It has been thirteen years since the mysterious fire at the Severin family manor that killed Camille’s mother and twin sister, and the last thing Camille wants to do is return to her old home deep in the swamps of Louisiana. But deeply ingrained family tradition and Matriarch Athalie—Camille’s coldhearted aunt and head of the Severin household—demand it so she can perform the ritual of every prospective Severin matriarch. |
Muted reads like an original fairytale, carrying an immersive sense of magic that flows through every page and illustration. Mundt’s art possesses the lush, atmospheric intensity of some of my favorite graphic novel illustrations, calling to mind the intense, dark art of Molly Knox Ostertag’s The Witch Boy, and with all of the complex characters. Camille is a truly wonderful protagonist who I couldn’t help but root for—her genuine heart and desire to find somewhere she belongs made me immediately like her, and she propels this story forward. She’s often flawed and confused, but that makes her even better, making her someone I don’t just want to succeed, but can empathize with myself. I also love this entire world, augmented by the illustrations—it feels so close to ours and yet utterly more magical. This series is definitely one I’ll want to be keeping an eye on!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Book description credited to the publisher.
ages 14+ / ARC / fairy tales / family / fantasy / fiction / graphic novel / LGBTQ+ / series / young adult