The witch boy - The Library of the Uncommons

Published Feb. 3, 2017 by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic.

ISBN:: 978-1-338-08951-6

(2 reviews)

From the illustrator of the web comic Strong Female Protagonist comes a debut middle-grade graphic novel about family, identity, courage -- and magic. In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.

2 editions

emfiliane reviewed The witch boy by Molly Knox Ostertag

Review of 'The witch boy' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

I wanted to love this, but the hammered moral lessons were a bit too much. Some will identify with Aster, the witch who is a man -- not transgender or homosexual, as some would automatically assume, but defying the concept of gender roles. And it's true, toxic masculinity and femininity has poisoned generations of people, but the treatment here is so one-note, so forced, that it's hard to take it serious, instead of being a Saturday morning cartoon's very special episode. Too many characters are cliches instead of people.

On the other hand, the art is absolutely beautiful. I can forgive many sins to take all of that in. The story flows in directions with real urgency and unexpected twists.

I would recommend this, despite that.

Lissy Strata

rated it

Sept. 17, 2020