Coven: A Graphic Novel

The Dark and Light Lands have been peaceful, but since the Light king passed and his son, Prince Lexius, has assumed the throne, relations have been stilted. Prince Lexius has increased the mining of raaka by encroaching on Dark Lands. Sorastra, who rules the Dark Lands, knows that the mining by the Light ruler is causing destruction to her beloved lands. To avoid war, she calls on the Coven, asking Hester, Anadil, and Dot to help. The Witch Coven offers their services to stop villains and maintain peace. But when they heed Sorastra’s call, relations have escalated, and people are dying of a strange affliction, both sides blaming the other.

While familiarity with Chainani’s The School for Good and Evil will delight readers as they come across references to the series, it is not required for enjoyment of this beautifully illustrated graphic novel. It is at once dark and sinister and light and hopeful, the opposing forces combining to create a work that is hard to put down and quick to breeze through. It is about friendships, working together, and overcoming the darkness that hides in all our hearts. Perhaps the best graphic novel this year.