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Hollow Magic
Not yet published
Expected 11 Aug 26Seventeen-year-old Rosefinch has been traveling along the weather-beaten coast for two years on a quest to find a witch strong enough to help her control her magic. Her magic is volatile, hard to wield, and Rosefinch is tired of the pain of magical backlash. When she's directed to the sea-side village of Harp, she discovers the ancient castle of a long-lost Witch Queen with the inhabitants long gone; the only remaining soul is a knight encased in solid ice guarding the door.
When she attempts to lift the curse, she frees Thierry, a human with no memory of who they are, wrapped in cursed magic so strong that they cannot leave the castle. Thierry is soft spoken, strong, and in possession of a fey sword that should be impossible for them to have. But they have secrets of their own, as do other members of the Harp family still hidden within the walls.
Harp castle was left in ruins for a reason, and Rosefinch must find a way to cure the curse or lose Thierry—and the chance to learn the truth about the Witch Queen—forever.
When she attempts to lift the curse, she frees Thierry, a human with no memory of who they are, wrapped in cursed magic so strong that they cannot leave the castle. Thierry is soft spoken, strong, and in possession of a fey sword that should be impossible for them to have. But they have secrets of their own, as do other members of the Harp family still hidden within the walls.
Harp castle was left in ruins for a reason, and Rosefinch must find a way to cure the curse or lose Thierry—and the chance to learn the truth about the Witch Queen—forever.
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 11, 2026
7 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Mars Lauderbaugh
1 book20 followersMars is a nonbinary artist located in the Pacific Northwest working primarily on book covers, character design, and comics. They'll never say no to drawing space, trans & queer rep, or unreasonably detailed swords.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
January 31, 2026
the art is absolutely gorgeous, the story itself felt rushed though. the romance didn’t have much time to develop either, but you can tell there was a lot of thought put behind the world building. i think this was okay for what it was, it could’ve been better with more development and depth to the characters.
➵ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
➵ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the arc, all opinions are my own.
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November 5, 2025"ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ"
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ✩
The main attention appeal of this story is obviously the art. In a graphic novel, I'd expect some pretty art, but I was in love with the art style here. The character design and the depictions of magic in the drawings made me so happy.
The setting of this story is in the small magical town of Harp. It's the ideal cozy fantasy town: a crumbling cursed castle, a tavern and a forest. This story gives off serious cozy vibes and it makes for such a cozy and low stakes read.
Rosefinch is our main character and she's searching for a witch who may be able to help her control her magic when she arrives in Harp. She quickly learns about a cursed castle that all the villagers stay away from and decides to investigate. (Of course!). Another main(ish) character is Thierry who is part of our little sub-plot romance.
One of my small issues with this book was the pacing, some sections towards the end felt really rushed. However, this is a graphic novel and is easily digestible in one sitting so pacing shouldn't be a large issue for most people. This felt like a basic fantasy novel with really really pretty pictures and clearer imagery in it.
ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇs ☾:
⤷ " ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ʙᴜɪʟᴅs ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴs"
⤷ "ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴏᴀᴛʜ"
sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ✧:
⤷ The Stonekeeper (Kazu Kibuishi)
⤷ Demon in the Wood (Leigh Bardugo & Dani Pendergast)
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ✩:
⤷ 4 stars
ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ:
08/11/2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friend for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ✩
The main attention appeal of this story is obviously the art. In a graphic novel, I'd expect some pretty art, but I was in love with the art style here. The character design and the depictions of magic in the drawings made me so happy.
The setting of this story is in the small magical town of Harp. It's the ideal cozy fantasy town: a crumbling cursed castle, a tavern and a forest. This story gives off serious cozy vibes and it makes for such a cozy and low stakes read.
Rosefinch is our main character and she's searching for a witch who may be able to help her control her magic when she arrives in Harp. She quickly learns about a cursed castle that all the villagers stay away from and decides to investigate. (Of course!). Another main(ish) character is Thierry who is part of our little sub-plot romance.
One of my small issues with this book was the pacing, some sections towards the end felt really rushed. However, this is a graphic novel and is easily digestible in one sitting so pacing shouldn't be a large issue for most people. This felt like a basic fantasy novel with really really pretty pictures and clearer imagery in it.
ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇs ☾:
⤷ " ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ʙᴜɪʟᴅs ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴs"
⤷ "ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴏᴀᴛʜ"
sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ✧:
⤷ The Stonekeeper (Kazu Kibuishi)
⤷ Demon in the Wood (Leigh Bardugo & Dani Pendergast)
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ✩:
⤷ 4 stars
ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ:
08/11/2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friend for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
October 13, 2025
“Keep the name for yourself and for those you love dearly. If you cherish it, then the Dawn Queen will have no power over you. Not anymore.” - Mars Lauderbaugh, Hollow Magic
Names hold power. That’s why you never give anyone your real full name. At least that’s what I learned from reading this book. I guess that makes sense, because we don’t walk up and introduce ourselves using our full government names. Could you imagine? But this does make me want to come up with a nickname (for myself) that I give out… Henry? Derek? Reginald? Meh! We’ll workshop it!
There is nothing I love more than a queer fantasy set in a queer-normative world with queer characters and queer joy… and everyone’s just… queer? The happy kind, obvs! Our MC is female, the love interest in enby, the witch queen has a wife… it’s just very gay up in here and I love it!!!! Did I mention that the two lesbian queens have a son? They had him together with no explanation on how that worked out, but it doesn’t matter, because this is ✨A MAGICAL GAY FANTASY✨!!!
Okay! I am supposed to tell you why I loved this story as if the above wasn’t enough? **skoffs** It’s an adventure story where our fair maiden is trying to find someone to teach her how to use her magic without the painful aftermath that comes with it. She hears a story about a village cursed by a great witch queen. She knows that the only way that the curse is still affecting everything is if the queen is still alive and she goes out in search of her. Along the way, she’s breaking curses like I broke curfews as a teenager. BAM! A girl walks into a cursed castle, meets a non-binary knight, kisses them to wake up (not exactly, but it’s for the plot y’all!), and saves the kingdom!!!!! Everyone cheers!!!… Not exactly! There’s a lot more to it!
First of all, the artwork!!!!! If you’ve ever seen an Aiden Thomas cover, you’ve obviously been blessed by the artwork of Mars Lauderbaugh. Could you imagine an entire graphic novel of their art? Noooooooo? Me neither! Preorder this immediately, because it will blow your mind! That alone was worth the time it took me to get this.
If I could give it more stars, I would!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC. I can’t wait to have this beautiful masterpiece in my possession. Now I wait a YEARRRRRRR until it comes out. 😭
Names hold power. That’s why you never give anyone your real full name. At least that’s what I learned from reading this book. I guess that makes sense, because we don’t walk up and introduce ourselves using our full government names. Could you imagine? But this does make me want to come up with a nickname (for myself) that I give out… Henry? Derek? Reginald? Meh! We’ll workshop it!
There is nothing I love more than a queer fantasy set in a queer-normative world with queer characters and queer joy… and everyone’s just… queer? The happy kind, obvs! Our MC is female, the love interest in enby, the witch queen has a wife… it’s just very gay up in here and I love it!!!! Did I mention that the two lesbian queens have a son? They had him together with no explanation on how that worked out, but it doesn’t matter, because this is ✨A MAGICAL GAY FANTASY✨!!!
