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Goat Magic
Destinies collide when a village goat herder meets the palace princess in Goat Magic!
Trill, a spirited goat herder with a unique ability to communicate with her flock, yearns for a life beyond mountain pastures. Her “goat magic” feels common compared to the sorcery taught in the city’s prestigious magic schools, which are off-limits to her. Meanwhile, Princess Alya, known as the “Ordinary Princess” and heir to the kingdom of Capeya, doubts her own royal potential.
Their worlds collide when an assassination attempt on the queen leaves Alya cursed to transform into a black goat each sunrise. Seeking refuge in Trill's goat herd, Alya discovers her new friend's hidden talent is her only hope to break the spell. Together, they embark on a perilous journey back to the castle, facing treacherous foes and uncovering a web of betrayal and rebellion.
As Alya battles to reclaim her throne and restore order to Capeya, the girls discover a deep connection, their shared experiences forging an unbreakable bond. When Alya comes face to face with the ones who betrayed her, will she have what it takes to take back the crown and rule an unstable kingdom? Will Trill find confidence in her magic and the growing affection she has for her friend?
With fast-paced action, enchanting magic, and a budding romance, Goat Magic is a captivating debut novel perfect for fans of fantasy adventure.
Trill, a spirited goat herder with a unique ability to communicate with her flock, yearns for a life beyond mountain pastures. Her “goat magic” feels common compared to the sorcery taught in the city’s prestigious magic schools, which are off-limits to her. Meanwhile, Princess Alya, known as the “Ordinary Princess” and heir to the kingdom of Capeya, doubts her own royal potential.
Their worlds collide when an assassination attempt on the queen leaves Alya cursed to transform into a black goat each sunrise. Seeking refuge in Trill's goat herd, Alya discovers her new friend's hidden talent is her only hope to break the spell. Together, they embark on a perilous journey back to the castle, facing treacherous foes and uncovering a web of betrayal and rebellion.
As Alya battles to reclaim her throne and restore order to Capeya, the girls discover a deep connection, their shared experiences forging an unbreakable bond. When Alya comes face to face with the ones who betrayed her, will she have what it takes to take back the crown and rule an unstable kingdom? Will Trill find confidence in her magic and the growing affection she has for her friend?
With fast-paced action, enchanting magic, and a budding romance, Goat Magic is a captivating debut novel perfect for fans of fantasy adventure.
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2025
6 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Kate Wheeler
2 books10 followersKate Wheeler is a cartoonist from Seattle, currently living in the arguably rainier city of Amsterdam with her partner and two dogs.
You can find her work in The Washington Post, NPR, and The Nib.
You can find her work in The Washington Post, NPR, and The Nib.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 17, 2025
Well, I love magic, and I squeal every time I see a goat (doesn't happen too often, sadly), so of course a graphic novel called Goat Magic worked for me. It was a cute story, and yes, there were many goats. It's about the young goat herder Trill who is out traveling with her herd when she meets an unusual black goat. Unusual as in it's actually the cursed princess Alya. Luckily, Trill has goat magic, so she can understand Alya in her current form. She decides to help her, and so the two of them search for a way to remove the curse and also try to figure out who put it on Alya in the first place. It's a straightforward story, but there is some worldbuilding involving magic as a privilege of the rich. I liked that this sort of conflict was shown in a middle grade, but it was resolved pretty easily in the end. The art was simple but charming, and I really liked the panels full of nature (and goats within nature) and the design of the city. During dialogue the backgrounds were often empty, though, and close-ups of the characters weren't my favorite either. It's still a solid story for me and I'm sure the intended audience will like it very much. It was great to see how both girls came to terms with their minor magic, and there even was some unexpected queer rep. Overall, I got exactly what I came for, and that was ... well, goat magic.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!
goat magic was a fantastic coming of age, middle grade graphic novel, full of mischievous goats and magic.
i loved the character development, the art style, as well as the expressions of the characters!
goat magic was a fantastic coming of age, middle grade graphic novel, full of mischievous goats and magic.
i loved the character development, the art style, as well as the expressions of the characters!
August 1, 2025
Alya is a princess and heir to the throne of Capeya, unready for the responsibilities of her position. Trill is a goat herder's daughter with magic who yearns for more than her small world currently offers. When these two cross paths after a curse and a coup, they decide to travel together back to the capital city and develop close bonds along the way. I was a little disappointed by the ending of this book and a villain lacking backstory, but the majority of the tale is a road trip through a lush fantasy landscape and I was charmed by the goats, spells, magical herbs, and gentle lessons learned along the way. I'd still absolutely recommend this book to young readers, but less so to adults.
Want to read
December 14, 2022"pitched for fans of Wolfwalkers and Mooncakes, about two girls on an adventure—one a reluctant goatherd, the other a goat who happens to be an enchanted princess—and how their friendship blossoms into something more amid treachery against the throne."
