A good book but not my favorite from Jemisin. I guessed one of the big reveals almost as soon as that plot thread started. I thought this was a very cool world with some dynamic characters, but for a world where magic and religion are so central, I felt disconnected from both. We don't really get to see the uses for the dream humors, mostly the harvesting of them. I wanted to understand the dream world better. The lore was cool and well-written. Basically the ingredients I loved in Jemisin's other novels are here but not combined and used as well imo.

Tutuola's stories are solid. I was disappointed in the forewords. The one for My Life in the Bush of Ghosts felt especially superficial. I wanted more context for Tutuola's work (his thoughts on it, his contemporaries' thoughts on it, his impact, etc.).

Full review here: https://youtu.be/EgCEJFA9Ce8

Full review coming on Jan. 9

Full review coming in Feb

Based on 1st read:
This was the first Octavia Butler book I read, and I loved it. Even when I disliked the characters or disagreed with what they were doing, they still felt relatable/ human. I first read this at a time where I felt trapped, so Anyanwu's persistence and ability to make a way out of no way was something I needed to read. Butler explores some very interesting questions about free will and made me think. Although I think the concept of people with superpowers is played out, Butler creates new powers I hadn't thought of (mainly with Doro and Anyanwu) and is generally inventive with the concept of mutants/ superhumans. I read this book in a day and have re-read it several times. I thought the ending was a good twist/ resolution.

I've listed the stories included with a synopsis of each. If I had a strong reaction the story, I included that as well.

Convolvere - Very brief story of witch I assumed to be polya

Her Gift - Cute story of witch helping her non-witch crush in a baking competition

Your Heart is an Apple - Snow White tries to date again after heartbreak. Includes clever fairy tale references

The Whisperer - Girl plagued by insecurities seeks haven in train for lost souls and witches. Art was cute, but I didn't understand how time on the train worked and some of the events leading to the central conflict.

Fluid- In a world where magic is the domain of women, a bigender witch questions if he can still practice magic given his gender identity.

After the Dust Settles - Witch tries to summon her grandmother to tutor her in the language her family no longer speaks so she can better access her culture's magic. Really appreciated the message of this story.

Te Perdi - Woman makes a deal with the gods to save her girlfriend with a terminal illness. Enjoyed the twist in this story, which brought a new perspective to this trope/ concept.

Capture the Stars - Cute story of a girl who catches stars to impress her crush.

Def Together - At a school for witches, a deaf student develops a crush on a blind student and tries to make a move. I struggle reading comics without text, but this was one of my favorites of the anthology. I loved the character designs and how expressive the art was. There are gender nonconforming witches, witches with lip rings and gauges and facial tattoos.

Luha - A flunky tasked with monitoring a witch finds out her assignment isn't all that it seems.

The Shop That Never Stays - Woman finds herself inexplicably bound to a shop that changes locations every day and tries to escape its pull.

As the Roots Undo - A girl questions her birthright to lead her village when her crush is cast out for witchcraft.

Santa Divina Nina - Witch contacts a supernatural creature. I didn't understand this story because I don't know anything about the cultural context, but the art was great. This was a very spooky story, heightened by the vivid depictions of the supernatural being and rituals/

You'll Know When It's Time to Go - Witches always know when it's their time to die. I liked how gentle Death looked and the flow of her hair and dress.

Songbird for a Vulture - Witch feels haunted by images of ravens and fire. I liked the creepiness of the artwork. There's a lot of heavy shading.

I'll include a list of the stories with a brief synopsis and what reactions I had, if any. This volume included content warnings at the back of the book. Across the Queer Witch Comics anthology series, the protagonists' ages skewed teens to early 30s, and I hope there are more 40+ protagonists in later volumes. I enjoyed this volume more than the previous one.

I Cast A Spell to End You and Me - This is very much in the spirit of the opener for the previous volume. No plot, just vibes.

To Have a Home - Tattoo artist's significant other goes missing. I didn't understand where the witchcraft came into this story.

Bloomer - Trans woman remembers her grandmother's advice as she navigates a crush. The artwork felt manga-esque.

Interlude - Person searches for their magic source.

Double Trouble - Young witch struggling to hone her magic finds help in an unlikely place.

Your Reflection - Witch scries for friend to see if woman she's crushing on is into women. Liked this practical application of scrying. The art style looks very familiar, but I can't place where I've seen it before.

Hot Review - Witch who reviews restaurants stumbles upon a patisserie that quickly becomes her favorite. The chef's pride that led to her meeting the reviewer made me laugh as did the simplified panel showing the reviewer gleefully eating a panel. The abrupt style change made me think of Adventure Time or One Punch Man.

Naranja Negra - Witch must get rid of a spirit that has hurt her mother. Didn't understand this story, probably because cultural context. The title comes from a folk medicine, and I really liked the panels showing that part. I've heard of people doing something similar with onions.

Sasithorn & Tesni In: The Final Balancing - Witch girlfriends battle apocalyptic cultists.

Something's In The Water -Witch waits for her girlfriend at their favorite restaurant, but a nearby diner isn't too fond of witches. One of my favorite stories from the anthology. It was funny watching the passive aggressive faceoff between the diners, and I loved her girlfriend when she finally arrived. The girlfriend is a seawitch, and I loved all the nautical details in her design and her effect on the other diners. The art style vaguely reminded me of Quentin Blake's.

Moon Eater - A destructive creature is disrupting tourism, and it's up to one witch to protect the economic security of her town. Another favorite from this anthology. The artwork of the creation story and the moon eater were beautiful, and I'm a sucker for nature stories.

Goddess of Pulau - Two mothers and their daughter on a mission. I liked the character designs and the stylistic changes when they entered the temple.

This Mountain -

Wands & Baseball Bats - Loved the designs for the sprites.

Love, Luck, & Loaded Dice - Brutal story.

Help Wanted: Inquire Within -

Jump -

Daughter of Pygmalion -

We, The Weavers - A collective of witches discuss their calling. One of my favorites from the anthology. Trippy and I loved the art.