Okay! I am supposed to tell you why I loved this story as if the above wasn’t enough? **skoffs** It’s an adventure story where our fair maiden is trying to find someone to teach her how to use her magic without the painful aftermath that comes with it. She hears a story about a village cursed by a great witch queen. She knows that the only way that the curse is still affecting everything is if the queen is still alive and she goes out in search of her. Along the way, she’s breaking curses like I broke curfews as a teenager. BAM! A girl walks into a cursed castle, meets a non-binary knight, kisses them to wake up (not exactly, but it’s for the plot y’all!), and saves the kingdom!!!!! Everyone cheers!!!… Not exactly! There’s a lot more to it!
First of all, the artwork!!!!! If you’ve ever seen an Aiden Thomas cover, you’ve obviously been blessed by the artwork of Mars Lauderbaugh. Could you imagine an entire graphic novel of their art? Noooooooo? Me neither! Preorder this immediately, because it will blow your mind! That alone was worth the time it took me to get this.
If I could give it more stars, I would!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC. I can’t wait to have this beautiful masterpiece in my possession. Now I wait a YEARRRRRRR until it comes out. 😭
November 10, 2025
Unfortunately, not my favorite. The pacing throughout was incredibly fast, in a way that was almost jarring. We desperately needed more time to breathe and take in the world & the characters, particularly in the beginning. The characters also could have used some work - the writing was flat and they didn't really seem to have distinct personalities. I don't think this was helped by the art style, either. Honestly this just felt more like a first draft/story board than a complete story.
I did really enjoy the blueish-purple color palette used in the art, and the way Lauderbaugh stylized the magic was quite pretty and rather unique.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I did really enjoy the blueish-purple color palette used in the art, and the way Lauderbaugh stylized the magic was quite pretty and rather unique.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for providing an e-arc in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are my own.
To read my review in English, please scroll down.
Hollow Magic es el debut de le autore e ilustradore Mars Lauderbaugh, quien es mejor conocide por ser le ilustradore de la portada de Los chicos del cementerio.
En esta novela gráfica nos vemos inmersos en un mundo mágico donde la joven bruja Rosefinch está en búsqueda de alguien que le ayude a entrenar mejor su magia. Durante sus viajes escucha sobre el reino de Harp. La historia de que es un reino embrujado y que hay una Reina Bruja es suficiente para encaminarla ahí.
Termina llegando al Castillo Harp y ahí conoce a Thierry, une guardia con una maldición. Rosefinch le quita la maldición y al interrogarle descubre que ha perdido sus recuerdos, y juntos deberán explorar el castillo para encontrar respuestas y ver si es posible que la Reina Bruja de Harp siga con vida para ayudarla a entrenar su magia. Pero la amenaza de la Reina Fey está latente, una fey que busca hacerse de magia de brujo a toda costa, y todo indica que la maldición de Thierry podría estar directamente ligada a esta tirana.
Entre secretos, traiciones y un romance tentativo conocemos personajes intrigantes y hasta qué punto puede llegar la tiranía de una reina en busca de más poder.
En lo personal, disfruté mucho de esta novela gráfica y espero que Mars saque más proyectos ambientados en este mundo porque siento que hay mucho por descubrir todavía.
English Review:
Hollow Magic is the debut of author and illustrator Mars Lauderbaugh, who is better known for being the illustrator of Cemetery Boys.
In this graphic novel we are immersed in a magic world where young witch Rosefinch is searching for someone who can help her train her magic better. During her travels she hears of Harp. The whispers of Harp being a haunted kingdom and the existence of a Witch Queen are enough to make her go there.
Once she reaches Harp Castle she meets Thierry, a guard with a curse. After Rosefinch lifts up that curse she interrogates them, and that's how she finds out they have lost their memories, together they will have to explore the castle to find answers and see of its possible that Harp's Witch Queen is still alive to help Rosefinch train her magic.
However, the threat of the Dawn Queen is latent, a fey queen who looks for witch magic at all costs, and everything points to Thierry's curse being directly related to this tirant.
Between secrets, betrayals and a tentative romance we meet intriguing characters and to which point a queen's tirany can go in her search for more power.
Personally, I really enjoyed this graphic novel and I hope Mars releases more projects in this universe because I feel there's a lot more to be discovered.
To read my review in English, please scroll down.
Hollow Magic es el debut de le autore e ilustradore Mars Lauderbaugh, quien es mejor conocide por ser le ilustradore de la portada de Los chicos del cementerio.
En esta novela gráfica nos vemos inmersos en un mundo mágico donde la joven bruja Rosefinch está en búsqueda de alguien que le ayude a entrenar mejor su magia. Durante sus viajes escucha sobre el reino de Harp. La historia de que es un reino embrujado y que hay una Reina Bruja es suficiente para encaminarla ahí.
Termina llegando al Castillo Harp y ahí conoce a Thierry, une guardia con una maldición. Rosefinch le quita la maldición y al interrogarle descubre que ha perdido sus recuerdos, y juntos deberán explorar el castillo para encontrar respuestas y ver si es posible que la Reina Bruja de Harp siga con vida para ayudarla a entrenar su magia. Pero la amenaza de la Reina Fey está latente, una fey que busca hacerse de magia de brujo a toda costa, y todo indica que la maldición de Thierry podría estar directamente ligada a esta tirana.
Entre secretos, traiciones y un romance tentativo conocemos personajes intrigantes y hasta qué punto puede llegar la tiranía de una reina en busca de más poder.
En lo personal, disfruté mucho de esta novela gráfica y espero que Mars saque más proyectos ambientados en este mundo porque siento que hay mucho por descubrir todavía.
English Review:
Hollow Magic is the debut of author and illustrator Mars Lauderbaugh, who is better known for being the illustrator of Cemetery Boys.
In this graphic novel we are immersed in a magic world where young witch Rosefinch is searching for someone who can help her train her magic better. During her travels she hears of Harp. The whispers of Harp being a haunted kingdom and the existence of a Witch Queen are enough to make her go there.
Once she reaches Harp Castle she meets Thierry, a guard with a curse. After Rosefinch lifts up that curse she interrogates them, and that's how she finds out they have lost their memories, together they will have to explore the castle to find answers and see of its possible that Harp's Witch Queen is still alive to help Rosefinch train her magic.
However, the threat of the Dawn Queen is latent, a fey queen who looks for witch magic at all costs, and everything points to Thierry's curse being directly related to this tirant.
Between secrets, betrayals and a tentative romance we meet intriguing characters and to which point a queen's tirany can go in her search for more power.
Personally, I really enjoyed this graphic novel and I hope Mars releases more projects in this universe because I feel there's a lot more to be discovered.
October 28, 2025
Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review.
Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this is their first publication, Lauderbaugh is probably best known as the artist who illustrated the covers for Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys and the Sunbearer Trials duology.
It tells the story of Rosefinch, a witch with a talent for curse-breaking whose magic also causes her chronic pain. While adventuring and looking for a cure for her condition, she hears about the village of Harp: a desolate place that has been cursed by an incredibly powerful witch. Rosefinch figures that, if the curse is still around, the witch must also be alive. Upon the advice of a mysterious (and very attractive) butch bartender, she ventures into Harp Castle to unfreeze its knight and try to break the curse.
I find Lauderbaugh's sleek linework and saturated colours irresistible. I will caveat that I’m not an art critic, but as an avid manga reader, I can recognise decent composition and pacing in panels when I see it, and I think that Hollow Magic is pretty competent in that regard.
Not only is Lauderbaugh an extremely talented illustrator, I think the story is still enjoyable. While I did get some whiplash from the truncated pacing, I was completely invested in the story and enjoyed the journey it took me on. It’s a strong debut that ultimately feels limited by being crammed into one volume, and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for us.
Read the full review on my site: https://bazestel.wordpress.com/2025/1...
Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this is their first publication, Lauderbaugh is probably best known as the artist who illustrated the covers for Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys and the Sunbearer Trials duology.
