Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me an ARC.

This was a really lovely graphic novel about two girls finding their courage, and also each other, on their quest to save the kingdom.

The art was absolutely beautiful and I really loved the facial expressions - especially the goat's side-eye at the end.

I really liked the narrative of Ayla figuring out that just because she's lived a prosperous upbringing, not everyone has, and that the monarchy has done things to harm the citizens. It was a really powerful development of self-discovery and I loved that it made her more dedicated to fixing what had gone wrong and pushing for positive change.

I loved Trill's own journey of discovery with her magic and finding confidence in her abilities. It was really lovely to see her confidence grow and how she developed throughout the novel.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of Goat Magic!

It tells the story of Trill a goat herder who has powers related to goats and she meets Alya- a princess who got cursed and transforms into a goat during the day.

I adored this book! The concept was rather unique and I enjoyed the Alya’s character development and various realisations on how the kingdom functions.

The drawings were so cute and I loved reading about how the author designed and worked on Goat Magic!

I would highly recommend it!

This was such a lovely graphic novel.
The main characters were both very distinct and grew a lot over the course of this book and their relationship was beautiful to watch blossom as well.
While the plot was predictable, the world building and magic system had many unique ideas, I especially loved the goat magic.
I also loved the art style a lot, it’s perfect for the story.
All in all a beautiful graphic novel, highly recommend.

When I saw the title “Goat Magic”, I was intrigued: magical goats?, goats doing magic?, I had to read the blurb and then immediately picked it up, the story follows Trill a young goat herder who can communicate with her flock and can do magic, but dreams of a life beyond the mountains, a life full of adventure and not just goat magic, on her way to the market she meets a small black goat who turns out to be none other than the royal princess Alya, whose been cursed to turn into a goat each sunrise, together, they must embark on a journey to break the curse and save the kingdom.

I recommend this book for people who like whimsical fantasy adventures.

This is a wholesome story full of magic and goats.

Going into this graphic novel I expected to get a lighthearted story but it was a pleasant surprise that the story arc of the characters had an amazing development.

This is about a princess where she doesn't know if she will be ever fit to rule and about a girl that has the unique magic to talk to goats and consider this magic insubstantial. I loved both of them and I would highly recommend to take a look when it is published.

I got this as an arc on Netgalley and it will come out in August. A funny sapphic magic story involving goats? I immediately signed up for it and my "Yes please" turned into a "I knew this was going to be good and I was right".

This Graphic Novel is visually stunning with many of the background behind the panels having colour, or blending with the panels to extend the art. This is also a very unique art style which I can appreciate as some all blend together after a while. The fact that the main characters are also unique in their styles is also refreshing as you can really tell that they belong in this world.

A goat herder, Trill, and a princess Alyannu (that has fallen under a curse where she becomes a goat during the day), travel together to try and find a cure and get back to Alya's mom who has been injured in a road side attack.

The troubles that they have on the road, and at the capital are understandable (nothing can ever be easy on a quest), but it also helps the characters come into their personalities and show their true potential!

A wonderful graphic novel for those that want some adventure with coziness sprinkled in.

"Goat Magic" is a middle grade graphic novel by Kate Wheeler. Princess Alya is called the "ordinary princess" because she doesn't seem to de talented at anything. Trill, a goatherder, is very talented in goat magic and speaking to her goats. When Alya is turned into a goat and runs into Trill, they try to find a way to turn Alya back. Along the way, Alya learns a lot about how her kingdom is failing her people. Can she turn things around? This was a beautiful and well-written story. A recommended purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections.

Trill's life and magic are tied to goats—which she loves, but she also dreams of something more. And she just might find that when her story intersects with that of Alya, who is usually a princess but currently a goat...

