BROOMS is a powerful queer & witchy graphic novel by Jasmine Walls and Teo DuVall. It’s set in 1930s Mississippi, where magic use is limited and broom racing is banned. But some witches see broom racing as the only way to make enough money to leave the state for good, or as a way to avoid government officials who want to send young witches away to a boarding school that will prevent them from using their ancestral magic. For other witches, it's a way to be true to themselves. This book follows six BIPOC witches as they turn to broom racing as the only way out of their hardships.

This graphic novel tells the heart-wrenching story of what it feels like to have things taken away from you—your magic, identity, and ability to live as your true self while living in a constant state of fear. But it also shows the importance of fighting back and reclaiming your power; of believing in yourself and knowing that no one can ever steal what’s rightfully yours. This story actively chooses not to focus on pain and hatred, and instead focuses on love, community and acceptance. It allows us to dream of a kinder world and imagine what’s possible. 

The characters resist colonialism by embracing who they are, which is a beautiful thing to witness. They fight for survival in the face of injustice, and they lean on each other through it all. Their friendship is the glue that holds the book together, and although there are six main characters the story feels well-balanced and each witch has enough time to tell her story. Their ancestral and familial ties to magic guides them and moves the story forward.

BROOMS is a profound and thoughtful exploration of what it’s like to be a rebellious queer woman of colour in the face of adversity, but also a tender and magical story about friendship and community. 

My thanks to NetGalley and Levine Querido for providing me with an eARC.