Rebecca Mock

This a graphic novel about 12 year old Vonceil, whose older brother has returned from the war with a fiancée Vonceil is suspicious of.

I loved the opening, with its vivid portrayal of being a girl on the cusp of adolescence, and of rural American life in 1919. It turns into a fairytale-esque coming-of-age adventure in which Vonceil sets off to save her family, and I liked that, too, but not quite as much as the beginning. (Which surprised me. Maybe this story is the sort that I prefer in show more prose format, which can capture atmosphere and a protagonist’s emotions in a different way from pictures?)

I was a bit disappointed by the final scenes, which felt rushed and didn’t really address my questions about how Vonceil re-adjusts to ordinary life after her adventure. But I would still recommend this, it really is lovely. show less

An original story, set in a small drought stricken community World War I -- I have to admit, I wasn't paying a ton of attention to date details; I was too busy following the main character on her adventure. Love the creepy witches and their kaleidoscope eyes, love the quest scenario, love the unexpected quirks and the animal entities, and Vonceil's prickly spirit. Satisfyingly and enthralling.

A fun and exciting little adventure has a 12-year-old girl setting off on a road trip and risking her life to save her family's Oklahoma farm from a witch's curse in 1919.

After taking time throughout the story, the ending seemed abrupt and the closing pages of the flash-forward epilogue felt like a mistake, making me close the book with a slight scowl.

Highly rec'd by QNPoohBear's nieces.
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Oh wow. They are right. This is a fantastic book, esp. for tween and young teen girls, but also for boys and for adults. So rich. So carefully done to every detail of the setting, rules of magic, unfoldings of plots. Carefully done layers of the endings, too. Even extra details like the pioneer doctor in Oklahoma being, surprisingly but not implausibly, a woman.

I like that it reads sort of like some of the classic Japanese anime I've enjoyed, like show more 'Spirited Away.' I think that I'll recommend it to my son, a fan of Studio Ghibli and other Japanese works, even though this is true to OK history of a century ago (except for the very interesting witches, of course).
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Reread. Loved all over again.

I like the multiple themes related to love, sacrifice, growing up, good vs. evil, etc. This is a book a child could read at age 10, again at 15, and again at 25, and get something new out of it each time. All that and short, with pictures, too! show less