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lastblossom 's review for:
Unfamiliar (Chapter 1)
by Haley Newsome
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for an advance copy!
tl;dr
Bright charming artwork strikes an ideal balance between cute and spooky. Less a single story and more a series of vignettes at this point.
About
Planchette the kitchen witch moves into a magical town so she can finally fit in, but the house she thought she got a great deal on turns out to be haunted! The only way to exorcise the ghosts is to lay their spirits to rest, but that sort of work is far beyond a kitchen witch's capabilities. Good thing there are plenty of other residents in Planchette's new town who can help.
Thoughts
If you didn't tell me this was based on a webcomic, I think I would have figured it out at some point anyway. Chapters are easily digestible with a bit of plot conceit tying them together, and make for a very pleasant read. Everything also moves incredibly fast, with characters and backstory unfurling sometimes in a single panel. The blurb made me think we'd be following Planchette's storyline exorcising ghosts, but that's only one of the things going on here. There's also an incredibly endearing plot line about a siren and a cursed girl that feeds directly into my love for the opposites attract trope. And possibly a murder mystery? There are hints of a bigger plot at work that might eventually tie everyone together, but for now it's a very light affair. Heavier topics like unsolved murder or family trauma are not dwelt on for too long, but be advised that they are definitely in here. The art is bold, with distinct character designs and broad expressions. I think maybe some emotional nuances get lost in all of it, but overall it's a very fun look. A great read for anyone looking for witchy vibes and some strong artwork.
tl;dr
Bright charming artwork strikes an ideal balance between cute and spooky. Less a single story and more a series of vignettes at this point.
About
Planchette the kitchen witch moves into a magical town so she can finally fit in, but the house she thought she got a great deal on turns out to be haunted! The only way to exorcise the ghosts is to lay their spirits to rest, but that sort of work is far beyond a kitchen witch's capabilities. Good thing there are plenty of other residents in Planchette's new town who can help.
Thoughts
If you didn't tell me this was based on a webcomic, I think I would have figured it out at some point anyway. Chapters are easily digestible with a bit of plot conceit tying them together, and make for a very pleasant read. Everything also moves incredibly fast, with characters and backstory unfurling sometimes in a single panel. The blurb made me think we'd be following Planchette's storyline exorcising ghosts, but that's only one of the things going on here. There's also an incredibly endearing plot line about a siren and a cursed girl that feeds directly into my love for the opposites attract trope. And possibly a murder mystery? There are hints of a bigger plot at work that might eventually tie everyone together, but for now it's a very light affair. Heavier topics like unsolved murder or family trauma are not dwelt on for too long, but be advised that they are definitely in here. The art is bold, with distinct character designs and broad expressions. I think maybe some emotional nuances get lost in all of it, but overall it's a very fun look. A great read for anyone looking for witchy vibes and some strong artwork.
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Murder