I'm sorry but big Agatha/Niamh energy
I'm sorry but big Agatha/Niamh energy
May 4, 2025
I received a free copy from the publisher through Netgalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All opinions are my own.
This one caught my eye when I spotted it on Netgalley, the title and cover just sounded so fun and I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I got approved for it as I had a fun time reading this one. It's a fun fantasy adventure type story following a goat herder with special magic that let her talk to her goats and a princess who gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day.
I liked Trill from the start, she's just such a fun character with her goats and her magic and her desire to explore the world and do something more. She has some self esteem issues as she always was made to feel her magic and powers weren't enough, but she does have a supportive mother. Alya is the princess of the kingdom, she is called the "Ordinary Princess". She struggles really feeling like a princess and when she gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day and only be in her human form at night she meets Trill while she's a goat and joins the herd. This set up gave me a bit The Emperor's New Groove vibes, which I liked.
I liked reading about these character and especially the character related plot lines and seeing them grow throughout the book. Alya has been a bit sheltered and now that she travels throughout the world she hears of people havign issues with the way the kingdom is governed and hearing their complaints and seeing different sides. While Trill gains in confidence during this journey and realizes how handy her magic can be. There are quite some interesting parts to the story like who the villain is who cursed Alya and why, his motivation makes sense too. There also is the whole part about the magic schools and Alya wanting to change how the kingdom is ruled and slowly growing into her confidence as a princess too.
Next to the bigger plot and adventure there are all these quieter and cozier scenes as well and I thought those were great. I liked seeing Trill and Alya grow closer and be there for each other. There's even a bit of romance there. There also are some fun side characters along the way like the moth lady they go to for advice. And ofcourse all the goats are so fun to read about and they have their own personality as well.
The artwork was pretty and fit the story well. It was all full color and the story really came to life with the help of the artwork. I liked seeing the different scenery along their adventure. And I liked seeing all the different facial expressions of the characters, the art could convey so much and it was just nice to look at it all.
To summarize: I had a great time reading Goat magic, this was such a fun book. It features two likable characters who grow a lot and learn about themselves along the way. The plot is a fantasy adventure style with a villain who curses one of the main characters, the villain has a solid motive. There is a touch of romance as well. I liked reading about the characters and their adventure and learning about this world. There are lots of fun side characters like the goats and the moth lady. The artwork was beautiful and I liked how the art added to the story, I liked being able to see all the different scenery as well as the character facial expressions. All in all I had a great time reading this one, it's a fun read and the artwork looks great.
This one caught my eye when I spotted it on Netgalley, the title and cover just sounded so fun and I knew I had to read it. I am so glad I got approved for it as I had a fun time reading this one. It's a fun fantasy adventure type story following a goat herder with special magic that let her talk to her goats and a princess who gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day.
I liked Trill from the start, she's just such a fun character with her goats and her magic and her desire to explore the world and do something more. She has some self esteem issues as she always was made to feel her magic and powers weren't enough, but she does have a supportive mother. Alya is the princess of the kingdom, she is called the "Ordinary Princess". She struggles really feeling like a princess and when she gets cursed to turn into a goat during the day and only be in her human form at night she meets Trill while she's a goat and joins the herd. This set up gave me a bit The Emperor's New Groove vibes, which I liked.
I liked reading about these character and especially the character related plot lines and seeing them grow throughout the book. Alya has been a bit sheltered and now that she travels throughout the world she hears of people havign issues with the way the kingdom is governed and hearing their complaints and seeing different sides. While Trill gains in confidence during this journey and realizes how handy her magic can be. There are quite some interesting parts to the story like who the villain is who cursed Alya and why, his motivation makes sense too. There also is the whole part about the magic schools and Alya wanting to change how the kingdom is ruled and slowly growing into her confidence as a princess too.
Next to the bigger plot and adventure there are all these quieter and cozier scenes as well and I thought those were great. I liked seeing Trill and Alya grow closer and be there for each other. There's even a bit of romance there. There also are some fun side characters along the way like the moth lady they go to for advice. And ofcourse all the goats are so fun to read about and they have their own personality as well.
The artwork was pretty and fit the story well. It was all full color and the story really came to life with the help of the artwork. I liked seeing the different scenery along their adventure. And I liked seeing all the different facial expressions of the characters, the art could convey so much and it was just nice to look at it all.
To summarize: I had a great time reading Goat magic, this was such a fun book. It features two likable characters who grow a lot and learn about themselves along the way. The plot is a fantasy adventure style with a villain who curses one of the main characters, the villain has a solid motive. There is a touch of romance as well. I liked reading about the characters and their adventure and learning about this world. There are lots of fun side characters like the goats and the moth lady. The artwork was beautiful and I liked how the art added to the story, I liked being able to see all the different scenery as well as the character facial expressions. All in all I had a great time reading this one, it's a fun read and the artwork looks great.
dnf
May 26, 2025I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this was a DNF @30%
This is a very charming graphic novel about a goatherd with dreams of being a hero and a magical affinity for goats and the adventures they find themselves in on the road.
