Hollow Magic

by Mars Lauderbaugh

Seventeen-year-old Rosefinch has been traveling along the weather-beaten coast for two years on a quest to find a witch strong enough to help her control her magic. Her magic is volatile, hard to wield, and Rosefinch is tired of the pain of magical backlash. When she's directed to the sea-side village of Harp, she discovers the ancient castle of a long-lost Witch Queen with the inhabitants long gone; the only remaining soul is a knight encased in solid ice guarding the door.

When she attempts to lift the curse, she frees Thierry, a human with no memory of who they are, wrapped in cursed magic so strong that they cannot leave the castle. Thierry is soft spoken, strong, and in possession of a fey sword that should be impossible for them to have. But they have secrets of their own, as do other members of the Harp family still hidden within the walls.

Harp castle was left in ruins for a reason, and Rosefinch must find a way to cure the curse or lose Thierry—and the chance to learn the truth about the Witch Queen—forever.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Young Adult, Queer, LGBT, Graphic Novels Manga, Graphic Novels Comics

240 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 11, 2026

About the author

Mars is a nonbinary artist located in the Pacific Northwest working primarily on book covers, character design, and comics. They'll never say no to drawing space, trans & queer rep, or unreasonably detailed swords.

Reviews

[kylie’s been jinxed ౨ৎ]

"ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴡᴇ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ғɪɴᴅɪɴɢ ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏғ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜ"

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs ✩
The main attention appeal of this story is obviously the art. In a graphic novel, I'd expect some pretty art, but I was in love with the art style here. The character design and the depictions of magic in the drawings made me so happy.

The setting of this story is in the small magical town of Harp. It's the ideal cozy fantasy town: a crumbling cursed castle, a tavern and a forest. This story gives off serious cozy vibes and it makes for such a cozy and low stakes read.

Rosefinch is our main character and she's searching for a witch who may be able to help her control her magic when she arrives in Harp. She quickly learns about a cursed castle that all the villagers stay away from and decides to investigate. (Of course!). Another main(ish) character is Thierry who is part of our little sub-plot romance.

One of my small issues with this book was the pacing, some sections towards the end felt really rushed. However, this is a graphic novel and is easily digestible in one sitting so pacing shouldn't be a large issue for most people. This felt like a basic fantasy novel with really really pretty pictures and clearer imagery in it.

ǫᴜᴏᴛᴇs ☾:
⤷ " ᴍᴀɢɪᴄ ʙᴜɪʟᴅs ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴏᴜʀ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴs"
⤷ "ᴀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ɪs ᴀɴ ᴏᴀᴛʜ"

sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ʙᴏᴏᴋs ✧:
⤷ The Stonekeeper (Kazu Kibuishi)
⤷ Demon in the Wood (Leigh Bardugo & Dani Pendergast)

ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ ✩:
⤷ 4 stars

ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ:
08/11/2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friend for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Keep the name for yourself and for those you love dearly. If you cherish it, then the Dawn Queen will have no power over you. Not anymore.” - Mars Lauderbaugh, Hollow Magic

Names hold power. That’s why you never give anyone your real full name. At least that’s what I learned from reading this book. I guess that makes sense, because we don’t walk up and introduce ourselves using our full government names. Could you imagine? But this does make me want to come up with a nickname (for myself) that I give out… Henry? Derek? Reginald? Meh! We’ll workshop it!

There is nothing I love more than a queer fantasy set in a queer-normative world with queer characters and queer joy… and everyone’s just… queer? The happy kind, obvs! Our MC is female, the love interest in enby, the witch queen has a wife… it’s just very gay up in here and I love it!!!! Did I mention that the two lesbian queens have a son? They had him together with no explanation on how that worked out, but it doesn’t matter, because this is ✨A MAGICAL GAY FANTASY✨!!!

Okay! I am supposed to tell you why I loved this story as if the above wasn’t enough? **skoffs** It’s an adventure story where our fair maiden is trying to find someone to teach her how to use her magic without the painful aftermath that comes with it. She hears a story about a village cursed by a great witch queen. She knows that the only way that the curse is still affecting everything is if the queen is still alive and she goes out in search of her. Along the way, she’s breaking curses like I broke curfews as a teenager. BAM! A girl walks into a cursed castle, meets a non-binary knight, kisses them to wake up (not exactly, but it’s for the plot y’all!), and saves the kingdom!!!!! Everyone cheers!!!… Not exactly! There’s a lot more to it!

