Winter break is wrapping up, and Effie Huchbolt-Walloo is officially a witch-in-training. As such, Selimene and Carlota are excited for their new apprentice-slash-family member to meet their equally magical friends: Sissi, Jezebel, Nattie, Sharpy, Tam, and the rest of the gang that makes up the NYC neighborhood witch watch.

Effie is shocked to learn that witches aren't the only supernatural beings who call NYC home: ghosts and dragons are real too! But the group's most pressing concern is a series of unfortunate "accidents" that have taken place on an intersection of Sixth Avenue. Cue: "The Case of the Stormy Corner."

At the same time Effie's magical life is heating up, her friendship with Berrit seems to be cooling down. Berrit ignored Effie's calls all winter break and, now that school's back in session, she knows why: it seems that new girl Garance has usurped her role as Berrit's BFF. Will jealousy get the better of Effie, or can she learn to like - and maybe even work with - Garance?

As far as sequels go, WHAT THE HEX is a pretty formidable one - I might even like it a wee bit more than WITCHES OF BROOKLYN. We finally discover the secret behind Lion, the tiny pink pup, and the introduction of other otherworldly creatures is aces. I love that Selimene and Carlota are vegetarians, although vegetarians that are not romantically involved. (I would say "just" BFFs, but there's nothing "just" about having a ride or die friend who shares your home, business, and assorted hijinks. Although the Avengers they are not, as Selimene is quick to point out.)

The other NYC witches run the gamut, from pink-haired, tulle-wearing Jezebel to the bearded and tattooed Nattie. Their collective concern over the influx of hobbyist witches - "[R]eally nice girls! Most of them are very eco-friendly ... they're respectful - and feminist obviously. That's good." - with their plethora of candles is charming AF. I'd love to see the other witches play a larger role in future volumes (and Escabasse sets Sissi up for exactly that). Especially Aunt Ma, in all her glorious foliage.

I also greatly enjoyed how Escabasse juxtaposed Effie's relationship troubles with the mystery of the week, imparting a really lovely lesson about friendship and cooperation. ( )

Band 2 der magischen Comic-Reihe ist problemlos auch ohne Vorkenntnis des ersten Buches verständlich. Es gibt ein paar Verweise auf die Anfangsgeschichte, diese sind jedoch vernachlässigbar.
Die elfjährige Effie wird von ihren Tanten Selimene und Carlotta offiziell in den Hexenzirkel von New York aufgenommen. An einer Straßenecke, genannt die „stürmische Ecke“, scheint sich etwas Unheimliches zu ereignen und die Hexen müssen der Ursache auf den Grund gehen. Die neue Mitschülerin aus Frankreich (dem Herkunftsland der Autorin) bereitet Effie Kummer ganz un-magischer Art. Eifersucht und Einsamkeit nagen an der Junghexe.
Die Geschichte ist magisch und aufregend, gleichzeitig auch lehrreich für ganz gewöhnliche Alltagssorgen eines elfjährigen Mädchens. Ich mag die Figuren sehr, weil sie so authentisch wirken und sie wachsen mir in dieser Geschichte noch ein bisschen mehr ans Herz. Außerdem war es total spannend andere New Yorker Hexen kennenzulernen, jede mit ihren ganz besonderen… „Eigenheiten“.
Als besonderes kleines Goodie finden sich im Anhang ein paar Skizzen der Autorin. ( )

This is just so charming! I love how expressive the art is -- the characters faces are often hilarious, Effie's trials and tribulations feel very authentic, and her community is beautiful. Berrit has a new friend from France, Garance, and Effie is beside herself with jealousy -- while that storyline could be annoying, the facial expressions are so wonderfully dramatic that you see the heart behind the hurt. the magic is delightful also. Great for young teens. ( )

Effie and Oliver haven't seen their friend Berrit for all of winter break - and when they return to school, they find out why: Berrit has a new neighbor (and new BFF), a French girl named Garance. Effie is jealous of Garance, and the attention Berrit lavishes on her as she ignores Effie. Meanwhile, Selimene and Carlota's witch friends have identified a "stormy corner" in Brooklyn, where it turns out two statues need to talk it out - and Effie and Garance may be just the ones to help them.

See also: Witches of Brooklyn #1, The Okay Witch, Snapdragon, and Twig & Turtle (friendship triangle) ( )