This was nice, but I just wasn't vibing enough to read another 200 pages.
I could see this being very appealing to younger readers.
Unfortunately, this was a DNF @30%
This is a very charming graphic novel about a goatherd with dreams of being a hero and a magical affinity for goats and the adventures they find themselves in on the road.
This was nice, but I just wasn't vibing enough to read another 200 pages.
I could see this being very appealing to younger readers.
May 29, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Oni Press for giving me a free copy of an eARC!
Goat Magic is a middle grade graphic novel about a goat herder girl Trill, and the palace princess Alya. The story is set in a magical world, where not everyone is allowed to use their magic, only the ones who are able to attend the magical school... For the rich.
Trill has magic, but she's "just" a countryside girl, with "goat magic" which makes her able to talk to her flock. It's a unique ability, though she's definitely undervaluing her skills, especially compared to other, fancier magic skills. Trill and Alya's fate collide after the princess' convoy gets attacked and the princess gets cursed and has to run.
The story was fast paced and cute. Other than the two main characters, a couple of other, interesting characters were also introduced, like the Moth lady, who helped out our two girls. And of course, the goats! If you love goats you'll probably love this little story, they're definitely a shining part of this graphic novel.
The art style is cute, it has its highlights too, with hilarious facial expressions, pretty landscapes and lovely panels. But unfortunately, for me, the art style was the weakest part of the reading experience, and I do feel bad about it. I think a little polishing could have helped and some more details here and there. Some panels felt a little bit too weird, i saw someone else mentioning this too, 'the side profiles with the open mouths' design choice was often quite often, but it wasn't working for me.
I have two more things to say about the plot itself:
Can't go into too much details about the villain without spoilers, but he did have good points. I'm not sure if it's the best message that the awful royal family's doing, who socially and/or magically excludes their own people based on position and money, can be changed by one person from the same royal family.
And I'm always down for a sapphic couple but i believe our main characters would have worked better as best friends in this one.
3.5/5 (rounded up)
Goat Magic is a middle grade graphic novel about a goat herder girl Trill, and the palace princess Alya. The story is set in a magical world, where not everyone is allowed to use their magic, only the ones who are able to attend the magical school... For the rich.
Trill has magic, but she's "just" a countryside girl, with "goat magic" which makes her able to talk to her flock. It's a unique ability, though she's definitely undervaluing her skills, especially compared to other, fancier magic skills. Trill and Alya's fate collide after the princess' convoy gets attacked and the princess gets cursed and has to run.
The story was fast paced and cute. Other than the two main characters, a couple of other, interesting characters were also introduced, like the Moth lady, who helped out our two girls. And of course, the goats! If you love goats you'll probably love this little story, they're definitely a shining part of this graphic novel.
The art style is cute, it has its highlights too, with hilarious facial expressions, pretty landscapes and lovely panels. But unfortunately, for me, the art style was the weakest part of the reading experience, and I do feel bad about it. I think a little polishing could have helped and some more details here and there. Some panels felt a little bit too weird, i saw someone else mentioning this too, 'the side profiles with the open mouths' design choice was often quite often, but it wasn't working for me.
I have two more things to say about the plot itself:
Can't go into too much details about the villain without spoilers, but he did have good points. I'm not sure if it's the best message that the awful royal family's doing, who socially and/or magically excludes their own people based on position and money, can be changed by one person from the same royal family.
And I'm always down for a sapphic couple but i believe our main characters would have worked better as best friends in this one.
3.5/5 (rounded up)
June 9, 2025
Known as the "Ordinary Princess," Alya is heading home from a state dinner with her mother and uncle when their carriage is attacked and Alya finds herself cursed to turn into a goat every sunrise. Meanwhile, Trill doesn't think her magic is much good, as all she can do is talk to goats. She finally convinces her mother to let her go to market by herself, but when she meets a strange talking goat along the mountain trail, she realizes that even though she's just a humble goatherder, she has to help.
Honestly, the romance in this book felt a little forced, but otherwise, I'm a big fan of this book. The goats were authentic and adorable. The way this book combined political conflict with personal struggles resonates well and offers a lot to think about. I was suitably shocked by the climax but happy with the way things turned out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Honestly, the romance in this book felt a little forced, but otherwise, I'm a big fan of this book. The goats were authentic and adorable. The way this book combined political conflict with personal struggles resonates well and offers a lot to think about. I was suitably shocked by the climax but happy with the way things turned out.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 1, 2025
Goats? Magic? This sounded too chaotic and adorable to miss. And yes, it was both. This is a great story geared towards younger readers with a solid message about class and systems of oppression - and bonus, a queer relationship between our two MCs!
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Trill feels like her unique goat magic is dull and far too common compared to much cooler forms of magic and those that get to study in the city. However, she turns out to be the perfect person to help Princess Alya who is on the run, transformed into a goat.
