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The Summoning Vol. 1: The Art of the Craft
Follow Claire, a young witch, and her kitty Familiar, Edgar, as they seek to hone her magikal abilities in this cozy, coming-of-age tale based on the hit animated Frederator Studios short viewed by millions around the world!
Claire specializes in the magic of manifestation, creating art pieces that are capable of coming to life! But she wants to do more, and to be more, with her magic—so when she learns that a prestigious magikal institution called the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years, she’s determined to make her mark and improve her skills.
But first, Claire has to pass the Coven’s rigorous application process. With the help of Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going to make works of art, summon ghosts, battle trolls, and even befriend Death—but will it be enough to impress the Coven and secure a spot within their ranks? Or will Claire’s self-doubt keep her from manifesting magikal art ever again?
Through it all, the sinister secrets of the closed-off Ridgewood Coven slowly come to light. Not everything is as it seems, and difficult decisions lie ahead: Will Claire be up to the task?
A wonderful world of magic, art, and friendship awaits readers in the first volume of The Summoning, the debut graphic novel from artist Elyse Castro, creator of the animated short of the same name!
Claire specializes in the magic of manifestation, creating art pieces that are capable of coming to life! But she wants to do more, and to be more, with her magic—so when she learns that a prestigious magikal institution called the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years, she’s determined to make her mark and improve her skills.
But first, Claire has to pass the Coven’s rigorous application process. With the help of Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going to make works of art, summon ghosts, battle trolls, and even befriend Death—but will it be enough to impress the Coven and secure a spot within their ranks? Or will Claire’s self-doubt keep her from manifesting magikal art ever again?
Through it all, the sinister secrets of the closed-off Ridgewood Coven slowly come to light. Not everything is as it seems, and difficult decisions lie ahead: Will Claire be up to the task?
A wonderful world of magic, art, and friendship awaits readers in the first volume of The Summoning, the debut graphic novel from artist Elyse Castro, creator of the animated short of the same name!
248 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2025
3 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Elyse Castro
1 book4 followersElyse Castro is an accomplished artist and educator based in Montville, Australia. She began her journey studying fine arts and theatre at university, which inspired her to begin an apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, specializing in intricate black and gray designs. After honing her craft, Elyse returned to academia to train as an educator and now teaches Drama and Visual Art. In 2017, she created the animated short The Summoning, produced by FredFilms and Sony Animation. Elyse’s passion for storytelling and illustration has culminated in her debut graphic novel, The Summoning, Vol. 1: The Art of the Craft.
Bio from Oni Press.
Bio from Oni Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 15, 2025
4/4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “The summoning vol. 1”. This was such an endearing graphic novel about a witch and her familiar cat, who participate in a contest to win a place in Ridgewood Coven. I always love everything related to witches and magic, and i really enjoyed the art style in this book!
August 2, 2025
The Summoning Vol. 1: The Art of the Craft is a hefty tome of nearly 250 pages based on an animation I knew nothing about (and which I immediately watched after reading).
I loved the particularly strict and sharp-tongued rabbit Flufftops (a bit chaotic good), the fact that magic is linked to art, the bond between the witch Claire and her feline familiar Edgard, and also the humour and the slightly zany, very lively Nickelodeon style.
It was great to follow the characters through their trials to join the Ridgewood coven, a quest of initiation that was both funny and touching.
The goth/creepy cute vibe was well balanced, I really liked it. It was truly unique, with lovely messages scattered throughout and a good dose of mystery (whether it be the peculiarities of Claire's magic, her mother, the secrets of the coven...) for the sequel.
The only downside is the somewhat abrupt ending, which leaves a sharp taste in your mouth. I found it a shame to end the volume here on a clean break, almost frustrating (but not in a positive way like a cliffhanger).
I loved the particularly strict and sharp-tongued rabbit Flufftops (a bit chaotic good), the fact that magic is linked to art, the bond between the witch Claire and her feline familiar Edgard, and also the humour and the slightly zany, very lively Nickelodeon style.
It was great to follow the characters through their trials to join the Ridgewood coven, a quest of initiation that was both funny and touching.
The goth/creepy cute vibe was well balanced, I really liked it. It was truly unique, with lovely messages scattered throughout and a good dose of mystery (whether it be the peculiarities of Claire's magic, her mother, the secrets of the coven...) for the sequel.
The only downside is the somewhat abrupt ending, which leaves a sharp taste in your mouth. I found it a shame to end the volume here on a clean break, almost frustrating (but not in a positive way like a cliffhanger).
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November 11, 2025dnf at 50%
I just really wasn't vibing with this. like technically it was fine but it took me literal weeks to get through just 50% and then I was being pressured by netgalley to finish it because you know you have an expiration date and I decided to not spend any more time on it.
