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Garlic #2
Garlic and the Witch
Bree Paulsen's brave little protagonist, Garlic, is back in this charmingly illustrated standalone companion to Garlic and the Vampire, serving up another tale of friendship, magic, and self-discovery. Give both books to readers who fell in love with Tidesong or Witch Boy!
Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes's best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.
Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.
But Garlic is experiencing another change too--finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn't so sure that she's ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary...and what if she doesn't want to be human after all?
Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes's best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.
Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.
But Garlic is experiencing another change too--finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn't so sure that she's ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary...and what if she doesn't want to be human after all?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published September 6, 2022
About the author
Bree Paulsen
8 books351 followersBree Paulsen is a native of Southern California in love with all things autumnal. After graduating from the Laguna College of Art and Design with a BFA in animation, she freelanced on a few independent animation and illustration projects before turning her focus toward comics. She started her webcomic for adults, Patrik the Vampire, in 2013 and self-publishes its printed volumes. Garlic and the Vampire is her first traditionally published book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,843 reviews
August 25, 2024
In a Nutshell: An adorable sequel that takes Garlic’s story into an unexpected dimension. Enjoyed it just as much as the first graphic novel. Works as a standalone but better if read in series order. Great for middle-graders, fun for all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
My review will be almost the same as that of the first book because my feelings are almost exactly the same!
Bookish Yays:
🥕 While this graphic novel is primarily a sequel, the first chapter reveals how the magical vegetables came into being. This was interesting to read!
🥕 The anthropomorphic veggies are again fun, though they have a reduced appearance in this sequel. The queen of the show this time is clearly Garlic, who has learnt to cope with her anxiety issues to a great extent. It’s a treat to see how far she has come from that hesitant Garlic of Book One. Celery redeems himself to some extent, and Carrot is as awesome as ever.
🥕 Agnes and the vampire (who is not ‘Patrik’ from ‘Patrik the Vampire’, unlike what I had assumed) are as awesome as they were earlier. I doubt I’ll ever root for a vampire as much as I rooted for the Count.
🥕 There are two broad story arcs: Garlic’s fear of turning human and the making of the “blood” juice for the Count. Both works wonderfully in parallel, with Garlic’s confidence in the latter task juxtaposing with her apprehension over her possible transition into a human. Unlike the earlier graphic novel, the storyline in this book is more nuanced. There are some surprises that I didn’t see coming. The revelations are unexpected but not undesirable. The ending is a bit too twee but works for the target age range.
🥕 Yet again, the story offers some valuable life lessons: Don't be afraid of adventure, See the positive in every situation, Not all change is bad, and Make peace with the changes in your body because you are still you even if your body changes.
🥕 The illustrations are in the same palette and style as before, sticking to earth and nature tones to match the strong nature-based theme and characters.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍇 “Oh Grapes!” (Still find this phrase wacky, though it doesn’t pop up as often as in Book One.)
I had read the first book of this series (Garlic and the Vampire) with my daughters just a couple of days ago, and after enjoying it a lot, we were eager to get to this sequel. It lived up to our expectations, and earned exactly the same ratings from us: 4.5 from me, 5 from DD1, and 4 from DD2. (Yup, my younger one was again the Grinch. This time, Carrot’s appearance was the culprit – sheesh!)
Much recommended. The book is aimed at middle graders, but it makes for a sweet and relaxing pick even for older readers. The storyline is mostly a standalone but better if you read the series in order as Garlic’s growth is more appreciable if you know her from the earlier book.
4.5 stars, again happy to round up!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Garlic, Carrot and the other veggies are still at work in Witch Agnes’ garden when Garlic discovers an unwelcome change: her hands have begun to resemble human hands. The Count and Witch Agnes try to reassure her that it is a natural development, Garlic isn’t so sure. Changes are never good, right?
My review will be almost the same as that of the first book because my feelings are almost exactly the same!
Bookish Yays:
🥕 While this graphic novel is primarily a sequel, the first chapter reveals how the magical vegetables came into being. This was interesting to read!
🥕 The anthropomorphic veggies are again fun, though they have a reduced appearance in this sequel. The queen of the show this time is clearly Garlic, who has learnt to cope with her anxiety issues to a great extent. It’s a treat to see how far she has come from that hesitant Garlic of Book One. Celery redeems himself to some extent, and Carrot is as awesome as ever.
