What the Hex?!

Witches of Brooklyn #2

by Sophie Escabasse

Effie returns in this spellbinding sequel: a middle-grade graphic novel about found family, friendship, and learning to embrace who you are!

Could there be even MORE witches in Brooklyn?!

Effie is EXCITED to meet so many witches, but what is going on with her friends? Suddenly Effie is no longer the newest kid in school, and it seems like her friends are happy to grow their little group, but Effie isn't so sure. On top of that, learning magic is HARD WORK!

Effie just wants to have fun being a witch, but her life in Brooklyn is about to get weird(er).

The bewitching second book in the Witches of Brooklyn series captures what it means to be a friend, and how growing up can be a little less scary if you throw some magic in the mix.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Witches, Magic, Comics, Childrens

234 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Sophie Escabasse is a French author and illustrator who lives in Montreal with her husband and three children, and their black cat, Terrence. She has illustrated many books for middle-grade readers, including Florence Parry Heide and Roxanne Heide Pierce’s Spotlight Club Mysteries series and the Freestyler Funnies series by Tom Easton. She has been a graphic novel lover for as long as she can remember, and she enjoys fun and expressive characters.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous entry in what I hope will be a VERY LONG series!

Escabasse does such a terrific job of mixing the fantastical elements of the story with real-life problems and emotions encountered by tweens. Young Effie deals with schoolwork, jealousy, witchcraft lessons, AND two suspicious statues.

This was such a pleasure to read.

Highly, HIGHLY recommended!

[nikki | ཐི༏ཋྀ​​݁ ₊ ݁ . · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was super cute, it was fun to revisit effy and her witchy fam in brooklyn.
this time she contends with more growing pains, like a new friend entering her social circle and taking time away from her bestie.

there was a fun little magic mystery happening as well, i felt like we saw even more magical whimsy implemented into their lifestyle and surroundings.

will def continue the series!

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m flying through these, & having the absolute best time. I just feel so cozy & happy while reading these. They are warm hugs in graphic novel form lol, & I definitely need & appreciate that right now. I’m so in love with Efiie, her aunts, Lion, & her friends so much. Especially Effie & her incredible aunts though. I wish this were a tv show too! Can’t say much since this is the 2nd book, but Effie is learning the witchy ropes still from her aunts & Francis, but she has some friendship & jealousy drama to deal with in this here. She learns more about friendship, what it means to really be a friend, the power of words, talking about problems instead of keeping them inside, & more. These are filled with so many great messages/lessons. And can we talk about LION in this one?!?! Wowza, I love him even more!! There’s a new character introduced, & I love what they brought to the story, & everything we learn about them as well. Loved this so much, & the ending was amazing. Bookhug worthy all the feels ending. Highly recommend. Just as BEAUTIFUL artwork by the author Sophie Escabasse too.💜

[Raven · Rating 5 out of 5]

”Freedom is essential in any relationship, Effie. We don’t own people. Even our best friend.”

I simply adore the Witches of Brooklyn series; it’s so freaking adorable!

I love Sophie Escabasse’s illustration style. I’m drawn in by the bold colors and the way that Escabasse can capture a range of expression and movement. But beyond that, I love that there is body diversity, racial diversity, gender diversity, and diversity of age within the pages of Witches of Brooklyn: What the Hex?!. Like, there’s a witch with a newborn casually breastfeeding her baby at the biannual witch meeting. There’s a genderqueer witch. There’s a witch with dark skin and kinky hair.

“They’re all so different … each one has their own area of expertise. Who knew witches could be teachers, librarians, yoga teachers, midwives, psychologists, DJs, social workers, computer programmers, hackers, scientists. They all have one thing in common, though. They’re all people taking care of people. Sometimes it’s obvious and sometimes less so, but they’re all very much involved in their communities and always alert to what is happening. I like how that makes me feel; witches are good!”

The absolute best part of this graphic novel is the way that Escabasse explores complex themes in a way that is accessible to children. The theme of found family that is at the core of the series is continued, and so is the exploration of intergenerational friendship. Maybe it is because I’ve reached an era in my life where many of my friends are in their 60’s or 70’s, but I’m endlessly insufferable in that I love talking about and thinking about the joys of intergenerational friendships. In the book, Effie’s social network includes all of the older witches that are friends of her aunts. Escabasse so elegantly portrays the mutual respect that underlies these friendships: people who are older listen with intent to people who are younger than them, and are open to learning from the youth. The younger characters take to heart the lived experiences that older characters share with them, but synthesize those experiences and their own knowledge / lived experiences to make the best choices for themselves.

