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The Pale Queen: A Graphic Novel
From the acclaimed creator of Estranged and The Legend of Brightblade comes a lush fantasy graphic novel about an aspiring astronomer who attracts the attention of a mysterious being known as the Lady. Perfect for fans of Anya’s Ghost and Snapdragon!
Agatha has always dreamed of the stars. But when a chance encounter introduces her to the Lady of the Hills, Agatha is shocked to learn that a secret magical world lays hidden in the mist-shrouded land next to her village. She finds herself quickly captivated by the Lady, but is the Lady who she appears to be?
As Agatha forms a new friendship with a girl in town, she learns that the Lady is far older and more powerful than she could’ve guessed, and that her plans aren’t as innocent as they appear. Will Agatha be able to protect the people she loves from the Lady’s sinister agenda?
Agatha has always dreamed of the stars. But when a chance encounter introduces her to the Lady of the Hills, Agatha is shocked to learn that a secret magical world lays hidden in the mist-shrouded land next to her village. She finds herself quickly captivated by the Lady, but is the Lady who she appears to be?
As Agatha forms a new friendship with a girl in town, she learns that the Lady is far older and more powerful than she could’ve guessed, and that her plans aren’t as innocent as they appear. Will Agatha be able to protect the people she loves from the Lady’s sinister agenda?
Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2024
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About the author
Ethan M. Aldridge
14 books463 followersEthan M. Aldridge is a bestselling author and illustrator. He is the creator of the fantasy graphic novel ESTRANGED (a Junior Library Guild selection, Indie Bestseller, and YALSA Great Graphic Novel For Teens), and its follow up THE CHANGELING KING.
Ethan was raised in a small town in Utah. Growing up, Ethan’s favorite things to draw were monsters and whatever dinosaur he liked that week. He now does more or less the same thing for a living. Ethan lives in New York City with his husband, Matthew, and their dog, Kitsune.
Ethan has had the pleasure to create work for HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Random House, and EA Games.
Ethan was raised in a small town in Utah. Growing up, Ethan’s favorite things to draw were monsters and whatever dinosaur he liked that week. He now does more or less the same thing for a living. Ethan lives in New York City with his husband, Matthew, and their dog, Kitsune.
Ethan has had the pleasure to create work for HarperCollins Publishers, Penguin Random House, and EA Games.
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June 26, 2025
Mystery, magic and mayhem lurk in the hills just beyond Agatha’s quaint little village but when she dreams for something greater the wishes might just be granted in ways she never expected. The Pale Queen from author and illustrator Ethan M. Aldridge is a delightful young YA graphic novel of fae foolery and budding sapphic romance brought to life in stunning watercolor artwork that captures both the beauty and the beastly. Heartwarming with plenty of darkness lurking about this tale of following your heart in pursuit of your dreams instead of letting others do it for you, this was such a cute read that manages to balance being a rather quick read with plenty going on without feeling too rushed. So if you are like Agatha and I and also can’t resist seeing what the fae are up to, The Pale Queen is a perfectly fun read for you!
Agatha wants more that this provincial life of tutoring and avoiding the constant, aggressive flirtation demands of Claude which makes this sound like the start of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, but the beast central to this tale is far more interested in domineering than showing Agatha an amazing personal library. Alas. Luckily we have Heather visiting from University who’s constant literary quotations, insistence of upending the male canon with her feminist critiques, and generally pleasant ways make her the dream of escape Agatha has been looking for (LIFE ADVICE NOTE: when caught between potential romantic entanglements, the one who will give you a personal library tends to be the correct choice according to these stories). But Agatha cannot afford to go to the Academy and the lady of the hills is alluring with her promise of magic…
This is such a cute story as we watch Agatha caught up in the balancing of favors between her and the mysterious hill woman, all enacted under a vagueness that arrives with growing dread. It’s a fun tale with plenty of magic folk, bad deal making and danger that is sure to charm, plus some great themes on how aggression and jealousy are often toxic and to be avoided. Also watch out for trolls.
Short, sweetly sapphic and altogether satisfying, The Pale Queen is an utter delight of a graphic novel and fantasy tale. Plus the artwork is so lovely. Also a big thank you to hope for recommending it and putting it directly into my hands saying it was a must read. Indeed, a winner for sure.