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Their journey is funny, heartfelt, if a little convenient, but this is middle grade so we let that slide a little. There are great conversations throughout with various characters and we see the two not only grow closer, but grow as characters too.
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The art is lovely and the style is distinct, if a bit leaning towards the “bean mouth” that has gotten popular over the last few years. However, I found several panels to be quite stiff, especially when it came to action. I don’t think younger readers will mind the blockiness of the action but older readers will definitely notice and be taken out of the story with them.
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Overall, I think this is a great graphic novel that I would be delighted to put in the hands of middle grade readers, but would hesitate to recommend to older audiences.
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*I received an eARC from Oni Press & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍
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Trill feels like her unique goat magic is dull and far too common compared to much cooler forms of magic and those that get to study in the city. However, she turns out to be the perfect person to help Princess Alya who is on the run, transformed into a goat.
.
Their journey is funny, heartfelt, if a little convenient, but this is middle grade so we let that slide a little. There are great conversations throughout with various characters and we see the two not only grow closer, but grow as characters too.
.
The art is lovely and the style is distinct, if a bit leaning towards the “bean mouth” that has gotten popular over the last few years. However, I found several panels to be quite stiff, especially when it came to action. I don’t think younger readers will mind the blockiness of the action but older readers will definitely notice and be taken out of the story with them.
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Overall, I think this is a great graphic novel that I would be delighted to put in the hands of middle grade readers, but would hesitate to recommend to older audiences.
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*I received an eARC from Oni Press & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
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Hisses & Kisses 🐍
April 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of Goat Magic!
It tells the story of Trill a goat herder who has powers related to goats and she meets Alya- a princess who got cursed and transforms into a goat during the day.
I adored this book! The concept was rather unique and I enjoyed the Alya’s character development and various realisations on how the kingdom functions.
The drawings were so cute and I loved reading about how the author designed and worked on Goat Magic!
I would highly recommend it!!
It tells the story of Trill a goat herder who has powers related to goats and she meets Alya- a princess who got cursed and transforms into a goat during the day.
I adored this book! The concept was rather unique and I enjoyed the Alya’s character development and various realisations on how the kingdom functions.
The drawings were so cute and I loved reading about how the author designed and worked on Goat Magic!
I would highly recommend it!!
April 17, 2025
This is a wholesome story full of magic and goats.
Going into this graphic novel I expected to get a lighthearted story but it was a pleasant surprise that the story arc of the characters had an amazing development.
This is about a princess where she doesn't know if she will be ever fit to rule and about a girl that has the unique magic to talk to goats and consider this magic insubstantial. I loved both of them and I would highly recommend to take a look when it is published.
Going into this graphic novel I expected to get a lighthearted story but it was a pleasant surprise that the story arc of the characters had an amazing development.
This is about a princess where she doesn't know if she will be ever fit to rule and about a girl that has the unique magic to talk to goats and consider this magic insubstantial. I loved both of them and I would highly recommend to take a look when it is published.
June 29, 2025
Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A sweet graphic novel with a nice message, following the adventures of Trill, a goat herder, and Alya, a princess and heir, who has been through some difficult times.
At first I wasn't sure about the art style, but it grew on me, and I really enjoyed the interactions between our two main characters. As this book is called Goat Magic, I have to say that the goats were brilliant too!
A sweet graphic novel with a nice message, following the adventures of Trill, a goat herder, and Alya, a princess and heir, who has been through some difficult times.
At first I wasn't sure about the art style, but it grew on me, and I really enjoyed the interactions between our two main characters. As this book is called Goat Magic, I have to say that the goats were brilliant too!
March 4, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for this free eARC! All opinions are my own.
Middle school me would have absolutely been in love with this book. Goats have always been a part of my world. I love the idea of a character whose magic allows her to communicate with goats! This book brought me so much joy. #Edelweiss+
Middle school me would have absolutely been in love with this book. Goats have always been a part of my world. I love the idea of a character whose magic allows her to communicate with goats! This book brought me so much joy. #Edelweiss+
July 20, 2025
4/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, Oni Press and the author for an arc of “Goat Magic”. The aesthetic of this book and some aspects of the story reminded me of “The Emperor’s New Groove”, which is one of my favorite Disney movies! I found this story very endearing, loved to see al the goats!!
July 4, 2025
Many thanks to Oni Press for a copy.
So cute, so sweet. Very cool world building and character development. A little Shrek inspired but in a positive way and also not like shrek very much.
So cute, so sweet. Very cool world building and character development. A little Shrek inspired but in a positive way and also not like shrek very much.
May 16, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the e-ARC of Goat Magic!
5 / 5 ⭐
I've been lucky enough to read quite a few Oni Press ARCs, and Goat Magic is probably my favorite! Sweet and gentle in a way reminiscent of the Tea Dragon Society but with a rapidly approaching deadline with real ramifications, Goat Magic is a perfect blend of cozy and adventure.
