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The Witch Boy #3
The Midwinter Witch
The acclaimed graphic novel world of The Witch Boy and The Hidden Witch comes to a thrilling conclusion in this story of friendship, family, and finding your true power. Magic has a dark side . . .Aster always looks forward to the Midwinter Festival, a reunion of the entire Vanissen family that includes competitions in witchery and shapeshifting. This year, he's especially excited to compete in the annual Jolrun tournament-as a witch. He's determined to show everyone that he's proud of who he is and what he's learned, but he knows it won't be easy to defy tradition.Ariel has darker things on her mind than the Festival-like the mysterious witch who's been visiting her dreams, claiming to know the truth about Ariel's past. She appreciates everything the Vanissens have done for her. But Ariel still craves a place where she truly belongs.The Festival is a whirlwind of excitement and activity, but for Aster and Ariel, nothing goes according to plan. When a powerful and sinister force invades the reunion, threatening to destroy everything the young witches have fought for, can they find the courage to fight it together? Or will dark magic tear them apart?
203 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2019
144 people are currently reading
6246 people want to read
About the author
Molly Knox Ostertag
42 books2,442 followersI grew up in the forests of upstate New York, where I spent the first half of my childhood reading about fantastical adventures and the second half acting them out with foam swords at a live action roleplaying camp . I graduated in 2014 from the School of Visual Arts, where I studied cartooning and illustration, and I currently live in Los Angeles. My artistic interests include women in fiction, fantasy and sci fi, superheroes, and history.
I illustrate a twice weekly webcomic called Strong Female Protagonist with co-creator Brennan Lee Mulligan, which was listed as one of io9's Best New and Short Webcomics when it launched in 2012. I ran a successful Kickstarter in the summer of 2014 to print the first volume, which was distributed by Top Shelf comics and is now available in stores and online.
I'm currently working on a graphic novel with First Second named Shattered Warrior, coming out in Spring 2017.
I illustrate a twice weekly webcomic called Strong Female Protagonist with co-creator Brennan Lee Mulligan, which was listed as one of io9's Best New and Short Webcomics when it launched in 2012. I ran a successful Kickstarter in the summer of 2014 to print the first volume, which was distributed by Top Shelf comics and is now available in stores and online.
I'm currently working on a graphic novel with First Second named Shattered Warrior, coming out in Spring 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,170 reviews
December 15, 2019
I feel like Molly wrote this story with me in mind as the reader. It's perfect.
I have been waiting for this and I find out this is the 3rd volume in the series and so I have to go back and pick up the 2nd volume. I simply adore this series.
It says this is the conclusion, but it doesn't feel like an ending. This is a great story and I want more. I want to know more of this world and what's going on and I want to see more Aster. There needs to be more of these.
This is a wonderful story. It's a Billy Elliot troupe. Girls are witches and yet Aster can do magic, so it's a bit shocking.
I love the Midwinter setting. It doesn't say, but I guess Midwinter is either Yule or Candlemas/imbulc. Deep snow and a festivle to celebrate magic. It sounds simply lovely.
This is written for Middle grade readers, but I enjoyed this as much as a tween might. It's a good story. I am a huge fan of Molly Ostertag and I will follow her to future stories. I do wish she would change her mind and write more in this series. It's like it's written just for me.
I have been waiting for this and I find out this is the 3rd volume in the series and so I have to go back and pick up the 2nd volume. I simply adore this series.
It says this is the conclusion, but it doesn't feel like an ending. This is a great story and I want more. I want to know more of this world and what's going on and I want to see more Aster. There needs to be more of these.
This is a wonderful story. It's a Billy Elliot troupe. Girls are witches and yet Aster can do magic, so it's a bit shocking.
I love the Midwinter setting. It doesn't say, but I guess Midwinter is either Yule or Candlemas/imbulc. Deep snow and a festivle to celebrate magic. It sounds simply lovely.
This is written for Middle grade readers, but I enjoyed this as much as a tween might. It's a good story. I am a huge fan of Molly Ostertag and I will follow her to future stories. I do wish she would change her mind and write more in this series. It's like it's written just for me.
