This graphic novel fantasy set in the 19th century has all of the lush worldbuilding and spooky vibes that author/illustrator Ethan Aldridge has become known for. Protagonist Agatha lives in a quiet village where she dreams of leaving to study astronomy, although her parents cannot afford to send her to an academy and don’t see the value in it. In the meantime, she tutors neighbor boy Peter and resists the harassing advances of the shopkeeper’s son, Claude.
But when a mysterious, yellow-eyed dog transforms into the Lady of the Hills (who has short hair and wears a dapper suit and tie), and claims a favor from Agatha, Agatha finds herself drawn into a mysterious parallel world of strange beings and fairy bargains. She is at first intrigued—and then horrified as she begins to see under the Lady’s facade to the cruel nature underneath. And when the Lady’s actions endanger Heather, Peter’s visiting cousin and Agatha’s growing crush, Agatha must find the strength to be true to herself and protect those who are close to her.
Aldridge weaves classic fairy tale tropes into an original tale with an appropriately creepy villain and a sweet queer romance. There’s enough edginess for those who like their adventures dark, but enough of a happy ending for those who want their queer heroes to succeed. Agatha is a determined and clever heroine and Heather is her intellectual equal, though Heather’s interests lie in literature (from which she quotes freely), not science.
The illustrations, also by Aldridge, are soft watercolors that are heavy on blues, greens, and purples, moody and evocative. Agatha is biracial; her father is White and her mother has brown skin and black hair.
A recommended title that feels satisfying but just might be leaving an opening for a sequel….
Content warning: Harassment, including unwanted physical touch (an arm around shoulders).