5 / 5 ⭐
I've been lucky enough to read quite a few Oni Press ARCs, and Goat Magic is probably my favorite! Sweet and gentle in a way reminiscent of the Tea Dragon Society but with a rapidly approaching deadline with real ramifications, Goat Magic is a perfect blend of cozy and adventure.
Read
June 27, 2025Great worldbuilding!
August 29, 2025
A beautiful world built around a fun adventure, Goat Magic is all the things you want something titled Goat Magic to be. Whether it’s the choice of colors, detailed tools/weapons, or the sweet storyline, Goat Magic has something for all readers.
September 4, 2025
A lovely romp of a comic. Cozy and enjoyable and suitable for all ages.
August 26, 2025
What a fun adventure for all ages! I love Goat Magic!
July 14, 2025
From its suspenseful opening, Goat Magic immediately pulls you into a story that is both fun and profoundly deep. Kate Wheeler writes her characters—human and animal alike—with a delightful realism that makes every interaction feel authentic. The goats, in particular, are unpredictable, roguish marvels that steal every scene they’re in.
Beneath the enchanting story of a goatherd and a displaced princess lies a rich and deeply resonant subtext. The novel masterfully explores themes of political greed, classism, and the crushing weight of familial expectations. It’s a powerful call to action—a reminder that we always have the choice to break free from our constraints, embrace our true selves, and see our differences not as flaws, but as strengths.
This is a stunningly beautiful read that brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Goat Magic is a whole new level of amazing, and with it, Kate Wheeler has earned a permanent spot on my favorite author list.
Beneath the enchanting story of a goatherd and a displaced princess lies a rich and deeply resonant subtext. The novel masterfully explores themes of political greed, classism, and the crushing weight of familial expectations. It’s a powerful call to action—a reminder that we always have the choice to break free from our constraints, embrace our true selves, and see our differences not as flaws, but as strengths.
This is a stunningly beautiful read that brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Goat Magic is a whole new level of amazing, and with it, Kate Wheeler has earned a permanent spot on my favorite author list.
May 31, 2025
Goat Magic is charming, cozy graphic novel about a magical goat herder, Trill, her herd of adorable goats, and a cursed princess, Alya, in need of rescue. When Trill ventures through the mountains to bring her goats to market, she comes across a goat in need of rescue. But this goat isn’t actually a goat; she’s the princess! And there’s some bad people looking to capture her. As her simple trip to the market turns into a rescue mission, Trill learns to trust in her magic. Meanwhile, Alya learns how the people in her kingdom really feel about the royal family and finds some joy in letting go a bit while she’s a goat.
This graphic novel has a strong political underpinning, but focuses on how the state of the world affects our heroes. Trill and Alya are both strong in their own ways and each makes you want to route for them. I love the artwork and how it fills out the fantasy world. I also adore how expressive the characters (including the goats!) are! If you love goats, fun magic systems, or cozy adventures, this one is for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
This graphic novel has a strong political underpinning, but focuses on how the state of the world affects our heroes. Trill and Alya are both strong in their own ways and each makes you want to route for them. I love the artwork and how it fills out the fantasy world. I also adore how expressive the characters (including the goats!) are! If you love goats, fun magic systems, or cozy adventures, this one is for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
June 2, 2025
First I would like to thank NetGalley, the Author, the Artist and the Publisher for this ARC.
Hoooo, I really enjoyed this one!
It was a cute, heartfelt and recognizable story, with a lot of even cuter Goats! 😍😍😍
The story is about finding yourself, accepting yourself and finding your place in the world.
It's also about corruption, privilege and being blind to the world and people around you, due to the fact that you are raised in a castle, treated differently and have been thought the history your predecessors found accurate, and learning that there are two sides to a story.
I loved it and could not put it down.
Hoooo, I really enjoyed this one!
It was a cute, heartfelt and recognizable story, with a lot of even cuter Goats! 😍😍😍
The story is about finding yourself, accepting yourself and finding your place in the world.
It's also about corruption, privilege and being blind to the world and people around you, due to the fact that you are raised in a castle, treated differently and have been thought the history your predecessors found accurate, and learning that there are two sides to a story.
I loved it and could not put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2025
There’s a lot to appreciate about Kate Wheeler’s Goat Magic, a rather whimsical and magical fairytale-esque story that follows two girls on an epic journey. But there’s also a lot to feel quite meh about as they venture to return a princess to her home and save the kingdom along the way—moderately, I suppose, reminiscent of The Emperor’s New Groove, especially in how it falls in line with a very idealistic view of the ruling class learning to be better.
Perhaps this is a result of my being older or one of developed disillusionment as a result of the unending greed of those in power I’ve experienced so far in my life, but I can’t help feeling that it’s exceedingly unrealistic to hope that if you introduce a privileged royal to the horrors of what the powers that be have done to their people, suddenly said royal will be deeply invested in changing how things are. It instills what I believe to be a false hope in young readers, leading them only to extreme disappointment as they grow and learn more about the world.
I should know; I was one of them.
