Coven: A Graphic Novel – Three Witch Detectives Battle Good and Evil in This Middle Grade Mystery

The School for Good and Evil

by Soman Chainani

Need your magical crime solved?

Call the Witch Coven.

Hester, Anadil, and Dot are legendary across the Endless Woods as vigilante detectives and protectors of the peace. The famed trio are not only talented witches but also ride-or-die friends who’ve never left a case unsolved.

That is, until the Coven answers a call for help from a mysterious new world—Red Isle, where the Light and Dark Lands are on the brink of all-out war, each blaming the other for a grim spree of deaths. Now the Coven must work together and unmask the killer before Red Isle tears itself apart. Little do they The real enemy might be hiding in plain sight . . .

From New York Times bestselling author Soman Chainani and artist Joel Gennari comes a bold graphic novel experience that explores how, even in our darkest moments, the truest of friends can bring us back into the light.

Genres: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Comics, Middle Grade, Witches, Magic

Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2025

About the author

Soman Chainani’s debut series, THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD & EVIL, has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages across six continents, and has been adapted into a major motion picture from Netflix that debuted at #1 in over 80 countries.

His book of retold fairytales, BEASTS & BEAUTY, also debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List and is slated to be a limited television series from Sony 3000.

EverNever World, his decade-long franchise of fairy tales and fantasy, continues to expand. Together, these books have been on the New York Times Bestseller List for 50 weeks.

In 2026, Soman unveils a brand new universe with YOUNG WORLD, a global political thriller.

In his career, Soman has visited more than 800 schools around the world, where he continues to share his secret with students of all ages: that reading is the path to a better life.

Reviews

[Alwynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another instalment in Soman Chainani’s popular The School for Good and Evil series, although this works well as a standalone graphic novel. It’s not a desperately subtle piece; Joe Gennari’s inventive illustrations work well with Chainani’s text but have a definite cartoonish quality. It centres on the Coven, the three witches who act as vigilantes coming to the aid of the desperate. The three travel to the outer corners of their world to the Red Isle the site of a battle between the humans of the so-called Light and the magical creatures and animals of the Dark. The Light’s kingdom has steampunk vibes and the Dark suggest Wiccan and pagan magic. So, it’s no surprise that what the Coven witnesses on the Red Isle raises issues about pollution, environmental blight and the negative consequences of exploiting nature’s resources. The story’s fairly entertaining, straightforward in terms of heroes and villains, well-paced with a smattering of decent monsters and other pleasing flourishes.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher HarperAlley for an ARC

[Steph ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This was really good. I loved the art style and I was invested in the characters. This has some relation to The School for Good and Evil series but I'm unsure what it is and unsure if it matters that I haven't read it. But I'd be tempted to give it a go now to be honest.

[Nour (FREE PALESTINE) Books]

I’m gonna eat this up 😋

[Alexandra Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

yay lesbian witches!

[maeve]

if this is a novel about hester i will jump for joy

[Sheila E · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars
Reading age: 8 and up

This is the first book I've read written by Soman Chainani.

I don't normally read graphic novels, but there's a first for everything. I enjoyed this one, especially the message it gives young readers.

Besides the pictures, now I know why my teenage son enjoys graphic novels.

Thanks for letting me be part of your ARC team.

[Drew's ambitious reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so fun! I now want to re-read my favorite sereies because I forgot how funny Dot, Hester & andail are together! If u need something to get u out of a slump read this graphic novel. Used for the reading prompt of: graphic novel or short novel in the Readathin readathon!! Hosted by my friends Donna & Manda!!

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a magical crime needs solving, the Witch Coven is your saviour. Witness as the trio witches bravely solves a complex case of deception and clever plot.

Hester, Anadil, and Dot are the peace keepers and detectives who are about to receive a cryptic case from a new world called Red Isle. A war between light and dark lands is about to break out for the mysterious deaths. Each party is blaming one and other while killer takes advantage of their confrontation.

Red Isle is not an ordinary place and if the real killer is not found it might as wreck havoc and mayhem all around. As the witches jump in on action, they are faced with unforseen challenges and smoke screens.

Will they be able to recognise the culprit responsible for this turbulence? Read along and find out.

I'm always utterly delighted when Soman Chainani comes up with a new book. This graphic novel was immersive and extraordinary right from the start. The propulsive plot and the fantastic characters made it a page-tuner for sure. The elements of surprises, dark vibes and chaotic events along with the mind- binding revelation of the perpetrator, everything was finely planned. Joel Gennari's did a commendable job with illustrations and visually interpreting this wonderful story.

A must read for those who have a knack of reading storyline with Good versus Evil, witches and mysteries.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some miscellaneous thoughts:

- who decided Hester needed to be dressed like johnathan from live action Snow White (this is the opposite of a compliment)
- Anadil on the other hand ate her dress down
- WHY WAS DOT CRUSHING ON WHAT LOOKED LIKE A K I D ?!
- gay ppl will never win in the endless woods 😔 it’s okay hester I see ur lesbianism you will not be ignored 🙏
- why did Tedros pose like that in their framed photo
- why was the dialogue so weird at times. Thought bubbles are NOT THE ENEMY PLEASE 🙏
- I COULD NOF TAKE HESTER’S DEMON SERIOUS IN FHIS 💀
- Hester’s Light look was goofy as hell
- they did not do anything remotely investigative or detectivey 😢
- I’m 95% sure one of Anadil’s rats died in an earlier book

Okay some things I actually liked lol:

- dot being acknowledge as first witch IKTR finally getting her flowers good LORD
- them livin together in a little cottage

Overall, very surface level character development (this was not helped by the dialogue which is the main reason it felt so weird I think) and the plot was a really obvious metaphor that wasn’t that interesting. Also… reading this during pride month? Painful. That’s all I’m going to say on that.