It tells the story of Rosefinch, a witch with a talent for curse-breaking whose magic also causes her chronic pain. While adventuring and looking for a cure for her condition, she hears about the village of Harp: a desolate place that has been cursed by an incredibly powerful witch. Rosefinch figures that, if the curse is still around, the witch must also be alive. Upon the advice of a mysterious (and very attractive) butch bartender, she ventures into Harp Castle to unfreeze its knight and try to break the curse.
I find Lauderbaugh's sleek linework and saturated colours irresistible. I will caveat that I’m not an art critic, but as an avid manga reader, I can recognise decent composition and pacing in panels when I see it, and I think that Hollow Magic is pretty competent in that regard.
Not only is Lauderbaugh an extremely talented illustrator, I think the story is still enjoyable. While I did get some whiplash from the truncated pacing, I was completely invested in the story and enjoyed the journey it took me on. It’s a strong debut that ultimately feels limited by being crammed into one volume, and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for us.
Read the full review on my site: https://bazestel.wordpress.com/2025/1...
October 12, 2025
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.
I’ve loved Mars’ art since the first cover reveal for Aiden Thomas, so when I saw their graphic novel on Netgalley, I was so excited to get a chance to read it. Plus queer fairy tales will always have a special place in my heart! The art is perfect for the story of Rosefinch, Thierry, and Morgan, and I loved the style and palate so much. There’s a great blending of mystery and familiar fairy tale elements that I didn’t want to stop reading. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to more stories from Mars.
I’ve loved Mars’ art since the first cover reveal for Aiden Thomas, so when I saw their graphic novel on Netgalley, I was so excited to get a chance to read it. Plus queer fairy tales will always have a special place in my heart! The art is perfect for the story of Rosefinch, Thierry, and Morgan, and I loved the style and palate so much. There’s a great blending of mystery and familiar fairy tale elements that I didn’t want to stop reading. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to more stories from Mars.
October 15, 2025
ARC on behalf of Netgalley :)
It was a short read, but entirely wholesome. The art is beautiful and the character design is delicious. It’s not the most groundbreaking unique story, but I personally don’t mind it. Sometimes stories can just be fun. The only critique I have is it was hard to truly fall in love with any of the characters due to the short length of the story. And the romance aspect being a bit lackluster, but that was never the focus of the story. That being said, I still think the book was well balanced for the length.
It was a short read, but entirely wholesome. The art is beautiful and the character design is delicious. It’s not the most groundbreaking unique story, but I personally don’t mind it. Sometimes stories can just be fun. The only critique I have is it was hard to truly fall in love with any of the characters due to the short length of the story. And the romance aspect being a bit lackluster, but that was never the focus of the story. That being said, I still think the book was well balanced for the length.
February 16, 2026
I receive an eARC of this book from Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
I absolutely loved the artwork in this graphic novel! The color scheme that the artist chose was rich and beautiful. I typically don't spend a ton of time stopping to explore the artwork when I'm reading a graphic novel, but this one made me slow down to really spend time looking at the art because it was so pretty.
The story is interesting. Rosefinch encounters a curse that she's trying to break and people who she's not sure whether she can trust. She's hiding some secrets of her own as well. I felt like some parts of the story were a little rushed and the magic system wasn't explained as well as I would have liked. There was a part at the end where, even after rereading it a few times, I still wasn't quite sure what had happened. I think it would have benefitted from a deeper explanation of the magic system and the events at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
I absolutely loved the artwork in this graphic novel! The color scheme that the artist chose was rich and beautiful. I typically don't spend a ton of time stopping to explore the artwork when I'm reading a graphic novel, but this one made me slow down to really spend time looking at the art because it was so pretty.
The story is interesting. Rosefinch encounters a curse that she's trying to break and people who she's not sure whether she can trust. She's hiding some secrets of her own as well. I felt like some parts of the story were a little rushed and the magic system wasn't explained as well as I would have liked. There was a part at the end where, even after rereading it a few times, I still wasn't quite sure what had happened. I think it would have benefitted from a deeper explanation of the magic system and the events at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
Read
December 21, 20252⭐ I will always support queer authors and illustrators, so I was so happy to get an arc of this one! (Thanks NetGalley!) Mars Lauderbaugh is a master of character design and character illustrations, and that is very clear in their debut. I also always love a teen read with solid queer rep and I believe it is important for queer kids to see themselves represented on page, which was a huge win for this graphic novel.
However, my enjoyment of this graphic novel ends there. The story was too rushed and needed more details, more time, and overall needed to be fleshed out more before being released. The reveals were way too rushed and would have benefitted from more buildup beforehand. I would have been happy to read a 300+ page story with these characters in this world if more time was spent building up the tension and the world naturally, as well as just slowing down the story. Also, the illustrations of the characters were beautiful, but I think there needed to be more backgrounds, more details, and more diverse color schemes. So overall, while I love the representation, this story needed more time to be developed!
However, my enjoyment of this graphic novel ends there. The story was too rushed and needed more details, more time, and overall needed to be fleshed out more before being released. The reveals were way too rushed and would have benefitted from more buildup beforehand. I would have been happy to read a 300+ page story with these characters in this world if more time was spent building up the tension and the world naturally, as well as just slowing down the story. Also, the illustrations of the characters were beautiful, but I think there needed to be more backgrounds, more details, and more diverse color schemes. So overall, while I love the representation, this story needed more time to be developed!
January 30, 2026
*thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an e-arc copy in exchange for my honest review*
I loved this graphic novel! I read it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t take my eyes away. I was drawn in from the beginning. The characters were delightful, the relationships were very well done as well.
I think the pacing was pretty good for the page count of this graphic novel, I enjoyed learning the background of the worlds in this book, it was all around very fun!
I don’t want to rate this lower than it deserves because it truly is a fantastic graphic novel, but I would say this is about a 4.75 to 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion!
I loved this graphic novel! I read it in one sitting because I simply couldn’t take my eyes away. I was drawn in from the beginning. The characters were delightful, the relationships were very well done as well.
I think the pacing was pretty good for the page count of this graphic novel, I enjoyed learning the background of the worlds in this book, it was all around very fun!
I don’t want to rate this lower than it deserves because it truly is a fantastic graphic novel, but I would say this is about a 4.75 to 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion!
October 17, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably closer to a 3.5 in terms of where I landed on it in the end. And part of it may just be a personal problem — I love the idea of graphic novels, but I tend to find their pacing lacking. This was one of those cases. While I found the art delightful and I loved the concept of it, I wish more time had been spent getting me invested in the dynamics of the core three characters, as well as showcasing the rules of magic and fey (outside of the chapter opening inforgraphics, which were a really nice touch). It was a sweet solid story, but I think I just came away wanting it to be a bit... more?
This is probably closer to a 3.5 in terms of where I landed on it in the end. And part of it may just be a personal problem — I love the idea of graphic novels, but I tend to find their pacing lacking. This was one of those cases. While I found the art delightful and I loved the concept of it, I wish more time had been spent getting me invested in the dynamics of the core three characters, as well as showcasing the rules of magic and fey (outside of the chapter opening inforgraphics, which were a really nice touch). It was a sweet solid story, but I think I just came away wanting it to be a bit... more?
January 5, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for an early copy!
This was cute! I’m not smart enough really to understand the whole magic system in this book BUT it was queer and fey and had swords and honestly, I’m a simple girlie
Truthfully though this was good and I’d recommend it
This was cute! I’m not smart enough really to understand the whole magic system in this book BUT it was queer and fey and had swords and honestly, I’m a simple girlie
Truthfully though this was good and I’d recommend it
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautiful artwork. I love fantasy graphic novels! The main characters were delightful. I would recommend this to any teen.
