This graphic novel conclusion to The Witch Boy and The Hidden Witch is warm and satisfying -- the characters have positive relationships and people around them who accept them for who they are. ( )

I am a big fan of this fantasy graphic novel series. Definitely start with the first one. The books are about a large, magical family that lives on the outskirts of a town that doesn't know magic exists. I love the wide range of characters, and how complex all of their identities and relationships are. There's a lot of complicated family history and secrets combined with friendship stories and action. ( )

This series just gets better and better. I love everything about it. This one shows what family is. It isn't always the people you share blood with, but who you make your family. Great book once again. ( )

Each of the "Witch Boy" books has broadened the scope a step, from a single character subverting a norm, to other characters entering the spreading ripples, to this book in which the magical family as a community is faced with change and how that reverberates. In the second book, a new variable in the form of Ariel was introduced, compounding the reach and nature of magic, and a close family member, Sedge, chose to distance himself from the magic that had burned him. These two, along with Aster and non-magical Charlie, bring the show to the clan at a Midwinter festival; Ostertag makes a point of showing how actions have consequences and that's the point at which this book _shines_. Some consequences are wonderful and unlooked-for, so Sedge has one of the best "I told you so" moments in YA fiction at the end here, especially since it deals with the spread of the ripples.

Along with consequences, Ostertag stresses the role of personal choice. Free will, individual agency, and the accountability that must be incumbent upon that. Perhaps more so than consequences, choices are the theme of "The Midwinter Witch": Aster's, Sedge's, little Mica's, Aster's parents', and stout Charlie's form the structure of the story, but none is more central than Ariel's. So, when she declares in the last Act, "This is my choice," it's way more than just a statement. It's a Thesis. ( )

The Vanissens are going to meet the rest of their extended magical family for the midwinter festival, and Aster's friends Charlie and Ariel are coming along. Aster's mom discourages Aster from competing in the Jolrun, but encourages Ariel to do so, creating a rift. And Ariel's aunt has started appearing to her in dreams, trying to get her to leave the Vanissens and come with her instead. High-stakes magic, friendship, and family relationships make for an exciting conclusion to the trilogy.

Quotes

"You can be so much more powerful if you don't follow the rules." (Ariel's aunt, 91)

"...you're so brave in ways that I'm not....I wanted to protect you from what other people might think, but...that's not my choice to make." (Aster's mom, 149)

"Aren't you embarrassed? It's not normal."
"You keep saying that like it's a bad thing." (Flint and Aster, 186) ( )