4.5/5
Agatha wants more that this provincial life of tutoring and avoiding the constant, aggressive flirtation demands of Claude which makes this sound like the start of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, but the beast central to this tale is far more interested in domineering than showing Agatha an amazing personal library. Alas. Luckily we have Heather visiting from University who’s constant literary quotations, insistence of upending the male canon with her feminist critiques, and generally pleasant ways make her the dream of escape Agatha has been looking for (LIFE ADVICE NOTE: when caught between potential romantic entanglements, the one who will give you a personal library tends to be the correct choice according to these stories). But Agatha cannot afford to go to the Academy and the lady of the hills is alluring with her promise of magic…
This is such a cute story as we watch Agatha caught up in the balancing of favors between her and the mysterious hill woman, all enacted under a vagueness that arrives with growing dread. It’s a fun tale with plenty of magic folk, bad deal making and danger that is sure to charm, plus some great themes on how aggression and jealousy are often toxic and to be avoided. Also watch out for trolls.
Short, sweetly sapphic and altogether satisfying, The Pale Queen is an utter delight of a graphic novel and fantasy tale. Plus the artwork is so lovely. Also a big thank you to hope for recommending it and putting it directly into my hands saying it was a must read. Indeed, a winner for sure.
4.5/5
July 22, 2024
I just want to bask for a moment in the reality that we live in a time where an author can go to a major publisher and say, “Here’s my pitch for a book: a sapphic gothic romance graphic novel for middle schoolers” and get a yes. I’m so glad that we do, because I loved this book. The artwork is gorgeous, especially the landscapes that establish the setting. It also perfectly captures a dark fairy tale tone, both with the artwork and the references to folklore.
The Pale Queen really feels like a classic fairy tale/folk tale, including the favours that Agatha has to do for the Lady of the Hills, like telling a story to a troll to stop him from waking up and destroying the town, or guarding a flower that only blooms when the full moon is directly overhead.
This reminded me of Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Mel Gillman, both in terms of the art (which I love) and the feeling of a classic fairy tale. I highly recommend it.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
The Pale Queen really feels like a classic fairy tale/folk tale, including the favours that Agatha has to do for the Lady of the Hills, like telling a story to a troll to stop him from waking up and destroying the town, or guarding a flower that only blooms when the full moon is directly overhead.
This reminded me of Other Ever Afters: New Queer Fairy Tales by Mel Gillman, both in terms of the art (which I love) and the feeling of a classic fairy tale. I highly recommend it.
Full review at the Lesbrary.
October 3, 2024
i don't know how i hadn't heard ANYTHING about this since it came out but omg i'm glad i picked it up, this was SO GOOD. the lesbian fae fairytale set in a sleepy little village with a darker edge of your DREAMS. the vibes reminded me a lot of Ash which is one of my favorite books of all time so of course it was an instant 5/5. the art really makes the story pop, with a soft, muted watercolor look and the most GORGEOUS dreamy flowing lines. the scene with the room full of crows is like my favorite panel in the entire book, it just works SO well. also this is a super quick read so there's zero reason to NOT read it right this second!!
Read
February 27, 2025I can't believe she fumbled a toxic forest hag
September 28, 2024
A beautifully illustrated original queer fairy tale. Agatha, the daughter of a miner, dreams of a university education but it seems out of reach to a country girl. Then she encounters a pale magical woman from the forest, who tricks Agatha into owing her a favor. This turns into a series of tasks with increasingly dangerous consequences. I loved the watercolors, especially during scenes set at night. The story is aimed at fairly young readers, but still engaging for an adult.
July 29, 2024
"Evil butch fairy queen attempts to entrap rural teenage girl in a folktale-style series of mythical obligations which are code for an abusive romantic relationship" isn't a plot summary I expected for a MG graphic, and I do love it and would have adored it as a kid. This IS what young people demand. The babies do demand it. They want a gaunt heartthrob, including those eleven and twelve year olds still playing in the woods, and this book serves it forth abundantly while staying wholesome and middle-school oriented.
If you've read the ancient YA "the perilous gard", there's a little of that kind of sexiness at play in terms of being trapped in a fairy world, etc (though this isn't a direct comp), and there's a good deal of Labyrinth in the funky little gobliny guys-- I love Hyacinth. There's also some Mirka/Hereville in the quality of the absurd, dreamlike tasks set for Agatha. I love the way this rides the line between taking seriously the desire of young queer people for something marked menacing or evil, and the beauty of darkness/monsters, and also taking seriously the harm that can be done to young, vulnerable queer people who have no other way of getting what they need/want.