It was fast paced. I would have preferred it to be a duology and have the author spends more time in Feywild. I hope the author does this as mentioned in the notes.
It was fast paced. I would have preferred it to be a duology and have the author spends more time in Feywild. I hope the author does this as mentioned in the notes.
October 4, 2025
Thank you netgalley and Feiwel & friends for giving me and arc of this graphic novel.
~4⭐~
The story was great and the artwork was great. You can tell the art took sometime to make and it reminded me of the amulet series I use to read. It just have the same feeling to it. It was a great book. I'd recommend this when you need a quick and easy read.
~4⭐~
The story was great and the artwork was great. You can tell the art took sometime to make and it reminded me of the amulet series I use to read. It just have the same feeling to it. It was a great book. I'd recommend this when you need a quick and easy read.
Read
October 8, 2025Review to come August 1st
September 27, 2025
As a parent of a kid in the LGBTQIA+ I'm always on the hunt for stories that are age appropriate and a good story. I am fortunate to have received and ARC copy of this and I hope to see more to this story. I love the characters so much and want to see more of them as they grow and learn.
This story is good and is definitely teen friendly while still holding up as a enjoyable read for myself as well.
Found family and friends are big themes in this story and I think it's handled beautifully.
The artwork really goes well with the story being told and when the lore of the Fae, Witches, Humans came in it really helped fill a few details that I was unsure on in the beginning of the story.
I am so use to books giving you all the info just right away, this story differs in that you see the world and our main protagonist interacting with people in the towns as they hunt for a witch to help them with their powers.
I am looking forward to purchasing this for my teen. I think they are really going to love this as much as I did.
This story is good and is definitely teen friendly while still holding up as a enjoyable read for myself as well.
Found family and friends are big themes in this story and I think it's handled beautifully.
The artwork really goes well with the story being told and when the lore of the Fae, Witches, Humans came in it really helped fill a few details that I was unsure on in the beginning of the story.
I am so use to books giving you all the info just right away, this story differs in that you see the world and our main protagonist interacting with people in the towns as they hunt for a witch to help them with their powers.
I am looking forward to purchasing this for my teen. I think they are really going to love this as much as I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
June 11, 2024f/nb witchy romance with fey & quests???
Read
September 13, 2025Damn, this was incredible. It's visually stunning and the exact kind of fantasy story I love.
September 10, 2025
Hollow Magic is visually lovely and is crafted with care and attention to detail. From one page to the next, Mars Laudernaugh’s artwork is skillful. Like many comics, Hollow Magic switches from detailed backgrounds to vague ones as the story requires, usually keeping the details on the protagonists and antagonists.
A lot of passion went into this story, as you can see by the detail in the world building and magic system, with chapters ending with pages listing off the different magic wielder types and specific kinds of spells.
It’s why it is so difficult to give this book 3 stars. So much effort was put into this comic, and ironically, some of the features that make this comic so strong are also what bring it down.
As mentioned, Lauderbaugh’s art style is beautiful, but that beauty is a double-edged sword. When people emote—when characters emote—their faces scrunch up, their eyes bulge, and the corners of their mouths wrinkle. It’s those details that make characters come alive and make them feel like people. Not that Lauderbaugh’s characters don’t emote at all. They do, but it’s muted. And because of that, the character’s emotions are muted too, and as a reader that makes it difficult for me to connect with the characters.
I would have adored seeing these beautiful faces contorted with emotion. Whether that be screaming in rage or on their knees and sobbing. Perhaps snot dribbling out their nose? Nothing is too ugly if it’s conveying emotion.
Another area where I saw this double-edged sword was regarding the world-building, specifically regarding pacing and exposition. It was around the end of the second or third chapter that I felt overwhelmed with information, while also frustrated by the lack of information that I wanted. I wanted to know what made Rosenfinch tick, but that wasn’t the information I was being given. I was being told about the magic system and magic wielders to such a degree that I stopped absorbing the information after those early chapters.
It wasn’t until halfway through the book, when we are given Rosenfinch’s backstory, that I was able to feel any connection to her. Even then, it was very tentative, because it had taken so long to get there.
One way I think the pacing could have been fixed is if this story was spread over the course of a couple of books. If the publisher is adamant that it’s gotta be one book, though, perhaps a prologue/side quest where we get to see Rosefinch duking it out with other magic users. That way, we could learn about the magic system through the conflict, and not through Rosefinsh’s internal dialogue/conversations with others. It would also give us more insight into her character.
Is she a pacifist? Does she use brawn or wit to resolve her problems? Is she a rescuer or an avenger? Just a few examples.
The reason I bring up these suggestions is that I think there is an excellent story here. It just needs a bit of polish to bring out that shine, and I want it to shine. I was so thrilled to get this book through Netgalley, and I was so excited to read it. I’m definitely open to reading more by Lauderbaugh in the future and seeing where they go from here.
A lot of passion went into this story, as you can see by the detail in the world building and magic system, with chapters ending with pages listing off the different magic wielder types and specific kinds of spells.
It’s why it is so difficult to give this book 3 stars. So much effort was put into this comic, and ironically, some of the features that make this comic so strong are also what bring it down.
As mentioned, Lauderbaugh’s art style is beautiful, but that beauty is a double-edged sword. When people emote—when characters emote—their faces scrunch up, their eyes bulge, and the corners of their mouths wrinkle. It’s those details that make characters come alive and make them feel like people. Not that Lauderbaugh’s characters don’t emote at all. They do, but it’s muted. And because of that, the character’s emotions are muted too, and as a reader that makes it difficult for me to connect with the characters.
I would have adored seeing these beautiful faces contorted with emotion. Whether that be screaming in rage or on their knees and sobbing. Perhaps snot dribbling out their nose? Nothing is too ugly if it’s conveying emotion.
Another area where I saw this double-edged sword was regarding the world-building, specifically regarding pacing and exposition. It was around the end of the second or third chapter that I felt overwhelmed with information, while also frustrated by the lack of information that I wanted. I wanted to know what made Rosenfinch tick, but that wasn’t the information I was being given. I was being told about the magic system and magic wielders to such a degree that I stopped absorbing the information after those early chapters.
It wasn’t until halfway through the book, when we are given Rosenfinch’s backstory, that I was able to feel any connection to her. Even then, it was very tentative, because it had taken so long to get there.
One way I think the pacing could have been fixed is if this story was spread over the course of a couple of books. If the publisher is adamant that it’s gotta be one book, though, perhaps a prologue/side quest where we get to see Rosefinch duking it out with other magic users. That way, we could learn about the magic system through the conflict, and not through Rosefinsh’s internal dialogue/conversations with others. It would also give us more insight into her character.
Is she a pacifist? Does she use brawn or wit to resolve her problems? Is she a rescuer or an avenger? Just a few examples.
The reason I bring up these suggestions is that I think there is an excellent story here. It just needs a bit of polish to bring out that shine, and I want it to shine. I was so thrilled to get this book through Netgalley, and I was so excited to read it. I’m definitely open to reading more by Lauderbaugh in the future and seeing where they go from here.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you put pretty art in front of me along with a magical adventure story and lovable characters, I'm going to adore it. It's practically a given.
Hollow Magic is a queer YA fantasy graphic novel with fey, crumbling castles, and a trio you'll root for until the very end. I don't read graphic novels as much as I used to, but this is a reminder that I need to get back into them because looking at stunning artwork is a hobby I don't indulge in enough. As of now, this is a standalone, which is rather unfortunate because I would consume an entire saga of books set in this world with these characters. It reminded me of a lot of other books, specifically Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman, Master of One by Dani Bennett and Jaida Jones, The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder, and Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou, all for different reasons. I don't have any appropriate graphic novel comps for it, but now I feel like I need to find more in this vein.
