This was so good! I'm not usually one for historical fantasy, but I really enjoyed it. I thought it was a great story, it flowed really well, and didn't have any gaps in the story. It was very pleasant!

A sweet, beautifully illustrated graphic novel about trust, broadening your horizons, and learning to see your own value in the wider context of community, Goat Magic is great for those who love the quiet heroism in many Ghibli films.

What's not to love about two kids from disparate backgrounds navigating magic, politics, and, for one, turning into a goat every day.

Trill's magic lets her talk to goats. Alya, a princess, is attacked and hit with a Shrek-style curse that turns her into a goat during the day. She runs into Trill while Alya is evading men set on her capture. The two adventure together, seeking a way to reverse Alya's curse. The journey opens Alya's eyes to the many injustices in the kingdom. The two grow closer and together start building a better world for all the kingdom's residents.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. It balances plot and character development, with secondary characters that are just as interesting and complex as the main ones. There were a few plot twist I didn't anticipate. The developing romance was cute (if romance isn't your thing, no worries - this was a VERY minor part of the story).

Thank you to NetGalley and Publishers for this ARC.

A light hearted queer adventure, with lovely illustrations staring a magical goat herder and a cursed princess.

While this has nice character arcs for younger readers, I found the overall story a little to simple.

In one word, Goat Magic is delightful. This middle-grade fantasy graphic novel is full of charm, lovable characters, and, perhaps most importantly, fantastic goat art.

Trill, a spirited goat herder with a special talent (aka magic) for communicating with her flock, meets Princess Alya, who’s been cursed to turn into a goat during the day. What follows is an adventure full of magic, danger, friendship, and a gentle romance, all wrapped up in vibrant, immersive artwork. The world feels bold and lived-in, and the goats themselves are full of personality: expressive, funny, and endearing. Honestly, the best part for me.

Both Trill and Alya are distinct, relatable, and grow meaningfully over the course of the story. Their relationship is a joy to watch blossom. The worldbuilding and magic system are sprinkled with unique touches (especially the goat magic, come on), and I loved how the book uses magical education to explore themes of class divide and unequal opportunities for young readers.

That said, I think I might have been a bit too old for this one, or maybe just not in the right mood. It sometimes felt a little overhanded with its messaging, and the plot was fairly predictable. The beginning also had some slightly awkward pacing on Alya’s side of the story, but things smoothed out quickly.

Overall, this is a wholesome, gorgeously illustrated adventure with solid themes and truly outstanding goat illustrations. Middle-grade fantasy fans are going to love it.

- Great for anyone who loves goats, magic, gays, and dnd (the main character started as a dnd character!)
- I enjoyed the art and story, I didn’t expect the small and big twists. The world felt well developed and I enjoyed the exploration of how the magic has been slowly oppressed over the years, the politics and motivation of the antagonist added depth to the story.
- This will be another of my favorites for the year and I will be buying it for my goat famer friend!

Rating: 4.5/5 stars (rounded to 5)
Tags: graphic novel, middle grade, fantasy, sapphic

Goat Magic is a queer graphic novel with unique world-building and characters. I absolutely loved the art, as well, and how it brought the story to life.

This book was very readable and it had some twists I didn't see coming. I highly recommend it to young and old readers alike!

A big thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the eARC. All thoughts shared here are my own.

This was an adorable story with a lot of heart! The characters and illustrations were charming and really helped the story come to life. Great for anyone who wants something filled with magic.

Big thank to you NetGalley and Oni Press for a free copy of this comic in exchange for an honest review!

A cursed princess must team up with a magical goat herder in order to save her kingdom from an unexpected foe. Along the way they both find hidden strengths, newfound confidence, and a bond between them that carries its own kind of magic.

Everything about this graphic novel appears so light-hearted and cozy: the sweeping pastoral landscapes, the emphasis on emotional development, and the goats, oh the goats. If you have a middle schooler or know anyone that is obsessed with goats, this is the comic for them. Kate makes each of them so adorable with their own distinct personalities that it really is impossible not to get attached to them all.

I also really liked the development of both of the leads. Each got their arc completed in a rounded and satisfying way and I think it helped in making the story engaging and relatable. I also liked the plot thread of acknowledging past faults and compliance in a faulty system and working towards making it better.

If I had the smallest gripe, it would be that even now and again a certain action wouldn't flow right from panel to panel, making me a little confused in the sequence, but really this only happened one or two times. The paneling is mostly cohesive and varied enough to give each page some intrigue.