At the same time, the strength of this book is in the gorgeous design of the fairy world, and the moral of the book is about escaping the fairy world, and here is what I feel confused about. I wanted some potential of redemption and affection for our vampire-style, yellow-eyed queen who can also be a giant dog. I like giant dogs...and Ethan Aldridge's art sure makes the dog, and the butch vampire form, and the many magical underlings, look attractive and appealing. The wondrous fairy circles, the night flowers, and the waterfall with special stones, are a better, more interesting world than the little town OR the world outside. The whole tenor of the story is a little bit "evil queer butch groomer bad, but sensible blond lesbian with glasses good". I think in its use of folklore-style structure, it presents a sort of unreal darkness slightly untethered from real life that mitigates this enough that I'm not offended-- after all, I admit that keeping Agatha captive with that hag stone is unchill, as is turning that poor boy irrevocably into a little piglet (I think it's pretty dark to just leave him as a pig!). But I also feel so much real sympathy for the vampiric lady; I am convinced she must be truly lonely, and I wish we were able to penetrate her ancient citadel and understand more about what she is and where she comes from, what she needs-- otherwise, it comes off as "this quality, this kind of person, is merely a parasitic form of ancient evil". In Snapdragon by Kat Leyh, the evil witch/gender nonconforming/darkness thing is effectively dissected-- in this one the evil stands, which does kind of maintain a certain sexiness, but then doesn't dissect some of our associations culturally. I do wish that the human girl Agatha falls in love with was a little more interesting-- she is very blond, and speaks in quotes and seems autistic, and is a realistic, unthreatening, healthy prospect for queer middle school girls' romantic attentions, but she is no rival for the unearthly powers of the fairy court, and I frankly don't love that no part of the dark underworld gets brought along with Agatha when she leaves the hills on her scholarship to the big city. The ancient mysteries and deep desire and lore are what we like! It's what we need too-- surely there is a way for her to have the queer, dark, wood-life magic and to not condemn it wholesale. That's why I can't give this five stars, even as it satisfies something deep and idlike in me.
TLDR, there's some qualms, but I adore this-- my committee has deemed it more for teens than kids, and the truth is I think that it is for middle schoolers, that much-maligned but desperately literate group. It's a BEAUTIFUL graphic novel, i think traditionally illustrated in ink/watercolor, and the colors are luminous and it's enormously readable.
If you've read the ancient YA "the perilous gard", there's a little of that kind of sexiness at play in terms of being trapped in a fairy world, etc (though this isn't a direct comp), and there's a good deal of Labyrinth in the funky little gobliny guys-- I love Hyacinth. There's also some Mirka/Hereville in the quality of the absurd, dreamlike tasks set for Agatha. I love the way this rides the line between taking seriously the desire of young queer people for something marked menacing or evil, and the beauty of darkness/monsters, and also taking seriously the harm that can be done to young, vulnerable queer people who have no other way of getting what they need/want.
At the same time, the strength of this book is in the gorgeous design of the fairy world, and the moral of the book is about escaping the fairy world, and here is what I feel confused about. I wanted some potential of redemption and affection for our vampire-style, yellow-eyed queen who can also be a giant dog. I like giant dogs...and Ethan Aldridge's art sure makes the dog, and the butch vampire form, and the many magical underlings, look attractive and appealing. The wondrous fairy circles, the night flowers, and the waterfall with special stones, are a better, more interesting world than the little town OR the world outside. The whole tenor of the story is a little bit "evil queer butch groomer bad, but sensible blond lesbian with glasses good". I think in its use of folklore-style structure, it presents a sort of unreal darkness slightly untethered from real life that mitigates this enough that I'm not offended-- after all, I admit that keeping Agatha captive with that hag stone is unchill, as is turning that poor boy irrevocably into a little piglet (I think it's pretty dark to just leave him as a pig!). But I also feel so much real sympathy for the vampiric lady; I am convinced she must be truly lonely, and I wish we were able to penetrate her ancient citadel and understand more about what she is and where she comes from, what she needs-- otherwise, it comes off as "this quality, this kind of person, is merely a parasitic form of ancient evil". In Snapdragon by Kat Leyh, the evil witch/gender nonconforming/darkness thing is effectively dissected-- in this one the evil stands, which does kind of maintain a certain sexiness, but then doesn't dissect some of our associations culturally. I do wish that the human girl Agatha falls in love with was a little more interesting-- she is very blond, and speaks in quotes and seems autistic, and is a realistic, unthreatening, healthy prospect for queer middle school girls' romantic attentions, but she is no rival for the unearthly powers of the fairy court, and I frankly don't love that no part of the dark underworld gets brought along with Agatha when she leaves the hills on her scholarship to the big city. The ancient mysteries and deep desire and lore are what we like! It's what we need too-- surely there is a way for her to have the queer, dark, wood-life magic and to not condemn it wholesale. That's why I can't give this five stars, even as it satisfies something deep and idlike in me.