Rosefinch is a witch with the ability to break curses, and when she stumbles across the ruins of a castle and wakes the soul of a knight cursed to stand guard forever, she's thrown into a world of magic and adventure as she tries to save the knight and the rest of the castle's inhabitants. The pacing is extremely fast, and that's my only major complaint. I know graphic novels are a lot of work to put together, but I easily could've used another 200 pages. There's a bit of mystery, a bit of adventure, and a handful of plot twists, but the rapidfire nature of the pacing hooked my attention the whole time, unfortunately at the cost of some better character development and more exploration of the world. The ending was satisfying, if fairly quick. It wraps up nicely for a standalone, but as I said before, I will read more if the author choose to extend this into a series.
I also want to note how the magic system was rendered in the art, which was clever and incredibly fun. Most of the curses/magic takes the forms of threads, and I loved just seeing them drawn out. It was such a cool approach to magic that has to be visual, and I really enjoyed it.
Additionally, I adored the character dynamics and designs. Rosefinch was such a fun protagonist to follow because she's curious and kind, but she also has a complex past and enough internal conflict to make her feel real. I loved Thierry's design especially (and not just because it reminded me of another favorite character from something else that I can't mention for spoiler reasons). They were super cool, and I liked seeing them moderate between Rosefinch and Morgan. I really like how their backstory turned out and I wish we got to see even more of them. Morgan was fun as well. He's a bit prickly at times, but he's a great addition to the trio and he complemented Rosefinch well. The side characters weren't as fleshed out as Rosefinch, but I liked the main trio and, again, would love to see more of them.
If you enjoy fantasy graphic novels with stunning art, unique magic systems, and queer love, I highly recommend Hollow Magic.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.25/5
Hollow Magic is a queer YA fantasy graphic novel with fey, crumbling castles, and a trio you'll root for until the very end. I don't read graphic novels as much as I used to, but this is a reminder that I need to get back into them because looking at stunning artwork is a hobby I don't indulge in enough. As of now, this is a standalone, which is rather unfortunate because I would consume an entire saga of books set in this world with these characters. It reminded me of a lot of other books, specifically Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman, Master of One by Dani Bennett and Jaida Jones, The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder, and Moth Dark by Kika Hatzopoulou, all for different reasons. I don't have any appropriate graphic novel comps for it, but now I feel like I need to find more in this vein.
Rosefinch is a witch with the ability to break curses, and when she stumbles across the ruins of a castle and wakes the soul of a knight cursed to stand guard forever, she's thrown into a world of magic and adventure as she tries to save the knight and the rest of the castle's inhabitants. The pacing is extremely fast, and that's my only major complaint. I know graphic novels are a lot of work to put together, but I easily could've used another 200 pages. There's a bit of mystery, a bit of adventure, and a handful of plot twists, but the rapidfire nature of the pacing hooked my attention the whole time, unfortunately at the cost of some better character development and more exploration of the world. The ending was satisfying, if fairly quick. It wraps up nicely for a standalone, but as I said before, I will read more if the author choose to extend this into a series.
I also want to note how the magic system was rendered in the art, which was clever and incredibly fun. Most of the curses/magic takes the forms of threads, and I loved just seeing them drawn out. It was such a cool approach to magic that has to be visual, and I really enjoyed it.
Additionally, I adored the character dynamics and designs. Rosefinch was such a fun protagonist to follow because she's curious and kind, but she also has a complex past and enough internal conflict to make her feel real. I loved Thierry's design especially (and not just because it reminded me of another favorite character from something else that I can't mention for spoiler reasons). They were super cool, and I liked seeing them moderate between Rosefinch and Morgan. I really like how their backstory turned out and I wish we got to see even more of them. Morgan was fun as well. He's a bit prickly at times, but he's a great addition to the trio and he complemented Rosefinch well. The side characters weren't as fleshed out as Rosefinch, but I liked the main trio and, again, would love to see more of them.
If you enjoy fantasy graphic novels with stunning art, unique magic systems, and queer love, I highly recommend Hollow Magic.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4.25/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The iconic illustrator of Aiden Thomas' "Cemetery Boys" and "The Sunbearer Trials" duologies releases their debut graphic novel with "Hollow Magic."
Rosefinch has been on a journey to find a witch strong enough to help her learn how to control her magic. Her magic is difficult to contain and she's constantly being harmed by magical backlash. When she hears rumors of Harp's long-lost Witch Queen, Rosefinch is determined to find out just what happened to the lost queen in the hopes that she'll help Rosefinch control her magic. Dark secrets lie buried within Harp Castle and it is up to Rosefinch to unravel them before anyone else gets hurt.
To be completely honest, I requested an ARC of this one solely because I love Aiden Thomas' work and when I was scrolling through NetGalley, I saw some familiar artwork. When I read the first part of the blurb that said that Lauderbaugh was the illustrator of Thomas' books, it all began to make sense. After learning this fact, I knew I had to give this graphic novel a try.
To be entirely frank, the art was one hundred percent the best thing about this book. From the he character's facial expressions to the beautiful scenery of the Feywild, Lauderbaugh's artistic style is just stunning. And the color choices they use are truly fantastic. Also, I love the character designs. Everyone is so pretty and they could seriously have stepped out of a high fantasy RPG or a "Lord of the Rings" type world.
I found the first part of this book to be really confusing, because I had no clue what Rosefinch was up to. I think it would have been helpful to include some of her lore earlier in the story, rather than go for the shock factor later. Seriously, once I started to learn more about this world, it became pretty clear what was up with Rosefinch anyways, so lore dumping a little earlier probably would have been in this book's benefit.
This book isn't anything too unique with witch magic and fey magic coexisting while also fighting against each other. There are spells and curses, you know, typical things one finds in a magical kingdom. I feel this book could have used a few really unique elements to make it sparkle, rather than just any other fantasy story on today's market.
I can give this book kudos for diversity at least. It's a queer romance featuring nonbinary people and characters of color. There are several sapphic pairings present throughout, but I didn't really feel chemistry between the main two characters. Honestly though, I would probably read a side story featuring Morgan's parents; they seem like they have really cool history and that their romantic tale would be quite fascinating to discover.
Overall, "Hollow Magic" was a decent enough fantasy read that wasn't overly unique but lent me joy for a small period of time. The art that this graphic novel contains is truly beautiful and I'd definitely check out more of this author's books just to ogle their art for a while. If one is looking for a quick magical read featuring fey and witches, this could be a good one to look into!
Rosefinch has been on a journey to find a witch strong enough to help her learn how to control her magic. Her magic is difficult to contain and she's constantly being harmed by magical backlash. When she hears rumors of Harp's long-lost Witch Queen, Rosefinch is determined to find out just what happened to the lost queen in the hopes that she'll help Rosefinch control her magic. Dark secrets lie buried within Harp Castle and it is up to Rosefinch to unravel them before anyone else gets hurt.
To be completely honest, I requested an ARC of this one solely because I love Aiden Thomas' work and when I was scrolling through NetGalley, I saw some familiar artwork. When I read the first part of the blurb that said that Lauderbaugh was the illustrator of Thomas' books, it all began to make sense. After learning this fact, I knew I had to give this graphic novel a try.
To be entirely frank, the art was one hundred percent the best thing about this book. From the he character's facial expressions to the beautiful scenery of the Feywild, Lauderbaugh's artistic style is just stunning. And the color choices they use are truly fantastic. Also, I love the character designs. Everyone is so pretty and they could seriously have stepped out of a high fantasy RPG or a "Lord of the Rings" type world.