I did not realize this is based on another piece of art. I honestly can't even remember what it's based off of. I think it's an animation, but I didn't even know that going into it until I read some other reviews. I was also pretty disappointed by the fact that the inside was black and white. usually I don't mind that in a netgalley book because I know that it's just that advanced copy and usually the finished copy has full color. but when looking around at full finished additions, the inside is still black and white and I personally think that that was a bad decision. graphic novels take a lot of time and effort to create and I understand why someone would choose not to do color, but I do think it would have benefited the storyline.
I just really wasn't vibing with this. like technically it was fine but it took me literal weeks to get through just 50% and then I was being pressured by netgalley to finish it because you know you have an expiration date and I decided to not spend any more time on it.
I did not realize this is based on another piece of art. I honestly can't even remember what it's based off of. I think it's an animation, but I didn't even know that going into it until I read some other reviews. I was also pretty disappointed by the fact that the inside was black and white. usually I don't mind that in a netgalley book because I know that it's just that advanced copy and usually the finished copy has full color. but when looking around at full finished additions, the inside is still black and white and I personally think that that was a bad decision. graphic novels take a lot of time and effort to create and I understand why someone would choose not to do color, but I do think it would have benefited the storyline.
December 15, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC.
So yes, this is based on a animated short released on the Channel Frederator Youtube channel a good while back; if that name sound familiar, the studio that owns them also executive-produced cartoons like The Fairy Oddparents and Adventure Time. I still remember their brief jingle at the credits for Fairy Oddparents. The Summoning short I remember vaguely as being a cute idea that (at the time) didn't seem to take off beyond the short. Its nice to see the characters repurposed for a new graphic novel series. Its still a cute idea, and I love the characters. I'm glad that despite the rivalry between Claire and Swan, they were able to come to understand each other's magic and respect each other. Its so easy to make Claire a 'not-like-other-girls' protagonist, and I'm glad it didn't do that. The story was able to balance Claire's personal journey of being true to herself and the wider arc of the secrets surrounding the coven well. The ending was a little abrupt, but made clear that there would be answers in a later volume.
So yes, this is based on a animated short released on the Channel Frederator Youtube channel a good while back; if that name sound familiar, the studio that owns them also executive-produced cartoons like The Fairy Oddparents and Adventure Time. I still remember their brief jingle at the credits for Fairy Oddparents. The Summoning short I remember vaguely as being a cute idea that (at the time) didn't seem to take off beyond the short. Its nice to see the characters repurposed for a new graphic novel series. Its still a cute idea, and I love the characters. I'm glad that despite the rivalry between Claire and Swan, they were able to come to understand each other's magic and respect each other. Its so easy to make Claire a 'not-like-other-girls' protagonist, and I'm glad it didn't do that. The story was able to balance Claire's personal journey of being true to herself and the wider arc of the secrets surrounding the coven well. The ending was a little abrupt, but made clear that there would be answers in a later volume.
July 24, 2025
Claire sees a flyer and suddenly is desperate to get into the Coven to train her magical art skills. But first, she must complete a set of grueling tests, and she'll be competing against little-miss-perfect herself, the local magical influencer Swan. But if the two can overcome their differences, perhaps other challenges won't be so insurmountable.
This graphic novel dances at the edge of goth fiction. I admit I was a little confused that there are anthropomorphized characters and also regular talking animals, but other than that, I really loved the art style and creative characterizations. The idea of using art to create magic is a lot of fun and speaks to my heart as a creative person. I'm curious about some of the dropped threads in this book and looking forward to seeing how they tie in with book 2.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This graphic novel dances at the edge of goth fiction. I admit I was a little confused that there are anthropomorphized characters and also regular talking animals, but other than that, I really loved the art style and creative characterizations. The idea of using art to create magic is a lot of fun and speaks to my heart as a creative person. I'm curious about some of the dropped threads in this book and looking forward to seeing how they tie in with book 2.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 6, 2025
I wasn’t familiar with the cartoon before reading this, but I had a fantastic time with the graphic novel. The storyline and the art style are both great! The characters are genuinely compelling, and I’m really curious to see where the story goes next.
I especially loved the focus on friendship and how everyone looks out for each other. Even the mother, who’s not exactly thrilled about the coven, still supports her daughter in her own way. The magical world is super creative, I loved seeing the different types of magic and how each student brings something unique to the coven. The tech element into the story is a cool twist.
I’m really looking forward to volume 2 to learn more about these characters and hopefully see her find her missing friend.
P.S. I watched one episode of the cartoon after reading and it's also really nice.
Thanks #NetGalley and #OniPress for the ARC.
I especially loved the focus on friendship and how everyone looks out for each other. Even the mother, who’s not exactly thrilled about the coven, still supports her daughter in her own way. The magical world is super creative, I loved seeing the different types of magic and how each student brings something unique to the coven. The tech element into the story is a cool twist.
I’m really looking forward to volume 2 to learn more about these characters and hopefully see her find her missing friend.
P.S. I watched one episode of the cartoon after reading and it's also really nice.
Thanks #NetGalley and #OniPress for the ARC.
