Honestly, don't bother with this book. It was missing so much. It had the potential but it failed don't read it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

.5 out of 5 stars

A YA graphic novel about a witch? How could I resist?! A couple of notes about the galley: it was unfortunately not in color like the printed book will be (and based on the cover and sample page, I expect it to be quite vibrant!). I also had some trouble reading this one because the quality was a bit low; there were some parts where I just could not make out the words due to too much pixelation. Alas! The story was fun, though, and a very relatable one for me. I appreciated the exploration of how lonely and troublesome it can be as a teen when you don't fit in to various social groups. I related to Faye and her self-reliant approach very much, although I wish I had had a witchy mentor when I was younger! I thought this was a nice story with some empowering messages in the end, and I enjoyed the cute art style. I'd definitely pick up a physical copy to add to my witchy graphic novels shelf.

**Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. **

Witch for Hire was an exciting ARC for me as I love Ted Naifeh's previous graphics and his fun, slightly sarcastic, storytelling. This however was a little confusing. I didn't feel that the storyline flowed quite well, not that I found the graphic bad but it lacked a bit of content. If this will turn into a series like Courtney Crumrin, then I can overlook the slight holes in story.

Naifeh introduces the reader to a grumpy loner who ends up making friends despite her best efforts. The group must solve a case of supernatural cyber bullying. Overall I enjoyed the story, but I do hope this turns into a series so we can get to know the characters more.

Okay… Listen! I’m a fan of the author’s art style, but the story just felt incomplete. We get a typical beginning, middle(ish) and end, but it’s everything that builds those that feels like there is something lacking.

Honestly, this could have been longer. It felt short for no reason. There is a lot of the book that is shown and not explained. We get no story about all of these side characters. They go from eating lunch together, to being haunted by a cyber-bullying spirit.

Are you confused by my review? Now you understand how I feel.

This was a cute little book that will appeal to younger readers. I sort of wished for more world building and more character development, but I tried to keep in mind that this was meant for a younger crowd. The art was cute, and I really liked the underlying message about bullying.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc I received in exchange for an honest review.

I don't think this graphic novel was long enough to be a fully fleshed out story. There could've easily been 100-150 more pages added to this novel.

The main character, Faye, was unlikable and mean. Every side character was naïve or undeserving of sympathy. Witch for Hire is, unfortunately, not developed enough for me to even write a full review.

The illustrations were interesting, but a little confusing at some points. The font/coloring on my iPad made it nearly impossible for me to read any small text in the novel.

Overall, I just didn't like this book.

I could not finish this. The story line started out mean and trivial and it didn't keep my interest.

Everyone thinks the Loser's Table is where you crash socially, but it's actually where others catch you. Faye Faulkner welcomes high school freshman Cody to the table when Cody's sadistic older sister leaves her nowhere else to go. Soon, Cody is experiencing some supernatural phenomenon that Faye may be able to stop. That pointy hat Faye wears isn't just for show.

As a big fan of Ted Naifeh, this was an easy pick for me. His art is gorgeous and portrays his character's depth of emotion so well. As with Courtney Crumrin, Naifeh's protagonist is an outsider with immense magical abilities. The story also deals with cyberbullying with a magic twist. It turns out evil spirits live on Instagram as well.

This was a fun read, and I can't wait to recommend it to teens and tweens!

Zombos Says: good story and artwork. 

Writer and artist Ted Naifeh fashions a cursed creature in the form of a Momo (a nasty meme born from Midori Hayashi's enormous-eyes creature image), which leads to mischief for Faye Faulkner and her new and old friends. Faye is a young witch, more or less, and insists on wearing a conical crown and wide  brimmed hat that tethers her, along with a defiant attitude, to the loser's table in the school cafeteria. Cody reluctantly finds her way to that table after her sister rebuff's her. 

Aside from Faye, who holds the warmest seat at that table, there's Julio the dramatic, Jiyoung looking forward to a more accessible learning environment, and Raffi who will eventually own a mansion and a yacht. Even though Cody thinks Faye needs to lose the witch hat to become more acceptable, Cody eventually realizes she has her own issues to deal with; like her mom who was in a bad auto accident; her dad, who's very into himself and his shady business; and her sister, Bryce, who hides a secret better than her nasty disposition.

In flashbacks we learn why Faye acts the way she does. Cody thinks she should help others because of her magical gifts, but Faye disagrees with good reason. A threat to their safety, and that of their friends, moves the disagreement to more perilous footing, and Faye, like many of us have to do at some point in their lives, needs to make a life-changing--or maybe it's a life-affirming--decision. If she can live that long.

Shy_shelbi, an influencer with 2.3 million followers and a personality straight out of the me-me-me 1970s and vanities of the 1908s, just adores bringing all those teen secrets and issues to everyone's tables for a terminal solution. She practically feeds off the emotional turmoil. Before Faye can help anyone she needs to help herself, and Cody provides the catalyst for her to do so. Shy-shelbi has other ideas, though. As Faye struggles with her past and future, Shy-shelbi, who really isn't that shy, keeps Faye's present a stiff challenge.