I found the first part of this book to be really confusing, because I had no clue what Rosefinch was up to. I think it would have been helpful to include some of her lore earlier in the story, rather than go for the shock factor later. Seriously, once I started to learn more about this world, it became pretty clear what was up with Rosefinch anyways, so lore dumping a little earlier probably would have been in this book's benefit.
This book isn't anything too unique with witch magic and fey magic coexisting while also fighting against each other. There are spells and curses, you know, typical things one finds in a magical kingdom. I feel this book could have used a few really unique elements to make it sparkle, rather than just any other fantasy story on today's market.
I can give this book kudos for diversity at least. It's a queer romance featuring nonbinary people and characters of color. There are several sapphic pairings present throughout, but I didn't really feel chemistry between the main two characters. Honestly though, I would probably read a side story featuring Morgan's parents; they seem like they have really cool history and that their romantic tale would be quite fascinating to discover.
Overall, "Hollow Magic" was a decent enough fantasy read that wasn't overly unique but lent me joy for a small period of time. The art that this graphic novel contains is truly beautiful and I'd definitely check out more of this author's books just to ogle their art for a while. If one is looking for a quick magical read featuring fey and witches, this could be a good one to look into!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for this ARC!
There’s certainly lots of things to enjoy about this graphic novel. I liked the general premise, and world-building but the rushed pacing, heavy-handed exposition and flat character work made this a bit of a miss for me 😭. That being said, it’s an incredibly quick read so the actual act of reading was completely fine. This could definitely work as a great entry point for younger YA readers as it touches on a lot of the tropes you see in the genre.
The pacing felt weirdly inconsistent. Things *were* happening, often at a break-neck speed but without a connection to the characters to give it emotional weight. For example, the main character, Rosefinch, immediately has a crush on another young person that she saved from a curse. It’s not inst-love per se (cuz it’s just a crush) but feels so crazy quick because we hardly knew Rosefinch as a character at that point. At the same time, lots of the plot consisted of the cast giving exposition on things that they did or didn’t know about the world, which ironically made it feel like not a lot was happening at all. It felt like the events of the story took place in an afternoon.
I think this is also reflected in the dialogue which sometimes reads as a bit stilted and info-dumpy. For example, one of the characters comes to after being cursed for an undisclosed period of time. It’s treated as an opportunity to give exposition and lore on this world but it comes off as heavy handed and unnatural. Kind of like the author is telling us through the page about the setting rather than it being shown gradually.
This is completely a matter of preference but I found myself wanting a bit more from the art style. It’s consistent and restrained. I tend to gravitate towards more stylized graphic novels and I found this to be a bit detached at some points, I struggled to connect with it. But that’s just a matter of personal taste. I’m sure some readers will appreciate the straightforward, plot focused nature of it. I think the simplicity also makes it an easier, quicker read.
There’s certainly lots of things to enjoy about this graphic novel. I liked the general premise, and world-building but the rushed pacing, heavy-handed exposition and flat character work made this a bit of a miss for me 😭. That being said, it’s an incredibly quick read so the actual act of reading was completely fine. This could definitely work as a great entry point for younger YA readers as it touches on a lot of the tropes you see in the genre.
The pacing felt weirdly inconsistent. Things *were* happening, often at a break-neck speed but without a connection to the characters to give it emotional weight. For example, the main character, Rosefinch, immediately has a crush on another young person that she saved from a curse. It’s not inst-love per se (cuz it’s just a crush) but feels so crazy quick because we hardly knew Rosefinch as a character at that point. At the same time, lots of the plot consisted of the cast giving exposition on things that they did or didn’t know about the world, which ironically made it feel like not a lot was happening at all. It felt like the events of the story took place in an afternoon.
I think this is also reflected in the dialogue which sometimes reads as a bit stilted and info-dumpy. For example, one of the characters comes to after being cursed for an undisclosed period of time. It’s treated as an opportunity to give exposition and lore on this world but it comes off as heavy handed and unnatural. Kind of like the author is telling us through the page about the setting rather than it being shown gradually.
This is completely a matter of preference but I found myself wanting a bit more from the art style. It’s consistent and restrained. I tend to gravitate towards more stylized graphic novels and I found this to be a bit detached at some points, I struggled to connect with it. But that’s just a matter of personal taste. I’m sure some readers will appreciate the straightforward, plot focused nature of it. I think the simplicity also makes it an easier, quicker read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
They say don't judge a book by its cover. But, well, I never cared about that anyway. I love the cover and if you disagree with me—you're wrong.
Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh follows seventeen year old Rosefinch, a girl raised in the fey world who can lift curses with just a twist of her fingers. When her magic starts getting dangerous and painful, she goes looking for answers and ends up at a ruined castle with a cursed knight and a whole lot of secrets.
The only reason I even read this book is Mars Lauderbaugh. They're the cover illustrator of Aiden Thomas' Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials duology. And hell, do I LOVE Aiden Thomas and their books. And the covers are gorgeous. When I saw Lauderbaugh made a graphic novel, I just had to read it. I knew the illustrations would be beyond beautiful, and I was right. It is gorgeous. Every page, so beautifully drawn. Pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, magnificent, and every other adjective that I can't remember. Am I overexaggerating? Maybe, but—
Anyway. I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters. We've got a witch, a prince with lesbian parents, and a non-binary knight. Rosefinch was easy to care about, and I liked the mystery of the castle. Thierry was very cool. The romance might be rushed, but it was sweet, and I loved the found family vibes. The story is very fast-paced and the ending comes quick, but honestly, I didn’t mind too much because I was so invested in the characters.
Overall, I totally understand that the story might feel underdeveloped. And I think this would make a better series instead of a standalone. But I just had a really really good time with it.
This books comes out on August 11th, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Hollow Magic by Mars Lauderbaugh follows seventeen year old Rosefinch, a girl raised in the fey world who can lift curses with just a twist of her fingers. When her magic starts getting dangerous and painful, she goes looking for answers and ends up at a ruined castle with a cursed knight and a whole lot of secrets.
The only reason I even read this book is Mars Lauderbaugh. They're the cover illustrator of Aiden Thomas' Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials duology. And hell, do I LOVE Aiden Thomas and their books. And the covers are gorgeous. When I saw Lauderbaugh made a graphic novel, I just had to read it. I knew the illustrations would be beyond beautiful, and I was right. It is gorgeous. Every page, so beautifully drawn. Pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, magnificent, and every other adjective that I can't remember. Am I overexaggerating? Maybe, but—
Anyway. I really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters. We've got a witch, a prince with lesbian parents, and a non-binary knight. Rosefinch was easy to care about, and I liked the mystery of the castle. Thierry was very cool. The romance might be rushed, but it was sweet, and I loved the found family vibes. The story is very fast-paced and the ending comes quick, but honestly, I didn’t mind too much because I was so invested in the characters.
Overall, I totally understand that the story might feel underdeveloped. And I think this would make a better series instead of a standalone. But I just had a really really good time with it.
This books comes out on August 11th, 2026.
Thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2025
*Contains Spoilers*
Found family really does it for me. Especially when it’s a group of people who would otherwise have no reason to interact with one another. Hollow Magic does a really beautiful job at putting together a diverse group of characters, not only in the fantastical sense, as we have witches and humans and fey interacting, but in general identity and sexuality as well. Having a nonbinary character really was an interesting addition, although it could have been incorporated a bit better. It felt a bit awkward when Rosefinch straight up asked Thierry what pronouns they use.