December 9, 2019
I know there are a lot of comics series and graphic novels out right now about the Power of Magic to Do Good in the World (that Harry Potter milieu), all that facing down the Dark Arts and/or Black Magic, but I happen to be reading two of them, including the manga series Witch Hat Atelier and this one, which I just learn is concluded! Witch Hat has dramatic swirling crazy detailed imaginative art work, and this (Western) one is Noelle Stevenson-style, brightly colored, Scholastic-designed and highly promoted in these parts.
Witch Hat has appeals to younger readers--the main girl is much younger, there's little cute "brush buddy" worm-like creatures and so on--but the world (as drawn and conceived) is far more detailed and elaborate and complex, appealing to a wider range of readers, I think. Midwinter Witch is maybe a middle-grades book, focused on all kinds of diversity and gender identity and is also more narrowly focused on a smaller group of characters, with a narrower field of action, and surely visually simpler.
Witch is about a boy, Aster, who wants to be a witch in a world where boys become shape-shifters (think: Billy Elliot, yay!). The action brings Aster's family and their adopted daughter Ariel to the Midwinter Festival. Guess who is gonna be the Midwinter Witch?! Ariel faces a struggle with someone in her past, maybe someone of the dark magic ilk? She, too, has a dark streak; will she give into it or choose family? Guess what happens?!
This had the potential to be a much longer series and ends a bit abruptly for my taste. I was hoping it might explore deeper implications of all this gender complexity and dark vs light magic. But it's still good, likable work.
Witch Hat has appeals to younger readers--the main girl is much younger, there's little cute "brush buddy" worm-like creatures and so on--but the world (as drawn and conceived) is far more detailed and elaborate and complex, appealing to a wider range of readers, I think. Midwinter Witch is maybe a middle-grades book, focused on all kinds of diversity and gender identity and is also more narrowly focused on a smaller group of characters, with a narrower field of action, and surely visually simpler.
Witch is about a boy, Aster, who wants to be a witch in a world where boys become shape-shifters (think: Billy Elliot, yay!). The action brings Aster's family and their adopted daughter Ariel to the Midwinter Festival. Guess who is gonna be the Midwinter Witch?! Ariel faces a struggle with someone in her past, maybe someone of the dark magic ilk? She, too, has a dark streak; will she give into it or choose family? Guess what happens?!
This had the potential to be a much longer series and ends a bit abruptly for my taste. I was hoping it might explore deeper implications of all this gender complexity and dark vs light magic. But it's still good, likable work.
November 21, 2019
A solid middle volume in what I hope will be a long-running series. Aster continues to struggle against his mother's expectations by taking his nonconformity with gender roles public at a large family reunion. And a new villain is introduced who I hope to see more fully fleshed out in a future volume. Even if the adventure this outing did not have me on the edge of my seat, I'm still quite enthralled with characters and the world being built here.
p.s. Oh, wait, having posted my review I see now that the description on Goodreads says this is the conclusion. Well, that sucks, because while this is a good book, it does not feel like a conclusion at all. I'll be very disappointed if this is truly the end of the series.
p.s. Oh, wait, having posted my review I see now that the description on Goodreads says this is the conclusion. Well, that sucks, because while this is a good book, it does not feel like a conclusion at all. I'll be very disappointed if this is truly the end of the series.
December 22, 2019
*4.75
I really hope this isn’t the end of the series. I mean, it can’t be. There’s so much more to explore in this world!
Another fun, inclusive read. I can’t wait for more of these books. 4.75/5 stars.
I really hope this isn’t the end of the series. I mean, it can’t be. There’s so much more to explore in this world!
Another fun, inclusive read. I can’t wait for more of these books. 4.75/5 stars.
September 25, 2021
Aster and Ariel are attending magic classes with Aster's family and Charlie and Sedge attend the local school now. A family festival is coming up and Aster's mother invites Ariel as Ariel is now their ward. Ariel doesn't want to attend but when Charlie insists she wants to go, Ariel also thinks it to be a good idea.
At the festival each year, one boy is crowned the midwinter shifter and one girl is crowned the midwinter witch. Aster wants to take part but his mother refuses as she thinks that people might make fun of Aster and Aster might not cope with that.