January 8, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this. Claire and Edgar are so endearing. I don’t know much about witchcraft or fantasy, so I was really pleased that this graphic novel is easy to follow and weaves both fantastical and realist references throughout. It was funny and thought-provoking. Magitek inspired some thoughtful dialogue in my household about the strengths and weaknesses of technology and AI. I appreciated the messages about curiosity and individualism, but I mostly enjoyed the consistent thread about the importance of kindness. Claire is bad *ss, but underneath that exterior is a kind soul and I’m here for her. I can’t wait for volume 2; the cliff has got me hooked!
August 16, 2025
I dnf'd this at 9% for multiple reasons. The first reason is because I picked this graphic novel because of the beautiful art in the cover, but when I opened the book, it was in black and white. That threw me off. Then the story did not seem to flow well. The transitions were bad. What really did me in is that the mom got on my nerves soo bad.
September 29, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this and give my honest opinions.
I did like this, but I struggled with it.The pace was incredibly slow. Most of the time, I just couldn't get as wrapped up as I expected to. The artwork was good.
I did like this, but I struggled with it.The pace was incredibly slow. Most of the time, I just couldn't get as wrapped up as I expected to. The artwork was good.
December 8, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this EARC!
This story was hilarious cute and so original! I loved the characters and illustration style and the cute little messages that were hidden among the pages. However this book did feel a bit hard to get into at first but once it picked up it was a really cute enjoyable read! I recommend this to a YA audience you will have so much fun!
This story was hilarious cute and so original! I loved the characters and illustration style and the cute little messages that were hidden among the pages. However this book did feel a bit hard to get into at first but once it picked up it was a really cute enjoyable read! I recommend this to a YA audience you will have so much fun!
October 8, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This graphic novel follows Claire and her feline familiar Edgar in a cosy witchy tale as Claire competes in trials to attend Ridgewood coven and hone her craft. I really enjoyed this and it has so many aspects I liked - cosy vibes, good moral story, good humour in parts, it was so wholesome! I always love a story with trials so I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, it was easy and fun to read. My favourite part: death loves cats. I didn’t rate this 5 stars because the start was kind of slow to get into, however once the story gets going it’s great. I was also surprised at it being completely black and white despite there being colour on the cover.
This graphic novel follows Claire and her feline familiar Edgar in a cosy witchy tale as Claire competes in trials to attend Ridgewood coven and hone her craft. I really enjoyed this and it has so many aspects I liked - cosy vibes, good moral story, good humour in parts, it was so wholesome! I always love a story with trials so I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, it was easy and fun to read. My favourite part: death loves cats. I didn’t rate this 5 stars because the start was kind of slow to get into, however once the story gets going it’s great. I was also surprised at it being completely black and white despite there being colour on the cover.
August 1, 2025
The Summoning: the Art of the Craft follows our beloved duo Claire and her familiar Edgar in the beginning of this new adventure. Claire is a talented and creative young witch that [currently] specializes in the magic of manifestation through art. She creates wonderful artworks that convey emotions and other wonders which she paints with her by-hand paintings done from nature-based elements. Even though that is amazing by itself, it seems Claire feels something is missing from her life. One day, while she's with Edgard at The Cat's Bean, she sees a flyer with the latest news: the Ridgewood Coven is looking to take 4 new students under their wing. Claire decides to apply, even if her mom warns her that someone like Claire, who is able to create free magic (without the bounds of the coven who decides if something should or should not be done-in other words, restrictions and possible censorship), might not be the best fit. During this stressful process of applying and taking tests to see if she gets chosen to be part of the coven, she meets other friends that are just as interesting and cute!
We have the pastel-goth influencer Swan with the CUTEST familiar Petal, an adorable, sweet and friendly froggy. This duo is very powerful. They are cute, smart and very creative with their amazing potions. I also love the impish character Erik and the sweet druid Clementine. We also got to see our crazy-cute bunny Flufftops! Last but not least, the lore is expanded, and we get to know more of the characters from the animation, including her world, her mom, siblings, neighbors, other magical creatures-all in this new story!
Wow, where to begin?! I applied for this arc with hopes of reading this beautiful jewel, and I am sosososo thankful. What a beautiful, enigmatic journey this book has been. I seriously cannot wait for the continuation-I need to know what happened to our sweet friend, learn about the coven secrets and continue to see how these lovely characters continue to evolve and grow. The background details are superb, you will want to zoom in and look closely at every little detail. I plan on buying a physical version of the book because it is just so cute and cozy, and I want to re-read it and also look at the pretty drawings at any time. I truly fell in love with the characters and the stories, which tend to have such unexpecting endings and cuter monsters I would love to befriend. If you love graphic novels, creepy-cute and magical stories, you need to add this book to your collection!
Thanks to NetGalley, Oni Press and the author for the arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
We have the pastel-goth influencer Swan with the CUTEST familiar Petal, an adorable, sweet and friendly froggy. This duo is very powerful. They are cute, smart and very creative with their amazing potions. I also love the impish character Erik and the sweet druid Clementine. We also got to see our crazy-cute bunny Flufftops! Last but not least, the lore is expanded, and we get to know more of the characters from the animation, including her world, her mom, siblings, neighbors, other magical creatures-all in this new story!