First of all, the artwork!!!!! If you’ve ever seen an Aiden Thomas cover, you’ve obviously been blessed by the artwork of Mars Lauderbaugh. Could you imagine an entire graphic novel of their art? Noooooooo? Me neither! Preorder this immediately, because it will blow your mind! That alone was worth the time it took me to get this.

If I could give it more stars, I would!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC. I can’t wait to have this beautiful masterpiece in my possession. Now I wait a YEARRRRRRR until it comes out. 😭

[Kellie Laflin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, not my favorite. The pacing throughout was incredibly fast, in a way that was almost jarring. We desperately needed more time to breathe and take in the world & the characters, particularly in the beginning. The characters also could have used some work - the writing was flat and they didn't really seem to have distinct personalities. I don't think this was helped by the art style, either. Honestly this just felt more like a first draft/story board than a complete story.

I did really enjoy the blueish-purple color palette used in the art, and the way Lauderbaugh stylized the magic was quite pretty and rather unique.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Basil Estel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I was provided with an ARC from Feiwel and Friends in exchange for an honest review.

Hollow Magic is a YA fantasy graphic novel expected to release in August of next year. It is written by Mars Lauderbaugh, who uses they/them pronouns. While this is their first publication, Lauderbaugh is probably best known as the artist who illustrated the covers for Aiden Thomas’s Cemetery Boys and the Sunbearer Trials duology.

It tells the story of Rosefinch, a witch with a talent for curse-breaking whose magic also causes her chronic pain. While adventuring and looking for a cure for her condition, she hears about the village of Harp: a desolate place that has been cursed by an incredibly powerful witch. Rosefinch figures that, if the curse is still around, the witch must also be alive. Upon the advice of a mysterious (and very attractive) butch bartender, she ventures into Harp Castle to unfreeze its knight and try to break the curse.

I find Lauderbaugh's sleek linework and saturated colours irresistible. I will caveat that I’m not an art critic, but as an avid manga reader, I can recognise decent composition and pacing in panels when I see it, and I think that Hollow Magic is pretty competent in that regard.

Not only is Lauderbaugh an extremely talented illustrator, I think the story is still enjoyable. While I did get some whiplash from the truncated pacing, I was completely invested in the story and enjoyed the journey it took me on. It’s a strong debut that ultimately feels limited by being crammed into one volume, and I can’t wait to see what else the author has in store for us.

Read the full review on my site: https://bazestel.wordpress.com/2025/1...

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes; this in no way influences my review.

I’ve loved Mars’ art since the first cover reveal for Aiden Thomas, so when I saw their graphic novel on Netgalley, I was so excited to get a chance to read it. Plus queer fairy tales will always have a special place in my heart! The art is perfect for the story of Rosefinch, Thierry, and Morgan, and I loved the style and palate so much. There’s a great blending of mystery and familiar fairy tale elements that I didn’t want to stop reading. I really enjoyed this, and look forward to more stories from Mars.

[Jinn A · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC on behalf of Netgalley :)
It was a short read, but entirely wholesome. The art is beautiful and the character design is delicious. It’s not the most groundbreaking unique story, but I personally don’t mind it. Sometimes stories can just be fun. The only critique I have is it was hard to truly fall in love with any of the characters due to the short length of the story. And the romance aspect being a bit lackluster, but that was never the focus of the story. That being said, I still think the book was well balanced for the length.

[Aubree Lanman]

2⭐ I will always support queer authors and illustrators, so I was so happy to get an arc of this one! (Thanks NetGalley!) Mars Lauderbaugh is a master of character design and character illustrations, and that is very clear in their debut. I also always love a teen read with solid queer rep and I believe it is important for queer kids to see themselves represented on page, which was a huge win for this graphic novel.
However, my enjoyment of this graphic novel ends there. The story was too rushed and needed more details, more time, and overall needed to be fleshed out more before being released. The reveals were way too rushed and would have benefitted from more buildup beforehand. I would have been happy to read a 300+ page story with these characters in this world if more time was spent building up the tension and the world naturally, as well as just slowing down the story. Also, the illustrations of the characters were beautiful, but I think there needed to be more backgrounds, more details, and more diverse color schemes. So overall, while I love the representation, this story needed more time to be developed!

