This is a beautifully illustrated book telling the story of Ellen Early known more commonly as Biddy Early born in Ireland. It tells the stories of wise woman who were often persecuted for practising as healers and using magic. It has a lot of history facts and as a beginner I found this really interesting while adding to my knowledge.

Didn’t get a chance to finish this one in time before the book expired on my tablet. I will have to get the book and read it in person and then edit the review once I’ve finished.

**Book Review: *Witchcraft: A Graphic History* by Lindsay Squire**

*Witchcraft: A Graphic History* by Lindsay Squire is a captivating and visually stunning exploration of the history, practices, and diverse traditions of witchcraft, told through the lens of a young 19th-century woman, Lindsay. This graphic novel offers readers an accessible, yet deeply insightful look into the world of magic, healing, and the women who defied societal norms to wield power in their own way.

The story follows Lindsay as she meets Biddy Early, the famous "wise woman of County Clare," who lived in Ireland from 1798 to 1874. Through their encounters, Lindsay learns the craft of healing, from using plants to create poultices and potions to understanding the social and political challenges witches faced during their time. Biddy Early’s own life was steeped in both magic and controversy. As a healer and practitioner of the "nameless art," Biddy became a central figure in her community, offering her services in exchange for alcohol, a barter system that highlighted her independence and self-reliance. Yet, her unconventional lifestyle and practices led to scrutiny from the Catholic Church and local authorities.

Squire masterfully intertwines Biddy’s life with broader themes of self-empowerment, feminism, eco-spirituality, and the stigma attached to witchcraft, all while diving into the rich lore of plant magic, faeries, and the ancient traditions of witches. The book not only focuses on Biddy’s healing powers but also sheds light on the broader cultural context, offering an exploration of the societal perceptions and biases surrounding witchcraft throughout history.

The graphic novel format elevates the storytelling experience, with beautifully rendered illustrations that bring the historical period and magical practices to life. The art is both atmospheric and vibrant, adding a layer of enchantment to the narrative. The combination of lush, detailed visuals and rich historical content makes *Witchcraft: A Graphic History* a unique and immersive experience, perfect for both newcomers to witchcraft and seasoned practitioners alike.

One of the key strengths of the book is its focus on the diversity of witches and magic. The book emphasizes that every witch uses her magic differently, which is not only a refreshing approach but also a timely one, given current discussions around self-empowerment and reclaiming one’s identity. Through Lindsay’s interactions with Biddy, the book touches on various types of witchcraft, from plant-based healing to connecting with the fae, while also acknowledging the struggles of witches who have been marginalized and persecuted.

Another noteworthy aspect is the book’s ability to blend the personal and the historical. Through Lindsay’s curious nature and Biddy’s wisdom, the reader gets a personal, relatable entry point into witchcraft. The dialogue is natural, engaging, and often filled with humor, making this an approachable read for those who may be intimidated by the subject matter.

*Witchcraft: A Graphic History* is more than just a historical account; it's a celebration of magic, resilience, and the wisdom of women who have practiced their craft throughout the ages. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a witchcraft practitioner, or someone simply curious about the spiritual world, this book offers a fascinating, well-rounded view of the subject.

An engaging and visually captivating exploration of the history of witchcraft. The graphic novel format brings the subject to life with vivid illustrations and a compelling narrative. The book does an excellent job of balancing historical facts with storytelling, making it both informative and entertaining. While some sections might feel a bit rushed, the overall presentation is impressive and keeps readers hooked. It's a great read for anyone interested in the history of witchcraft or graphic novels in general.

This was an interesting history of witchcraft in Ireland and people's fears and worries. The story was interesting but the art style, even though well drawn, was not to my own personal tastes. If you have an interest in witchcraft this would be a good read, a solid 3 stars for me.

The art drew me in. The whimsical retelling of a history I feel like I truly knew nothing about pulls you in with such heart. I enjoyed how it was so informative but also didn’t make me feel completely in the dark with the current stories that know.

This book is an incredibly powerful graphic novel, a journey through the history of women who were persecuted simply for their knowledge and independence.

Set in Ireland and dedicated to the figure of Biddy Early, the first woman accused of witchcraft to appear in historical records of the country, where ancient pagan beliefs coexist and clash with a strong Catholic faith, this work is above all a story of self-empowerment, feminism, and sisterhood. It outlines the boundaries of the prejudices that made the lives of many healers and wise women dangerously difficult.

Through captivating artwork and a compelling, emotionally intense narrative, this graphic novel brings history to life. Anyone fascinated by the theme of witchcraft—especially from a female perspective, exploring the rediscovery of ancient traditions and the stigma that led to the persecution of innocent people in the name of senseless prejudice—cannot miss this volume.