Wow, where to begin?! I applied for this arc with hopes of reading this beautiful jewel, and I am sosososo thankful. What a beautiful, enigmatic journey this book has been. I seriously cannot wait for the continuation-I need to know what happened to our sweet friend, learn about the coven secrets and continue to see how these lovely characters continue to evolve and grow. The background details are superb, you will want to zoom in and look closely at every little detail. I plan on buying a physical version of the book because it is just so cute and cozy, and I want to re-read it and also look at the pretty drawings at any time. I truly fell in love with the characters and the stories, which tend to have such unexpecting endings and cuter monsters I would love to befriend. If you love graphic novels, creepy-cute and magical stories, you need to add this book to your collection!
Thanks to NetGalley, Oni Press and the author for the arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 10, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Oni Press for the ARC.
The Summoning follows Claire, a young witch finding her way with magik, and Edgar, her cat familiar, as she competes to join a coven with the intention of strengthening her skills. Along the way, she meets her talented peers and struggles through challenges, and pushing back against her mother’s expectations for her.
There are strong themes of friendship, forgiveness, and cooperation throughout. There are some funny moments and quirky, dynamic characters.
While there were some very enjoyable moments, parts of this story fell a little flat for me. Some of the characters were lovable, and others, not so much. It took so long for me to warm up to Claire that I struggled to cheer her on for the majority of the book. I feel like the pacing was also slow for the story that was being told. It is possible that the next volume will fill in the gaps and may also move the story along faster, now that the world building has been established.
The art is beautiful but I really wish it was in full colour! The world seems so fun and I feel like the story would come alive with the proper colouring. But I will say that the art is very well done.
I also didn’t realize that this was an animated series, but as I was reading, it definitely had the feel of a cartoon. I think fans of books like Hilda and Unfamiliar might like The Summoning. Definitely something to try out around fall/Halloween, if you’re trying to get in the mood for the season!
3.5/5
The Summoning follows Claire, a young witch finding her way with magik, and Edgar, her cat familiar, as she competes to join a coven with the intention of strengthening her skills. Along the way, she meets her talented peers and struggles through challenges, and pushing back against her mother’s expectations for her.
There are strong themes of friendship, forgiveness, and cooperation throughout. There are some funny moments and quirky, dynamic characters.
While there were some very enjoyable moments, parts of this story fell a little flat for me. Some of the characters were lovable, and others, not so much. It took so long for me to warm up to Claire that I struggled to cheer her on for the majority of the book. I feel like the pacing was also slow for the story that was being told. It is possible that the next volume will fill in the gaps and may also move the story along faster, now that the world building has been established.
The art is beautiful but I really wish it was in full colour! The world seems so fun and I feel like the story would come alive with the proper colouring. But I will say that the art is very well done.
I also didn’t realize that this was an animated series, but as I was reading, it definitely had the feel of a cartoon. I think fans of books like Hilda and Unfamiliar might like The Summoning. Definitely something to try out around fall/Halloween, if you’re trying to get in the mood for the season!
3.5/5
August 1, 2025
Sehr niedliche Graphic Novel mit etwas “bösem” Touch. Es ist eine Welt voller Zauber und die Wesen, die dort leben, sind Tiere und Monster. Der Fokus dreht sich um die Magie und Claire (die Protagonistin) übt sich in der Manifestierung von Bildern. Das geht natürlich auch gern Mal schief, so dass sie plötzlich einen Dämon beschwört.. 😄 da sie nicht richtig vorankommt, bewirbt sie sich bei “Ridgewood Coven" und so begleitet man die junge Hexe bei ihren Aufgaben, Zweifeln, Wachsen und dem Freunde finden. Natürlich bleibt es nicht nur beim cozy Anteil, sondern es bahnt sich auch ein Bösewicht an..
Ich find die Novel sehr cute gemacht - das Artwork ist sehr markant und etwas sketchy, hat aber auch viele Details. Die Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich gestaltet und recht herzlich. Der Plot hat einen roten Faden und jedes Kapitel knüpft an das vorherige an, wobei es manchmal kleine Zeitsprünge gibt. Das Pacing empfand ich als angenehm und genügend Spannung ist auch vorhanden.
Ich würde sagen, die Novel ist auch sehr gut für ein jüngeres Publikum geeignet - man kann allem leicht folgen und die Bilder sind größtenteils auch selbsterklärend. Manchmal gibt's viel Text, dann gibt's aber auch wieder Panels mit weniger und Fokus auf das Gesehene. Die Novel ist übrigens in schwarz-weiß.
Eine deutsche Publizierung seh ich allerdings nicht in naher Zukunft (sofern es überhaupt eine gibt), daher würde ich hier tatsächlich zur englischen Ausgabe tendieren.
