Lowborn High

by David Barnett, Anna Morozova (illustrator), Mike Walters (illustrator)

For as long as anyone can remember, Wychdusk Manor has been the school to which all the top magical novices are sent, where they are trained to become the world’s greatest wizards. Androgeus Frost, part of one of the wizarding worlds’ most esteemed families, always thought it was a sure thing he’d get in, but somehow finds himself dumped at Lowborn High.


A struggling inner-city comprehensive school for those with mediocre magical talent, Androgeus finds himself with all the other duds, drop-outs, and those who don’t have the upper-class wizarding family background. Making friends with Maisy, Ali and Dril, soon the group of friends find there are mysteries to solve and the pupils of Lowborn High can still be capable of some truly amazing feats!

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Comics

Kindle Edition

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Reviews

[Arimi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't understand why it has the comparison to harry potter when it resembles Monster High as someone who grew up on both. If I were to describe the book, I'd say Percy Jackson meets Frankie Stein in a mash up of worlds. I'm a gay man, who's demisexual, but this book seriously had me thinking- why is everybody hot- I"d also wear every single outfit that every character in this book has- not even for the aesthetics, for fun, for fashion- It's been a good while since I found a book where the art style pulled me in. The blond girl also gives of Gwen from Spiderman vibes. I love the representation for disability month- but also we don't have many people in magical worlds with disabilities. We need more of that. As a species we need more of that because disabilities exist, so points for representation.

Not one of my favourite books I got to admit, I loved the art style more than the book and was too busy admiring the fashion and the variety of characters in this book, however, book two? It says book 1, I want book 2. It was a brilliant read, the colours were fabulous, the diversity felt natural- too many books can't write diversity these days in a natural way, this book however? Brilliant. I want more. Also if there ever was a stall at a comic con near me for this author? I'd be lining up and probably cosplaying a character from this book.


Power dynamics? Felt natural too. Bonus points for that. I like my plot like any good book- the story has to read like this is something that could happen in a world like this, and this book- did just that. Quick read because my brain and comics just fly by. I do recommend this book if anyone wants to give it a try.

Anna Morozova- your illustration skills were brilliant. Your drawings are incredible.

[Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of the many things there are to enjoy about David Barnett's body of work, one of the main things is variety.
Want some steam punk? Gothic horror? Bittersweet humour with a dash of melancholy? Comics about a dead punk? Alien novels?
He does the lot.
But while there is a lot of areas covered, there is a common thread. A dark wit, a playful glint in his eye. A Gothic sensibility.
And so it is with Lowborn High - a graphic novel first serialised in 200AD in which magic sorts who don't pass the high, snobbish, elitist bar of the "good" school end up at the 'comprehensive'.
There's a sinister plot, warm characters, chuckles, drama, and a story that rips along at a fantastic pace.
These days, you invoke magic schools at your peril as someone seems to have cornered the market – but Barnett brings a Grange Hill vibe to the party, and the spirit of Sid (Punks Not Dead) is lurking there in the background.
I actually found myself enjoying it so much I limited myself to one 'issue' a night to make it last longer.
Ready for vol 2 now thank you please.

[Alex Sarll]

Like much of what's come out of 2000AD's all-ages issues, an affable rather than astounding series, though particularly in light of the way a certain magical school franchise has been tarnished lately, there's an obvious appeal in reading about the occult state school which takes the kids who don't get to swish around in an ancient castle.

[Julia Pika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of potential here, the art was all over the place and the story too fast-paced to keep up.

[Ember Moto · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like this book was trying to hard be a sort of "hip" Harry Potter.

[molly williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This graphic novel felt confused and a little heavy on the cliches, I still had some fun whilst reading it but I'm not sure it was for me which is stramge because I love magic schools

[elio · Rating 2 out of 5]

too fast-paced and underwhelming, i wish there was more world building