I could see what this story was attempting to do, but I really struggled to believe the characters and their motivations. It felt a lot like the plot depended on people not telling others what was going on, and when the lives of multiple people depend on the teenagers not doing something reckless, eh. So, yeah, I spent a lot of time going 'these people make no sense'.

I did like the artwork - I often struggle with graphic stories because poor contrast or overly dark palettes -- and I think that there was a reasonable balance between the story told in text and image. ( )

* I got this book for review from the publisher*
I think this graphic novel would make prefect fall read. This author normally writes YA contempories with a LGBTQ elements and this book was no difference. This book was a eeiry and spooky read cilled with magic and witchcraft. This book gave me really big fall vibes. I also loved the main character dealing with a long distance romanc and the magical mysyery that pushed the story forward. I think that the final book would also have stunning art and would love to see more books set in this world. It was a fun early fall read!! ( )

* I got this book for review from the publisher*
I think this graphic novel would make prefect fall read. This author normally writes YA contempories with a LGBTQ elements and this book was no difference. This book was a eeiry and spooky read cilled with magic and witchcraft. This book gave me really big fall vibes. I also loved the main character dealing with a long distance romanc and the magical mysyery that pushed the story forward. I think that the final book would also have stunning art and would love to see more books set in this world. It was a fun early fall read!! ( )

There are sooo many YA graphic novels about teenage witches nowadays it is hard to stand out, but this one does a pretty good job with it's angsty but likable and diverse cast. It does stumble in the closing stretch though as the climax has to be tied to a homecoming dance (of course) and adult intervention undercuts the empowerment the teen characters were working toward. ( )

You Still Have a Family

Author Jennifer Dugan and Illustrator Kit Seaton team up to create a vibrant graphic novel about found family, and healing from tragedy. Emily Sarah Covington (Emsy) loves her life of surfing in sunny California with her friends, and girlfriend Joss. Where she lives a normal life despite her abilities as an elemental witch. When a sudden death in her family’s coven brings her and her parents back to New York she faces family secrets, and a mysterious killer. Emsy must help her new friends Ben and Ash find answers, and come to terms with the darker powers of magic.

Kit Seaton’s artwork is beautiful in every page. Capturing the atmospheres of each location, and the feelings of each character. Emsy travels from bright sandy beaches in sunny California to a New York fall. Kit Seaton also captures the blandness of Emsy’s reluctance to enjoy her new home, and scenes of blue and gray when she is afraid of losing her family. Every image moves the story as Jennifer Dugan writes about the choices Emsy must make for the sake of her newfound family.

Emsy does not learn a lot about her coven or elemental magic of fire due to a lot of coven secrets. She is left to find out answers by herself in order to help the mourning Ben, with the help of his secret crush Ash. She struggles to come to terms with her previous normal life, and her current responsibilities to her coven. This leads to a sad breakup with her girlfriend, and a lot of growing up. What is most important is that, despite all the intrigue, Emsy stands by Ben as he mourns his family. Though their coven is small, the three of them are family. ( )