Review: Coven by Soman Chainani

This was a graphic novel that I had to read, of course. I adore Soman and his books so much. The School for Good and Evil is such an incredible series. And it thrilled me that there would be a new story of the coven, the three best friends. As I loved them so much in the original books. This shorter story was awesome.

I'm giving this graphic novel five stars. As I adored it. I found the story to be interesting and so exciting. The artwork was also so very pretty. I loved how everyone looked. I loved how the story was written as well. My only complaint is that this was too short, haha. I would not have minded reading more about all of them.

I'm not sure how to write about this book. It's been a while since I last read a graphic novel. I'm not going to write a long review of this book, just sharing a few of my thoughts. Spoiler: I so failed at writing a short review. The writing was flawless, as it always is. I loved how it fit so well with the artwork and drawing style. I wish there had been even more writing. Although I so loved the artwork as well and I really loved the mix of it all. But still. Yes. I would love more stories set in the world of The School for Good and Evil by Soman. And I would also so love more graphic novels from the world. Both would be awesome. Soman is writing something new right now, and I am beyond excited. Not this world, but it's going to be incredible even so, of course. Can't wait.

This book tells the story of the coven. Three witches. Three best friends. Hester, Anadil and Dot. Some of my most favorite characters from the original books. They were just so much fun and so awesome. They were just the same in this one. I loved their bickering. I loved their friendship. I loved how it hinted at the romance between Hester and Anadil. I wish it had been a bit more, though. But still cute. Mostly I loved how all three of them loved each other. How they were like family. And so of course they argued too, ha.

They are spending their time as detectives and solving different types of crimes, helping people. They get a distress message from someplace called the Red Isle. It is somewhere new, far away. They set out to help these people. Which is what this story was all about. I liked getting to know Red Isle. It was an island with two different types of people, living on each side of a river. They lived such very different lives. One more modern, the other more natural like. I preferred that one, haha. They just seemed kinder from there.

I'm not going to say too much about this place. Just that I found it to be interesting and exciting to read about. They have something called raaka. The Light wants to use this to build things, moving their town forward. But the Dark wants it to stay in the ground where it belongs. And so they are fighting. Animals are dying. And suddenly people are dying too. That confused me a little, as they did not look dead at all, so I wasn't sure if they were actually dead. But I guess that they really were. And so it was all a bit brutal.

I loved it, honestly. The coven is travelling to this place to help these people figuring out who is killing their people. It is not an easy thing. They get accused themselves. And I so loved the mystery of it all and how awesome it was to both read it and see it drawn out. I also liked reading about the people on this island. There was an old woman living in the forest, their leader in a way. She was fierce. And she so very much looked like the grandma from Anastasia. I loved that, ha. Her people seemed amazing too. I loved them.

Then there were the people from the city. We get to know two brothers, one the new king after their father died. He honestly looked a little mean. Which he was, most of the time. I liked his younger brother better. But I loved getting to know them all and their story. Wish there had been more details. Still. They were all awesome. I have already written a bit too much about this story. Oops. Just know that I liked it a whole lot. And I loved how the witches were solving this crime. I just loved the three of them together so much.

If you have read The School for Good and Evil, then you definitely need to read Coven as well. It is not truly set in the same world, as it is a little bit off the map. So it is the same, yet also different. I liked the new things we got to see. Yet it has the heart of the original books. I just fully love these witches so very much. Reading this graphic novel made me want to finally read the Fall of the School for Good and Evil duology. I still haven't read them, ack. But now I feel ready. Hopefully reading them both later this year.

This graphic novel is illustrated by artist Joel Gennari. And I think he did such a great job. The artwork is stunning. I loved the way Hester and Anadil and Dot looked. They are the cutest. I loved how everything else was drawn as well. Animals and creatures were awesome. And I would love for there to one day be graphic novels of the original books too. Fingers crossed. Coven was such an incredible graphic novel. I loved the story and especially loved reading about the witches again. You all need to read this story too.

 

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