Hooky, Volume 1

I originally read this series on WebToon, and am absolutely obsessed with it. The eye for costuming, foreshadowing, and detail in the illustration is something that as a comic artist I revisit again and again to study and emulate. The first volume establishes a magical whimsy, saccharine glee, and growing foreboding that sets this coming of age trilogy up for an extraordinary success.

This was fun, and I thought the characters were endearing. The relationship between the twins, Dorian and Dani, is so wholesome. I always love to see siblings that don’t fight all the time. The artwork is super cute though don’t be fooled. There are some darker elements with the ever-present threat of the witches/magical characters being burnt at the stake. I already want more!

I wish I had liked this book more. This story reads like a bunch of various books, were cut out and then rearaged to make a new title. For example, the first part of the book could have easily been Harry Potter book 2 when the kids miss their bus to witch school. No they don’t steal a car but instead of telling an adult or calling their parents, they decide to find someone else to teach them magic. The first stop does not work out so well, and they go to another. This is just a series of mishap after mishap that wouldn’t happen if the kids stopped to think and used their brains. Apparently their brains are missing. I really had high hopes for this and wanted to like it, but my galley expired, and I don’t care enough to get a copy show more to finish the last 30 or so pages. show less

This book is wildly popular in my elementary school library. Students keep all three books in the series checked out and hold, constantly. The appealing illustrations, magical world, exciting adventures, and light romance explain why upper-elementary students are drawn to this book. I found the plot to be difficult to follow. The initial scene where twins Dani and Dorian miss their bus to magical school and go to live in hiding for the year to avoid making their parents angry was the first of many story elements that were a bit of a reach for me. However, I appreciate that characters are developed so that readers can mull over villains, protagonists, and motives. The dramatic ending is also a compelling cliff-hanger.

The story didn't seem to flow easily and it felt like George R.R. Martin kept telling one of his side stories; but did enjoy the plot.

Highly rec'd by QNPoohBear's nieces.