So, yeah. It’s a cute story. The girls and the magic are adorable. The artwork is creative and pretty and colorful. The journey their relationship and development take is nothing short of beautiful. But it’s idealistic to the point that I can’t help feeling how unfair it is for kids to grow up with these ideas surrounding them only to have those beliefs and ideals destroyed when they get older. It’s what the world should be, but it’s not what it is. And I suppose, with how often we see stories like this, it has just begun to feel disingenuous.
What I will give Goat Magic credit for, however, is the fact that there’s a true admittance to the fact that change—good change—cannot and will never happen overnight. It takes hard work and debate and argument and the right people fighting for change—and hopefully not finding themselves corrupted along the way.
I think, in the end, I can see Goat Magic as a starter story. But I implore parents not to forget to have a conversation about the world with their kids afterward.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Perhaps this is a result of my being older or one of developed disillusionment as a result of the unending greed of those in power I’ve experienced so far in my life, but I can’t help feeling that it’s exceedingly unrealistic to hope that if you introduce a privileged royal to the horrors of what the powers that be have done to their people, suddenly said royal will be deeply invested in changing how things are. It instills what I believe to be a false hope in young readers, leading them only to extreme disappointment as they grow and learn more about the world.
I should know; I was one of them.
So, yeah. It’s a cute story. The girls and the magic are adorable. The artwork is creative and pretty and colorful. The journey their relationship and development take is nothing short of beautiful. But it’s idealistic to the point that I can’t help feeling how unfair it is for kids to grow up with these ideas surrounding them only to have those beliefs and ideals destroyed when they get older. It’s what the world should be, but it’s not what it is. And I suppose, with how often we see stories like this, it has just begun to feel disingenuous.
What I will give Goat Magic credit for, however, is the fact that there’s a true admittance to the fact that change—good change—cannot and will never happen overnight. It takes hard work and debate and argument and the right people fighting for change—and hopefully not finding themselves corrupted along the way.
I think, in the end, I can see Goat Magic as a starter story. But I implore parents not to forget to have a conversation about the world with their kids afterward.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2025
Before I begin, I would like to thank Kate Wheeler for allowing me to read a Net Galley copy of her upcoming graphic novel, Goat Magic, which will be available on August 19th, 2025.
Goat herder Trill’s magic allows her to communicate with her flock, but she yearns for a life that doesn’t involve guarding goats in the mountains. She knows that her magic is probably too simple compared to the city’s infamous magic schools she’s forbidden to attend. In contrast, Princess Alya, or the “Ordinary Princess”, worries that she’ll ever be ready to take her place as ruler of Capeya. When there’s an assassination attempt on the queen, Alya finds herself cursed to transform into a goat every sunrise, and Trill agrees to help her figure out a way to break the enchantment. As they spend more time together, Trill and Alya form an impenetrable bond. Can Alya defeat those that betrayed her, claim her right to the throne, and guide an unstable kingdom to peace? Can Trill embrace her magic and the feelings that start to bloom for her new friend?
This was a wonderful book. You have Trill, a sassy, clever, kind, and lovely young girl that has spent her life caring for goats in the mountains and craves for something different. You have Alya, a sharp, honest, thoughtful, and pretty girl that feels confined by people’s expectations of her as the crown princess and wonders if she can ever live up to them. I enjoyed the interactions between Trill, her goats, and Alya. The art is gorgeous, and the developing romance is sweet. The magic system in this world is great, and I appreciated how the author handled the privileges that the upper class has often in detriment to the other working people and remain oblivious to their discontentment and anger. Overall, if you like beautiful art, fantastic worldbuilding, goats, LGBTQIA+ representation, and sweet romance, then I would highly recommend this book.
Goat herder Trill’s magic allows her to communicate with her flock, but she yearns for a life that doesn’t involve guarding goats in the mountains. She knows that her magic is probably too simple compared to the city’s infamous magic schools she’s forbidden to attend. In contrast, Princess Alya, or the “Ordinary Princess”, worries that she’ll ever be ready to take her place as ruler of Capeya. When there’s an assassination attempt on the queen, Alya finds herself cursed to transform into a goat every sunrise, and Trill agrees to help her figure out a way to break the enchantment. As they spend more time together, Trill and Alya form an impenetrable bond. Can Alya defeat those that betrayed her, claim her right to the throne, and guide an unstable kingdom to peace? Can Trill embrace her magic and the feelings that start to bloom for her new friend?
This was a wonderful book. You have Trill, a sassy, clever, kind, and lovely young girl that has spent her life caring for goats in the mountains and craves for something different. You have Alya, a sharp, honest, thoughtful, and pretty girl that feels confined by people’s expectations of her as the crown princess and wonders if she can ever live up to them. I enjoyed the interactions between Trill, her goats, and Alya. The art is gorgeous, and the developing romance is sweet. The magic system in this world is great, and I appreciated how the author handled the privileges that the upper class has often in detriment to the other working people and remain oblivious to their discontentment and anger. Overall, if you like beautiful art, fantastic worldbuilding, goats, LGBTQIA+ representation, and sweet romance, then I would highly recommend this book.