[camille! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is probably closer to a 3.5 in terms of where I landed on it in the end. And part of it may just be a personal problem — I love the idea of graphic novels, but I tend to find their pacing lacking. This was one of those cases. While I found the art delightful and I loved the concept of it, I wish more time had been spent getting me invested in the dynamics of the core three characters, as well as showcasing the rules of magic and fey (outside of the chapter opening inforgraphics, which were a really nice touch). It was a sweet solid story, but I think I just came away wanting it to be a bit... more?

[Bailey Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you netgalley and Feiwel & friends for giving me and arc of this graphic novel.
~4⭐~
The story was great and the artwork was great. You can tell the art took sometime to make and it reminded me of the amulet series I use to read. It just have the same feeling to it. It was a great book. I'd recommend this when you need a quick and easy read.

[Chelsea]

Review to come August 1st

[Jana Wooten · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a parent of a kid in the LGBTQIA+ I'm always on the hunt for stories that are age appropriate and a good story. I am fortunate to have received and ARC copy of this and I hope to see more to this story. I love the characters so much and want to see more of them as they grow and learn.

This story is good and is definitely teen friendly while still holding up as a enjoyable read for myself as well.

Found family and friends are big themes in this story and I think it's handled beautifully.
The artwork really goes well with the story being told and when the lore of the Fae, Witches, Humans came in it really helped fill a few details that I was unsure on in the beginning of the story.

I am so use to books giving you all the info just right away, this story differs in that you see the world and our main protagonist interacting with people in the towns as they hunt for a witch to help them with their powers.

I am looking forward to purchasing this for my teen. I think they are really going to love this as much as I did.

[rachel x]

f/nb witchy romance with fey & quests???

[Chloe]

Damn, this was incredible. It's visually stunning and the exact kind of fantasy story I love.

[Snarky Hatter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollow Magic is visually lovely and is crafted with care and attention to detail. From one page to the next, Mars Laudernaugh’s artwork is skillful. Like many comics, Hollow Magic switches from detailed backgrounds to vague ones as the story requires, usually keeping the details on the protagonists and antagonists.

A lot of passion went into this story, as you can see by the detail in the world building and magic system, with chapters ending with pages listing off the different magic wielder types and specific kinds of spells.

It’s why it is so difficult to give this book 3 stars. So much effort was put into this comic, and ironically, some of the features that make this comic so strong are also what bring it down.

As mentioned, Lauderbaugh’s art style is beautiful, but that beauty is a double-edged sword. When people emote—when characters emote—their faces scrunch up, their eyes bulge, and the corners of their mouths wrinkle. It’s those details that make characters come alive and make them feel like people. Not that Lauderbaugh’s characters don’t emote at all. They do, but it’s muted. And because of that, the character’s emotions are muted too, and as a reader that makes it difficult for me to connect with the characters.

I would have adored seeing these beautiful faces contorted with emotion. Whether that be screaming in rage or on their knees and sobbing. Perhaps snot dribbling out their nose? Nothing is too ugly if it’s conveying emotion.

Another area where I saw this double-edged sword was regarding the world-building, specifically regarding pacing and exposition. It was around the end of the second or third chapter that I felt overwhelmed with information, while also frustrated by the lack of information that I wanted. I wanted to know what made Rosenfinch tick, but that wasn’t the information I was being given. I was being told about the magic system and magic wielders to such a degree that I stopped absorbing the information after those early chapters.

It wasn’t until halfway through the book, when we are given Rosenfinch’s backstory, that I was able to feel any connection to her. Even then, it was very tentative, because it had taken so long to get there.

One way I think the pacing could have been fixed is if this story was spread over the course of a couple of books. If the publisher is adamant that it’s gotta be one book, though, perhaps a prologue/side quest where we get to see Rosefinch duking it out with other magic users. That way, we could learn about the magic system through the conflict, and not through Rosefinsh’s internal dialogue/conversations with others. It would also give us more insight into her character.

Is she a pacifist? Does she use brawn or wit to resolve her problems? Is she a rescuer or an avenger? Just a few examples.