Meanwhile, Ariel is visited by her biological aunt in dreams and she tells Ariel that she should come and live with her as being her aunt she can train her better than the Vanissens. She also tells Ariel that Ariel's magic is dark unlike Vanissens. Ariel refuses initially but when she takes part in the Jolrun (competition for the midwinter witch), she defeats Aster and Aster gets mad at her. So Ariel decides to go with her aunt but Aster's mother is aware that Ariel's family steals magic off other people and sometimes their own family members and they save Ariel from going with her aunt.
I am absolutely loving this series. There's not a single thing that I don't like. I love the illustrations, love the story, love the character development and the deep rooted secrets of family and magic. I can't wait to read the next when it comes out and here's hoping that this isn't the last book in the series.
5 stars
At the festival each year, one boy is crowned the midwinter shifter and one girl is crowned the midwinter witch. Aster wants to take part but his mother refuses as she thinks that people might make fun of Aster and Aster might not cope with that.
Meanwhile, Ariel is visited by her biological aunt in dreams and she tells Ariel that she should come and live with her as being her aunt she can train her better than the Vanissens. She also tells Ariel that Ariel's magic is dark unlike Vanissens. Ariel refuses initially but when she takes part in the Jolrun (competition for the midwinter witch), she defeats Aster and Aster gets mad at her. So Ariel decides to go with her aunt but Aster's mother is aware that Ariel's family steals magic off other people and sometimes their own family members and they save Ariel from going with her aunt.
I am absolutely loving this series. There's not a single thing that I don't like. I love the illustrations, love the story, love the character development and the deep rooted secrets of family and magic. I can't wait to read the next when it comes out and here's hoping that this isn't the last book in the series.
5 stars
October 31, 2024
super cute but I wish I didn't accidentally read this one before the 2nd book 😅
February 2, 2021
The gang from the previous two books in this series -- Aster, his cousin Sedge, their friends Charlie and Ariel, and the entire Vanissen family -- head to an annual family reunion/Midwinter festival. Aster is especially excited, since he plans to be the first boy to compete in the “Jolrun,” a magic contest for the younger teen witches. But trouble just can’t stay away, and shows up from both outside the friends, and from within.I enjoyed this book just as much as the first two! I can’t say too much without giving spoilers for the earlier books. It has the same bountiful charm, and the same great insights into what will test people and threaten to break their spirits, and their friendships. The tension was thick. And as always, the resolution is heartwarming and sweet. I love these characters, the way they interact, their families, and the entire setting of this world.
The blurb for this says it is the last book in this series, but I am really, really hoping that the author will find these characters demanding that some more stories be told and drawn about them, and obey!
November 21, 2019
A somewhat solid conclusion to a good middle grade graphic novel series. It could have benefited with it being a little longer because the ending felt rushed and the villain introduced did not have much character growth.
October 19, 2019
I was lucky enough to get a black and white advanced reader copy of this at BookExpo. The series continues to be extremely charming, with the characters facing challenges in the magical world which are often very easy metaphors for queer experiences. As the main character friend group has grown larger, each character's story arc is a bit shorter because the author must balance out more character's time on the page. But I am still very captivated by this series and glad that this book ended in a way which leaves room for more!
October 19, 2020
4.5 stars. More wonderful stuff! Friendship, self-confidence issues, anger, resistance to change, gorgeous artwork.....what’s not to love in the continuing story of witch Aster, and his friends Charlie (not magical, but totally will not give up on you, ever), shifter Sedge (growing in confidence and exploring everything he can), and Ariel (really not eager to trust and powerful witch)?
The Midwinter festival and the competition for Witch Queen and Shifter King is tough, and Aster is determined to compete, despite his mother’s contrary wishes. Ariel and Charlie attend, too, and Ariel has a chance to open herself to Aster’s big family, even with her biological aunt making an appearance.
The conflict and arguments felt real, and I liked how the four kids came together to deal with their issues.
The Midwinter festival and the competition for Witch Queen and Shifter King is tough, and Aster is determined to compete, despite his mother’s contrary wishes. Ariel and Charlie attend, too, and Ariel has a chance to open herself to Aster’s big family, even with her biological aunt making an appearance.
The conflict and arguments felt real, and I liked how the four kids came together to deal with their issues.
December 23, 2019
This third installment in "The Witch Boy" series is as adorable as the others.
