When I saw that this is from the author of Garlic and the Vampire, I did not think twice and started it as my November 1 read.

The author's art style is different from her abovementioned graphic novel but I can say that it is fitting to visualize a magical and sparkling story.

I liked how the author started the book discussing the effects of the war while also establishing the next obstacle that the magicians will face.

The main characters Safi and Ada demonstrated the relationship between dream and determination as Ada balanced the reality about the power that her younger sister, Safi, possess and how it can be painful if Safi won't undergo proper apprenticeship.

I enjoyed how the storyline started with the darker themes about war then move to Safi's apprenticeship while also discussing the magic system and the villain to the story that are the Liches.

Really enjoyed this, quick read too.

4.5stars

In a Nutshell: A middle-grade fantasy graphic novel about two sisters and their struggles, whether worldly or otherworldly. Unusual storyline. Great magical elements and also some unexpected spooky elements. Somewhat bittersweet. Darker than the author’s popular Garlic and the Vampire series.

Plot Preview:
As an elder sister and motherless daughter, Ada shoulders many responsibilities: taking care of their father’s shop as he struggles with his health, ensuring that her younger sister Safi is safe from the power-stealing liches who have infested their land, and trying to find a magician under whose apprenticeship Safi can learn to control her magical powers but without too much of a financial burden on them.
When a travelling group of magicians come to the city for a show, Ada and Safi go to the performance. Ada’s quest is rewarded when the head magician recognises Safi’s skills and takes her under his charge. But is everything going to be okay now on? Will Safi be happy in her new home? Can Ada finally stop worrying about her little sister?

When I saw the author’s name on the cover, I didn’t hesitate even a second and immediately jumped at this book without even reading the synopsis. Ever since I read ‘Garlic and the Vampire’, I knew I would read any and every book by this talented author-illustrator.
The Firelight Apprentice’ is also a middle-grade fantasy graphic novel. However, that’s where the similarity ends. This latest offering of hers goes much darker than the Garlic series, covering a couple of scary themes (scary in terms of worry as well as paranormal.) One of the scenes is distressing and one is nightmare-fodder. In other words, don’t expect this to be a light, relaxing read.
That said, the story is compelling in a very different way. This is not an ordinary tale of magic and success. Rather, the magic is secondary to the human content. A father’s love, a daughter’s worry, a teacher’s pride, a child’s joy, a sister’s apprehension, a dissatisfied person’s greed – the story covers a gamut of human emotions. This, interspersed with the magical elements, makes the plot quite different from the ordinary.
What makes the proceedings even more special is the characters. The two main characters are wonderful in their own way, with their contrary personalities not coming in the way of their sibling bond. But even the side characters, right from the girl’s doting father to the interfering Myrium to the magicians Sergio, Calaban, Monica, and even the Great Elba… all the characters with spoken lines elevate the reading experience.
The title makes it seem like this is primarily Safi’s story as she is the firelight apprentice. But the plot is written in such a way that Ada and Safi share the responsibility of taking the story ahead, and both handle it well. I felt especially close to Ada because as an elder daughter myself, I could feel the strain on her to keep things going without the younger sibling feeling the same burden. One particular scene that contains parallel panels showing what's going on in the individual lives of Ada and Safi simultaneously is especially heartbreaking.
For us adults, it is not too difficult to spot the twisty reveal in the final quarter, but kids are sure to be caught by surprise (and shock.) That scene is chilling and yet so powerful! I enjoyed that final clash even though I could see it coming well in advance.
Where the book could have better for me was in establishing the backstory more neatly. We know this city has just come out of a major war, we know the girl’s mother was a magician and passed away because of the war, but the intricacies of many such background events are not detailed out. Even the girls’ ages aren’t clarified throughout the book. A bit more filling in of some of the back-details would have helped.
The book is aimed at middle-graders and while the page count might seem a bit too much for them, many pages have no conversational bubbles or captions. So this 228-page novel goes by quite fast.
The artwork is in this author’s distinctive style. While I was not a big fan of Safi's disproportionately large head, I loved her freckles and her exuberance. Ada and her emotions are depicted well throughout, as are the other characters. The magical scenes are…well, magical! The colour tone works excellently for the story, giving it a kind of old-world charm.
All in all, I mostly enjoyed this story, though it turned out to be darker than I was prepared for. Some of the content might be a little triggering for sensitive readers, so adults, please do read the book first before passing it to your little ones.
Recommended to middle-graders who love magical stories and can handle darker issues and paranormal content.
4.25 stars.

My thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and Quill Tree Books for providing the DRC of “The Firelight Apprentice” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

With the same drawing style as Garlic and the Vampire, except with fewer vegetables, The Firelight Apprentice is a gorgeous book. I adored the color scheme and the way it subtly changes throughout the book. The Firelight Apprentice is ultimately a story about power and the truth. When we have power, we can often manipulate history and the truth to fit what we want. It's easy to trust everything we are told, especially when it's from someone we look up to or want to trust. But often we have to listen to our gut and realize that people don't always have our best intentions in mind.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

After reading the Garlic series last year, Bree quickly became one of my favorite graphic novelists. Her art is distinct, comforting, and so expressive. Her worlds are inclusive and feel like stepping into a warm hug. I knew I'd love The Firelight Apprentice as soon as I heard of its release and I was NOT wrong!

The setting of this story is equal parts grand and humble, high-class and hard times. Bree's use of color highlights those differences, as well as adding impact to an emotional story of family, grief, magic, and love. I loved Safi's infectious joy, Ada's determination to care for their father and those close to her, and the other members of their community who made up a colorful, diverse cast of found family at its finest.

I read this in record time, but it never felt rushed or short in the slightest. It dealt beautifully with hard topics and didn't shy from sorrow, but leaves you with warmth and hope.

95% of this graphic novel was as enjoyable and as magical as the author’s previous works. I loved the magic, the circumstances, and the progression of the story. However, there is a specific scene that many are praising as inclusive that just comes off weird in the story. The dichotomy of child vs adult and what is being shared is just strange and age inappropriate. Anyway, I really liked the story minus this random addition.

Bree Paulsen's illustration style is one of my very favorites, but it's their storytelling that has well and truly won my heart over. THE FIRELIGHT APPRENTICE somehow manages to be a truly gentle story, even while dealing the harsh topics of war recovery and dead/dying parents. This is a story of sisterhood and found family in the face of hardship, with a twinkling of magic sure to soothe a tired soul.

The Firelight Apprentice was a great middle grade graphic novel read. I think the themes that dealt with grief were handled honestly and well for that age group. As someone who lost a parent when I was younger, I thought that this would be a book I would have found a lot of connection with. I especially (of course) resonated with the older sister and the pain and responsibilities she took on.
I also appreciate that through a fantasy setting in an age appropriate way dealt with the themes of poverty and poverty/military opportunities that often put those in a low economic class in more dangerous situations.
I think it’s a great read for middle grade!
#NetGalleyARC

Charming kid fantasy for a kid who’s up to a story that’s pretty grim underneath the pretty art. Mom’s dead in the wars, dad’s sick -the kind of sick you don’t truly ever recover from. Older sister looks the kind of thin and worn that you don’t get in your teens unless there’s serious hardship. But the younger sister is magic and she’s protected from the hardships as much as may be. Everyone is thrilled when she gets a good apprenticeship. This is the big chance for her to get a better life! But I did mention that it had grim undertones….

A heartwarming story about family, war, and grief.

The illustrations are gorgeous and instantly made me feel part of the world. I love the fantastical elements that are included, such as upcoming magicians needing mentors to help them hone in their powers. While the purpose of the war is never revealed, there feels to be a pretty complete world surrounding two sisters and their Papa's bulb shop.

For fans of the author's other work (Garlic), as well as The Tea Dragon Society, The Moth Keeper, Pilu of the Woods, and Amulet.

This was so different than the Garlic books, but I loved it just the same. Don’t expect cozy with this one. It’s about a family trying to persevere after war and loss. There is also a hint of mystery to it which I enjoyed. I love Bree’s artwork and I’ll read anything they write.

Loved loved loved Garlic and the Vampire. This book isn't as strong, but still a fun and great read. Will be enjoyed by lots of kids.

At its heart, the Firelight Apprentice is a story of a family's perseverance in the heart of a war. There is magic, grief, hope, and betrayal. This was so different from Bree Paulsen's previous work with Garlic and the Vampire, definitely not a cozy read...but it was a masterpiece all the same. If you're looking for a hard-hitting book with beautiful illustrations, you can't go wrong with this one.

