loved the artwork in the story, love the overall message. I personally don't read much graphic novels enough for me to give an honest feedback.

Hawthorne had had enough of their mediocre life, they've decided that they would join the legendary band of villains, Brigade of Shade (BoS). but apparently the whole being-villain thing was cooler in theory than in reality, and Hawthorne started to have doubts.

it's... not bad exactly but not great either. it has potentials that unfortunately wasn't quite reached due to the short book length. the illustrations was nice, but the story didn't leave any impression on me.

Between a 3 and a 4, had some issues personally with the pacing and how quickly character decisions/changes happened. Loved the art and the premise and the allegory.

The art in this graphic novel is stunning. The plot is character driven and classic. Very fairy tale vibes. LGBTQIA+ representation.

I only wish it was longer so the readers could spend more time getting to know the characters.

Published by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and available July 22, 2025, Evil-ish follows Hawthorne, a wannabe villain, as they first audition for and then accidentally become the leader of the local legendary group of evil-doers, the Brigade of Shade. This book fits nicely in with other recent fantasy graphic novels for young readers, like Off Menu by Oliver Gerlach, and The Baker and the Bard, by Fern Haught, though it's not as purely cozy-- the stakes are higher. Hawthorne is a likable and relatable protagonist, ending up being too nice to be evil, and their rival, Maple, becomes an interesting foil. It's nice to see a nonbinary main character, though I'd like to see gender variance be more integrated into fantasy society (like how in Baldur's Gate III, if your player character is nonbinary, the only difference is that they're called by they/them), but it's sweet seeing Hawthorne's mom being supportive. I also think the main resolution is achieved a little quickly, the story could have stood to have been a little longer. Minor complaints aside, this is a solid graphic novel for younger readers and will appeal to anyone who loves villains and feels frustrated with their life and has a feeling of stagnation. The art is really nice, the character designs are all unique, and Tarrell does some amazing things with backgrounds and set pieces. I'm definitely looking forward to more from this artist.

Thank you to the Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nothing like the promise of evil shenanigans and the allure of a purple cover with a nonbinary baddie on front to make you open up a graphic novel immediately. I enjoyed the art style, very cartoony but with an aesthetic that gives the story a real personality. But I think the story went a little too fast for me. I never got a good sense of Hawthorne's motivation, other than they were just fed up with living in...a town? Really I didn't get the sense of them having any sort of conflict that would make them feel othered enough to go evil or adopt nefarious ways just because it's something different? I mean, that is very teenager of them, but it doesn't make the character feel very rounded.

The other characters face a similar fate. None of them felt explored enough to really make them appear as full fledged characters, except maybe for Maple. Everyone feels a bit too hollow and it makes the cracks in the story feel a lot more apparent. There's a good basis here, but I think it would have been more impactful if it went a little deeper with its story, world, and character development.

Still, I will get it for my library's collection because I know my teens will enjoy it.

*thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC*

What a fun story this was! The artwork is breathtaking, the characters are likable, and the whole thing had a feel-good energy about it. I would love to see this get a sequel even though it did have a satisfying ending.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this ----- A disillusioned teen dreams of fame and villainy in this hilarious and heartfelt young adult fantasy graphic novel from debut author/illustrator Kennedy Tarrell. I really enjoy this graphic novel and it was interest because one of the character the flower girl, I didn't know she will have be evil and hurtful sorta thing. Overall, I love it because it include a variety character include LGBTQIA+. I giving this book a 4 star.

#Evil-ish
#NetGalley
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This graphic novel is a delightful fantasy with a coming of age twist with terrific art work and bold colors. What struck me most, however, was the loyalty Hawthorne shows to his friends and family at each stage of his self-discovery. I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys seeing a young villain discover just what it means to simply be evil-ish.

Thank you to Netgalley for a complementary copy of Evil-ish in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun graphic novel, the best part was the art. I loved the art and the color palette it was vibrant and fun. The main character was also great, I loved their style and wanting to be evil even though they were not evil at all. The part where I got a bit lost was the story, it needed a bit more development and more information/dialogue to be more impactful for me. It was a fun quick read with lovely art but it left me wanting a tad more to be more memorable.

I received an eARC thanks to Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends. All opinions are my own.

This is a cute graphic novel about feeling like you don't really fit in and you're alone. You feel like maybe being a villain. Which is exactly how Hawthorne feels.
This was an easy read. I loved the art and how colorful it is.
I also really liked Maple and how sometimes when you're hurt it can come out in villainous ways.