The reason I bring up these suggestions is that I think there is an excellent story here. It just needs a bit of polish to bring out that shine, and I want it to shine. I was so thrilled to get this book through Netgalley, and I was so excited to read it. I’m definitely open to reading more by Lauderbaugh in the future and seeing where they go from here.

[Casie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Contains Spoilers*

Found family really does it for me. Especially when it’s a group of people who would otherwise have no reason to interact with one another. Hollow Magic does a really beautiful job at putting together a diverse group of characters, not only in the fantastical sense, as we have witches and humans and fey interacting, but in general identity and sexuality as well. Having a nonbinary character really was an interesting addition, although it could have been incorporated a bit better. It felt a bit awkward when Rosefinch straight up asked Thierry what pronouns they use.

I do really appreciate the fact that not all of the characters were white, which is something not so common to see in high fantasy settings, ESPECIALLY when dealing with fey. So having Morgan and his mother be black was very refreshing to see. Even more exciting that they were royalty on top of things.

My main complaint was the pacing of the story. I understand graphic novels have less words and shorter lengths, but I feel like this particular story would have greatly benefited from being split into volumes. I think 2 or 3 would have done the story more justice, just in the sense that it would have given more time for characters to be fully flushed out, including the romance aspect. Rosefinch and Thierry go from strangers to kissing in the span of a single day, which, sure it’s a fantasy, but the insta-love is kind of boring? Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was a cute romance, but if it had more time to develop I would be more attached.

Overall, the story was very enjoyable. It was cozy and a nice palette cleanser between more intense reads. I’d love to see this available at my local library for teens and tweens to read. It’s one that I’ll be recommending to my little cousin who recently discovered a love of reading.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, even with a few bumps along the way. Visually, it’s a lovely book. The art is simple but pretty, and the character designs are one of its strongest points. Morgan, in particular, was my favorite, he’s just genuinely so pretty on the page, his design really stands out. Thierry too. The facial expressions could’ve been stronger, but even so, the art had a charm I liked.

One thing I will say is that the cover made me expect something a bit more action-packed. It gave off the vibe of a bigger, more dramatic adventure than what the story actually delivers. The book itself is much quieter and more contained.

Pacing-wise, the beginning felt strong, but the rest of the story moved too fast for my taste. That quick pace is also why the romance felt rushed. I would’ve loved to see Rosefinch and Thierry’s relationship develop over a longer period of time, something that let their bond and trust build naturally. Honestly, the same goes for the friendship between them and Morgan. I liked their dynamic, but it all felt surface-level because they barely had any time together. A longer timeline would’ve added so much emotional weight, both to the romance and the friendships.

The worldbuilding is pretty simple, but it worked for the story. I enjoyed the idea of the Dawn and Dusk fey and the mystery behind Thierry’s curse. But I kept wishing the characters themselves had more depth. Everyone needed just a little more juj—especially the Harp family. I wanted more emotion from them and more emotion between them. To be fair, it is a YA graphic novel, and the characters are teens, so some simplicity in their emotional world makes sense.

The story touches on themes like trust, resisting oppressive power, and finding freedom from your past, and while these themes are there, they don’t go very deep. The whole thing reminded me of the YA fantasy I read when I was younger, and I know I would’ve been absolutely fascinated by Thierry as a kid.

Overall, Hollow Magic is a pretty, cozy fantasy graphic novel with a fun premise and an easy-to-like cast. I just wish the plot, the relationships, and the emotional beats had more room to breathe. Even so, I’m glad I picked it up and I think younger readers, especially, will find it magical.

[celestialpixels_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌙 Found Family, Fey Curses, and the Magic of Becoming ✨

Mars Lauderbaugh’s Hollow Magic is a stunning YA fantasy graphic novel that blends lush artwork with a story that’s equal parts tender and empowering. It’s about curses and choices, but even more so, it’s about carving out your identity in a world that insists on defining it for you.

At the heart of the story is Rosefinch, a seventeen-year-old cursed with the power to unleash devastating magic with the flick of her fingers. In the fey realm, magic is never simple, and Rosefinch’s gift often feels more like a burden, one that isolates her from those she loves. But when a rumor surfaces about someone who might help her control her abilities, she finds herself pulled onto a journey that is as much about discovery as survival. Along the way, she encounters unlikely allies and threads of found family that slowly reshape what “home” and “belonging” mean.

