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A review by ineffableverse
Coven by Da Coffee Time, Taous Merakchi
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Genre: Graphic Novel, Teen Literature/YA
Themes: Witchcraft, Friendship, Environmentalism
Diversity: LGBTQIA+, larger bodied, and BIPOC representation
CW/TW: trauma, suicide
The plot:
The story follows a group of teenagers who engage in magic to protect an Elm tree in their local park. Their ritual inadvertently summons a demon of chaos, which begins to disrupt their friendship. They realize they must overcome their differences and work together to banish this demon.
My opinion:
The illustrations have a nice retro style that captures the essence of the story with vibrant colors and intricate details. While there are panels that appear a bit rushed, I feel that overall, the quality of the artwork is decent.
The characters' distinctive voices make it easy to get a feeling for their diverse personalities. Yes, I would have appreciated a bit more insight into their varied backgrounds and personalities … But this is a graphic novel, so it's less text-centric by definition! The book is gorgeous as it is, letting the art bring together various core themes into a cohesive, immersive whole.
The blend of suspense, horror, and humor makes this an engaging read, with a charming pop culture vibe that evokes the likes of «The Craft», «Sabrina» or «Charmed.» Thus, the way the graphic novel represents witchcraft might not offer anything truly new … The combination with environmental themes and diverse representation, however, opens the story up to a 2024 YA audience.
«Coven» appeals to young readers who are interested in supernatural and witchcraft themes. The story's blend of environmental consciousness, friendship, and magic makes it suitable for a broad range of readers in this demographic.
Themes: Witchcraft, Friendship, Environmentalism
Diversity: LGBTQIA+, larger bodied, and BIPOC representation
CW/TW: trauma, suicide
The plot:
The story follows a group of teenagers who engage in magic to protect an Elm tree in their local park. Their ritual inadvertently summons a demon of chaos, which begins to disrupt their friendship. They realize they must overcome their differences and work together to banish this demon.
My opinion:
The illustrations have a nice retro style that captures the essence of the story with vibrant colors and intricate details. While there are panels that appear a bit rushed, I feel that overall, the quality of the artwork is decent.
The characters' distinctive voices make it easy to get a feeling for their diverse personalities. Yes, I would have appreciated a bit more insight into their varied backgrounds and personalities … But this is a graphic novel, so it's less text-centric by definition! The book is gorgeous as it is, letting the art bring together various core themes into a cohesive, immersive whole.
The blend of suspense, horror, and humor makes this an engaging read, with a charming pop culture vibe that evokes the likes of «The Craft», «Sabrina» or «Charmed.» Thus, the way the graphic novel represents witchcraft might not offer anything truly new … The combination with environmental themes and diverse representation, however, opens the story up to a 2024 YA audience.
«Coven» appeals to young readers who are interested in supernatural and witchcraft themes. The story's blend of environmental consciousness, friendship, and magic makes it suitable for a broad range of readers in this demographic.