I do really appreciate the fact that not all of the characters were white, which is something not so common to see in high fantasy settings, ESPECIALLY when dealing with fey. So having Morgan and his mother be black was very refreshing to see. Even more exciting that they were royalty on top of things.
My main complaint was the pacing of the story. I understand graphic novels have less words and shorter lengths, but I feel like this particular story would have greatly benefited from being split into volumes. I think 2 or 3 would have done the story more justice, just in the sense that it would have given more time for characters to be fully flushed out, including the romance aspect. Rosefinch and Thierry go from strangers to kissing in the span of a single day, which, sure it’s a fantasy, but the insta-love is kind of boring? Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a cute romance, but if it had more time to develop I would be more attached.
Overall, the story was very enjoyable. It was cozy and a nice palette cleanser between more intense reads. I’d love to see this available at my local library for teens and tweens to read. It’s one that I’ll be recommending to my little cousin who recently discovered a love of reading.
Found family really does it for me. Especially when it’s a group of people who would otherwise have no reason to interact with one another. Hollow Magic does a really beautiful job at putting together a diverse group of characters, not only in the fantastical sense, as we have witches and humans and fey interacting, but in general identity and sexuality as well. Having a nonbinary character really was an interesting addition, although it could have been incorporated a bit better. It felt a bit awkward when Rosefinch straight up asked Thierry what pronouns they use.
I do really appreciate the fact that not all of the characters were white, which is something not so common to see in high fantasy settings, ESPECIALLY when dealing with fey. So having Morgan and his mother be black was very refreshing to see. Even more exciting that they were royalty on top of things.
My main complaint was the pacing of the story. I understand graphic novels have less words and shorter lengths, but I feel like this particular story would have greatly benefited from being split into volumes. I think 2 or 3 would have done the story more justice, just in the sense that it would have given more time for characters to be fully flushed out, including the romance aspect. Rosefinch and Thierry go from strangers to kissing in the span of a single day, which, sure it’s a fantasy, but the insta-love is kind of boring? Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a cute romance, but if it had more time to develop I would be more attached.
Overall, the story was very enjoyable. It was cozy and a nice palette cleanser between more intense reads. I’d love to see this available at my local library for teens and tweens to read. It’s one that I’ll be recommending to my little cousin who recently discovered a love of reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this story, even with a few bumps along the way. Visually, it’s a lovely book. The art is simple but pretty, and the character designs are one of its strongest points. Morgan, in particular, was my favorite, he’s just genuinely so pretty on the page, his design really stands out. Thierry too. The facial expressions could’ve been stronger, but even so, the art had a charm I liked.
One thing I will say is that the cover made me expect something a bit more action-packed. It gave off the vibe of a bigger, more dramatic adventure than what the story actually delivers. The book itself is much quieter and more contained.
Pacing-wise, the beginning felt strong, but the rest of the story moved too fast for my taste. That quick pace is also why the romance felt rushed. I would’ve loved to see Rosefinch and Thierry’s relationship develop over a longer period of time, something that let their bond and trust build naturally. Honestly, the same goes for the friendship between them and Morgan. I liked their dynamic, but it all felt surface-level because they barely had any time together. A longer timeline would’ve added so much emotional weight, both to the romance and the friendships.
The worldbuilding is pretty simple, but it worked for the story. I enjoyed the idea of the Dawn and Dusk fey and the mystery behind Thierry’s curse. But I kept wishing the characters themselves had more depth. Everyone needed just a little more juj—especially the Harp family. I wanted more emotion from them and more emotion between them. To be fair, it is a YA graphic novel, and the characters are teens, so some simplicity in their emotional world makes sense.
The story touches on themes like trust, resisting oppressive power, and finding freedom from your past, and while these themes are there, they don’t go very deep. The whole thing reminded me of the YA fantasy I read when I was younger, and I know I would’ve been absolutely fascinated by Thierry as a kid.
Overall, Hollow Magic is a pretty, cozy fantasy graphic novel with a fun premise and an easy-to-like cast. I just wish the plot, the relationships, and the emotional beats had more room to breathe. Even so, I’m glad I picked it up and I think younger readers, especially, will find it magical.
One thing I will say is that the cover made me expect something a bit more action-packed. It gave off the vibe of a bigger, more dramatic adventure than what the story actually delivers. The book itself is much quieter and more contained.
Pacing-wise, the beginning felt strong, but the rest of the story moved too fast for my taste. That quick pace is also why the romance felt rushed. I would’ve loved to see Rosefinch and Thierry’s relationship develop over a longer period of time, something that let their bond and trust build naturally. Honestly, the same goes for the friendship between them and Morgan. I liked their dynamic, but it all felt surface-level because they barely had any time together. A longer timeline would’ve added so much emotional weight, both to the romance and the friendships.
The worldbuilding is pretty simple, but it worked for the story. I enjoyed the idea of the Dawn and Dusk fey and the mystery behind Thierry’s curse. But I kept wishing the characters themselves had more depth. Everyone needed just a little more juj—especially the Harp family. I wanted more emotion from them and more emotion between them. To be fair, it is a YA graphic novel, and the characters are teens, so some simplicity in their emotional world makes sense.
The story touches on themes like trust, resisting oppressive power, and finding freedom from your past, and while these themes are there, they don’t go very deep. The whole thing reminded me of the YA fantasy I read when I was younger, and I know I would’ve been absolutely fascinated by Thierry as a kid.
Overall, Hollow Magic is a pretty, cozy fantasy graphic novel with a fun premise and an easy-to-like cast. I just wish the plot, the relationships, and the emotional beats had more room to breathe. Even so, I’m glad I picked it up and I think younger readers, especially, will find it magical.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🌙 Found Family, Fey Curses, and the Magic of Becoming ✨
Mars Lauderbaugh’s Hollow Magic is a stunning YA fantasy graphic novel that blends lush artwork with a story that’s equal parts tender and empowering. It’s about curses and choices, but even more so, it’s about carving out your identity in a world that insists on defining it for you.
At the heart of the story is Rosefinch, a seventeen-year-old cursed with the power to unleash devastating magic with the flick of her fingers. In the fey realm, magic is never simple, and Rosefinch’s gift often feels more like a burden, one that isolates her from those she loves. But when a rumor surfaces about someone who might help her control her abilities, she finds herself pulled onto a journey that is as much about discovery as survival. Along the way, she encounters unlikely allies and threads of found family that slowly reshape what “home” and “belonging” mean.
What makes “Hollow Magic” unforgettable is how beautifully it balances its elements: the artwork is vibrant and atmospheric, the characters layered with flaws and resilience, and the themes deeply resonant. The story also shines in its queer representation. Identity is woven directly into the narrative, not as an afterthought but as part of the very fabric of the world. Rosefinch’s journey becomes both magical and personal, a reflection on how selfhood, love, and family can be chosen, even when others try to dictate who you should be.
✨ “Hollow Magic” is for fans of richly imagined fantasy, gorgeous illustration, and tales where hope glimmers even through curses.
🙏 Thank you to Mars Lauderbaugh, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Mars Lauderbaugh’s Hollow Magic is a stunning YA fantasy graphic novel that blends lush artwork with a story that’s equal parts tender and empowering. It’s about curses and choices, but even more so, it’s about carving out your identity in a world that insists on defining it for you.
At the heart of the story is Rosefinch, a seventeen-year-old cursed with the power to unleash devastating magic with the flick of her fingers. In the fey realm, magic is never simple, and Rosefinch’s gift often feels more like a burden, one that isolates her from those she loves. But when a rumor surfaces about someone who might help her control her abilities, she finds herself pulled onto a journey that is as much about discovery as survival. Along the way, she encounters unlikely allies and threads of found family that slowly reshape what “home” and “belonging” mean.