Witchcraft: A Graphic History feels like I’ve been waiting a lifetime to read! I found the both the art and the content to be gorgeous and satisfying, I just absolutely loved this book! I will be purchasing a physical copy to read and reread in years to come!

Witchcraft: A Graphic History by Lindsay Squire is an engaging and visually striking exploration of the history and evolution of witchcraft. The blend of historical insight and bold illustrations makes it both informative and enjoyable, though at times it feels more like an overview than a deep dive. Still, it’s a beautifully crafted book that serves as a great introduction to the subject.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me access to an advanced digital copy. This was a delightful read full of history and magic. A pretty informative graphic novel about a famous witch from Ireland including some knowledge of witches and their practices.

I really enjoy graphic novels and love the history of witches so I was very excited to find one focusing on the history of witchcraft in Europe. This story focuses on Biddy Early, one of the earliest witches recorded in history. I hadn't heard of Biddy Early so I was very intrigued. For me the best part of this story was everything we learn about witches and witchcraft. We learn about spells, witch trials, different types of witches, familiars, herbal usage/lore, and so much more.

I also loved the illustrations in this graphic novel! They were very pretty and easy to read/follow. Overall I really enjoyed this and would love to see more graphic novels like this one!

While I’m not typically one for a graphic novel, Witchcraft: A Graphic History by Lindsay Squire was an amazing and educational read. I didn’t know much about witchcraft, and the book hooked me with its beautiful graphics and retellings of the history of witchcraft.

I really enjoyed the book. The illustrations are truly beautiful, and I loved how it blends historical facts about witches with the modern ways these elements can appear in our lives. I also appreciated that it didn’t only focus on the well-known famous trials but included smaller cases and mentioned certain famous and known witches, most of whom I had never heard of before.

i feel in love with the story and the drawing, we got the story of a herbal witch and a young little girl who wants to be like her someday, but they live in a society were been witches its something bad, and in the middle of the story they tell us the story of salem, types of witches, and more its a nice graphic novel to read.

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This graphic novel was part fiction and part non-fiction, telling the history of witchcraft in Europe this book also had beautifully illustrated graphics.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers and the author for an advanced readers copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Leaping Hare Press for this ARC.

I LOVED this graphic novel, the story was easy to follow and the illustrations were beautiful and cohesive.
I couldn't stop flipping through not only was it a cute cosy read, but it was also informative. A beautiful way of retelling history!

I say this in the kindest possible way but, this book reads like classic propaganda. Just like Sunday-school books and anti-Nazi pamphlets, this book is hardly what I would call a 'History'
Yes, it's an account of the life of Irish witch Biddy. However, with little sense of concrete evidence, this reads like a children's story with open eyes to the existence of witchcraft, fae, and other kinds of magic at face value.
It also states that "witches are not persecuted anymore" which seems like a disingenuous statement at best when, although not hunted and murdered, anyone who practices witchcraft is often met with disdain at least in many American circles.

Interesting, but ultimately not really Historical.

A gorgeous book which I would love to own.

I enjoyed the Ebook version of this book but can't wait for a physical copy.

The illustrations were as much a part of the story as the words.

Beautiful and informative and I eill be getting my oen copy as soon as it's out!

I would like to thank the author, publisher and NG for allowing me to review this ARC with honesty.

The first thing that grabbed my attention was a history on witchcraft but in a graphic format. I struggle with nonfiction because its trying to cram so much info dumping that it I grow bored and hearing this as a different format was a great idea.

That being said, I struggled between the story and the information. I liked the idea of showcasing Biddy's life but it did become a bit abrupt during the information popping in and out. It kept knocking me out of Biddy's story. I understand you have to put the information somewhere but it became too distracting. I also struggled with Biddy's story herself. She seemed very preachy and I get it, this is supposed to about her life and some things were needed to show her life - yet, I began to realize how much this wasn't for me. I've always been fascinated with different religions but this seemed to be overwhelming. I think this just didn't hit as great for me. The artwork was beautiful though!

Rating: 3 (Rounded up)

2.5 stars, rounded up.

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel that I am not quite the audience for. Based on the title, I expected a bit broader of a scope than I found, even with Biddy's story being used as a framing device for more general history. Additionally, while graphic non-fiction is a fantastic way to present information in an accessible and appealing format, I do think anything that presents itself as telling real history should have clearly detailed sources, in one form or another. I'm sure that Biddy Earley was a remarkable person, but this portrayal of her reads like a hagiography in a way that raised my hackles.

As I said, this is a beautifully illustrated and well thought out work, and I'm sure there are people who will enjoy it much more than I did.