GRAPHIC NOVELS

Hooky

Harper/Etch. Sept. 2021. 384p. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9780358468301; pap. $12.99. ISBN 9780358468295.
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Gr 4-8–Twins Dorian and Dani are the teenage heirs to the magical, prestigious Wytte family. The two are sent off to a boarding school to learn how to become proper witches and wizards, but Dorian and Dani miss the bus. And because of increasing tensions between humans and witches, the school’s location is hidden—students can’t find it on their own. Dorian and Dani will have to wait until next year to start school. Their parents are going to kill them, but what if the twins don’t go home? What if they just keep themselves busy? Soon the twins find themselves studying under a soft yet stern master; befriending Monica, the princess-turned-adventurer, and Nico, a goofball with a heart of gold; and spending a year refining their magic, all while tensions of the magical world grow around them. Originally a serialized webcomic, this tale is an absolute delight. The artwork recalls 1990s anime art styles, particularly those used in Sailor Moon and Ranma½. Engaging panel arrangement will keep readers turning pages, while dialogue bubbles colored to match their speaker keep things coherent. Character development is the main star here, particularly since there’s a whopping 31 chapters of adventure to keep the cast busy! There’s a little something for everyone, from the witty dialogue to the lush artwork to the tender characters. Dorian and Dani are both light-skinned.
VERDICT An easy purchase and even easier sell to readers, this one belongs on every comic book shelf.

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