The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen

 I'm ready for a little fantasy but don't really have time, at the moment, to dive into something longer. I'm still fence building, renovating a bathroom, and trying to build some furniture to finish my mudroom. Let's not forget Thanksgiving is around the corner and the 1st of Advent. So reading time is a bit tight, right now. 

So today's graphic novel seemed perfect with its promise of magic, danger, sisterly love and fantasy world. Let's see if it offers a great adventure and wonderful characters...and that with engaging illustrations, too.  Yep, I have high expectations for this read.

THE FIRELIGHT APPRENTICE

by Bree Paulsen

Quill Tree

Middle Grade Fantasy / Graphic Novel

ages 10 and up

The bestselling author-illustrator of Garlic and the Vampire, Bree Paulsen, brings her fantastical storytelling and warm, sparkling artwork to this story that celebrates the bond between sisters.

In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is concerned about her younger sister Safi’s developing powers. She understands that Safi could learn how to control her magic under the apprenticeship of a king's magician. But with the memories of war still fresh, Ada is conflicted by this prospect—despite her knowing that she can’t keep Safi safely at home with the threat of deadly, power-thieving liches prowling the kingdom.

When a traveling group of magicians comes to the city to perform, they immediately recognize Safi’s talents and offer to take her on as an apprentice. Safi is thrilled about her new adventure—even if that means leaving behind Ada and their sickly father. And Ada is right to worry about her sister, for there may be monsters hiding behind friendly faces…

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MY TIDBITS

Magic mixes with difficult life circumstances, dreams, and sisterly love to create a rich world where adventure might know no end.

Ada and Safi do their best to help their father out in his lightbulb store after the war, which cost their mother's life and their father's health. Not only is money tight, but Ada knows that the magic her younger sister inherited through their parents isn't something she can steer alone. Since a mentor is out of financial reach, Ada hopes a coming magic show will take Safi in as an apprentice and train her to become a king's magician just like their parents once were. But this path isn't sure. Plus, there are liches everywhere, who want to drain anyone with magic of their powers. None of this is a world Ada really knows much about. Still, she needs to figure it out to help her sister.

This is set in a medieval, fantasy world, and the illustrations bring this atmosphere across well. The colors hang dimmed to give a sense of desperation, which works great to balance against the struggled hope Safi's family has and the joy the magic delivers. The struggles of Safi's family are clear, and yet, Safi's attitude is pretty carefree thanks to Ada and her father, who try to buffer everything as best as possible. While Safi goes through the read trying to learn to deal with her magic, it's Ada who works through the tougher plot strings and fights every step of the way. It forms a warm, sisterly bond with Ada doing everything she can for her family. So, there is quite a bit of heart.

The plot slides through smoothly with a sense of approaching danger and doesn't really have too many big surprises until the later half. Instead, the author builds the world, creates awe, and molds characters to worry about and root for. Even the side characters come to life and add depth. When the main battle hits (and this goes by surprisingly quick), it's easy to sympathize with the characters. There are a few side-plots, but these stay light, and this fits nicely to the intended audience level. 

I do hope that this is the first in a series, since this seemed like a tale to launch into so much more. It opens up to a wonderful world with many whispers of adventures to come.

And here she is...

Bree Paulsen is a SoCal writer and illustrator who loves spooky monsters, fashion history, and 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 tuning her focus toward comics. She started her webcomic, Patrik the Vampire, in 2013 and self-publishes its printed volumes. Her first middle grade graphic novel, Garlic and the Vampire, received a starred review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, which called it “folkloric…a down comforter of a graphic novel.” Garlic’s adventures continue in Garlic and the Witch.