The Okay Witch: 10/17/19

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner is a debut graphic novel about a single mom and her daughter living in a Massachusetts town with a strong history of witch hunting. As the town festival celebrating its most famous witch hunt, daughter Moth comes into her powers and only then does her mother tell her the truth.

Meanwhile, Moth's new friend ends up being the son (from a previous marriage) of the mayor. They have ties to the original mayor, the notorious witch hunter.

The set up reminds me more of Bewitched than Sabrina. Witches are immortal because of the bargain they made with Hecate. They have a world separate from the mundane world and they dress in flowing robes similar to the witches and warlocks of the TV show. Moth's grandmother also reminds me of a younger, less flamboyant, but still just as formidable Endora.

My favorite character, though, is hands down, Moth's familiar and mentor. Familiars often talk, but rarely are they possessed by the ghost of an antiques dealer.

The basic theme of The Okay Witch is the humans are the true monsters, especially those who boost themselves on the sins of their forefathers. The climax involves a supernatural showdown involving a host of angry dead mayors and Moth's family.

The book has a few pacing issues but I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books by Emma Steinkellner.

Four stars

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