And then! there’s the fact that this book is about learning to not feel threatened when your friends have other friends or are close to other people, but to celebrate that instead. I love that! Though it seems like a lesson that one learns in middle school, I think it’s something that we all need continual reminders about well into adulthood.

Through Witches of Brooklyn, Sophie Escabasse is giving me so many LeVar Burton and Fred Rogers vibes — honoring the intellect and experiences of a young audience while teaching them essential lessons.

I just love this series so much, and I hope there are many more books to come!

[ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

These characters bring such joy and happiness to my heart. I finished this book with a smile on my face and was content with the journey I was guided on. The world-building is fantastic, especially in the many details the author illustrates in each panel. I believe in this world and these characters and can relate to many of the annoyances, enjoyments, and trivialities of life that each is dealing with. For the sequel, the author allowed us to peek further into this world, and I appreciated learning more about the magic and the many eclectic witches of Brooklyn. This story was very well balanced and gave just enough for a third story to come out in the future (waiting with bated breath for 2022) with just enough satisfaction given to the reader of learning and still wanting more from these characters, their stories, and backstories. If you enjoyed the first book, you wouldn't be disappointed with this sequel.

[Jules Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The graphics are cute and the story is sweet. Effie feels threatened when a new girl moves to town and becomes fast friends with her best friend. It follows her as she navigates her feelings of being afraid of losing her best friend to the new girl. Her aunts help her talk through her emotions and find a way to talk to her friends and figure out how to accept the changes to their friend group.

[eva ⚘ · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was just as wholesome and fun as the first book was! i appreciate sophie's humor sooo much,, the dialogues / characters are hilarious ❤️ i have become too attached to this story ahh i love every witch so freakin much :')

[Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good installment in the series.

Growth and a new magical adventure. It was fun.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series for all ages

I just love Effie, Carlota, Selimene and her friends. The hardcover books are well made with thick pages full of color and joy. This graphic series are for children and adults of all ages! There’s a life lesson or three to be learned in a fun way.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words are powerful magic, my young friend.

Effie's aunts, Selimene and Carlota, have organised a get-together with witches from Brooklyn, and Effie is very excited to meet them all. Effie's best friend, Berrit, has a new friend, and Effie can't help but get jealous. When Effie and her aunts find out that something out of the ordinary is going on in one of the buildings nearby, they find out that it is spookier than they thought.

The first book was adorable, and so was this. I loved the Christmas-y vibes in this. I loved how Effie learns the importance of communication. I loved the further evolution of Effie's relationship with her aunts. I do wish there were more Oliver. I loved the art in this, too. But most of all, I loved Lion. Lion stole the show in this for me.

4.5 stars

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that I enjoyed book 2 more than book 1. We are back with the witchy family as they look into what is causing a street corner to have a saw of bad luck. Effie is also dealing with a new girl who everyone is smitten with. The illustrations are well done and just the way that I like them. I look forward to reading more in the series.

[Furrawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my review on book one. I read them one after another and lazily did one review,

Still. I must say the word.
LION.

:)

[Hadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was short and cute, and dealt with useful topics nicely enough.

[EuleAnnalena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I liked the first installment, but I liked this so much more!

It was fun, it was cute, it was relatable.

This was a really well-told story. Not only do we learn more about the witches' community, but Effie also learns some valuable lessons about friendship, communication and community!

The parallels between the magical conflict and the conflict between Effie and her friend Berrit were so well thought-out imo. I really liked how it handled the difficulties of having a new person in your friend group and feeling like there is a rival for your friend's attention.

I love the aunts and generally really love how many different characters get drawn! (You don't usually have a lot of older people in your comics, at least I don't) And they are allowed to have so much character, it's fun to watch them!

The art continues to stay beautiful and now I am really looking forward to more installments!

[Gwendolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was even better than the first book! Effie is settling into her new life in with her aunts. It’s after Christmas and Effie’s aunts are bringing her into their close circle of friends. During the meeting, one witch mentions strange things happening in her neighborhood of Park Slope. Freak accidents keep occurring at a specific intersection. Effie and her aunts decide they will investigate.

Meanwhile, back at school, Effie is confused why her best friend Berrit ignored her all vacation. And now that school has started again, she knows why. A new girl moved into Berrit’s building and now she is occupying all of Berrit’s time, making Effie quite jealous.

I feel like the world of Witches of Brooklyn is slowly being built and I can appreciate that. However, the magic system remains underdeveloped. As a result, the ending scene felt a bit rushed. Effie has a random idea about the corner, based on little evidence, that just happens to be right. And then all is solved by the power of friendship! I support messages of friendship, but sometimes just throwing out that love can solve everything seems a bit too much to be believable.