🥕 Agnes and the vampire (who is not ‘Patrik’ from ‘Patrik the Vampire’, unlike what I had assumed) are as awesome as they were earlier. I doubt I’ll ever root for a vampire as much as I rooted for the Count.
🥕 There are two broad story arcs: Garlic’s fear of turning human and the making of the “blood” juice for the Count. Both works wonderfully in parallel, with Garlic’s confidence in the latter task juxtaposing with her apprehension over her possible transition into a human. Unlike the earlier graphic novel, the storyline in this book is more nuanced. There are some surprises that I didn’t see coming. The revelations are unexpected but not undesirable. The ending is a bit too twee but works for the target age range.
🥕 Yet again, the story offers some valuable life lessons: Don't be afraid of adventure, See the positive in every situation, Not all change is bad, and Make peace with the changes in your body because you are still you even if your body changes.
🥕 The illustrations are in the same palette and style as before, sticking to earth and nature tones to match the strong nature-based theme and characters.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍇 “Oh Grapes!” (Still find this phrase wacky, though it doesn’t pop up as often as in Book One.)
I had read the first book of this series (Garlic and the Vampire) with my daughters just a couple of days ago, and after enjoying it a lot, we were eager to get to this sequel. It lived up to our expectations, and earned exactly the same ratings from us: 4.5 from me, 5 from DD1, and 4 from DD2. (Yup, my younger one was again the Grinch. This time, Carrot’s appearance was the culprit – sheesh!)
Much recommended. The book is aimed at middle graders, but it makes for a sweet and relaxing pick even for older readers. The storyline is mostly a standalone but better if you read the series in order as Garlic’s growth is more appreciable if you know her from the earlier book.
4.5 stars, again happy to round up!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
October 12, 2022
Adorable and very sweet, Garlic and Witch from author/illustrator Bree Paulsen is a sincere look at the inevitability of change and learning how to embrace it. A follow-up to Paulsen’s Garlic and the Vampire, this second installment revisits the witch and her living vegetables that works in her garden, but could be plausibly read as a stand-alone. When the witch struggles with a potion for the Count, the vampire we meet in the first book, Garlic is sent on a mission to the magic market while struggling with the realization she is slowly turning into a human. This is a lovely little graphic novel aimed at younger readers and is sure to be a success with them through it’s heartfelt message and gorgeous artwork, and a charming tale about recognizing that change is a fact of life.
Garlic adventuring with the Count
What I loved most about this story is that it was upfront in it’s message about the inevitability of change and framed as something that is in fact frightening. Paulsen shows how change can also be fun and rewarding, but she doesn’t try to imply that the uncomfortable feelings are something we shouldn’t let ourselves feel and I think that is a great lesson to teach. Yes, change is scary but we have to deal with it as best we can and often it can be for the good, as we see here. It was cute to see all the vegetables become human versions of themselves and see the attempt at inclusive depictions of different races and body types.
There is a cute romantic plot hinted at between Garlic and her very caring and supportive friend, Carrot, and the relatively low-stakes adventure still has some cute tension and twists. I also loved the vampire, who is subtly represented as gay and mentions that he also had to learn to love himself for who he is, so big win there. Admittedly I didn’t quite catch that Garlic realized she was turning human by growing a fifth finger, so it can be a bit confusing I guess but overall its very cute. It could easily be read without having read the first, though it pairs well as a sequel and gives the backstory to how the living vegetables came to be. A bit slight, but definitely aimed at younger readers, this is an adorable cottagecore-esque graphic novel that is perfect for the Halloween season but great any time of year.
⅘
Garlic adventuring with the Count
What I loved most about this story is that it was upfront in it’s message about the inevitability of change and framed as something that is in fact frightening. Paulsen shows how change can also be fun and rewarding, but she doesn’t try to imply that the uncomfortable feelings are something we shouldn’t let ourselves feel and I think that is a great lesson to teach. Yes, change is scary but we have to deal with it as best we can and often it can be for the good, as we see here. It was cute to see all the vegetables become human versions of themselves and see the attempt at inclusive depictions of different races and body types.
There is a cute romantic plot hinted at between Garlic and her very caring and supportive friend, Carrot, and the relatively low-stakes adventure still has some cute tension and twists. I also loved the vampire, who is subtly represented as gay and mentions that he also had to learn to love himself for who he is, so big win there. Admittedly I didn’t quite catch that Garlic realized she was turning human by growing a fifth finger, so it can be a bit confusing I guess but overall its very cute. It could easily be read without having read the first, though it pairs well as a sequel and gives the backstory to how the living vegetables came to be. A bit slight, but definitely aimed at younger readers, this is an adorable cottagecore-esque graphic novel that is perfect for the Halloween season but great any time of year.
