TW spoilers.
Tw: suicide, outing
While I would definitely read more in this series, I couldn’t help but wonder who the age group was. It definitely seemed like it could be YA, but the previously mentioned serious subjects seemed very intense. I think having a bit more length would have helped round out some of the mystery elements as well as have the characters explore some of the darker themes. I felt like dark parts also overrode the mystery elements a bit. Overall, this was an interesting read.
The main villain of this book is an exact replica of the internet meme "Momo/Momo Challenge down to a T.
Which is considered harmful to young and impressionable youths, originally in connection with a Whatsapp profile. Asking, daring, challenging and overall pressuring people into doing harm to themselves or others to anyone that comes in contact with "it". Just like this story!
Which follows a "curse creature" doing.. for what reason? It's never exactly explained what the children get sucked into following these harmful challenges.
I strongly disliked the idea of this trend continuing to live on and effect more lives.
Along with mocking characters' metal health or seeking help as a weakness in someone.
This story was poorly written, inappropriately presented, and just left me asking "why was this made"?
Also, what high school only refers to people as "dearie"? This entire concept, from the writing, characters, plots twists, and ending left an sour taste in my mouth.
**ABRAMS Kids and Netgally provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
A great addition to the genre of fantasy stories where the bad energy of bullying manifests into a curse. Especially recommended for anyone who misses Courtney Crumrin, but good for a new audience looking for a contemporary take on bullying with a gothic, magical twist.
Witch for Hire is an entertaining and visually appealing reading experience for young adults and older readers. A well-drawn book that weaves in supernatural story elements nicely.
This is a fun little title. It has all the standards of a good Ted Naifeh tale: mystery, magic, spookiness. I'd definitely be interested in reading the next book if there's a sequel.
Faye Faulker is a witch and when a new girl joins Faye’s lunch table a series of events is set in motion. Cody is a lonely girl and decides to join the Loser Table and befriend the kids at that table. She soon discovers that Faye’s witch outfits isn’t just a costume and that Faye is actually a witch. High school drama and a malevolent monster on the loose, soon Faye finds her hands full trying to navigate high school. Definitely an interesting story about a witch and what a hell high school can be like.
*Thanks Netgalley and Amulet Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*