What makes “Hollow Magic” unforgettable is how beautifully it balances its elements: the artwork is vibrant and atmospheric, the characters layered with flaws and resilience, and the themes deeply resonant. The story also shines in its queer representation. Identity is woven directly into the narrative, not as an afterthought but as part of the very fabric of the world. Rosefinch’s journey becomes both magical and personal, a reflection on how selfhood, love, and family can be chosen, even when others try to dictate who you should be.

✨ “Hollow Magic” is for fans of richly imagined fantasy, gorgeous illustration, and tales where hope glimmers even through curses.

🙏 Thank you to Mars Lauderbaugh, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hollow Magic is a beautifully illustrated story about a half-witch, half-fey named Rosefinch looking for a mentor to tame her wild magic. In her quest, she hears of a Witch Queen trapped in a cursed castle that she hopes will be able to help her if only she can free her.
Guarded by a frozen knight, Rosefinch finds the castle is deserted and in ruins. So she unravels the knight's curse to hopefully find some answers. But the knight, Thierry, has lost their memories. Together, they travel throughout the castle to find clues but instead are met with more curses and secrets that will reveal that their fates are more entwined than they realize.

This graphic novel begins very abruptly where we are thrust right into the thick of the plot. I think this is okay with a younger audience since there is a bit of an explanation within the chapters, but I think with a little more background on the magic system, this would do so well with older readers as well.

The story was fast paced, but also full of emotion and magic. There was a solid plot and even a bit of tension and romance. Things escalated quickly at the end and though I wish it was a bit longer, I felt it was complete.

The pages are so wonderfully expressive not just with the characters but with the setting as well. I will definitely look for future works from this author/illustrator.

If you're looking for a quick YA queer fantasy story with detailed artwork, this is one to pick up.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love Hollow Magic, and I liked so many elements, but it did not meet my expectations. Firstly, the art is beautiful, and the character design, while they are basic, is solid. The author thought out the world, and the lore was interesting when it was shown and discussed. The actual plot is good, but it felt choppy and poorly executed. The novel is very contained, and it felt like we were simply going from room to room just to put a checkmark on the list.

On the note of characters, I barely grew to like them because they felt like cardboard cutouts just filling in the space. Rosefinch felt very cold, Thierry was just tall and quiet with occasional hints of personality, and Max didn’t trust Rosefinch. All of these would be a decent basis for developing characters, but I never felt there were enough filler moments to make that happen in a way I cared about.

This book has some cool ideas, such as the fae queen and fae magic vs witch magic. It's truly wild to read something and be like, “Yeah, this needed filler.” I typically have the opposite reaction while reading, but this one needed way more filler cause it felt like bones rubbing in an arthritic knee. It was a sick plotline that didn’t feel well executed for the pages we had. Graphic novels are one of my absolute favorite forms of media and especially queer ones, so I held this to a high standard, and it did not meet it. 2.75 stars rounded up because I love a nonbinary character and magical lesbian queens.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[emerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Everyone applaud, I read a book during tech week.

This was a good time—it was a nice read with characters I enjoyed and a satisfying plot during a week at work where I barely had time to think, forget read. It’s not perfect, not even close, but I enjoyed myself. And Mars’s art is wonderful. You can tell they put so much effort into the coloring and composition of the novel, because it is truly visually stunning.

That said, I think the flaw in this one comes first and foremost with the lack of space in a graphic novel, especially a standalone one, and thus with the pacing.

The story starts in a way that feels like we missed the first three chapters—we don’t get a read on Rosefinch, her personality, the way she lives, or the true capacity and struggles of her magic. This, in turn, makes it difficult to understand why she’s on the journey that progresses the novel’s plot. But it also leaves us uncaring about her or her fate, and this difficulty investing is also the case for for the side characters and the little bit of a romance plot in the novel. None of it had enough behind it to truly make me love or root for anything. Thierry has few lines and no discernible personality other than softspoken, and I struggled to see what their connection with rosefinch was. This, in turn, made their decisions in the novel's climax hard to truly understand. I did, notably, love their character design. Morgan was much clearer. Even his moms felt like they had some world we just didn't get to see, but they didn't carry the story, and so they couldn't help with this problem. 