[Comedy donut (aka, luna) Kondolojy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this one!! I would recommend it! The part I liked the most is when effie was forced to go to a party with berrit and garnace! 10/10, great book!

[Peoria Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katy rated it 4 stars.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun series!

[Piscesbambina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooky fun in Brooklyn! This series never lets me down with it's coziness and magic. Love the way the witchy community is represented ❤️

[Kamila (a_book_in_a_library) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches, man. Witches. U gotta love 'em

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I LOVED the first book (lots of relationship- and world-building), but this one was just...okay. The plot revolves around friendship and jealously, which is perfect for a middle grade book, but there just wasn't anything special about it. Still fun and enjoyable!

[Christian · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - the first chapter has a prominent trans character and is entirely about the unalloyed good of feminism. The first book in the series was a sweet and fun story that was completely devoid of politics - sadly this isn’t the case with this entry. Returned it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this story arc and seeing Effie grow in her witchiness and expand her witchy connections. Great themes of friendship, dealing with conflict, and growing up.

[Boyschool · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another gay and feminist agenda in a children’s graphic novel. Seems to be the thing now. I don’t think these are appropriate topics for children.

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter break is wrapping up, and Effie Huchbolt-Walloo is officially a witch-in-training. As such, Selimene and Carlota are excited for their new apprentice-slash-family member to meet their equally magical friends: Sissi, Jezebel, Nattie, Sharpy, Tam, and the rest of the gang that makes up the NYC neighborhood witch watch.

Effie is shocked to learn that witches aren't the only supernatural beings who call NYC home: ghosts and dragons are real too! But the group's most pressing concern is a series of unfortunate "accidents" that have taken place on an intersection of Sixth Avenue. Cue: "The Case of the Stormy Corner."

At the same time Effie's magical life is heating up, her friendship with Berrit seems to be cooling down. Berrit ignored Effie's calls all winter break and, now that school's back in session, she knows why: it seems that new girl Garance has usurped her role as Berrit's BFF. Will jealousy get the better of Effie, or can she learn to like - and maybe even work with - Garance?

As far as sequels go, WHAT THE HEX is a pretty formidable one - I might even like it a wee bit more than WITCHES OF BROOKLYN. We finally discover the secret behind Lion, the tiny pink pup, and the introduction of other otherworldly creatures is aces. I love that Selimene and Carlota are vegetarians, although vegetarians that are not romantically involved. (I would say "just" BFFs, but there's nothing "just" about having a ride or die friend who shares your home, business, and assorted hijinks. Although the Avengers they are not, as Selimene is quick to point out.)

The other NYC witches run the gamut, from pink-haired, tulle-wearing Jezebel to the bearded and tattooed Nattie. Their collective concern over the influx of hobbyist witches - "[R]eally nice girls! Most of them are very eco-friendly ... they're respectful - and feminist obviously. That's good." - with their plethora of candles is charming AF. I'd love to see the other witches play a larger role in future volumes (and Escabasse sets Sissi up for exactly that). Especially Aunt Ma, in all her glorious foliage.

I also greatly enjoyed how Escabasse juxtaposed Effie's relationship troubles with the mystery of the week, imparting a really lovely lesson about friendship and cooperation.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This probably won't matter to kids reading this book, and is just one tiny detail in a great book, but as a mom (and I'm sure this was on Sophie Escabasse's mind as a mom, too), I just wanted to note that I really appreciated the witch from Selimene and Carlota's circle who has an infant. Escabasse draws her realistically, showing a belly (especially p. 7) that confirms that yes, she had a baby not that long ago, and this is how postpartum moms often look, and it's great. The mom-witch also nonchalantly nurses her baby while talking to the group (p. 19). These details might seem insignficant, but mean a lot to people like myself and are important in normalizing breastfeeding and the beauty and range of women's bodies, especially for kids who are unsuspecting sponges.

[Annaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Witches of Brooklyn is just as fun as the first, adding depth to the world of Effie and her aunts while continuing to ground that world in real-life struggles that will be relatable for its target audience.

I was especially fond the additional lore this one gave us—the idea of witches in community working together to help out the city as opposed to being a secret cabal of loners who just kinda hang out and do tricks was lovely—and Escabasse's art continues to pop with bold color and expressive character designs. A great read for kids and grown-ups too.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book accomplished everything it sets out to. Did the new friend story *entirely* work? I would say no. Were the illustrations, especially facial expressions, perfect? Yes. Were all the witches fantastic? Yes.

[Vania · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/★ ★ ★ ★ ★

[Molly Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute illustrations, and I liked the friendship dynamics. I also appreciate that both books really show a range of older women with different personalities - pretty rare in a YA book!