Evil-ish is a cute story about building community! I liked the concept and setting a lot. At times it was hard for me to follow what was going on, especially in scenes with a lot of magic, and I wish we could have seen more of what Hawthorne’s original idea of the Brigade actually was. We know it was a disappointment, but what were they expecting it to be? Did they have a goal other than destroying things? And Hawthorne originally seems like an outcast because of their interests, but it looked like every other person in the area was also a fan of the same group. How did none of them ever meet? It was a little confusing to me, and I wish the side characters could have been fleshed out a little more.

But I liked the ending, and overall it was a fun read.

I am so glad I requested this ARC. I loved the art and styling of the graphic novel. The pacing was excellent and kept me in the story.

This graphic novel is soooo fun!!! I adore the art style and overall aesthetic!! The characters and dialogue are a delight and Hawthorne is so gender. I'll definitely be rereading aswell!! I won't spoil, but The ending is also very heartwarming and adorable!! I guess I wish it was longer/got more volumes but it's still a great read! (3.5 rounded up to 4)

This book is so much fun—evil in the most delightful way possible. It's a brilliant story about not belonging, the struggle to find your niche, and the courage it takes to break free from society's expectations. And how, with proper support, one can rebuild themself after profound loss and grief.

Beneath its playful, nefarious surface lies a truly insightful message. Tarrell masterfully dismantles the romantic idea of being a villain, taking a sharp look at the real-life consequences of one's actions. It’s also a powerful reminder that appearances can be deceiving and that a person’s true character often lies hidden.

The villains won long ago, but they've since grown complacent, allowing the kingdom to achieve a sense of normalcy. Hawthorne, a potion barista, idolizes the villains, and will do anything to join their ranks. They're even willing to allow interference from the cheery, annoying new girl in town if it means they get a place amongst the villains. But what happens when being evil isn't all the posters say it'll be?

Fun artwork and lovable leads help Evil-ish explore its themes of being true to yourself, even if you stand in contrast to others. Hawthorne and Maple have a fun relationship, but I wish more time was spent developing it before the twist. Teens will likely enjoy this title.

I am so glad I got to read this ARC! Evil-ish is a fast paced story about Hawthorne, who dreams of more than being a potions barista for their mom's shop. However, as they are pulled further into what being "evil" entails, they discover a lot about both themselves and their community.

My favorite element of this book was the art and design choices. All the characters seemed to bring life to the story, even background characters, and the fantasy setting but with modern elements such as radios and phones was done so well! The visual aspects like colors and even line weight aided tone shifts throughout the story. The dialogue also felt very real, particularly in how characters casually interacted with each other. I loved how the Brigade of Shade members played off each other during both evil-doing and makeover montages. Hawthorne was extremely well written, and I think they will be relatable to a lot of teens and early adults who are trying to figure out their place in the world.

The only plotline that didn't fully capture me was the romance between Maple and Hawthorne. It's only hinted at during the beginning and the end, but there isn't enough substance during the actual story for me as a reader to find it believable. I honestly would have enjoyed it more if their relationship and the road to repairing it leaned into the importance of friendship and community, since the story heavily focuses on those themes.

Overall, this is a fun story that will definitely interest teen readers. It would be a great readalike for readers who enjoyed "Beetle and the Hollowbones" and "Unfamiliar".

I was very graciously gifted an eARC for this graphic novel. I had a good time but don't know that this book was for me. I didn't enjoy any of the characters and the choices made by the characters throughout the book felt half baked.

From the inking to the story, it's a tale of dreams and redemption. Hawthorne wants to leave the village and their mom's potion shop where she's a kickass barista to be part of the villainous group Brigade of Shade run by a skeleton queen. Hawthorne (they/them) gets the chance by inadvertently killing the queen and bringing back the destruction in a big way by rallying the complacent baddies that live within the castle walls and keeping this angelic Maple by her side only to realize where the destruction is really coming from and is this really what it's about?

It's emotional and the art is phenomenal. The color choices work so well in Evil-ish as do the frame by frame panels and close-ups of facial expressions. The plot is fresh (and oh-so-evil with a side of compassion).

4.75 stars rounded up

Absolutely stunning artwork with a sweet storyline! I loved Hawthorne's journey starting with angst and ending with kind aspirations. Their misjudgment of Maple made for a neat arc. There were a couple of things that went unexplained that I wish had some more depth, but overall this is a great queer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.