In this go 'round, it's time for Winter Solstice celebrations which means I timed this perfectly, reading it two days before the 2019 Winter Solstice.
Since Ariel is now going to school at the Vanissen house, she is invited to the family reunion in a mountain chalet where leylines converge. There will be snowball fights, food and singing (I assume), and competitions for the witches and the shapers. Since Ariel's not quite comfortable going on her own, she asks if Charlie can come so now there's a non-magic-user in the mix and nobody seems to mind. I thought that was really cool.
And then we learn that family can really suck.
I love the heavy focus on friendship in these stories, particularly the bond Charlie and Aster share. It looks like there may be a romance building between Charlie and Ariel but I can't tell for sure. I also appreciated seeing Aster's mom wanting the best for all these kids but making some wrong decisions based on her fears rather than the kids' needs, something she later apologizes for. It's always good to see responsible, caring, level-headed adults make mistakes and it's just as good to see those same adults being accountable for said mistakes.
Mostly, I need to join this family so I can go to that charming little chalet on solstices.
In this go 'round, it's time for Winter Solstice celebrations which means I timed this perfectly, reading it two days before the 2019 Winter Solstice.
Since Ariel is now going to school at the Vanissen house, she is invited to the family reunion in a mountain chalet where leylines converge. There will be snowball fights, food and singing (I assume), and competitions for the witches and the shapers. Since Ariel's not quite comfortable going on her own, she asks if Charlie can come so now there's a non-magic-user in the mix and nobody seems to mind. I thought that was really cool.
And then we learn that family can really suck.
I love the heavy focus on friendship in these stories, particularly the bond Charlie and Aster share. It looks like there may be a romance building between Charlie and Ariel but I can't tell for sure. I also appreciated seeing Aster's mom wanting the best for all these kids but making some wrong decisions based on her fears rather than the kids' needs, something she later apologizes for. It's always good to see responsible, caring, level-headed adults make mistakes and it's just as good to see those same adults being accountable for said mistakes.
Mostly, I need to join this family so I can go to that charming little chalet on solstices.
July 17, 2023
Acho que essa serie perdeu mt desde qndo introduziu a Ariel. Eu gostei MT do primeiro livro, nao posso dizer o mesmo do segundo e nem desse ultimo. A ariel vira quase uma protagonista nesse aqui, achei uma decisao mt infeliz. Nao consegui gostar da personagem, nem com a "redençao" dela. So acho ela inconveniente, sem noçao, narcissista, cHATA e maldosa. O que ela faz com o Aster nesse livro achei mt maldade e falta de noçao dela. Mas a real o problema é quem escreveu e quis introduzir essa personagem achando que ia ser uma boa ideia kkkkkkkkk Pra mim desde o segundo livro vem vindo numa ladeira abaixo.
February 16, 2025
I still liked this finale, but it feels so rushed. It's trying to do a little too much at once. I do hope though that there might be more in the future as it certainly still has plenty of room to continue on.
December 19, 2023
it's beautiful, love it
July 30, 2020
➸ Trigger warnings for .
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Blog • Trigger Warning Database • Twitter • Instagram
May 8, 2021
3.5 stars
Solid ending to The Witch Boy series. I wish there were more installments! Read via library.
Solid ending to The Witch Boy series. I wish there were more installments! Read via library.
January 13, 2025
EL ÚLTIMO QUE ME FALTABA!!
*Si aún no han leído esta trilogía, qué esperan"
THE MIDWINTER WITCH, es el tercero de este mundo de nuestro querido Aster "Hechicero adolescente" o como yo lo conozco SABRINA DE ESTE UNIVERSO.
Amo mucho a los personajes y me gusta el crecimiento de Aster.
Me gusta leerlo maduro y a la vez cometiendo tonterías o con emociones fuertes como todo chico a su edad.
Amo la amistad que tiene con el GRUPO y su relación familiar con la magia.
Aquí pudimos ver más a ARIEL siendo la nueva bruja y aprendiendo de la familia de Aster.
Amo la dinámica que tienen ambos y como tienen lo que al otro le falta.
AhORAAAAAAA, PODEMOS HABLAR DEL CRUSH QUE TIENE CHARLIEEEEEE POR ARIEL.