⅘
March 11, 2024
Why do people like the first book more than this?? I'm genuinely perplexed.
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Maybe it's because I had already established the characters??
I adore the relationship between Garlic and the Vampire & Garlic and the Witch. Oh and can we give some commotion to Carrot? I'm fully Team-Carrot. The representation and dynamic of these characters is really well done in such a short and simplified fantasy. For what it is, it's expertly done.
I enjoyed this one even more than the first. Maybe it's because I had already established the characters??
I adore the relationship between Garlic and the Vampire & Garlic and the Witch. Oh and can we give some commotion to Carrot? I'm fully Team-Carrot. The representation and dynamic of these characters is really well done in such a short and simplified fantasy. For what it is, it's expertly done.
April 24, 2023
Oh my gosh! I can't believe that this one gave me even more warm fuzzies than the original! I honestly closed the book and teared up. It was so precious! *sobs uncontrollably* I don't normally like anything that makes me even slightly emotional--*glaring* don't judge me--but I am so in love with this story and the characters in it. I can't wait for the next volume to come out. I needs it now!
February 5, 2024
A lovely conclusion to Garlic's story, with a heavy metaphor around puberty and the anxiety around knowing your body is going to change. This is a great middle grade graphic novel series!
September 20, 2022
What an incredibly sweet sequel to what is one of my favorite graphic novels of all time. ♥ I feel absolutely blessed that Bree Paulsen created this world and these characters and brought them to life in this way, and Garlic has a big place in my heart. I don't know if there will be more books following these characters, or what they would look like if there are, but I do know that Bree is going to be an author to watch for me from here on out!
In Garlic and the Witch, we start off with a little peek back at how Garlic and the other vegetable-people came into being before picking back up some time after the events of Garlic and the Vampire. Garlic is undergoing some unexplained changes (growing new fingers, and becoming taller), and she learns that Witch Agnes has been hiding something from her: Garlic and the others are becoming human!
Much like in the first book, Garlic goes on a scary, exciting adventure as she learns to cope with her own anxiety and to have faith in herself, her friends, and the world around her. I mentioned in my review of Garlic and the Vampire that Garlic is one of my favorite examples of anxiety representation I've ever read, and that remains true now.
Needless to say, I adored Garlic and the Witch and I'm going to be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen!
✨ Representation: Garlic has anxiety; Carrot uses they/them pronouns; Count is queer
✨ Content warnings for: depictions of anxiety
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In Garlic and the Witch, we start off with a little peek back at how Garlic and the other vegetable-people came into being before picking back up some time after the events of Garlic and the Vampire. Garlic is undergoing some unexplained changes (growing new fingers, and becoming taller), and she learns that Witch Agnes has been hiding something from her: Garlic and the others are becoming human!
Much like in the first book, Garlic goes on a scary, exciting adventure as she learns to cope with her own anxiety and to have faith in herself, her friends, and the world around her. I mentioned in my review of Garlic and the Vampire that Garlic is one of my favorite examples of anxiety representation I've ever read, and that remains true now.
Needless to say, I adored Garlic and the Witch and I'm going to be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen!
✨ Representation: Garlic has anxiety; Carrot uses they/them pronouns; Count is queer
✨ Content warnings for: depictions of anxiety
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
October 8, 2023
the coziest and sweetest little graphic novel i've had the pleasure of reading in quite some time. overflowing with wholesome autumnal vibes and just the cutest little guys you ever did see.
CW/TW: parental death (past, mention)
CW/TW: parental death (past, mention)
Want to read
December 4, 2022
May 21, 2024
I need a side story of the count aka the vampire 🧛♀️ yes, I really hope so.
It’s a bit unsettling to find the witch as someone who’s quite different from that in the first volume. She’s easily distracted and is very different from what we have seen before. Well, she’s a bit overwhelmed in most parts in this sequel.
The garlic is changing and she’s petrified too.
The count is the most amazing wholesome character you will come across in this series. He’s perfect and the most wholesome character I have ever read in a graphic novel.
I love the close knit vibes of the small community. They are there for each other, quite a family I would say.
Love this series.
I don’t think another volume will come out. Let’s hope for further works by the author.