This was so good! I loved the Garlic graphic novels by this author and was so excited to read her newest! I love her art style and the storyline of this was very interesting. Even in just a short graphic novel I felt for the characters and was so interested in the plot! Will definitely be recommending for fall!!

Really loved the Garlic graphic novels and had this on the list of my most anticipated releases for the year and it didn’t disappoint! I loved how magical this was and it was very fitting for spooky season ironically! I can’t what to see what Bree Paulson releases next - she is an auto buy other for sure!
Thank you NetGalley for the arc 💗

My family are huge graphic novel fans so I was thrilled to receive an ARC from HarperCollin's to read The Firelight Apprentice. The artwork is beautiful and alternates between colors of grief and worry to childlike wonder and joy. The supporting characters are rich and the storyline engaging. My biggest complaint is I wanted more. I feel like the story ended rather abruptly and I wanted more details on the sisters lives.
Ada and Safi work hard to support their father, a veteran of the war that claimed the girls mother not long ago. Ada is worried for her younger sister Safi. Safi's magical power continues to grow and she lacks proper training. Safi will become a target for the hideous Liche that target untrained magic users. When Safi is invited to train with traveling magicians Ada reluctantly lets her go. Safi learns and grows while life grows more and more desperate back home.
This is a beautiful book of grief, death, and horror. Things are not always as they seem in this spooky graphic novel for middle grade readers. Can Ada and Safi save themselves?

I am a huge Garlic fan, so I was really excited to read Firelight Apprentice. It did not disappoint. The art is adorable as always and the story was so engaging I could not put it down. Can't wait to get this in the hands of my students.

5 stars

4.5 rounded up
I adore Paulsen's style-- everything from the details, to the coloring, to the eldrich horrors.. simply a masterpiece!

Nothing will probably ever top Garlic for me because that is the book of my heart but gosh this was a fantastic book. The characters are complicated and have their own traumas. The world has so much depth but Paulsen doesn't give so much information as to bog down the reader in the GN format. The trans and aro/ace rep was heartwarming as well!

The conclusion felt a little rushed to me in the epilogue. I think I would have liked one more chapter after the big fight before we got to the happily ever after bit.

But truly fantastic and I can't wait to recommend the firelight apprentice!

The Graphic Novel “The Firelight Apprentice” by Bree Paulson follows the sisters Ada and Safi dealing with Safi’s emerging gift to conjure magic after the war has torn apart their family.

I read “Garlic & the Vampire” and “Garlic & the Witch” by the same author last year and fell in love with the characters. It was magical and whimsical. So I was really excited to take a look at the new series from Bree Paulson. In “The Firelight Apprentice” the tone is much darker than in previous novels. The story centers around the subjects of loss and war. While Safi always had the childlike sense of wonder and joy, it wasn't enough for me to balance out the darker plot points.

The story takes its time to introduce the world and characters and rapidly picks up speed in the second half. I liked the little twist and the way the conflict was resolved in the end. The world felt unique and had some interesting elements. The characters however didn't really resonate with me.

This was a solid read that didn't quite hit my taste but still showed Bree Paulson's talent for tackling important topics in a magical way.

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins Children’s Books and Quill Tree Books for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting graphic novel that almost left me wanting a full length novel. The use of Magicians in the war is such a different aspect than I have normally read. I cannot imagine having a gifted child and knowing you don't have the capability of training them, so you are forced to let them leave to excel. Although, I think I would have tried a little harder to get to know the people she was leaving with. I get that life was tough without their mother and their father dying, but geez. The switch off was so instantaneous. The art style was interesting, I enjoyed the style except for the main MC. The child was apparently harder to draw. Over all, very interesting and quick read.

As a lover of the Garlic graphic novels, I was so excited to read this new one from Bree Paulsen. There is so much magic and whimsy on every page. Even while taking on some heavier themes and conflicts, it still has a lot of joy. From the story to the illustrations, everything is unique and gorgeous. I particularly loved how the LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and disability representation were all so naturally incorporated and that the grief, both of the dead and the dying, felt so real. People of all ages will relate to and enjoy reading this book. It was the perfect read on the first day of fall. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!