TLDR, there's some qualms, but I adore this-- my committee has deemed it more for teens than kids, and the truth is I think that it is for middle schoolers, that much-maligned but desperately literate group. It's a BEAUTIFUL graphic novel, i think traditionally illustrated in ink/watercolor, and the colors are luminous and it's enormously readable.
June 27, 2024
I like what this story is trying to do, but it feels like it needs a dozen or so more pages to flesh out ideas. (Or maybe make it a duology.) As it stands, some parts just feel a little half-baked, and oftentimes it makes Agatha less likable because of it. Agatha is frustrated because she wants more than this poor provincial town, but outside of a conversation with her parents about how she wants to go to school but can't afford it, we don't see the reason for her frustrations. She gets along well with her student and employer, she has loving parents, and the only other person we see her interacting with is Claude (and we'll get to him). I would have liked to see moments where Agatha is the outsider, moments where people just don't understand her. I understand why she's frustrated, but because we're never shown examples, it just seems like she's perpetually grumpy all the time.
Look. I understand what Aldridge was trying to do with Claude, but again, when he's on the page, he's just trying to talk to her. It's implied that he's always bothering her, and yes, she does ask him to leave her alone, but I'm very much on his side when he accuses her of thinking that she's too smart for him. Because yeah, she's giving off that vibe. I feel terrible siding with him because he's supposed to be the kind of boy who thinks he's entitled to anyone's attention--the Gaston to Agatha's Belle--but he comes off more like some kid that grew up with her and just wants to hang out with her. Also, he didn't deserve what happened to him.
The love interest Heather is insufferable. She's constantly spewing literary quotes and then going, "That's Shakespeare, btw. That was George Eliot. Did you know that I read?" Congratulations, no one care. Except Agatha does, because then she's gushing to the Lady about how intelligent Heather is, and I'm with the Lady on this one. Neither of us were/are impressed. When Heather is being awkwardly adorkable with Agatha, that's fine. It's cute. Unfortunately, most of her time is spent proving to us that not only can she read, but that she retains what she reads.
The best characters are the Lady and Hyacinth, hands down. In fact, this novel needed more Hyacinth.
Look. I understand what Aldridge was trying to do with Claude, but again, when he's on the page, he's just trying to talk to her. It's implied that he's always bothering her, and yes, she does ask him to leave her alone, but I'm very much on his side when he accuses her of thinking that she's too smart for him. Because yeah, she's giving off that vibe. I feel terrible siding with him because he's supposed to be the kind of boy who thinks he's entitled to anyone's attention--the Gaston to Agatha's Belle--but he comes off more like some kid that grew up with her and just wants to hang out with her. Also, he didn't deserve what happened to him.
The love interest Heather is insufferable. She's constantly spewing literary quotes and then going, "That's Shakespeare, btw. That was George Eliot. Did you know that I read?" Congratulations, no one care. Except Agatha does, because then she's gushing to the Lady about how intelligent Heather is, and I'm with the Lady on this one. Neither of us were/are impressed. When Heather is being awkwardly adorkable with Agatha, that's fine. It's cute. Unfortunately, most of her time is spent proving to us that not only can she read, but that she retains what she reads.
The best characters are the Lady and Hyacinth, hands down. In fact, this novel needed more Hyacinth.
April 24, 2025
Un hommage aux contes gothiques et populaires des campagnes, féministe et inclusif pour les jeunes ados.
Une jeune fille rêve d'éducation et de partir à la découverte du monde... jusqu'à ce que sa rencontre (pas si fortuite) avec une mystérieuse Lady vivant dans la forêt avoisinant vienne tout bouleverser.
Un roman graphique en un seul tome, qui aborde des sujets importants comme la quête d'identité, la volonté d'émancipation, l'ambition et les premiers émois.
Une jeune fille rêve d'éducation et de partir à la découverte du monde... jusqu'à ce que sa rencontre (pas si fortuite) avec une mystérieuse Lady vivant dans la forêt avoisinant vienne tout bouleverser.