Ich find die Novel sehr cute gemacht - das Artwork ist sehr markant und etwas sketchy, hat aber auch viele Details. Die Charaktere sind sehr unterschiedlich gestaltet und recht herzlich. Der Plot hat einen roten Faden und jedes Kapitel knüpft an das vorherige an, wobei es manchmal kleine Zeitsprünge gibt. Das Pacing empfand ich als angenehm und genügend Spannung ist auch vorhanden.
Ich würde sagen, die Novel ist auch sehr gut für ein jüngeres Publikum geeignet - man kann allem leicht folgen und die Bilder sind größtenteils auch selbsterklärend. Manchmal gibt's viel Text, dann gibt's aber auch wieder Panels mit weniger und Fokus auf das Gesehene. Die Novel ist übrigens in schwarz-weiß.
Eine deutsche Publizierung seh ich allerdings nicht in naher Zukunft (sofern es überhaupt eine gibt), daher würde ich hier tatsächlich zur englischen Ausgabe tendieren.
October 21, 2025
2/5 ⭐️
My child and I recently finished The Summoning Vol. 1 and, to be honest, it didn’t quite hit the mark for them—there were only a few moments they really enjoyed. They liked some of the visual details and liked the idea of a witchy world, but overall it struggled to hold their attention. The pacing felt uneven, and several parts just didn’t resonate.
I also found the premise interesting: a young witch, Claire, trying to prove herself by joining a prestigious Coven, navigating her insecurities and magical trials.  While the book showed promise and there were glimpses of charm (especially in the illustrations), it didn’t quite capture my child’s sustained engagement.
If I were to pin down the main drawbacks: the story felt somewhat predictable at times, the characters didn’t always spark strong connection, and for a reluctant reader the momentum was lacking. On the flip side, if a reader loves gothic-fantasy vibes, witchy settings, and intricate art that leans into mood and atmosphere, The Summoning Vol. 1 could still be an appealing pick.
In short: For us, it fell short of being a favourite, but it has enough strengths that others (especially fans of the genre) might get more out of it.
My child and I recently finished The Summoning Vol. 1 and, to be honest, it didn’t quite hit the mark for them—there were only a few moments they really enjoyed. They liked some of the visual details and liked the idea of a witchy world, but overall it struggled to hold their attention. The pacing felt uneven, and several parts just didn’t resonate.
I also found the premise interesting: a young witch, Claire, trying to prove herself by joining a prestigious Coven, navigating her insecurities and magical trials.  While the book showed promise and there were glimpses of charm (especially in the illustrations), it didn’t quite capture my child’s sustained engagement.
If I were to pin down the main drawbacks: the story felt somewhat predictable at times, the characters didn’t always spark strong connection, and for a reluctant reader the momentum was lacking. On the flip side, if a reader loves gothic-fantasy vibes, witchy settings, and intricate art that leans into mood and atmosphere, The Summoning Vol. 1 could still be an appealing pick.
In short: For us, it fell short of being a favourite, but it has enough strengths that others (especially fans of the genre) might get more out of it.
July 15, 2025
So cute! I absolutely adored this graphic novel. The art style is charming and unique. It was refreshing to see a graphic novel in black and white with a pencil sketch type style to the drawings. It made the story feel more organic and personal. The characters in this are so charming, relatable, and funny. There are plenty of adorable side characters (a poetic spider, oracle caterpillar, and a bunny with anger issues). I loved the world and all the different species of life. I found myself scanning the background of same panels for a look at some of the unique creatures from the world. The story has a great message regarding self esteem and believing in yourself. I really enjoyed seeing Claire go through the trials and using her magic. The magic system in this story is so interesting. It is related to someone’s craft. (Drawing, potions, weaving, etc) The magic has a lot of heart in it, just like this story. This is only volume 1 and I am eager to read the next installment. Definitely a new favorite. I will be buying a physical copy upon release!
*Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
*Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!*
July 24, 2025
—3.5 stars
so this comic is in black and white, with pencil sketches?? it's a different kind of graphic than i'm used to, and i wish this was in colour! the world looks so magical and shiny, it's almost a crime to not see the vibrancy.
the starting was slow, and i didn't entirely like claire at first. she has major self-esteem issues, her upbringing playing a part and feeling so different from everyone else. but her character gradually grew as the story picked up, and i did end up becoming quite fond of her.
the story is predictable in some places, but i was mostly on my own trying to figure things out. the tasks were both fun and spooky, and i had a great time.
page 172 deserves it's own approval. i love the heart eyes and like, cats have 9 lives for a reason. though edgar was kinda useless if you ask me 🙈
there's also an angry bunny called flufftops. just, putting that out there.
all in all, with its eerie magic and manifestations, this is the perfect book to read around halloween—at least that's the time i'd recommend.
thanks netgalley and oni press for the arc!
so this comic is in black and white, with pencil sketches?? it's a different kind of graphic than i'm used to, and i wish this was in colour! the world looks so magical and shiny, it's almost a crime to not see the vibrancy.
the starting was slow, and i didn't entirely like claire at first. she has major self-esteem issues, her upbringing playing a part and feeling so different from everyone else. but her character gradually grew as the story picked up, and i did end up becoming quite fond of her.
the story is predictable in some places, but i was mostly on my own trying to figure things out. the tasks were both fun and spooky, and i had a great time.
page 172 deserves it's own approval. i love the heart eyes and like, cats have 9 lives for a reason. though edgar was kinda useless if you ask me 🙈
there's also an angry bunny called flufftops. just, putting that out there.
all in all, with its eerie magic and manifestations, this is the perfect book to read around halloween—at least that's the time i'd recommend.
thanks netgalley and oni press for the arc!