Summary:
*the garlic changes and finds the love of her life in a second towards the end which I feel is not enough 🥲
*the count is my most favourite character
*witch Agnes’ character is poorly written in this one
*the ending quite rushed
It’s a bit unsettling to find the witch as someone who’s quite different from that in the first volume. She’s easily distracted and is very different from what we have seen before. Well, she’s a bit overwhelmed in most parts in this sequel.
The garlic is changing and she’s petrified too.
The count is the most amazing wholesome character you will come across in this series. He’s perfect and the most wholesome character I have ever read in a graphic novel.
I love the close knit vibes of the small community. They are there for each other, quite a family I would say.
Love this series.
I don’t think another volume will come out. Let’s hope for further works by the author.
Summary:
*the garlic changes and finds the love of her life in a second towards the end which I feel is not enough 🥲
*the count is my most favourite character
*witch Agnes’ character is poorly written in this one
*the ending quite rushed
December 27, 2022
Rep: nonbinary li, gay character
October 30, 2024
Theses graphic novels just can’t get any cuter!! Same as the previous one this is super cute and such a wholesome book. I loved how the witch has such a friendship almost motherly to all the vegetables it was just adorable🥹 the little adventure garlic and the vampire went on to get some ingredients for the witch was so fun!! Everything about this book was amazing and just wished their was even more books I just know I would eat it up so fast🫶🏻
March 25, 2023
I thought the first Garlic story was cute, but this one was really just kind of boring. The artwork was good, but the story was mundane and just ok.
November 19, 2023
Garlic and Carrot 🥰
September 12, 2022
Still cute but kinda disappointing. It was more (still) about Garlic and Count. I like Count. But why couldn't Garlic go on the trip with Agnes and give the title it's proper due? Also, what happens at the end is just sad. Makes the story lose its whimsy, in my opinion. What I loved most about this was humans and veggies living amongst each other and just, ya know, veggies with personalities was charming. I dunno, despite there actually being MORE magic in this sequel, I felt it was less magical in its delivery. I get the overall message of growing up and changing but I felt it was weak. Obviously I am in the minority with my opinion as most reviews are raving high praise. And that's great. To each their own. This just wasn't my cup of tea and I'm really sad about that.
November 29, 2023
— 4.5 Stars ★
“That's the thing about big change isn't? You want to wait until you are ready, but sometimes you never are.”
This is the cutest and the most precious graphic novel I've ever read. The ending? So cute and so beautiful. Garlic is the cutest person ever 🥹🫶🏼
“That's the thing about big change isn't? You want to wait until you are ready, but sometimes you never are.”
This is the cutest and the most precious graphic novel I've ever read. The ending? So cute and so beautiful. Garlic is the cutest person ever 🥹🫶🏼
November 26, 2022
celery gets the bad karma he deserves
November 17, 2023
"To all the sprouts facing big changes and uncertainty"
"That's the thing about big change, isn't it? You want to wait until you are ready, but sometimes you never are"
this book is me i'm this book i adore this series so much😭😭😭😭😭😭 i love them
"That's the thing about big change, isn't it? You want to wait until you are ready, but sometimes you never are"
this book is me i'm this book i adore this series so much😭😭😭😭😭😭 i love them
November 25, 2023
the "cycle of life/magic" idea is so cool and cute 🥰
March 7, 2023
Garlic and the Witch is a cute graphic novel. It's about how change and growing can be scary, but that fear just holds you back. Once it's embraced it can lead to fun adventures.
The adventure here is Garlic and Count travelling to the magic market, to get an ingredient for Count's blood substitute potion.
The artwork is really pretty. It would be nice to get another entry to this series, but I think the ending was a nice place to leave it.
The adventure here is Garlic and Count travelling to the magic market, to get an ingredient for Count's blood substitute potion.
The artwork is really pretty. It would be nice to get another entry to this series, but I think the ending was a nice place to leave it.
March 21, 2024
The queer little vegetable people are now being best friends with a witch and a vampire, go on a new little adventure and are growing up. A cute sequel that also adds some background information.
September 15, 2022
these are so cute i actually cannot handle it
October 2, 2023
This was the perfect spoopy book to start off October with!
This was absolutely adorable. I loved the cozy fall vibes, and the beautiful art style. This volume was all about accepting change, and I kind of wish it could have been longer.
Love this little graphic novel series!
🎃 Spookoplathon prompt: Spoopy
This was absolutely adorable. I loved the cozy fall vibes, and the beautiful art style. This volume was all about accepting change, and I kind of wish it could have been longer.
Love this little graphic novel series!