Un roman graphique en un seul tome, qui aborde des sujets importants comme la quête d'identité, la volonté d'émancipation, l'ambition et les premiers émois.
August 24, 2024
Beautiful and wonderfully crafted graphic novel. Based on traditional folklore with its own spooky twist, Aldridge did a great job crafting the characters and story in a short pace.
I loved the artistic style of the creatures and transformations, some designs felt like a wonderful Henson nod and the women all had their own wonderful styles and expressions.
If I had any criticisms - I do wish Heather had a bit more character development, she actually felt the flattest of them all. But Agatha was so sweet and genuine and I loved (Grand Viscount) Hyacinth.
I loved the artistic style of the creatures and transformations, some designs felt like a wonderful Henson nod and the women all had their own wonderful styles and expressions.
If I had any criticisms - I do wish Heather had a bit more character development, she actually felt the flattest of them all. But Agatha was so sweet and genuine and I loved (Grand Viscount) Hyacinth.
August 21, 2024
saw this on twitter a few weeks back and finally read the rest. enjoyable! i liked the illustrations
September 13, 2024
If this had had the time to really explore the characters, I think it would be something truly amazing. As quick a read as it is, it's hard to really get invested. Never quite goes beyond the tropes.
The artwork, on the other hand, is spectacular. I would read this again just for the watercolors. I can't be too mad about the writing because everything else about it is just so gorgeous.
The artwork, on the other hand, is spectacular. I would read this again just for the watercolors. I can't be too mad about the writing because everything else about it is just so gorgeous.
October 7, 2024
This is Labyrinth for gay middle schoolers and I love it.
September 22, 2024
Absolutely adored the art style of this! I thought I had it all figured out but was pleasantly surprised.
August 25, 2024
I loved this. Art style was good and the colours used throughout the graphic were very mood inducing too to go along with the story. Talk about older woman intrigue and magic but like dangerous and then add in new and young love.
June 26, 2024
Wholesome. Lovely. Good for them. Very glad I preordered. Makes me want to reread estranged.
Highly recommend for a fast read about fairies, Saphics, and self worth. And the art style is very beautiful. Glad to see some handpainted art in the graphic novel world.
(Still concerned about whatever happened to that pig tho)
Highly recommend for a fast read about fairies, Saphics, and self worth. And the art style is very beautiful. Glad to see some handpainted art in the graphic novel world.
(Still concerned about whatever happened to that pig tho)
July 16, 2024
Folk tale inspired graphic novel, geared towards middle graders and teenagers, but really enjoyable for any reader really.
I liked how the art was colorful and accessible, and the story included a lot of valuable lessons, and LGBTQ+ representation.
Cute and wholesome.
I liked how the art was colorful and accessible, and the story included a lot of valuable lessons, and LGBTQ+ representation.
Cute and wholesome.
June 25, 2024
I absolutely looove Ethan's art and this new story is such a gem! An allegory of manipulative mentors even in the queer community, this fairytale is well-crafted 💗
July 11, 2024
solid 4.5, so i'm gonna round it up. fun read with great art, very atmospheric. Aldridge is very good at that.
June 5, 2025
While the concept had potential, the execution suffered from a lack of narrative dynamism, a disappointing romantic subplot, and problematic instances of Racial Narrative Erasure (more on that later). My usual preference leans away from witch lore and towards stories where female characters of color are written by authors of similar backgrounds. Nevertheless, I chose to engage with this particular narrative.
The overall story was lighthearted and easy to read; however, there were certain areas within the narrative that didn't make sense to me. For example, why did Agatha hate her hometown so much? She had loving parents and a good job that she enjoys, yet it's never explored as to why she wants to leave so badly. The character's claim of being an outsider wasn't effectively demonstrated through her actions or experiences in the narrative.
Why did Agatha have such strong disdain for Claude? Was he highly irritating and bothersome at times? Yes. However, he didn't deserve the rude treatment from Agatha, as, once again, the author failed to provide insight into the reasons behind Agatha's emotions. From my viewpoint, Claude was not an entitled, harassing male. I found his accusation — that she believes she's too intelligent and unique to talk to him — to be true. Her uncalled-for antagonism and rudeness, unexplained by any backstory, painted a picture of someone who feels too superior to be bothered by those she deems intellectually beneath her. This isn't about her fending off a creep; it's about her apparent inability to be vocal and adequately communicate her concerns to Claude and/or get an adult involved to properly handle the situation. I would analyze the situation differently if sexually predatory behavior were involved. However, her actions read as an unwillingness to be civil to a local she found mildly annoying, particularly after he offered a genuine apology for his one major transgression.