Me gustan mucho (también me gusta Aster con Ariel, soy culpable)
Jajajajaja pero creo que el enamoramiento bonito de Charlie es lindo🤍❤️🩹🌼💐💐💐
Me gustan todos y los amo.
Sé que seguiremos con este universo
*Si aún no han leído esta trilogía, qué esperan"
THE MIDWINTER WITCH, es el tercero de este mundo de nuestro querido Aster "Hechicero adolescente" o como yo lo conozco SABRINA DE ESTE UNIVERSO.
Amo mucho a los personajes y me gusta el crecimiento de Aster.
Me gusta leerlo maduro y a la vez cometiendo tonterías o con emociones fuertes como todo chico a su edad.
Amo la amistad que tiene con el GRUPO y su relación familiar con la magia.
Aquí pudimos ver más a ARIEL siendo la nueva bruja y aprendiendo de la familia de Aster.
Amo la dinámica que tienen ambos y como tienen lo que al otro le falta.
AhORAAAAAAA, PODEMOS HABLAR DEL CRUSH QUE TIENE CHARLIEEEEEE POR ARIEL.
Me gustan mucho (también me gusta Aster con Ariel, soy culpable)
Jajajajaja pero creo que el enamoramiento bonito de Charlie es lindo🤍❤️🩹🌼💐💐💐
Me gustan todos y los amo.
Sé que seguiremos con este universo
May 16, 2021
This series is absolutely adorable! I loved the wintery aesthetic in this one and I hope that someday Molly Ostertag does more with these characters.
April 5, 2020
4 stars
I absolutely adore Molly Ostertag and everything about this story. The art style is so gorgeous and homey and it gives off a very nice vibe that I am a very big fan of. I also really love the message of this story and I think it wraps up the series really nicely. I loved the setting, which felt incredibly atmospheric and made me want to go back to winter and the simpler times. The characters own my heart and I absolutely adore the way the found family trope is done in this book and it makes me tear up whenever I think about it. In conclusion, The Witch Boy series deserves the world and I will not be taking criticism at this time.
I absolutely adore Molly Ostertag and everything about this story. The art style is so gorgeous and homey and it gives off a very nice vibe that I am a very big fan of. I also really love the message of this story and I think it wraps up the series really nicely. I loved the setting, which felt incredibly atmospheric and made me want to go back to winter and the simpler times. The characters own my heart and I absolutely adore the way the found family trope is done in this book and it makes me tear up whenever I think about it. In conclusion, The Witch Boy series deserves the world and I will not be taking criticism at this time.
December 27, 2019
I was able to get a hold of an uncorrected proof of this book (THANK YOU Ali!). Yeah, it's not in color, but I can wait for that. But the story was a wonderful continuation with more characterization and more interesting twists for Aster and his friends. The blurb on the book makes it feel like a conclusion, and while it could be an ending, I'm really hoping it is not. I really like these characters and I would LOVE to see more stories as they grow, get older and more advanced with their skills.
November 25, 2019
Honestly, I didn't love this graphic novel. Overall, it kept me occupied but it's not a favorite.
September 4, 2021
The whole Witch Boy series is so shallow and heavy handed without actually delivering on the themes it's bringing up.
The change in setting provides slightly higher stakes for this book but it's shoddy structure just builds up to an underwhelming climax. I wish Ostertag could go deeper into Jolrun and how that would affect the magical family dynamics.
Ariel kind of became the protagonist of the last two books and Aster got pushed aside. It doesn't help that Aster is so vanilla and passive, but I feel like the second Ostertag introduced an angsty lesbian character she had nothing else to say about the non-conforming boy. Why does Aster have to be convinced to partake in the Jolrun after his mom shut him down? It's condescending seeing Ariel effortlessly win the Jolrun and then just give the honor of winning to Aster. Aster actually worked for it, but no of course the lighter skinned character is better than him despite putting in less work.
Charlie just exists to be Ariel's love interest. Somehow even when dark skinned poc are the main characters, they managed to get sidelined by a the lighter skinned side character when white people write them. Charlie just blushes a bunch and offers support. Also at one point she says "jumping off a cliff isn't my idea of fun" when?? She literally did that in the first Witch Boy Book? Molly's ability to care about her BIPOC characters is so non-existent that she forgets their own stories.