🎃 Spookoplathon prompt: Spoopy
October 28, 2024
Adorable!
May 21, 2024
This was cute.
The main focus is on the illustrations and I wish there was more verbal to go with it.
I didn't realize this was the second book in the series until after I read it and think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the first book prior to picking this one up.
The main focus is on the illustrations and I wish there was more verbal to go with it.
I didn't realize this was the second book in the series until after I read it and think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the first book prior to picking this one up.
October 20, 2024
So cute!!
November 9, 2022
In the midst of a mild trip to a distant market with her vampire friend, our little bulb of garlic faces the greatest adventure of all: adolescence.
It's an offbeat story oddly told, but sweet and pleasing all the same.
It's an offbeat story oddly told, but sweet and pleasing all the same.
February 5, 2023
Cottagecore, wholesome, with a carrot character with They/Them pronouns and a gorgeous green color palette. A lovely all-grade graphic novel.
September 9, 2024
This is such a cute little graphic.
May 13, 2024
"That's the thing about big change isn't it? You want to wait until you are ready but sometimes you never are"
A fun little read as a follow up to Garlic and the Vampire. Again I loved the illustrations. Maybe this time even more than the first book. Loved the development of the characters. I just enjoyed it big time.
"Doing anything new will have its scary moments, even the fun stuff"
A fun little read as a follow up to Garlic and the Vampire. Again I loved the illustrations. Maybe this time even more than the first book. Loved the development of the characters. I just enjoyed it big time.
"Doing anything new will have its scary moments, even the fun stuff"
December 3, 2023
TW: Loss of loved one, judgemental people
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes's best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.But Garlic is experiencing another change too--finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn't so sure that she's ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary...and what if she doesn't want to be human after all?
Release Date: September 6th, 2022
Genre: Middle grade
Pages: 151
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Backstory of characters
2. Queer rep
3. Them becoming alive
4. The characters
What I Didn't Like:
1. Nothing
Overall Thoughts:
In this book we get a back story of Count also. It was nice to see that Count was a witch that had done a spell wrong and he ended up a vampire. Through that he accepted it and found someone he loved. Sad to see that Count had to deal with the loss of a loved one.
The theme of this chapter of Garlic and the veggies is that they are all turning into humans. Want a clever and fun plot. Garlic doesn't want to change because she is afraid she'll be alone when she changes. Luckily she has Count to tell her that most people that have to change don't want to, which is true. Change is scary and even more scary when you aren't ready.
Final Thoughts:
I loved that we got to see how the little veggie workers got to come alive and why. It was cute.
Seeing the veggies in their human form was wonderful.
I love that Garlic got her happy ending with Carrot. Not sure if there will be more to come but I would definitely love to. I know the book ends with Garlic and Carrot doing magic to make new seedlings come alive so maybe there will be a little bit more to the story and if they have children together.
IG | Blog
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes's best attempts to home-brew a vegetarian blood substitute for Count, the ingredient she needs most can only be found at the Magic Market, far from the valley.Before she knows it, with a broomstick in hand, Garlic is nervously preparing for a journey.But Garlic is experiencing another change too--finger by finger, she appears to be turning human. Witch Agnes assures her that this is normal for her garden magic, but Garlic isn't so sure that she's ready for such a big change. After all, changes are scary...and what if she doesn't want to be human after all?
Release Date: September 6th, 2022
Genre: Middle grade
Pages: 151
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Backstory of characters
2. Queer rep
3. Them becoming alive
4. The characters
What I Didn't Like:
1. Nothing
Overall Thoughts:
In this book we get a back story of Count also. It was nice to see that Count was a witch that had done a spell wrong and he ended up a vampire. Through that he accepted it and found someone he loved. Sad to see that Count had to deal with the loss of a loved one.
The theme of this chapter of Garlic and the veggies is that they are all turning into humans. Want a clever and fun plot. Garlic doesn't want to change because she is afraid she'll be alone when she changes. Luckily she has Count to tell her that most people that have to change don't want to, which is true. Change is scary and even more scary when you aren't ready.
Final Thoughts:
I loved that we got to see how the little veggie workers got to come alive and why. It was cute.
Seeing the veggies in their human form was wonderful.
I love that Garlic got her happy ending with Carrot. Not sure if there will be more to come but I would definitely love to. I know the book ends with Garlic and Carrot doing magic to make new seedlings come alive so maybe there will be a little bit more to the story and if they have children together.
IG | Blog
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