The October Girl, Volume 1 is a refreshing and utterly captivating YA graphic novel that blends post-high school melancholy, teenage angst, and the wonder of magic into an unforgettable coming-of-age fantasy. Written and illustrated by Matthew Dow Smith, this first volume kicks off with energy and intrigue, whisking readers from the dull routine of adulthood into a fantastical realm known as the world of the Night Folk.

Autumn, the main character, has a wildly strong and believable voice. She’s a teenager navigating the emotionally gray space of post-high school life, working a mundane coffee job and questioning what comes next, until her long-forgotten imaginary friend shows up during a trash run and shatters her world. What follows is a whirlwind of self-discovery, danger, family secrets, and magical creatures.

The artwork is stylized, with simple, blocky visuals and full-color crayon-style outlines that suit the tone of the story beautifully. The muted, non-neon palette helps to ground the more mystical elements in a moody realism that elevates the ambiance. There's clear chemistry between the text and imagery, a credit to Dow Smith’s dual role as both writer and artist, and the dream team effort with his editor and designer is evident on every page.

The story taps into a familiar yet fresh magical realism, echoing the emotional resonance of Shadowhunters and the nostalgic magic of Harry Potter, especially in those moments where characters wrestle with the thin line between belief and reality. The narrative weaves together themes of identity, the strength of familial and friendly support, and the age-old battle between good and evil.

This book feels like both instant comfort and a shot of adrenaline. It evokes that rare feeling of wanting to be completely immersed in its world, of finishing the last page and flipping back to the beginning just to live in it a little longer.

A must-have for any high school or public library collection, The October Girl is a standout in the YA graphic novel genre. With an explosive start, rich atmosphere, and a relatable heroine, this series promises to be one that readers will return to again and again. I, for one, can’t wait for the next volume.

"The October Girl, Volume 1" is a YA graphic novel by Matthew Dow Smith. Autumn is a teenager who has grown up normally, but has just discovered that she is part of a magical faerie world called the Night Folk and that some would kill for her powers. The artwork is stylized and interesting and Autumn is such a believable character. A recommended purchase for YA GN collections. Looking forward to the next volume!

Unbelievable five stars for me!! I can’t WAIT for more October Girl!!!

To start off, the main character, Autumn, has a wildly strong voice. On top of that, the ambiance created is palpable. Matthew Dow Smith and his editor and designer made a dream team for this project! With Smith providing both the images and words, the result was flawless chemistry and cohesion between the visuals on the page and the text.

This story kicks off so quickly whipping from crazy relatable post high school melancholy, to the fantastical. Every young kid’s DREAM of what will happen when you finally become a grown up takes place! Our main character’s childhood imaginary friend interrupts her disposing of the garbage at her achingly dull and mundane coffee job. This arrival wrenches her from the repetitive cycle she felt trapped in.

Teenage angst, new adulthood desolation, interwoven with magic and family drama…

Personally, mom wanting to protect you from the magical, and suddenly creatures are appearing everywhere, brought me back to the magic of Shadowhunters and Cassandra Claire. It’s Alain very reminiscent of Dobby showing up at the Dursley’s when Harry Potter has just started to delude himself into believing that maybe magic isn’t even real. He’s been alone all summer, after all…

The art style is simple and blocky, which adds to the mystique of it all. It’s full color, almost crayon style outlines, but a muted less neon palette to reflect the mood.

This book is both instant comfort and a shot of adrenaline. This story evokes the feeling of wanting to get deeply lost in it, become steeped in the lore, and as soon as you reach the end, flip back to the beginning to start it again. The energy just jumps off the page at you.

This is an absolute must add for any high school or public library collection, and will be getting plenty of recommendations from me. Once this series fills out more, I can see it sticking around for years to come.

3’8/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “The October girl”. Since I haven’t read the synopsis of this book before starting it, I didn’t expect the fantasy elements, so they were a pleasant surprise! I think the art style suits very well the main character and the story. I found this graphic novel quite refreshing.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in October. Lovely nice pallet cleanser of a comic. Light read and very entertaining.

Autumn thought she’d be living the same boring life, school, work, school, work, but when her not so imaginary childhood friend shows up telling her she’s in danger life might not be so boring after all.

I really enjoyed this, the art was very distinctive and the colours really popped off the page. Autumn is a relatable and overwhelmed character (as one would be when put in her situation) she still rises to the occasion and tries her best to find the best outcome for everyone and is a great character to be following.

Can’t wait to see what more is to come for these characters.

Thank you Mad Cave Studios and NetGalley for the ARC

A fun easy to read graphic novel of the age old battle of good and evil. It tells the strength that comes from the support of family and friends, love and friendship and of knowing who you are. I really enjoyed this book.

Surprise, you're part of a fairy kingdom!

Autumn is working an annoyingly humdrum job at a coffee shop while her mom also goes through the motions-- there isn't even going to be enough money to go to college if she wants to so she better just get used to a basic existence without much joy. That is until her imaginary friend Barnaby from the past reappears by the dumpster outside the coffee shop and wants to clue her in on a few things- namely that there is a villainous man who wants her for his own means. But she doesn't know what's so special about herself... until everyone tells her who she is and who her grandfather is and who her mother REALLY is. Talk about a shock to the system.

The first book is the perfect introduction to Autumn and her fairy universe that is layered with the human universe. The yellow and red pops of color and overall color choices for this comic is eye-catching while also giving you the sense of cozy that the changing seasons will now bring into Autumn's life. Will she go quietly or will she cause a stir?

Adore her as a character and how the first book is setting up the second volume. I'm definitely on board.