August 20, 2025
Thank you, Netgalley, for an advanced copy of this graphic novel.
This is 250 pages of a witch cat girl (that's how she looks to me) who loves to be creative and draw. She sees an opportunity to apply to Ridgewood Coven & wants it so badly, but she feels her art isn't good enough.
we get taken on an adventure of our main character finding herself & her strength in her passion ( Art is all about self expression & being able to create beyond the scope of one's life and use their imagination), her magic is connected to the art she makes & think it was great to have this because the way she was creative with making her paint though crystals. I loved the friendship she had with a feline called Edgard. I found it adorable at times I even found it funny & it was this connection that kept me reading to see her on the journey (I also didn't know this was based on a TV series so I am now going to see if I can find it to watch).
the trials she goes though to get into Ridgewood Coven where fun to watch, but ending was too fast for me and I wish their was more to it because I felt like it was just compacted to quickly
This is 250 pages of a witch cat girl (that's how she looks to me) who loves to be creative and draw. She sees an opportunity to apply to Ridgewood Coven & wants it so badly, but she feels her art isn't good enough.
we get taken on an adventure of our main character finding herself & her strength in her passion ( Art is all about self expression & being able to create beyond the scope of one's life and use their imagination), her magic is connected to the art she makes & think it was great to have this because the way she was creative with making her paint though crystals. I loved the friendship she had with a feline called Edgard. I found it adorable at times I even found it funny & it was this connection that kept me reading to see her on the journey (I also didn't know this was based on a TV series so I am now going to see if I can find it to watch).
the trials she goes though to get into Ridgewood Coven where fun to watch, but ending was too fast for me and I wish their was more to it because I felt like it was just compacted to quickly
September 13, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First, I had no idea this was based off a animated series so I had to watch it. I think they did a wonderful job of transferring the characters from animated series to a graphic novel. I feel like that is usually reversed. It was super cute and I adored all of the characters. For being almost 300 pages it went by pretty quickly. The only thing that wasn't my favorite was that it is black and white. The cover is so beautiful I really think it would be so much better in color but still enjoyable.
Follow Claire and her familiar, Edgar as they create art that comes to life! She wants to learn more and she was just informed that the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years and she is ready to keep working improve and expand her skills. Claire must pass a series of tests before she will be accepted. With the help of Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going to make works of art, summon ghosts, battle trolls, and hope that its enough to get in the Coven.
First, I had no idea this was based off a animated series so I had to watch it. I think they did a wonderful job of transferring the characters from animated series to a graphic novel. I feel like that is usually reversed. It was super cute and I adored all of the characters. For being almost 300 pages it went by pretty quickly. The only thing that wasn't my favorite was that it is black and white. The cover is so beautiful I really think it would be so much better in color but still enjoyable.
Follow Claire and her familiar, Edgar as they create art that comes to life! She wants to learn more and she was just informed that the Ridgewood Coven is accepting applicants for the first time in years and she is ready to keep working improve and expand her skills. Claire must pass a series of tests before she will be accepted. With the help of Edgar, her curmudgeonly rabbit neighbor Flufftops, her magikal rival Swan, and host of new friends, Claire is going to make works of art, summon ghosts, battle trolls, and hope that its enough to get in the Coven.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for giving me an ARC.
Claire is a young witch who applies to join a covern she sees on a flyer. Her mother suggests she should get an apprenticeship instead, but Claire decides to apply. As part of the application process, Claire has to go through three trials to test her magic. With the help of Edgar, she faces the tests put to her by the covern.
Firstly, the art style is absolutely stunning. The pencil illustrations combined with the monochromatic colour scheme give it a really witchy gothic feel that suits the book perfectly. The familiars are absolutely adorable, especially Petal and Edgar. I loved the dynamic between Claire and Edgar, it was so sweet, and I love how supportive Edgar was of her.
I really liked the different trials. Claire seems to make friends wherever she goes and she genuinely cares about helping people. The text is so funny at times and the illustrations are always so emotive.
Overall, a really fun and light-hearted read.
Claire is a young witch who applies to join a covern she sees on a flyer. Her mother suggests she should get an apprenticeship instead, but Claire decides to apply. As part of the application process, Claire has to go through three trials to test her magic. With the help of Edgar, she faces the tests put to her by the covern.
Firstly, the art style is absolutely stunning. The pencil illustrations combined with the monochromatic colour scheme give it a really witchy gothic feel that suits the book perfectly. The familiars are absolutely adorable, especially Petal and Edgar. I loved the dynamic between Claire and Edgar, it was so sweet, and I love how supportive Edgar was of her.