Ariel's arc with her aunt Isabel is so shallow. Her aunt uses evil exploity magic and thinks everyone else is weak for doing unharmful magic! I though this meant that Ariel would be tempted to hurt people again, but she just...wins a Jolrun contest? Without hurting anyone? When Aster calls her out on taking his victory in the Jolrun she lashes out and says he's just scared that she'll be more powerful than him??? Nothing in the narrative showed that. Aster corrects her by saying that she should know how much winning the Jolrun would mean to him as a Witch Boy and she just...leaves and calls up evil auntie. Evil auntie arrives and Ariel immediately changes her mind about joining her when Isabel puts Aster in danger. What's bizarre is that Ariel says "I mess everything up! The last time I did, someone died!" (yes that was a weird sentence grammatically) referring to Mikasi sacrificing himself only for Aster to correct her later when he tries to rescue her that "You didn't kill Mikasi. He died to give you a choice". Did?? This family really make it so they let Ariel believe she killed Mikasi? It's not held up by the narrative at all. Either way they get away and happy ending! Guh.
Holly (Aster's mom) becomes a more prominent character in this book. She wants to encourage Ariel into feeling more welcome in the Vanissens by getting her to partake in the Jolrun, but doesn't want Aster to join because the rest of the extended family isn't ready to accept a Witch Boy just yet. I get why she wants to look over an orphaned magical child, but it's weird how the narrative brushes off the boundaries she's crossing by rushing a kid into a whole new family culture. Holly asks Ariel's parents' permission to take her to the Jolrun before checking if Ariel herself is actually okay with it?? Like Ariel already has an adopted family of her own that she's hasn't even gotten along with yet. I wish Holly was called out on this. In general the family dynamics just feel brushed over and surface level. I'm glad that Aster got to have a confrontation with his mom about how she "accepts" him but thinks she's protecting him by hiding his witchery from others. I wish there were more moments like that in the Witch Boy series, where kids can navigate how complicated gaining acceptance can be. What about how Tohor told Aster that he's actually supportive of him joining the Jolrun? He didn't do anything to help his son out. This would have been a great opportunity to show how parents can be good allies in helping kids navigate bigotry. But most of the time we just get hand-wavy "accept differences!" messages from a heavy handed metaphor.
Aster's kind of back to square one in this book? He wants to prove himself a Witch but boo family isn't accepting. If Aster could just win a family contest, maybe that'll mean something! Flint is literally Sedge 2.0. He doesn't make a compelling rival because he's not even competing against Aster as a shifter, so we barely get any interaction between the two. It would have been way more interesting if Aster's rival in the Jolrun was a competitive Witch girl. Then we'd cover new ground the series hasn't already done and see an actual competitive dynamic in this story. It would have been so satisfying to see that rivalry, skill building and respect for each other build up instead of having it be pushed to the background for Ariel's angst.
Either way I'm tired of middle grade stories that constantly frame beauty pageants, school plays and contests as the key to acceptance. I get that not every member of the Vanissen family cheered for Aster's pity victory and that it's all about how other non-conforming kids will feel knowing there's someone like him, but it's just so shallow in the way it's framed. I'm truly sick of metaphors about queerness and not actual queer representation. Gay dads exist and girls crush on each other but it's all treated like incidental details for a story apparently ABOUT queerness. Why doesn't Aster's relationship with Aunt Iris ever get resolved? That would have been a great opportunity to talk about internalized prejudice within the queer community. Iris is also never shown to hang out with her wife. It's frustrating that a narrative that exploits trans people's experiences into a fantasy metaphor has no trans characters in it.
The art in this third installment is just a new level of phoning it in. For a book dedicated to sporty contests, the action sequences sure are uninspired or just awkwardly paced. Through all three books, Ostertag still can't draw Charlie's hairline competently. The design of Isabel is such cliche villain coding. You'd think a queer artist would know better than to go for pointy-nosed, hyper femme classic Disney physiognomy. Maarta Laiho is the colorist for this book and is really incompetent with coloring dark skin. Juniper's skin tone keeps changing, she used to be the same complexion as Aster, but she's lighter in this book? In night time scenes some characters look straight up white washed. In pages 176 and 177, Charlie (a Black girl) has the SAME skin tone as Holly (a white woman).