I enjoyed the plot. It was a simple one, possibly once again because of page constraints, but there was a thing or two I didn’t expect intertwined with the many things I definitely did see coming. I also really loved the representation and liked the little bit of world building we got.

I’d recommend this one for a simple read with a queernormative world, and if no other reason, for Mars’s art. 

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Hollow Magic" follows a young woman named Rosefinch who uses her magic to break curses. When she comes across the cursed castle of Harp, she decides to try to break the curse in order to learn to control her own magic, making friends along the way.

Unfortunately for me, there was just not enough character development and world building for this to feel like a fleshed out story. It was super rushed. The main character falls in love with someone she knows for a total of like, 3 hours (instalove-blegh), and the story just barely made enough sense. In terms of the insta-love - can we not just have a story where people become friends!? Like there clearly just wan't enough time for love to bloom, but friendship certainly could have. I think this story could be good with a few improvements(pacing and development).

In terms of the artwork, I personally didn't love, it, but that's just my taste and I'm sure a lot of people will jive with it! It was lacking detail (the backgrounds were often just solid colors with gradients, and there was one image of a book that just had like 3 squiggly lines on the top and didn't even pretend to have words all the way down the page). I felt the color palette was a little drab to be honest, but it's clear the artist is talented, it's just not my personal favorite style.

Ultimately this book just didn't work for me, but thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The character art in this is cool as heck. I was laughing with some friends about how the tagline "by the cover artist of Cemetery Boys!" made us all really want to read this, and man, the character designs are amazing. I'm having a small gay crisis over the Dawn Queen as we speak.

The world and the character development, however, felt incomplete. I had questions about how the magic system worked, or WHY things worked, or how characters reached certain conclusions. I never really got pulled into the main story. If you asked me to tell you what happened in this book, I would struggle to say how we got from point A to point B to point C.

I would love to see more from Lauderbaugh in the future, but I do wish that the storyline and the world had felt a bit more coherent and fleshed-out. It feels a bit weird to say "show, don't tell" in a graphic novel, but the delivery of information was stilted and often hard to follow.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this lovely ARC.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars

This was a cute, fun read! I was drawn in by the cover art and plot synopsis (I love books with fey and magic plus queer characters). The book is rather on the shorter side, so the plot and pacing did feel a little rushed. But I thought the worldbuilding was explained well and woven smoothly into the story. It would've been nice if the book was longer to give the plot more time to develop along with the relationships between the characters. I would've liked to see Rosefinch and Morgan's friendship. The romance between Rosefinch and Thierry was super cute, but the progression also felt a bit rushed. I liked the plot concept a lot though and the plot twists. The art style was nice, and I enjoyed how the magic elements were illustrated. Overall, it was good read! I recommend it to those looking for a short, standalone fantasy book, especially those that enjoy the graphic novel format. I also think it could work well as an introduction to readers new to graphic novels.

[Mylo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!

Hollow Magic is a sweet, fast-paced book about identity, trust, and family.

I thought it was a fun read! The character designs are appealing, and the story itself is fun to follow. I really think this would've benefited from being a little bit longer, or being a two-parter perhaps. The pacing is fast and it was hard for me to get super invested in these characters and their world because we simply don't have enough time to spend with them.

That said, what we do get of the characters is endearing, I particularly liked Thierry and watching them navigate their predicament, and I liked the little twists at the end that revealed a lot of backstory for various characters.

Overall I would say if you have a younger reader this could be a very appealing adventure, and if you're an older reader this is a very fast and sweet read for a little bit of extra magic in your day!

I really hope this author continues to hone their craft, because I think there is boundless potential here.

6.5/10 rounded down

[Stacey Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel was, in a single word, cute. It's sweet, fairly light-hearted, and has a happy ending. There are some dark-ish moments, but nothing extreme at all. These are all pluses when you want a quick and cozy read. I definitely got the warm and fuzzies from it.

I love the art style, too. I'm an artist myself, and I wish I could draw like that.