Naifeh's YA graphic novel takes a page from Midori's creepy image of the Momo, and the Momo's Internet meme-life (almost like another Slenderman) to make the cursed creature, that exists between real and the realm of ideas, a looming threat to everyone. But especially Faye, because she knows what's happening. His storyline then takes more pages from the sturm and drang that anyone who has attended school has felt at one time or another, more so now with social media breathing heaven and hell down everyone's necks, whether you sat at the losers' table or not. Through it all, the bond between Cody and Faye strengthens, gets frayed, and strengthens some more. 

Faye must also come to terms with her past, her present, and her future to keep her and that friendship going. One thing: does anyone say Holy Moly! these days? You would think a chemistry teacher could come up with something stronger, especially after his classroom demonstration pops a bit too much. Maybe only in YA graphic novels, then? I could think of more graphic words if shy_shelbi showed up at my table, that's for sure.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Witch for Hire in exchange for an honest review.

While I really like the idea of which for hire and quite enjoyed the art style, I think this needed to be a tad longer to give the resolution a heavier weight. We get dialogue about characters becoming best friends but don't get many scenes of them being amiable which kind of dilutes the sentiment. We get a few frames of the impact the characters have at their school but no scenes that really show how that transition begins to happen. The villain here was so unique and I'd definitely want to read more of Ted Naifeh's ideas though.

This one was okay. I like the concept of a witch for hire, and I’d be interested in seeing her future. I didn’t like the friend in it though, and I found it hard to root for her even with how awful her sister was.

Also, the NetGalley version had a font that was challenging to read on my iPad. I bet the colors and finished art looks fantastic though.

Faye Faulkner has no interest in making friends or moving on from the loser table. It's easier that way. No one to lose. But when a social media account promising #selfacutalization begins tormenting students, Faye suspects there's something supernatural going on. And as a trained witch trying to live up to her late mentor, she feels duty-bound to help. But defeating a digital demon is no simple thing.

I loved prickly loner Faye and her band of losers that become her friends despite all her best efforts. And Naifeh's illustration style and signature spooky storytelling is on impeccable display here.

TW for characters making fun / light of mental illness, cyber bullying, and attempted suicide.

I did enjoy the art style very much. I wish the story was longer to flesh out the plot more and to provide more to the resolution. Although this is categorized as YA I would consider putting a trigger warning to make readers aware that there mentions about sucide and outings

Just the right amount of spooky, Witch for Hire is a great graphic novel for young readers who might be looking for something a little edgier. The monkey's paw wish with intriguing worldbuilding makes magic feel just a little bit dangerous in this story. Kids won't be able to resist it. Don't let this one fly under the radar!

I enjoyed this book, and i understand therein about bullies and about standing up for yourself but I just think it came across too harshly. There was something very dark about this and not in the way it needed to be to discuss tough topics. Also that a spirit was involved when bullies are very real human beings, just didn’t click for me.

Devil-may-care witch solves a dangerous mystery.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read. The art style was cute and I really liked the main character. Don’t read on if you don’t want to know some minor TW spoilers.

Tw: suicide, outing

While I would definitely read more in this series, I couldn’t help but wonder who the age group was. It definitely seemed like it could be YA, but the previously mentioned serious subjects seemed very intense. I think having a bit more length would have helped round out some of the mystery elements as well as have the characters explore some of the darker themes. I felt like dark parts also overrode the mystery elements a bit. Overall, this was an interesting read.

The main villain of this book is an exact replica of the internet meme "Momo/Momo Challenge down to a T.
Which is considered harmful to young and impressionable youths, originally in connection with a Whatsapp profile. Asking, daring, challenging and overall pressuring people into doing harm to themselves or others to anyone that comes in contact with "it". Just like this story!
Which follows a "curse creature" doing.. for what reason? It's never exactly explained what the children get sucked into following these harmful challenges.

I strongly disliked the idea of this trend continuing to live on and effect more lives.

Along with mocking characters' metal health or seeking help as a weakness in someone.

This story was poorly written, inappropriately presented, and just left me asking "why was this made"?

Also, what high school only refers to people as "dearie"? This entire concept, from the writing, characters, plots twists, and ending left an sour taste in my mouth.

**ABRAMS Kids and Netgally provided me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

A great addition to the genre of fantasy stories where the bad energy of bullying manifests into a curse. Especially recommended for anyone who misses Courtney Crumrin, but good for a new audience looking for a contemporary take on bullying with a gothic, magical twist.

Witch for Hire is an entertaining and visually appealing reading experience for young adults and older readers. A well-drawn book that weaves in supernatural story elements nicely.

This is a fun little title. It has all the standards of a good Ted Naifeh tale: mystery, magic, spookiness. I'd definitely be interested in reading the next book if there's a sequel.