This was super cute. I love the way Trill in particular is drawn, and her attitude is great—she's competent and a bit snarky; she's practical and stubborn in a way that she miiiight have learned from her goats. Alya has a bit more to learn; she's lived a privileged life but never had to prove herself in a real way. If anything, life as a princess has set her up to be a disappointment, and finding a way to de-goat-ify herself (and, oh yeah, save her kingdom and her mother in the process) is the first time she's had to step up in a way that has stakes.

The villain is intentionally tricky (and that's all I'll say about that), and there's plenty of tension to carry the book through. I didn't really need the romance (a platonic friendship story would have been just fine), but as written it's sweet and low-key, and very little of the tension is relationship drama, which is nice. Really, I'm mostly only sorry that "Goat Magic" wasn't longer—it felt complete, but I would have kept reading.

I hope this one makes it into a lot of middle school libraries.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

This is an adorable graphic novel full of friendship, adventure and the importance of believing in yourself. The art is really lovely, especially the backgrounds and settings. I enjoyed the political aspects of the story; one of the main characters is a princess and over the course of the book finds out that her family's rule doesn't benefit everyone the way it benefits her family. The story is all ages; it would be a fun book to give to a child, but adults will also find plenty to enjoy. My favourite part is the goats; they are such fun characters with so much personality!

Inclusive LGTBTQIA2S+ friendly fantasy story about a peasant who doesn't think much of her magical abilities with goats and a princess who is turned into, you've got it, a goat. The art style is warm and almost friendly, the plot moves quickly and the slight twist at the end was appreciated.

This was a beautifully written and illustrated fantasy graphic novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters were well developed and the world building was solid. Plus there were goats aplenty!

Definitely add this one to your TBR.

Thank you Oni Press and Netgalley for the eARC and because I have a teenaged daughter that is expertly teenaging at the moment (send help or alcohol), I have left an honest review

I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

This one caught my eye when I spotted it on Netgalley, the title and cover just sounded so fun and I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I got approved for it as I had a fun time reading this one. It's a fun fantasy adventure type story following a goat herder with special magic that let her talk to her goats and a princess who gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day.

I liked Trill from the start, she's just such a fun character with her goats and her magic and her desire to explore the world and do something more. She has some self esteem issues as she always was made to feel her magic and powers weren't enough, but she does have a supportive mother. Alya is the princess of the kingdom, she is called the "Ordinary Princess". She struggles really feeling like a princess and when she gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day and only be in her human form at night she meets Trill while she's a goat and joins the herd. This set up gave me a bit The Emperor's New Groove vibes, which I liked.

I liked reading about these character and especially the character related plot lines and seeing them grow throughout the book. Alya has been a bit sheltered and now that she travels throughout the world she hears of people havign issues with the way the kingdom is governed and hearing their complaints and seeing different sides. While Trill gains in confidence during this journey and realizes how handy her magic can be. There are quite some interesting parts to the story like who the villain is who cursed Alya and why, his motivation makes sense too. There also is the whole part about the magic schools and Alya wanting to change how the kingdom is ruled and slowly growing into her confidence as a princess too.

Next to the bigger plot and adventure there are all these quieter and cozier scenes as well and I thought those were great. I liked seeing Trill and Alya grow closer and be there for each other. There's even a bit of romance there. There also are some fun side characters along the way like the moth lady they go to for advice. And ofcourse all the goats are so fun to read about and they have their own personality as well.

The artwork was pretty and fit the story well. It was all full color and the story really came to life with the help of the artwork. I liked seeing the different scenery along their adventure. And I liked seeing all the different facial expressions of the characters, the art could convey so much and it was just nice to look at it all.

To summarize: I had a great time reading Goat magic, this was such a fun book. It features two likable characters who grow a lot and learn about themselves along the way. The plot is a fantasy adventure style with a villain who curses one of the main characters, the villain has a solid motive. There is a touch of romance as well. I liked reading about the characters and their adventure and learning about this world. There are lots of fun side characters like the goats and the moth lady. The artwork was beautiful and I liked how the art added to the story, I liked being able to see all the different scenery as well as the character facial expressions. All in all I had a great time reading this one, it's a fun read and the artwork looks great.