The twists were maybe a touch predictable, but then this is meant more for teens who possibly wouldn't see it coming. And it's always nice to have that 'hah! I KNEW it' moment no matter how old you are. There were moments I was on the proverbial edge of my seat towards the end as well. The only real criticism I have is that it was too shallow a dive. I think it could have used a few more pages, maybe ten or twenty, to help us get to know the characters and world a little better.

And while it is meant for teens, I'd say it's suitable for an even younger audience. I'd have gifted something like this to my niece when she was ten. I will still gift it to her (she's currently 16) because I think she'll like it.

[Rhiley Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the E-ARC! This E-ARC was sent to me in exchange for an honest review.

Queer and androgynous representation in a teen graphic novel? Characters of color that aren't killed off in the second act? A colorful, engaging art style with a romance that isn't rushed or forced? Yeah, this was a good one!
I will say the story wasn't exactly unique. It's been told a thousand times before-the evil fae queen who wants power and will do anything to get it, a curse that ravages the land, and a group of people working to fight against it. It's not anything new in basic concept but it was still really fun!
I loved the color palette used and the art style, especially. It really fit the whimsical, fantasy features of the story!
The characters as well were likable and entertaining. They were human (In a non human way?) and real, and the relationship the three main characters built was wholesome and needed for a graphic novel where they went through such trials.
I definitely recommend Hollow Magic!

[Short and sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure about this book when I started, but I’m glad I read on, because it took me on an interesting adventure. I met an interesting cast of characters, characters that were well thought out and contained different layers - something that’s been missing in the last few graphic novels I’ve read. The world of feys and witches, along with the story that unfolded from it, was also captivating and magical.

The two main reasons why this wasn’t a five-star read were the writing and the world-building. The writing is what made me hesitate when I started the book. It very much reads like a debut novel, which isn’t bad per se, but it did tick me off a few times. Saying “here’s a door” in a graphic novel is unnecessary, if not a bit cumbersome. It clearly could’ve been polished off a bit more. I was given an ARC for this book, meaning it can still change before the publication date. For the world-building, it was very interesting, but not fleshed out enough for my taste. I wanted to know more, to understand it better, and to feel fully immersed in the world the author created.

[cathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the eARC!

3.5/5

Hollow Magic is such a fun read! I was immediately drawn to the beautiful cover of this graphic novel, and the art throughout was as equally stunning. There is a clear attention to detail and passion. While the magic system itself seemed somewhat familiar for the genre, I especially loved the unique way the illustrations depict how magic is wielded by Rosefinch and the other magic wielders.

My main complaint involves the pacing of the story. Hollow Magic could benefit from being a longer length and/or split into two volumes, allowing for more time for the reader to connect with Rosefinch’s backstory and her romance with Thierry. Also, the influx of information regarding the magic system in the first few chapters is interesting but a bit jarring to learn all at once.

Despite some pacing issues, I really enjoyed my reading experience. The plot is fairly predictable at times but still captivating and easy to understand for a teenage audience. I look forward to more from this author in the future!

[Amy Minett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a fairy tale-esque story with a largely queer cast, told through gorgeous art? Look no further! Hollow Magic is a lovely little gem of a graphic novel, following the adventures of Rosefinch as she explores the mysteries--and dangers!--of the ruined Harp castle. Rosefinch is no cookie-cutter protagonist--she's a witch struggling with a heavy past and magic that too easily can spin out of control. Without venturing into spoiler territory, there's a lot of interesting lore in this story relating to magic and the fey. The artwork truly brings Rosefinch, Thierry, Morgan, and all of the other characters to life. This is a short read, and it might feel a bit fast-paced for some readers, but if you approach it as a unique little fairy tale, I don't think you'll mind. I'd love to see more stories set in this world!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow Magic is a great debut story. Mars Lauderbaugh's art is captivating and definitely enhances the story being told. Because of the short nature of graphic novels, though, the world building was a bit overwhelming. Creating a somewhat distinct idea of magic between two different types of fae, witches, and humans who are magicless, the details of how they worked together became overwhelming. It is the level of worldbuilding I would expect more from a full-length print novel. Despite this, Isa's personality and drive made the story very compelling. The twist about Isa's mother was not really as surprising as I would have hoped, but I still think that it was well placed for character development. Overall, I enjoyed this book and if Lauderbaugh ever decided to write a full length (hopefully illustrated!) novel set in this world, you can sign me up!