May 15, 2025
This was cute. As a big fan of goats, this called to me, and since the princess looks like my favorite goat, I was into it.
The art is fun, and it reminded me of Kay O'Neill's work (Tea Dragon Society, A Song for You & I, etc.). The world is interesting on a visual level, and there are some lovely two-page spreads of the fantastical landscapes. For a large portion of the story, I felt like the plot was pretty standard--not many surprises, but it is middle grade, and I've read more books than the target audience, so I was still having a good time.
I struggled at the end, though. The message of this book, more or less, seems to be that if you can just prove to the oligarchs in power that their deliberately unfair system is hurting people, then they'll stop doing the bad thing. Possible mild spoiler ahead: This was one of those books where I felt like the "bad guy" had a point, and while I'm not saying we should all come up with elaborate and needlessly complicated plans to curse our political enemies, I didn't love that the story re-consolidated power into the hands of the ruling class. The end felt extremely wishy-washy, and while I liked the characters, I wish that Wheeler hadn't fallen into the tired rut of this narrative that a benevolent ruler will save us from the ravages of a corrupt ruler without any other substantive changes to the system. There were also a number of plot holes that you can't look at too closely or the story falls apart, though at the risk of further spoilers I'll leave it at that.
Anyway, cute goats, cool world, but I feel like the narrative itself could have been stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC.
The art is fun, and it reminded me of Kay O'Neill's work (Tea Dragon Society, A Song for You & I, etc.). The world is interesting on a visual level, and there are some lovely two-page spreads of the fantastical landscapes. For a large portion of the story, I felt like the plot was pretty standard--not many surprises, but it is middle grade, and I've read more books than the target audience, so I was still having a good time.
I struggled at the end, though. The message of this book, more or less, seems to be that if you can just prove to the oligarchs in power that their deliberately unfair system is hurting people, then they'll stop doing the bad thing. Possible mild spoiler ahead: This was one of those books where I felt like the "bad guy" had a point, and while I'm not saying we should all come up with elaborate and needlessly complicated plans to curse our political enemies, I didn't love that the story re-consolidated power into the hands of the ruling class. The end felt extremely wishy-washy, and while I liked the characters, I wish that Wheeler hadn't fallen into the tired rut of this narrative that a benevolent ruler will save us from the ravages of a corrupt ruler without any other substantive changes to the system. There were also a number of plot holes that you can't look at too closely or the story falls apart, though at the risk of further spoilers I'll leave it at that.
Anyway, cute goats, cool world, but I feel like the narrative itself could have been stronger.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the ARC.
August 12, 2025
In one word, Goat Magic is delightful. This middle-grade fantasy graphic novel is full of charm, lovable characters, and, perhaps most importantly, fantastic goat art.
Trill, a spirited goat herder with a special talent (aka magic) for communicating with her flock, meets Princess Alya, who’s been cursed to turn into a goat during the day. What follows is an adventure full of magic, danger, friendship, and a gentle romance, all wrapped up in vibrant, immersive artwork. The world feels bold and lived-in, and the goats themselves are full of personality: expressive, funny, and endearing. Honestly, the best part for me.
Both Trill and Alya are distinct, relatable, and grow meaningfully over the course of the story. Their relationship is a joy to watch blossom. The worldbuilding and magic system are sprinkled with unique touches (especially the goat magic, come on), and I loved how the book uses magical education to explore themes of class divide and unequal opportunities for young readers.
That said, I think I might have been a bit too old for this one, or maybe just not in the right mood. It sometimes felt a little overhanded with its messaging, and the plot was fairly predictable. The beginning also had some slightly awkward pacing on Alya’s side of the story, but things smoothed out quickly.
Overall, this is a wholesome, gorgeously illustrated adventure with solid themes and truly outstanding goat illustrations. Middle-grade fantasy fans are going to love it.
Trill, a spirited goat herder with a special talent (aka magic) for communicating with her flock, meets Princess Alya, who’s been cursed to turn into a goat during the day. What follows is an adventure full of magic, danger, friendship, and a gentle romance, all wrapped up in vibrant, immersive artwork. The world feels bold and lived-in, and the goats themselves are full of personality: expressive, funny, and endearing. Honestly, the best part for me.
Both Trill and Alya are distinct, relatable, and grow meaningfully over the course of the story. Their relationship is a joy to watch blossom. The worldbuilding and magic system are sprinkled with unique touches (especially the goat magic, come on), and I loved how the book uses magical education to explore themes of class divide and unequal opportunities for young readers.
That said, I think I might have been a bit too old for this one, or maybe just not in the right mood. It sometimes felt a little overhanded with its messaging, and the plot was fairly predictable. The beginning also had some slightly awkward pacing on Alya’s side of the story, but things smoothed out quickly.