I was over the weak romance between Heather and Agatha the moment it began. The romantic subplot involving Heather and Agatha was unconvincing and failed to develop meaningfully. This, combined with minimal character growth and several unrealistic occurrences, made for a rushed reading experience. Heather, as a love interest, was very irritating due to her overreliance on literary quotes, often presented in a way that suggested intellectual condescension. We do not care. One might argue that if a male character acted this way, he would be criticized as an unbearable, pretentious mansplainer, but because it's a lesbian romance, we're supposed to be okay with this? I didn't care for the constant bias and hypocrisy throughout the narrative.
Here are my thoughts on the inclusion of Racial Narrative Erasure in this narrative. I take issue with the lack of attention given to the cultural backgrounds of non-white characters. Why depict a character as seemingly of color without exploring the cultural elements that contribute to their individual identity? If Agatha, her mom, and the little boy were white, the story wouldn't have changed, and that's my issue. A key concern is the underdevelopment of relationships for characters of color within their own racial or ethnic communities. This leads to a lack of portrayal of rich family dynamics, cultural traditions, and intergenerational connections that are vital to many POC experiences. These characters are often isolated from those of their own background, predominantly engaging with white characters. Their presence appears to be for surface-level "diversity," rather than for genuine exploration, which is a missed opportunity.
This was a fair read, though it didn't resonate strongly with me. The writing could have been more impactful, offering greater depth in understanding character origins and their interactions. The illustrations were acceptable and well-defined. I recommend this title to those who enjoy uplifting stories with a magical, witch-themed focus.
The overall story was lighthearted and easy to read; however, there were certain areas within the narrative that didn't make sense to me. For example, why did Agatha hate her hometown so much? She had loving parents and a good job that she enjoys, yet it's never explored as to why she wants to leave so badly. The character's claim of being an outsider wasn't effectively demonstrated through her actions or experiences in the narrative.
Why did Agatha have such strong disdain for Claude? Was he highly irritating and bothersome at times? Yes. However, he didn't deserve the rude treatment from Agatha, as, once again, the author failed to provide insight into the reasons behind Agatha's emotions. From my viewpoint, Claude was not an entitled, harassing male. I found his accusation — that she believes she's too intelligent and unique to talk to him — to be true. Her uncalled-for antagonism and rudeness, unexplained by any backstory, painted a picture of someone who feels too superior to be bothered by those she deems intellectually beneath her. This isn't about her fending off a creep; it's about her apparent inability to be vocal and adequately communicate her concerns to Claude and/or get an adult involved to properly handle the situation. I would analyze the situation differently if sexually predatory behavior were involved. However, her actions read as an unwillingness to be civil to a local she found mildly annoying, particularly after he offered a genuine apology for his one major transgression.
I was over the weak romance between Heather and Agatha the moment it began. The romantic subplot involving Heather and Agatha was unconvincing and failed to develop meaningfully. This, combined with minimal character growth and several unrealistic occurrences, made for a rushed reading experience. Heather, as a love interest, was very irritating due to her overreliance on literary quotes, often presented in a way that suggested intellectual condescension. We do not care. One might argue that if a male character acted this way, he would be criticized as an unbearable, pretentious mansplainer, but because it's a lesbian romance, we're supposed to be okay with this? I didn't care for the constant bias and hypocrisy throughout the narrative.
Here are my thoughts on the inclusion of Racial Narrative Erasure in this narrative. I take issue with the lack of attention given to the cultural backgrounds of non-white characters. Why depict a character as seemingly of color without exploring the cultural elements that contribute to their individual identity? If Agatha, her mom, and the little boy were white, the story wouldn't have changed, and that's my issue. A key concern is the underdevelopment of relationships for characters of color within their own racial or ethnic communities. This leads to a lack of portrayal of rich family dynamics, cultural traditions, and intergenerational connections that are vital to many POC experiences. These characters are often isolated from those of their own background, predominantly engaging with white characters. Their presence appears to be for surface-level "diversity," rather than for genuine exploration, which is a missed opportunity.