Goat Magic is a wonderful middle grade graphic novel fantasy adventure! With goat magic, gorgeous illustrations that bring to life all of the fantastic creatures, and royal assassination plot, Goat Magic held my attention from page 1. I loved the way the 2 protagonists worked together even though they were from completely different worlds, they both had so much heart in this book! Overall, definitely one I would recommend!

Thanks to Netgalley, Oni Press, and Kate Wheeler for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own!

This was such a great story! So many elements of this story that I adored, the magic system being one of the big ones. The magic system in the book is so well done, and I think some elements have a basis in real-world "folk magic" pagan practices. The journey of this story does remind me faintly of Emperor's New Groove, but it's mostly the "royalty gets turned into an animal and has someone of a lower social status help them return to a human" concept that's doing that. I love that Alya learns more about herself, her people, and the state of her country on the journey to become human again! You can watch her grow as a person and a ruler. She doesn't shy away from the truth and tries to accept it honestly. I also adored that Trill learns to step into herself, and learn to accept herself and her magic. The way they both think of themselves as lesser, and together learn that no, they are NOT lesser, and it is so sweet to read. I also enjoyed the art style. It was a bit simple, and there are sketches of them prior to the book that had a style I adored. But the art is honestly great with how it handles page flow. Nothing is confusing, and there is equal attention paid to the details of characters and cities. I honestly think this book would do amazing as an animated movie or series!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the e-ARC of Goat Magic!
5 / 5 ⭐

I've been lucky enough to read quite a few Oni Press ARCs, and Goat Magic is probably my favorite! Sweet and gentle in a way reminiscent of the Tea Dragon Society but with a rapidly approaching deadline with real ramifications, Goat Magic is a perfect blend of cozy and adventure.

absolutely adorable! gorgeous artwork and a story that is both reminiscent of other royalty-transforming-into-animals stories while also being its own wonderful thing!

If you liked the world of Bergères Guerrières, then Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler is bound to appeal to you. As soon as you open the book, you're greeted by an adorable little map (admittedly a little simplistic, but which immediately sets the cute tone for the adventure).

The real charm of this graphic novel lies in its characters: a gallery of goats of various species, each more endearing than the last, an apprentice shepherdess and a mysterious black goat encountered along the way.

The magical aspect is also a strong point: here, magic is a privilege reserved for the rich, a superbly interesting idea, especially through the eyes of the princess, who takes a long time to realize the injustice this represents for the people. This is much more than a fantasy adventure: it's a story of awareness, maturity and transformation, where the characters really grow up before our very eyes.

I was far from expecting romance! (very cute, by the way)

Graphically, the drawings fit the mood perfectly: a style that exudes gentleness and humor, perfectly aligned with the story being told. It's impossible to close this book without dreaming of having a giant goat by your side!

In short: Goat Magic is an adorable little nugget, and I can't wait to see what Kate Wheeler has in store for us next.

Trill is a village goat herder with magic that lets her understand goats. Alya is a princess who's been cursed to turn into a goat. They run into each other while travelling and team up to save Alya. And it's adorable! Especially the goats❤️

Both girls grow throughout the story, learning to like each other and themselves. There's minor sapphic representation, and major social commentary in a way that feels appropriate for middle grade readers. I would have loved it when I was the target age range, and I love it now.

Big thank you to Oni Press for letting me read an advanced eCopy of this via Netgalley. I had a great time!

This was a very cute and heartwarming story between a goat herder and a princess. Trill is disappointed that all her magic can do is take care of goats, however one day she runs into Alya who has been cursed into a goat. These two will have to work together to help Alya get her throne back and stop the rebellion.
Personally I loved the style of drawing this graphic novel has and I also loved all the goats. The premise sounded super fun and the story delivered just that!
I really liked both MCs and I think anybody can enjoy this story.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

This follows Trill & Alya—Trill is a goat herder, Alya is a princess cursed to be a goat. They team up to try and save Alya from becoming a permanent goat.

