Princess Alya is sure she’s a disappointment to her warrior queen mother. Dubbed “the Ordinary Princess,” she’s not especially skilled 
at combat or at magic. So when the royal traveling party is attacked, and the queen badly wounded, the best Alya can do is run away. Unfortunately, she can’t outrun the attackers’ magic, and now she is under a curse: during the day, she turns into a goat, and only returns to human form at night.
Trill is a goatherd from a remote mountain village. She wants to see the world and be a hero, but how can she do that when her strongest magical skill is the ability to communicate with goats? Trill’s magic does come in handy, though, especially when she meets a determined princess-turned-goat on a mission.
With the queen still recovering from her injuries and Princess Alya missing, a usurper has taken over. Alya needs to get to the palace and reclaim her throne. Trill agrees to help. The two (metaphorically) butt heads sometimes on their travels, but grow to like and respect each other – and maybe even more than that.
Meanwhile, traveling incognito means Alya hears the common people’s views on the royal family – and they’re not great. Even if she and Trill can reach the palace and overthrow the usurper, will the people accept the Ordinary Princess as their ruler? Can she find a way to fix the harm her family has caused? All of which might be a moot point, because if they don’t break the curse soon, Alya will be stuck as a goat forever.
This is a fun adventure with two brave, goodhearted heroines and a fascinating fantasy world. The setting has lots of unusual details, from the distinctive clothing and hairstyles to the giant goats kept by the mountain folk to the wildlife and food. The story, too, has depth. Alya is unaware of how the royal family has been gatekeeping the use of magic, and how that has impacted the common people; she has to really grapple with how to make it right.
The artwork is clear and uncluttered, with a soft color palette heavy on the earth tones. The characters are rendered simply, without a lot of fine detail, and their postures can sometimes look a little stiff, but they are expressive and easy to follow. The backgrounds – sweeping mountain landscapes, unusual architecture, bustling cities – have more complexity, though not enough to look mismatched or jarring. They also include interesting plants and creatures, making for an immersive fantasy world.
Content-wise, the story includes some brief violence, but very little blood and no deaths. There is some discussion of systemic violence and oppression. There is a very light romance with a single kiss at the end.
There is some fun back matter, including conceptual sketches of the characters and world as well as a step-by-step demo of how a page goes from thumbnail sketch to final version.
Goat Magic has action, heart, and some nifty fantasy worldbuilding. The stakes are too high and the danger too frequent to call it “cozy,” but it is perhaps cozy-adjacent, and will likely appeal to fans of gentle fantasy like The Baker and the Bard and the Tea Dragon series. The interesting fantasy setting, heroic quest, and political complexity may also appeal to fans of the Avatar: the Last Airbender series.
Goat Magic
By Kate Wheeler
Oni Press, 2025
ISBN: 9781637158050
Company Age Rating: 8-12
NFNT Age Recommendation: Middle Grade (7-11), Tween (10-13)
Creator Representation: Queer,
Character Representation: Queer,