This was a fair read, though it didn't resonate strongly with me. The writing could have been more impactful, offering greater depth in understanding character origins and their interactions. The illustrations were acceptable and well-defined. I recommend this title to those who enjoy uplifting stories with a magical, witch-themed focus.
June 14, 2024
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for letting me read an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
The Pale Queen
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
I enjoyed following Agatha's story and her character development, but since the story was so short we didn't get to see much growth in the other characters.
Atmosphere - 7
I really liked how the colors meshed with the different settings in the book. The scenes depicting the surroundings were especially beautiful and really helped to enhance my understanding of the town, woods, the manor, and Agatha's house.
Writing - 6
The writing was fine but nothing amazingly special. It didn't necessarily stand out to me, but it fit the time period/setting and nothing felt out of place or odd, so take that as you will. 🤷♂️
Plot - 7
The plot was interesting enough. I enjoyed the portrayal of the Pale Queen's magic the most; it felt unique and gave the most insight into how the world of this book works.
Intrigue - 6
I was mildly intrigued throughout the whole book. It was easy to root for Agatha and to want to see how she grew as a person during the course of the story, but I can't say the stakes felt entirely explained, which lead me to be less invested.
Logic - 6
This book had a fair amount of logic. However, I did start to wonder how there was so little talk in the town about the Pale Queen. You'd think with so many of the pinecone homes scattered around more people would've interacted with her.
Enjoyment - 6
I enjoyed some aspects of this book. I think the Pale Queen's character was really interesting and realistic villain reveal. The "oh, this isn't what you wanted? Too bad, it's what you asked for" idea built up in a way that showed how evil the Pale Queen was, while also delving into the quandaries of "Am I actually a bad person after all?" in Agatha's character.
The Pale Queen
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 6.28/10 overall
Characters - 6
I enjoyed following Agatha's story and her character development, but since the story was so short we didn't get to see much growth in the other characters.
Atmosphere - 7
I really liked how the colors meshed with the different settings in the book. The scenes depicting the surroundings were especially beautiful and really helped to enhance my understanding of the town, woods, the manor, and Agatha's house.
Writing - 6
The writing was fine but nothing amazingly special. It didn't necessarily stand out to me, but it fit the time period/setting and nothing felt out of place or odd, so take that as you will. 🤷♂️
Plot - 7
The plot was interesting enough. I enjoyed the portrayal of the Pale Queen's magic the most; it felt unique and gave the most insight into how the world of this book works.
Intrigue - 6
I was mildly intrigued throughout the whole book. It was easy to root for Agatha and to want to see how she grew as a person during the course of the story, but I can't say the stakes felt entirely explained, which lead me to be less invested.
Logic - 6
This book had a fair amount of logic. However, I did start to wonder how there was so little talk in the town about the Pale Queen. You'd think with so many of the pinecone homes scattered around more people would've interacted with her.
Enjoyment - 6
I enjoyed some aspects of this book. I think the Pale Queen's character was really interesting and realistic villain reveal. The "oh, this isn't what you wanted? Too bad, it's what you asked for" idea built up in a way that showed how evil the Pale Queen was, while also delving into the quandaries of "Am I actually a bad person after all?" in Agatha's character.
June 24, 2025
Ethan Aldridge, will you ever make a story I won't like?? the story is fantastical, a true fairy tale. the illustrations are gorgeous and match the storybook vibe so well. the characters are bold, terrifying when needed, attractive when needed. I will NEVER get over how Aldridge draws the fae. he is so good at making both beautiful high fae and funny little guy low fae. this was a short story but lacked for nothing!
I
loved
the
Lady.
what a great fae. she was alluring and crafty. I would fall for her traps. 10/10 every time. I love her.
I loved the love interest, full of literary quotes, what a couple of nerds.
I loved the boy who wouldn't stop bothering her. let me rephrase that. I liked his inclusion in this book. it's one we as women experience so often in real life but never see represented in books. The "Nice Guy". who is only nice until you spurn his romantic advances, then suddenly he's a straight up bully.
I really did love every moment of this book. highly recommend it!!!
I
loved
the
Lady.
what a great fae. she was alluring and crafty. I would fall for her traps. 10/10 every time. I love her.
I loved the love interest, full of literary quotes, what a couple of nerds.
I loved the boy who wouldn't stop bothering her. let me rephrase that. I liked his inclusion in this book. it's one we as women experience so often in real life but never see represented in books. The "Nice Guy". who is only nice until you spurn his romantic advances, then suddenly he's a straight up bully.