There were so many goats and I loved every single one, I loved the different personalities each goat showed.

Both the girls had strong character development and I loved watching them get closer with one another.

This is for those within the middle grade and I think it would be perfect for them! I enjoyed it and I had fun reading it.

Thank you to Oni Press for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Goat Magic is charming, cozy graphic novel about a magical goat herder, Trill, her herd of adorable goats, and a cursed princess, Alya, in need of rescue. When Trill ventures through the mountains to bring her goats to market, she comes across a goat in need of rescue. But this goat isn’t actually a goat; she’s the princess! And there’s some bad people looking to capture her. As her simple trip to the market turns into a rescue mission, Trill learns to trust in her magic. Meanwhile, Alya learns how the people in her kingdom really feel about the royal family and finds some joy in letting go a bit while she’s a goat.

This graphic novel has a strong political underpinning, but focuses on how the state of the world affects our heroes. Trill and Alya are both strong in their own ways and each makes you want to route for them. I love the artwork and how it fills out the fantasy world. I also adore how expressive the characters (including the goats!) are! If you love goats, fun magic systems, or cozy adventures, this one is for you!

First I would like to thank NetGalley, the Author, the Artist and the Publisher for this ARC.

Hoooo, I really enjoyed this one!
It was a cute, heartfelt and recognizable story, with a lot of even cuter Goats! 😍😍😍
The story is about finding yourself, accepting yourself and finding your place in the world.
It's also about corruption, privilege and being blind to the world and people around you, due to the fact that you are raised in a castle, treated differently and have been thought the history your predecessors found accurate, and learning that there are two sides to a story.

I loved it and could not put it down.

This was a delightful middle-grade adventure filled with magic, intrigue, and complicated emotions. Oh yeah, and goats!

Sort of like "The Emperor's New Groove in the style of K O'Neill." Wholesome, queer, funny, action packed, and critical of those in power. What more do I need from a comic?

Goat Magic was perfect to mark 200 books for the year so far! If you love Shrek and The Emperor’s New Groove, this is the graphic novel is for you. There is the perfect balance of wholesome whimsy and real world topics covered through that wholesomely whimsical lens. I adored Trill and Alya. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Before I begin, I would like to thank Kate Wheeler for allowing me to read a Net Galley copy of her upcoming graphic novel, Goat Magic, which will be available on August 19th, 2025.

Goat herder Trill’s magic allows her to communicate with her flock, but she yearns for a life that doesn’t involve guarding goats in the mountains. She knows that her magic is probably too simple compared to the city’s infamous magic schools she’s forbidden to attend. In contrast, Princess Alya, or the “Ordinary Princess”, worries that she’ll ever be ready to take her place as ruler of Capeya. When there’s an assassination attempt on the queen, Alya finds herself cursed to transform into a goat every sunrise, and Trill agrees to help her figure out a way to break the enchantment. As they spend more time together, Trill and Alya form an impenetrable bond. Can Alya defeat those that betrayed her, claim her right to the throne, and guide an unstable kingdom to peace? Can Trill embrace her magic and the feelings that start to bloom for her new friend?

This was a wonderful book. You have Trill, a sassy, clever, kind, and lovely young girl that has spent her life caring for goats in the mountains and craves for something different. You have Alya, a sharp, honest, thoughtful, and pretty girl that feels confined by people’s expectations of her as the crown princess and wonders if she can ever live up to them. I enjoyed the interactions between Trill, her goats, and Alya. The art is gorgeous, and the developing romance is sweet. The magic system in this world is great, and I appreciated how the author handled the privileges that the upper class has often in detriment to the other working people and remain oblivious to their discontentment and anger. Overall, if you like beautiful art, fantastic worldbuilding, goats, LGBTQIA+ representation, and sweet romance, then I would highly recommend this book.