Overall, it really feels like Ostertag wanted to cash in on trans visibility with a queer-baity metaphor and just do nothing with it after getting two more books with that story. QPOC, especially trans people of color, deserve better than an ambiguously brown, indigenous-coded character written by a white person. The Witch Boy series is just white cis queerness dressed up in shallow diversity.
The change in setting provides slightly higher stakes for this book but it's shoddy structure just builds up to an underwhelming climax. I wish Ostertag could go deeper into Jolrun and how that would affect the magical family dynamics.
Ariel kind of became the protagonist of the last two books and Aster got pushed aside. It doesn't help that Aster is so vanilla and passive, but I feel like the second Ostertag introduced an angsty lesbian character she had nothing else to say about the non-conforming boy. Why does Aster have to be convinced to partake in the Jolrun after his mom shut him down? It's condescending seeing Ariel effortlessly win the Jolrun and then just give the honor of winning to Aster. Aster actually worked for it, but no of course the lighter skinned character is better than him despite putting in less work.
Charlie just exists to be Ariel's love interest. Somehow even when dark skinned poc are the main characters, they managed to get sidelined by a the lighter skinned side character when white people write them. Charlie just blushes a bunch and offers support. Also at one point she says "jumping off a cliff isn't my idea of fun" when?? She literally did that in the first Witch Boy Book? Molly's ability to care about her BIPOC characters is so non-existent that she forgets their own stories.
Ariel's arc with her aunt Isabel is so shallow. Her aunt uses evil exploity magic and thinks everyone else is weak for doing unharmful magic! I though this meant that Ariel would be tempted to hurt people again, but she just...wins a Jolrun contest? Without hurting anyone? When Aster calls her out on taking his victory in the Jolrun she lashes out and says he's just scared that she'll be more powerful than him??? Nothing in the narrative showed that. Aster corrects her by saying that she should know how much winning the Jolrun would mean to him as a Witch Boy and she just...leaves and calls up evil auntie. Evil auntie arrives and Ariel immediately changes her mind about joining her when Isabel puts Aster in danger. What's bizarre is that Ariel says "I mess everything up! The last time I did, someone died!" (yes that was a weird sentence grammatically) referring to Mikasi sacrificing himself only for Aster to correct her later when he tries to rescue her that "You didn't kill Mikasi. He died to give you a choice". Did?? This family really make it so they let Ariel believe she killed Mikasi? It's not held up by the narrative at all. Either way they get away and happy ending! Guh.
Holly (Aster's mom) becomes a more prominent character in this book. She wants to encourage Ariel into feeling more welcome in the Vanissens by getting her to partake in the Jolrun, but doesn't want Aster to join because the rest of the extended family isn't ready to accept a Witch Boy just yet. I get why she wants to look over an orphaned magical child, but it's weird how the narrative brushes off the boundaries she's crossing by rushing a kid into a whole new family culture. Holly asks Ariel's parents' permission to take her to the Jolrun before checking if Ariel herself is actually okay with it?? Like Ariel already has an adopted family of her own that she's hasn't even gotten along with yet. I wish Holly was called out on this. In general the family dynamics just feel brushed over and surface level. I'm glad that Aster got to have a confrontation with his mom about how she "accepts" him but thinks she's protecting him by hiding his witchery from others. I wish there were more moments like that in the Witch Boy series, where kids can navigate how complicated gaining acceptance can be. What about how Tohor told Aster that he's actually supportive of him joining the Jolrun? He didn't do anything to help his son out. This would have been a great opportunity to show how parents can be good allies in helping kids navigate bigotry. But most of the time we just get hand-wavy "accept differences!" messages from a heavy handed metaphor.
Aster's kind of back to square one in this book? He wants to prove himself a Witch but boo family isn't accepting. If Aster could just win a family contest, maybe that'll mean something! Flint is literally Sedge 2.0. He doesn't make a compelling rival because he's not even competing against Aster as a shifter, so we barely get any interaction between the two. It would have been way more interesting if Aster's rival in the Jolrun was a competitive Witch girl. Then we'd cover new ground the series hasn't already done and see an actual competitive dynamic in this story. It would have been so satisfying to see that rivalry, skill building and respect for each other build up instead of having it be pushed to the background for Ariel's angst.
