Review By: Liz Geist
Published: 2025
Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Magic
Audience: Grades 7–10
Content Warnings: LGBTQ+ themes, violence, magic
Goodreads Link: Evil-ish
Summary:
A disillusioned teen dreams of fame and villainy in this hilarious and heartfelt young adult fantasy graphic novel from debut author/illustrator Kennedy Tarrell.
Hawthorne Vandercast has big plans: join the infamous Brigade of Shade, move into a glamorous castle, and leave their mundane life as a potion barista behind. But when they finally get the chance to join the Brigade, Hawthorne finds themself overshadowed by Maple, a bubbly, bright, flowery girl who could not look further from evil. After an accident ends in death and suddenly Hawthorne is leading the Brigade, they begin to realize that maybe villainy isn’t actually all it’s cracked up to be.
Evil-ish spins the classic tropes of good and evil on their heads in a hilarious and tender story about a teenager who feels bigger than their job, their town, and their circumstances…and finds out that what they thought they wanted might not be what they actually need.
Review:
Evil-ish is a lively YA graphic novel that is set in a medieval world with modern twists. The story follows Hawthorne, a nonbinary teen who’s always dreamed of joining the Brigade of Shade, a notorious group of villains whose evil deeds have become local legend. Stuck in his mother’s business and feeling trapped, Hawthorne longs to prove their worth and finally belong somewhere. One day, the Brigade holds open auditions and Hawthorne is rejected. Maple, the annoyingly chipper acquaintance that Hawthorne already dislikes, gets in. Maple offers to help Hawthorne ask for a second chance. There is an accident at the meeting with the current leader, Lady Wrath, and suddenly Hawthorne is in charge of the Brigade. Hawthorne stumbles through the chaos of leading villains when they realize that being evil isn’t as simple, or as satisfying, as they’d imagine and that Maple isn’t quite what she seems either.
I enjoyed Evil-ish. It is a fun, fast-paced graphic novel with fantastic artwork that really conveys the characters’ emotions and struggles. I loved that Hawthorne is nonbinary and supported by a loving mother and younger brother, who really only want the best for them. The characters are layered, like Maple, whose anger and past trauma are ultimately guided toward friendship, forgiveness, and a happy ending of rebuilding broken things alongside friends. I think this book would be a quick and fun read for 10–14 year olds. Some students might be attracted to the cover, which conveys a nonbinary character, and themes of friendship, overcoming adversity, and not taking oneself too seriously. Overall, I enjoyed it and recommend it to upper middle grade and younger YA readers who love humor, “evil-ish” deeds, and diverse characters.