[Cheyenne Coolen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Dori Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters I really liked, though there could’ve been more development within them. The plot was okay, kinda basic though. But hey - witches!

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun!

The plot was engrossing and the world-building was fascinating. Definitely didn't see the 'whodunit' coming! I loved the whole Light vs Dark conflict and how the book explores environmentalism etc through the guise of a fantasy-adventure story.

The characters were well-written and memorable. I adored the witches' relationships with one another and how they each had their own fears, insecurities, struggles and dreams. The art was great and added to the reading experience.

A one-sitting read that kept me hooked from start to (very satisfying) end! Would love to follow the witches on more adventures.

[Joanna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for sending me a copy of this!
I adore Graphic Novels, they're perfect palette cleansers for me when I start slumping or just don't know what to read. The illustrations/imagery in this novel was sooooo good!
This one is about Hester, Anadil and Dot who are the peace protectors and are detectives in the Endless Woods. They never leave a case unsolved, until one day the get a call from the Red Isle where the Light and Dark Lands are on the brink of war due to a spree of deaths. And they need to find who the killer is.

I thought this was very immersive from the beginning. I loved the characters so much. I enjoyed the dark vibes also!
This was my first by this author and I don't think it'll be my last!
Thank you so much!

[Karen Barber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two warring sides need help. They ask for support from the Coven, a trio of witches famed for their detective work and attempts to preserve peace.
Though part of the School for Good and Evil series, this works just fine as a stand-alone.
The two sides are quite different in their influence, but they have to learn to balance one another. When the coven realise they are under attack from a source close to home, they also have lessons to learn.
I’m not a great graphic novel reader, and I’m not sure this would convert me. The story was blunt, and the graphic style was almost cartoonish. Fans of the series will enjoy this, but I’m not really sure what to make of it.

[Donna Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

I am pleasantly surprised by how well this graphic novel wrapped up. I also wonder if the final copy would have the color pages for the first 24 pages. It looks good to have those pages in color.

The storyline was good, and I was pleasantly surprised by how Hester, Anadil, and Dot, along with Prince Lexius's brother, were able to figure out who the bad guys were so quickly. I also like the dynamics of how Hester, Anadil, and Dot realize how much they love for each other as a family. The illustrations by Joel Gennari were well drawn and matched well with the style of the story.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is apparently a tie in for Chainani's School of Good and Evil series, but you'd be forgiven for missing it. It's not mentioned as such anywhere on the cover copy, which seems like an odd choice for a popular series. I don't think I missed anything from not having finished out the series so it probably isn't necessary. The plot is a classic eco fantasy parable, executed fairly well. I thought some of the dialog was clumsy, but not outrageously so.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok for me. The story didn't seem like anything special and the artwork was fine but I don't think this one will be memorable for me.

[Vail Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice spinoff of the "School for Good and Evil" but in reality, the greater plot has almost nothing to do with the three witches we've had 6 books to get used to.
There are warring sides and one is framed for heinous crimes against the so-called peaceful side. The daughter of the Hansel&Gretel witch, the daughter of the Sheriff of Nottingham, and a villainous albino girl that used to be Sophie's roomies in the proper series are called in to investigate. But after some copious snooping, they are then framed for the evil deeds by...themselves? But GOOD?
Fascinating mystery, good ship teases between 2 of the 3 ladies, and surprisingly hits the nail on the head on why these weird sisters even stick together if they bicker so much.
Also a not-so-subtle jab at draining natural resources for the selfish needs of mankind.

[Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coven is a visually stunning graphic novel with gorgeous illustration that bring its dark, magical world to life. The story follows three unforgettable witchy characters - Hester, Anadil, and Dot - each with their own quirks and powers. Dot's odd but endearing witchy talent is especially charming, though if I could choose, I’d definitely go for Hester’s magical ability!

At its heart, Coven explores important themes of love, friendship, and our connection to the land, weaving meaningful messages into its fast-paced, spellbinding plot. A must-read for fans of magic, misfits, and richly imagined worlds.

[Naadhira Zahari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coven by Soman Chainani is a fun story about witches and two sides banding for the greater purpose of saving the world. The illustrations fit the story well and I finished it in one sitting.

This book is pretty straightforward and predictable. I have never read this author's bestselling books, The School for Good and Evil yet but from reading this book, I can pretty much get the gist of it.

I feel like the ending was really rushed that I thought it was going to end with a cliffhanger but turns out I was wrong. I feel like the pacing could be better.

All in all, I recommend you to read this book.

[Becki Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pick this up as it looked really interesting, I didn't relies it was a graphic novel, but it was a really enjoyable read, which I destroyed in one sitting. I found the story to be fun and different and also liked how it makes reference to Chainani's school of good and evil, as well as how they are meant to be bad but do good.

It was a fun little fantasy, thriller and detective graphic novel.

I would highly recommend it and I hope there is more to come with the coven on other adventures or jobs.

[Nancy Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter was able to get this book early because her favorite author was in town for a book festival. We both read it and she got it signed by him.

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Skye Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually really good! I really like this and will totally read again!

[fayths bookcase ୨୧⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

comic book, nothing wrong with it. one of the main characters looked like a targaryen though.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty art, okay-ish story. A lil on the nose but I still liked it. I’m down for more tbh.

[Tashi318 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! Need a few quick wins so I’m looking forward to diving into these graphic novels 😍

[AMadalenaDivaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

muito divertido!

[Liz Davidson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, charming read. I would be willing to read other books about this world.

[✩ maggs ✩ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i guess i didn't realize this was part of a series.. picked it up at the library on a whim... idk how i feel about it