I really liked the different trials. Claire seems to make friends wherever she goes and she genuinely cares about helping people. The text is so funny at times and the illustrations are always so emotive.
Overall, a really fun and light-hearted read.
July 30, 2025
Many thanks to Edelweiss for providing me with an arc to review.
Claire has hit a bit of a block with her art. Her magical manifestations are just not working. So when she sees a flyer for applicants to Ridgewood Coven, she is thrilled. Claire is home-schooled and an opportunity to join such a prestigious coven and receive training from them is the perfect opportunity to advance her magic. Although her mother does not approve, with the encouragement of her familiar Edgar and friend Flufftops, Claire decides to apply to the Coven. Now she just has to pass the interview and three trials. No problem, right? This one is adorable. I loved the characters and the humor. It leaves us with a nice bit of intrigue and mystery to set up the next volume--and the recipe and spells in the backmatter are a wonderful edition.
Claire has hit a bit of a block with her art. Her magical manifestations are just not working. So when she sees a flyer for applicants to Ridgewood Coven, she is thrilled. Claire is home-schooled and an opportunity to join such a prestigious coven and receive training from them is the perfect opportunity to advance her magic. Although her mother does not approve, with the encouragement of her familiar Edgar and friend Flufftops, Claire decides to apply to the Coven. Now she just has to pass the interview and three trials. No problem, right? This one is adorable. I loved the characters and the humor. It leaves us with a nice bit of intrigue and mystery to set up the next volume--and the recipe and spells in the backmatter are a wonderful edition.
July 11, 2025
The summoning vol 1 is a very unique graphic novel. It has simple black and white illustrations with interesting characters. I never saw similar illustrations before.
The storyline is about a young witch who wants to be accepted in a coven of witches to learn more about her magic. Her familiar is a cute and chaotic cat. She’s also friends with a very strict and angry bunny, which I thought was very funny.
The ending kinda finished the story from this first volume but also makes you want to read the next one. You want to know what happens next.
It’s a cute and funny story about friendship and finding yourself, with hilarious characters and scary experiences.
I’ve received this book as an ARC through NetGalley, but this is my honest opinion.
The storyline is about a young witch who wants to be accepted in a coven of witches to learn more about her magic. Her familiar is a cute and chaotic cat. She’s also friends with a very strict and angry bunny, which I thought was very funny.
The ending kinda finished the story from this first volume but also makes you want to read the next one. You want to know what happens next.
It’s a cute and funny story about friendship and finding yourself, with hilarious characters and scary experiences.
I’ve received this book as an ARC through NetGalley, but this is my honest opinion.
July 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me a copy of The Summoning: The Art of Craft Volume 1.
This is the story of a witch-Claire- who wants to pursue art and tried to join a coven that has an art program.
I was actually quite surprised to see that it was in black and white! With the cover being in colour I thought the whole book would be similar!
The story was great as well as the drawings. It was easy to get attached to Claire and Edgar! I enjoyed Claire’s personality and her relationship with others.
Edgar was such a great character and it was lovely to see him with Petal as they got to know each other better.
I enjoyed the mix between art and magic! It felt like a concept I hadn’t seen before!
I would love to read book 2 as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
This is the story of a witch-Claire- who wants to pursue art and tried to join a coven that has an art program.
I was actually quite surprised to see that it was in black and white! With the cover being in colour I thought the whole book would be similar!
The story was great as well as the drawings. It was easy to get attached to Claire and Edgar! I enjoyed Claire’s personality and her relationship with others.
Edgar was such a great character and it was lovely to see him with Petal as they got to know each other better.
I enjoyed the mix between art and magic! It felt like a concept I hadn’t seen before!
I would love to read book 2 as I thoroughly enjoyed this one!
October 16, 2025
This story follows a young witch who has been homeschooled by her mother and is now eager to join the coven to learn the things she couldn’t at home. As she faces a series of magical trials, she makes mistakes, learns important lessons, and even forms new friendships—though a lingering sense of mystery keeps the story intriguing.
The artwork has a beautifully dark tone, with each character’s magic depicted like a unique form of art. Beneath the fantasy elements, the story encourages themes of resilience, curiosity, independence, and learning from failure—making it a wonderful read for middle schoolers and up.
Parents and educators may appreciate how the book subtly explores growth, responsibility, and self-discovery, all within an imaginative and visually stunning world.
The artwork has a beautifully dark tone, with each character’s magic depicted like a unique form of art. Beneath the fantasy elements, the story encourages themes of resilience, curiosity, independence, and learning from failure—making it a wonderful read for middle schoolers and up.
Parents and educators may appreciate how the book subtly explores growth, responsibility, and self-discovery, all within an imaginative and visually stunning world.
December 7, 2025
Its about a young witch who is homeschooled sees an opportunity to get into a school for witches so she decides to enroll but there are a lot of steps to get into the school like interview and different tests.