What makes “Hollow Magic” unforgettable is how beautifully it balances its elements: the artwork is vibrant and atmospheric, the characters layered with flaws and resilience, and the themes deeply resonant. The story also shines in its queer representation. Identity is woven directly into the narrative, not as an afterthought but as part of the very fabric of the world. Rosefinch’s journey becomes both magical and personal, a reflection on how selfhood, love, and family can be chosen, even when others try to dictate who you should be.
✨ “Hollow Magic” is for fans of richly imagined fantasy, gorgeous illustration, and tales where hope glimmers even through curses.
🙏 Thank you to Mars Lauderbaugh, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m familiar with Lauderbaugh’s art from their book covers for Aiden Thomas: Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials. Their art is vibrant, distinctive, and feature diverse characters of color, gender, and sexuality. So, I wasn’t surprised to find this same diversity in Hollow Magic, their fantastic and fantastical graphic novel.
I’ve always been a fan of the fae (in the graphic novel spelled as fey) and Lauderbaugh’s take on it is really unique, having these beings gaining powers from either the stars (dusk fey) or the natural world around them (dawn fey)…and then, in addition to fey beings, toss in witches for good measure! Witches may seem similar to fey, but they don’t possess natural magic and need a conduit for it, coming from the earth and sky. But witches can be quite powerful, as fey can be powerful.
This is a really unique take on magic, but Lauderbaugh also grounds it in the familiar with traditional fey rules–don’t accept gifts; don’t give them your true name. It’s an interesting combination of the new and the old when it comes to the realm of faerie.
Anyway, when it comes to the magic, there are a lot of cool ideas and imagery: the frozen knight Thierry (they/them); the magical vines overtaking the palace; the way Rosefinch’s magic is depicted as threads being unwound, broken, or binding. There’s a lot to enjoy here that makes this world visually exciting and unique.
I enjoyed the story quite a bit, too. The pacing is fast and the exposition is delivered in chunks in relevant time. I also liked the budding romance and friendships between the characters. This book is an absolute delight.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.
I’ve always been a fan of the fae (in the graphic novel spelled as fey) and Lauderbaugh’s take on it is really unique, having these beings gaining powers from either the stars (dusk fey) or the natural world around them (dawn fey)…and then, in addition to fey beings, toss in witches for good measure! Witches may seem similar to fey, but they don’t possess natural magic and need a conduit for it, coming from the earth and sky. But witches can be quite powerful, as fey can be powerful.
This is a really unique take on magic, but Lauderbaugh also grounds it in the familiar with traditional fey rules–don’t accept gifts; don’t give them your true name. It’s an interesting combination of the new and the old when it comes to the realm of faerie.
Anyway, when it comes to the magic, there are a lot of cool ideas and imagery: the frozen knight Thierry (they/them); the magical vines overtaking the palace; the way Rosefinch’s magic is depicted as threads being unwound, broken, or binding. There’s a lot to enjoy here that makes this world visually exciting and unique.
I enjoyed the story quite a bit, too. The pacing is fast and the exposition is delivered in chunks in relevant time. I also liked the budding romance and friendships between the characters. This book is an absolute delight.
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ever since the announcement of Hollow Magic, I've been waiting (im)patiently for the day I'd get to hold a whole BOOK of Mars' art in my hands AND read their story, as well!! So when I got approved for an eARC of this book (thanks, NetGalley!!), I literally threw myself into reading immediately and poured through the story in one sitting. I can't recommend this enough!!
To start off, Mars' art shines just as brightly in graphic novel form as it does in all other areas. The colors, scenery, character designs and panel transitions are just unbelievely rich and everything I never knew I needed. Mars' work is so distinct - everything from the characters expressions to the way scenes were framed just sang with their amazing skill and trademark style. I could stare at every page of Hollow Magic for DAYS and still never get tired of it. There's so much love and talent poured into this book that the art alone would've made it an instant favorite.
But then, you have the story. Every part - from the wonderful characters to the rich world-building and plot - was so carefully crafted and instantly memorable. The lore surrounding the fey, witches, and types of magic was SO fascinating. (I could read ten more books on it!) And the characters were so real. They balanced each other perfectly, they made real (not always right) choices, and they held and showed so much love and determination in the end. I felt like the whole cast got a chance to shine, too, which can be tough to accomplish with multiple characters' storylines.
I feel so thrilled and honored for the opportunity to have read this book. I'm so glad it exists and am already excited for a reread! (Also, I loved everyone, but Morgan was my favorite.)
To start off, Mars' art shines just as brightly in graphic novel form as it does in all other areas. The colors, scenery, character designs and panel transitions are just unbelievely rich and everything I never knew I needed. Mars' work is so distinct - everything from the characters expressions to the way scenes were framed just sang with their amazing skill and trademark style. I could stare at every page of Hollow Magic for DAYS and still never get tired of it. There's so much love and talent poured into this book that the art alone would've made it an instant favorite.
But then, you have the story. Every part - from the wonderful characters to the rich world-building and plot - was so carefully crafted and instantly memorable. The lore surrounding the fey, witches, and types of magic was SO fascinating. (I could read ten more books on it!) And the characters were so real. They balanced each other perfectly, they made real (not always right) choices, and they held and showed so much love and determination in the end. I felt like the whole cast got a chance to shine, too, which can be tough to accomplish with multiple characters' storylines.
I feel so thrilled and honored for the opportunity to have read this book. I'm so glad it exists and am already excited for a reread! (Also, I loved everyone, but Morgan was my favorite.)
September 17, 2025
Hollow Magic is a beautifully illustrated story about a half-witch, half-fey named Rosefinch looking for a mentor to tame her wild magic. In her quest, she hears of a Witch Queen trapped in a cursed castle that she hopes will be able to help her if only she can free her.
Guarded by a frozen knight, Rosefinch finds the castle is deserted and in ruins. So she unravels the knight's curse to hopefully find some answers. But the knight, Thierry, has lost their memories. Together, they travel throughout the castle to find clues but instead are met with more curses and secrets that will reveal that their fates are more entwined than they realize.
This graphic novel begins very abruptly where we are thrust right into the thick of the plot. I think this is okay with a younger audience since there is a bit of an explanation within the chapters, but I think with a little more background on the magic system, this would do so well with older readers as well.
The story was fast paced, but also full of emotion and magic. There was a solid plot and even a bit of tension and romance. Things escalated quickly at the end and though I wish it was a bit longer, I felt it was complete.
The pages are so wonderfully expressive not just with the characters but with the setting as well. I will definitely look for future works from this author/illustrator.
If you're looking for a quick YA queer fantasy story with detailed artwork, this is one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Guarded by a frozen knight, Rosefinch finds the castle is deserted and in ruins. So she unravels the knight's curse to hopefully find some answers. But the knight, Thierry, has lost their memories. Together, they travel throughout the castle to find clues but instead are met with more curses and secrets that will reveal that their fates are more entwined than they realize.
This graphic novel begins very abruptly where we are thrust right into the thick of the plot. I think this is okay with a younger audience since there is a bit of an explanation within the chapters, but I think with a little more background on the magic system, this would do so well with older readers as well.
The story was fast paced, but also full of emotion and magic. There was a solid plot and even a bit of tension and romance. Things escalated quickly at the end and though I wish it was a bit longer, I felt it was complete.
The pages are so wonderfully expressive not just with the characters but with the setting as well. I will definitely look for future works from this author/illustrator.
If you're looking for a quick YA queer fantasy story with detailed artwork, this is one to pick up.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
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