Witchlight

Lelek, a brown-skinned witch, meets subdued Sanja, who is white, while being run out of town for conning the townsfolk. Impressed by Sanja’s skill with a blade, Lelek abducts her, hoping to gain a tutor. After seeing Lelek’s untenable lifestyle, Sanja strikes a bargain: in exchange for sword lessons, Lelek must stop cheating and hurting people, and the two will make a living challenging local witches to prize fights. Lelek agrees, and the two wander from town to town encountering different magic styles and ways of life, meanwhile searching for the missing half of Lelek’s soul, which she lost as a child. A leisurely exploration of the young women’s evolving bond addresses themes of forgiveness, purpose, and community. The story’s framing includes flashbacks and dreams, presenting a unique, vibrant universe but also making some plot elements feel disconnected. Dynamic art is suffused with light (shout out to colorist Geov Chouteau), illuminating a strange and varied world filled with people, mainly female, with bodies in every shape, size, and color. The overall effect is warm and bewitching. Ages 12–up. [em]Agent: Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary. (Apr.) [/em]