Overall, this is a wholesome, gorgeously illustrated adventure with solid themes and truly outstanding goat illustrations. Middle-grade fantasy fans are going to love it.
September 3, 2025
this is a very cute fantasy middle grade graphic novel. I want to say the characters might be a little older than middle grade but it reads like middle grade.
I don't remember their names so I apologize in advance but you have this goat herder who has goat magic and can essentially speak to goats and she sets out on this trek for something. I honestly cannot remember why she leaves home but she's going on an adventure with the goats and she stumbles upon these two scary looking dudes looking for their their goat and when she finds the goat it is badly taking care of and so she steals the goat and goes on her way.
turns out the stolen goat is actually the princess who is under a curse to turn into a goat everyday and back to a girl nightfall. so the two get to know each other and learn about each other's family and history is and each gained some insight into a different perspective than their own as well as start to fall for each other.
this is technically a sapphic story but because it's kids there's no on page anything. I want to say the kiss at some point but it's more that they're like together and working together and being together as a team than anything explicitly romantic if that makes sense. I hope I'm portraying that well enough that it's not done in a way that like minimizes the sapphickness of the story just makes it appropriate for young readers.
anyway this was really cute and I did enjoy it and what recommend it
I don't remember their names so I apologize in advance but you have this goat herder who has goat magic and can essentially speak to goats and she sets out on this trek for something. I honestly cannot remember why she leaves home but she's going on an adventure with the goats and she stumbles upon these two scary looking dudes looking for their their goat and when she finds the goat it is badly taking care of and so she steals the goat and goes on her way.
turns out the stolen goat is actually the princess who is under a curse to turn into a goat everyday and back to a girl nightfall. so the two get to know each other and learn about each other's family and history is and each gained some insight into a different perspective than their own as well as start to fall for each other.
this is technically a sapphic story but because it's kids there's no on page anything. I want to say the kiss at some point but it's more that they're like together and working together and being together as a team than anything explicitly romantic if that makes sense. I hope I'm portraying that well enough that it's not done in a way that like minimizes the sapphickness of the story just makes it appropriate for young readers.
anyway this was really cute and I did enjoy it and what recommend it
May 2, 2025
This was such a great story! So many elements of this story that I adored, the magic system being one of the big ones. The magic system in the book is so well done, and I think some elements have a basis in real-world "folk magic" pagan practices. The journey of this story does remind me faintly of Emperor's New Groove, but it's mostly the "royalty gets turned into an animal and has someone of a lower social status help them return to a human" concept that's doing that. I love that Alya learns more about herself, her people, and the state of her country on the journey to become human again! You can watch her grow as a person and a ruler. She doesn't shy away from the truth and tries to accept it honestly. I also adored that Trill learns to step into herself, and learn to accept herself and her magic. The way they both think of themselves as lesser, and together learn that no, they are NOT lesser, and it is so sweet to read. I also enjoyed the art style. It was a bit simple, and there are sketches of them prior to the book that had a style I adored. But the art is honestly great with how it handles page flow. Nothing is confusing, and there is equal attention paid to the details of characters and cities. I honestly think this book would do amazing as an animated movie or series!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 26, 2025
If you liked the world of Bergères Guerrières, then Goat Magic by Kate Wheeler is bound to appeal to you. As soon as you open the book, you're greeted by an adorable little map (admittedly a little simplistic, but which immediately sets the cute tone for the adventure).
The real charm of this graphic novel lies in its characters: a gallery of goats of various species, each more endearing than the last, an apprentice shepherdess and a mysterious black goat encountered along the way.
The magical aspect is also a strong point: here, magic is a privilege reserved for the rich, a superbly interesting idea, especially through the eyes of the princess, who takes a long time to realize the injustice this represents for the people. This is much more than a fantasy adventure: it's a story of awareness, maturity and transformation, where the characters really grow up before our very eyes.
I was far from expecting romance! (very cute, by the way)
Graphically, the drawings fit the mood perfectly: a style that exudes gentleness and humor, perfectly aligned with the story being told. It's impossible to close this book without dreaming of having a giant goat by your side!
In short: Goat Magic is an adorable little nugget, and I can't wait to see what Kate Wheeler has in store for us next.
The real charm of this graphic novel lies in its characters: a gallery of goats of various species, each more endearing than the last, an apprentice shepherdess and a mysterious black goat encountered along the way.
The magical aspect is also a strong point: here, magic is a privilege reserved for the rich, a superbly interesting idea, especially through the eyes of the princess, who takes a long time to realize the injustice this represents for the people. This is much more than a fantasy adventure: it's a story of awareness, maturity and transformation, where the characters really grow up before our very eyes.
I was far from expecting romance! (very cute, by the way)
Graphically, the drawings fit the mood perfectly: a style that exudes gentleness and humor, perfectly aligned with the story being told. It's impossible to close this book without dreaming of having a giant goat by your side!
In short: Goat Magic is an adorable little nugget, and I can't wait to see what Kate Wheeler has in store for us next.
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