Goat Magic is a lighthearted adventure story about a magical goat herder and a cursed princess. While I found the resolution a bit too simplified and neat for my taste, this graphic novel's expressive art, character arcs, and goat antics will make it a good addition to any middle grade collection.

This graphic novel was ADORABLE! The plot was interesting, the magic system was detailed but not overly-complicated, and I loved and was invested in all the characters. It was such a cozy read. Anyone would enjoy reading this story!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Entertaining and the two main characters are likeable. The story was well written , the funny adventures and cheekiness of the goats are both great. I enjoyed reading this comic it’s like going back to my childhood reading comics in my own language.
The artwork is done beautifully that blends with the story.

Thank you NetGalley and to Oni Press for bringing me back to my childhood, ARC.

Goat Magic is a sweet cozy story about magic and intrigue, but also about a corrupt ruling class. This little book packs a punch - a goat herder with magical abilities (related to her goats) stumbles upon a missing princess who has been cursed. The princess, Ayla, believes her family are the rightful rulers of the land, and she needs to get back to the capital to reunite with them. The goat herder, Trill, loves her animals, but wishes for a little more adventure. When they come together, each had to adapt to survive and figure out who is hunting them.

What a lovely graphic novel is "Goat Magic"? I adored it!

Not only do I like the art style - it's color components and the often slightly quirky but always detailful way of showing and transporting feelings and story progression. I also liked the characters and how they developed throughout the story.

Trill is a wonderful dorky character with curves that loves to explore and wants to see the world. Even if it means challenging her own family and monsters they don't give up and believe in their magic. She has a lovely humor but is also able to work hard and clever to problem solving.

Alya is a little bit naive at the beginning but starts to learn more about the world and her kingdom. She is challenged quite a lot but able to open up and listen to the complaints in the country. It is through this empowerment that she is able to become the queen she wants to be.

I adored almost everything about this, the goats made it so much more special! I definitely want to read more by Kate Wheeler!

4/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press and the author for an arc of “Goat Magic”. The aesthetic of this book and some aspects of the story reminded me of “The Emperor’s New Groove”, which is one of my favorite Disney movies! I found this story very endearing, loved to see al the goats!!

Goat Magic was a sweet little story that managed to capture my heart. The goats, the adventure and the will to be more, to be something bigger so badly that you cant see that you really are more than enough.

I can definitely recommend it, both for grown ups and children.

An adorable graphic novel. Alya is known as the ordinary princess. She struggles to live up to her Warrior Queen mother's expectations. Trill is a goat herd whose magic seems to be only good for herding goats, though she wishes for more. Their paths cross when someone curses Alya into the form of a goat. Can this unlikely pairing find the culprit and break the curse before it's too late? They'll have to use a bit of goat magic to be sure.

This was a quick read with a cute story and colorful and fluffy illustrations. I loved the look of the world in which the story takes place. I wasn't really feeling the budding romance between the two main characters though. Felt like friendship would have been more suited, but it didn't take away my enjoyment.

4.5 stars / Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for this advanced copy.

Goat Magic is an absolute gem of a book! The art style and story are so charming and accessible. I can see middle graders through high schoolers enjoying it.
Like a lot of graphic novels for this age group, Goat Magic's story moves at a fast pace, but it feels respectful of readers (which is a weird way to phrase it). There is the right amount of exposition given, character decisions make sense, and the world-building is unique.

The extra bits of art, like the moths and vines coming through and around the panels, add such a touch of magic and whimsy. It's also fun to see a South American/Andean-inspired magical world.

Goat Magic 100% deserves a place on your shelves!

Content warning: Classism, Minor Violence/Peril, Minor Blood // 1 instance of a curse word being used, but another character calls it out.

With its suspenseful opening, Goat Magic immediately pulls you into a story that is both fun and profoundly deep. Kate Wheeler writes her characters—human and animal alike—with a delightful realism that makes every interaction feel authentic. The goats, in particular, are unpredictable, roguish marvels that steal every scene they’re in.

Beneath the enchanting story of a goatherd and a displaced princess lies a rich and deeply resonant subtext. The novel masterfully explores themes of political greed, classism, and the crushing weight of familial expectations. It’s a powerful call to action—a reminder that we always have the choice to break free from our constraints, embrace our true selves, and see our differences not as flaws, but as strengths.

This is a stunningly beautiful read that brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Goat Magic is a whole new level of amazing, and with it, Kate Wheeler has earned a permanent spot on my favorite author list.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Unique concept with adorable art and colouring, very easy to read and get into. I love goats more now than before reading!

3.5/5