I really did love every moment of this book. highly recommend it!!!
April 23, 2025
4,5/5
Roman graphique ado très sympa qui suit Agatha, passionnée d’astronomie, avec une famille trop modeste pour l’envoyer à l’université. Lors d’une leçon d’école qu’elle donne à un enfant aisé du village, elle remarque une sorte de grand chien noir depuis la forêt qui semble l’épier… elle va rencontrer la lady des collines, qui va lui montrer tant de belles choses magiques, mais aussi à chaque fois demander quelque chose en échange.
Quand la cousine (passionnée de littérature) du petit garçon apparaît pour passer l’été, c’est le coup de foudre ! et aussi le début des problèmes.
J’ai trouvé très bien mais j’avoue que la relation évolue beaucoup trop vite, mais ce serait le seul point négatif pour moi car sinon on a un beau conte autour des créatures magiques qui hantent les forêts ancestrales et les choix d’une jeune fille pleine de rêves
Roman graphique ado très sympa qui suit Agatha, passionnée d’astronomie, avec une famille trop modeste pour l’envoyer à l’université. Lors d’une leçon d’école qu’elle donne à un enfant aisé du village, elle remarque une sorte de grand chien noir depuis la forêt qui semble l’épier… elle va rencontrer la lady des collines, qui va lui montrer tant de belles choses magiques, mais aussi à chaque fois demander quelque chose en échange.
Quand la cousine (passionnée de littérature) du petit garçon apparaît pour passer l’été, c’est le coup de foudre ! et aussi le début des problèmes.
J’ai trouvé très bien mais j’avoue que la relation évolue beaucoup trop vite, mais ce serait le seul point négatif pour moi car sinon on a un beau conte autour des créatures magiques qui hantent les forêts ancestrales et les choix d’une jeune fille pleine de rêves
September 12, 2024
A very charming read, with GORGEOUS watercolor and ink art. Character design was succinct and unique without being overly complicated, and the backgrounds were dripping with mood and atmosphere. The art is definitely the best part of this story, and I will definitely be doing some color and composition studies from Aldridge’s work.
The story on the other hand was a little unfulfilling for me. Agatha’s main internal conflict was confusing; I felt as if she had a stable, loving life full of good relationships. I don’t feel as if she really learned anything from her experiences. I couldn’t relate to her at all, and everything just felt so rushed. I wish that it had been extended into a duology, as the character relationships and conflict just needed a bit more time to simmer.
The story on the other hand was a little unfulfilling for me. Agatha’s main internal conflict was confusing; I felt as if she had a stable, loving life full of good relationships. I don’t feel as if she really learned anything from her experiences. I couldn’t relate to her at all, and everything just felt so rushed. I wish that it had been extended into a duology, as the character relationships and conflict just needed a bit more time to simmer.
December 3, 2024
I read this book while waiting for my kids to pick out their own books at the library. I was pleasantly surprised by its wonderful art and story. What I wouldn’t give to have it in novel form and last for hours in this world!
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February 28, 2025"Be careful what you wish for." That's very literal for this graphic novel. I enjoyed the fairy aspect of this book the most. Heather was a little annoying quoting books all the time though.
July 3, 2025
This was an absolutely beautifully drawn book and the kind of story I love, with a evil fairy queen. The choice of font did make it difficult to read.
August 4, 2025
Love this graphic, novel. The illustrations were amazing. The storyline is cute. Overall it was a well-written story.
July 20, 2024
An intriguing and attractive villain, with a fully realized magical system inspired by folklore. I also really liked main character Agatha. She's relatable and I generally understand the actions she takes. However, the story as a whole felt a bit rushed, in the initial attraction between Agatha and the Lady, in her own romance, even in the fate of a side character. Just needed a little more build up for some of these things.
December 19, 2024
Absolutely enjoyed this this one!
This feels like a classic folk tale, what with Agatha having to take on missions/adventures to win favors from the Fae, intertwined I to Agatha's every day life in her sleepy little village.
I truly loved the water colors and character designs. Everything was just a treat to look at. I really enjoyed Hyacinth the most and wouldn't have minded more of them.
This feels like a classic folk tale, what with Agatha having to take on missions/adventures to win favors from the Fae, intertwined I to Agatha's every day life in her sleepy little village.
I truly loved the water colors and character designs. Everything was just a treat to look at. I really enjoyed Hyacinth the most and wouldn't have minded more of them.
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