She also has a familiar cat, Edgar who is a absolute cutie and a perfect side kick. The rabbit is also adorable. He is honest and straight forward, I wish everybody could be like him.
The whole magic system was good. I liked how emotions are discussed through magic. A person's confusion between listening to their parents or deciding what to do on their own is also very well portrayed.
I liked all the different tests and it made me hooked to the story. But I wish the pace was a bit faster.
Overall, it was a fun book and I'm excited to see what happens next.
She also has a familiar cat, Edgar who is a absolute cutie and a perfect side kick. The rabbit is also adorable. He is honest and straight forward, I wish everybody could be like him.
The whole magic system was good. I liked how emotions are discussed through magic. A person's confusion between listening to their parents or deciding what to do on their own is also very well portrayed.
I liked all the different tests and it made me hooked to the story. But I wish the pace was a bit faster.
Overall, it was a fun book and I'm excited to see what happens next.
August 26, 2025
I'm a bit on the fence on this one. The art wasn't quite my cup of tea (though given the style I am sure it is many people's cup of tea. Fluffy goth.
The characters were interesting and while they started out somewhat one dimensional, there was growth. And the magic system was definitely unique.
And just to add a quibble. Was Claire (and Swan and some of the others) a girl or a cat? Or a part cat? Because then what was Edgar? A cat or a human? And why was his version of cat a familiar and hers the MC spellcaster. It was somewhat confusing.
I definitely recommend this for my friend's daughter.
The characters were interesting and while they started out somewhat one dimensional, there was growth. And the magic system was definitely unique.
And just to add a quibble. Was Claire (and Swan and some of the others) a girl or a cat? Or a part cat? Because then what was Edgar? A cat or a human? And why was his version of cat a familiar and hers the MC spellcaster. It was somewhat confusing.
I definitely recommend this for my friend's daughter.
September 22, 2025
3.5/5
I really enjoyed this witchy art graphic novel. It took an interesting take on Magic in a form of art. Claire applied for the Coven against her mother’s wishes to help become better at her craft. She gets accepted to test into the cover and with the help of her familiar she does all she can to get into the coven.
It’s a cute debut graphic novel, but it was slow at the beginning and rushed near the end. While it was book 1 it was hard to stay interested when more plots were added. From the internship to the sudden kidnapping. It definitely made you question near the end.
That isn’t to say this wasn’t a good read. I am just going to wait until volume 2 to see what happens next
I really enjoyed this witchy art graphic novel. It took an interesting take on Magic in a form of art. Claire applied for the Coven against her mother’s wishes to help become better at her craft. She gets accepted to test into the cover and with the help of her familiar she does all she can to get into the coven.
It’s a cute debut graphic novel, but it was slow at the beginning and rushed near the end. While it was book 1 it was hard to stay interested when more plots were added. From the internship to the sudden kidnapping. It definitely made you question near the end.
That isn’t to say this wasn’t a good read. I am just going to wait until volume 2 to see what happens next
September 28, 2025
An adorable and magical graphic novel, perfect for spooky season!
We follow young witch Claire and her familiar Edgar, as they apply to join the prestigious Ravenwood Coven. Along the way, we meet lots of different magical friends, including Death himself, and a spider who performs poetry, and see Claire develop her magical abilities.
I loved the art style of this - it's clearly handdrawn, which I found refreshing and charming, and helped this book feel very cosy. There was a larger story going on in the background, and I'd be interested in continuing the series to find more about that.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
We follow young witch Claire and her familiar Edgar, as they apply to join the prestigious Ravenwood Coven. Along the way, we meet lots of different magical friends, including Death himself, and a spider who performs poetry, and see Claire develop her magical abilities.
I loved the art style of this - it's clearly handdrawn, which I found refreshing and charming, and helped this book feel very cosy. There was a larger story going on in the background, and I'd be interested in continuing the series to find more about that.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eArc!
July 12, 2025
The Summoning Vol. 1 tells the story of Claire and her familiar, Edgar, as she goes through trials and tribulations during her application to the Ridgewood Coven. Filled with beautiful black and white artwork, the story highlights Claire’s kindness and uniqueness while trying to understand the mysterious Ridgewood Coven. Left on a cliffhanger, I will definitely be checking out Vol. 2- hopefully we don’t have to wait too long! 4⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Summoning Vol. 1!
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read The Summoning Vol. 1!
August 4, 2025
This was a cute graphic novel which I enjoyed though I wish it was fully in colour. The illustrations were pretty and I think having colour really would have added an extra element, especially with the whole art thing.
The story was engaging and I am looking forward to volume 2.
Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the eARC and because I am currently torturing my teenaged daughter by making her stay in the room with her family rather than hiding out in another room so she can talk with her girlfriend, I have left an honest review
The story was engaging and I am looking forward to volume 2.
Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for the eARC and because I am currently torturing my teenaged daughter by making her stay in the room with her family rather than hiding out in another room so she can talk with her girlfriend, I have left an honest review
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