Either way I'm tired of middle grade stories that constantly frame beauty pageants, school plays and contests as the key to acceptance. I get that not every member of the Vanissen family cheered for Aster's pity victory and that it's all about how other non-conforming kids will feel knowing there's someone like him, but it's just so shallow in the way it's framed. I'm truly sick of metaphors about queerness and not actual queer representation. Gay dads exist and girls crush on each other but it's all treated like incidental details for a story apparently ABOUT queerness. Why doesn't Aster's relationship with Aunt Iris ever get resolved? That would have been a great opportunity to talk about internalized prejudice within the queer community. Iris is also never shown to hang out with her wife. It's frustrating that a narrative that exploits trans people's experiences into a fantasy metaphor has no trans characters in it.
The art in this third installment is just a new level of phoning it in. For a book dedicated to sporty contests, the action sequences sure are uninspired or just awkwardly paced. Through all three books, Ostertag still can't draw Charlie's hairline competently. The design of Isabel is such cliche villain coding. You'd think a queer artist would know better than to go for pointy-nosed, hyper femme classic Disney physiognomy. Maarta Laiho is the colorist for this book and is really incompetent with coloring dark skin. Juniper's skin tone keeps changing, she used to be the same complexion as Aster, but she's lighter in this book? In night time scenes some characters look straight up white washed. In pages 176 and 177, Charlie (a Black girl) has the SAME skin tone as Holly (a white woman).
Overall, it really feels like Ostertag wanted to cash in on trans visibility with a queer-baity metaphor and just do nothing with it after getting two more books with that story. QPOC, especially trans people of color, deserve better than an ambiguously brown, indigenous-coded character written by a white person. The Witch Boy series is just white cis queerness dressed up in shallow diversity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2020
Such a touching story. The boy who wants to break gender expectations to be a witch. The orphan friend with massive power who only wants to belong.
This is a great story of temptation and acceptance. And the artwork is emotive and beautiful.
Love it.
This is a great story of temptation and acceptance. And the artwork is emotive and beautiful.
Love it.
April 17, 2024
co tu dużo mówić KOCHAM WIEDŹMAGA
April 22, 2024
totalnie moja ulubiona część z całej trylogii!
ma najciekawszy plot (z magicznym turniejem na pierwszym planie), całkowicie moją kolorystykę i jest pięknym domknięciem calej historii <3 loved it
ma najciekawszy plot (z magicznym turniejem na pierwszym planie), całkowicie moją kolorystykę i jest pięknym domknięciem calej historii <3 loved it
November 29, 2019
The Midwinter Witch was the perfect conclusion one of the best graphic novel series. Molly Knox Ostertag’s books are perfect for middle grade readers as well as any other interested parties (Every queer person will love The Witch Boy.) The art is warm and inviting, the story strong and intelligent, and the characters are sweet, well-rounded, and genuine. Fans of the other two books are sure to enjoy this third, packed with magic, snow, and snow magic.
November 10, 2019
Flint: "Aren't you embarrassed? It's not normal."
Aster: "You keep saying that like it's a bad thing."
That exchange is why I love The Witch Boy series so much. The friend group celebrates each other's differences. The characters find joy in what makes them unique, even when others might not. Tradition is important, but so is following your own path.
Aster: "You keep saying that like it's a bad thing."
That exchange is why I love The Witch Boy series so much. The friend group celebrates each other's differences. The characters find joy in what makes them unique, even when others might not. Tradition is important, but so is following your own path.
August 26, 2020
Did I cry while reading this book during lunch before our The Hidden Witch book club this afternoon? Yes, yes I did. A truly satisfying conclusion to a powerful series about identity, self-acceptance, being . yourself, being an ally, changing your community, and more, all through the metaphors of magic and transformation.
March 4, 2020
I've enjoyed the Witch Boy series, but am sad to see a conclusion before Ostertag really delves into some of the interesting issues she brings up about gender and power. Good reads for younger readers, but could be so much more compelling if allowed to grow a bit more.
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