In the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, many innocent individuals fell victim to mass hysteria and paranoia. Dorcas Good, a four-year-old child, was one of the accused witches during this dark period in American history. Despite her age and innocence, she became entangled in the frenzy that gripped the town. Dorcas Good was the daughter of Sarah Good, a homeless woman who had already been accused of witchcraft. Sarah's poverty and unconventional behavior made her a prime target for accusations. However, it was the accusation against her daughter that truly shocked and horrified the community.
“In this fantastic reimagining of the popular magical girl genre, Kao sticks to classic genre conventions while considering a important question: What happens when a person granted the cosmic powers of a magical girl is actually a trans boy? . . . Using a classic manga art style in full color, Kao keeps the story fun and exciting while tackling real-life issues Max faces.” – Booklist, Starred Review
He started his career through a series of comic strips surrounding his daily life and since then has freelanced, self-published, as well as collaborated in a few crowdfunded comic anthologies, all under The Kao name. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max s life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret he s descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil.
However, it was the accusation against her daughter that truly shocked and horrified the community. The main accusation against Dorcas was that she had afflicted another child with a bewitching spell. Ann Putnam Jr.
Magical Boy Volume 2: A Graphic Novel (Hardcover)
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max—a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy!
Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max's life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil!
For decades, Devoid and his minions have been sealed away, with each generation's magical girl protecting the seal and our world. But as the millennia have passed, more and more cracks have appeared in the weakening seal. Now, the seal is open, evil is pouring into our world, and only Max can defeat it.
A hilarious and heartfelt riff on the magical girl genre made popular by teen manga series, Magical Boy is a one-of-a-kind fantasy series that comic readers of all ages will love.
The Kao is Vincent Kao, an illustrator and comic artist known for his slice-of-life web series, Mondo Mango , and the Prism Award-winning webcomic, Magical Boy - both original series available at Tapas. Vincent graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. He started his career through a series of comic strips surrounding his daily life and since then has freelanced, self-published, as well as collaborated in a few crowdfunded comic anthologies, all under "The Kao" name. To this day, he continues to work on his illustrations and comics in hopes to inspire and bring joy to everyone around him. For more information, please visit www.thekao.net.
- Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / LGBTQ+
- Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Fantasy
- Young Adult Fiction / Comics & Graphic Novels / Manga
- Kobo eBook (September 5th, 2022): $9.99
- Paperback (September 6th, 2022): $15.99
Praise for Magical Boy Volume 1
“In this fantastic reimagining of the popular magical girl genre, Kao sticks to classic genre conventions while considering a important question: What happens when a person granted the cosmic powers of a magical girl is actually a trans boy? . . . Using a classic manga art style in full color, Kao keeps the story fun and exciting while tackling real-life issues Max faces.” – Booklist, Starred Review
A Texas Librarian Association Maverick Graphic Novels Reading List Pick
A 2023 American Library Association Rainbow Book List Selection
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max—a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy!
, one of the young girls who started the witchcraft claims, claimed that Dorcas had attacked her through invisible forces. This accusation sparked further anxiety and fear among the already suspicious colonists. The fact that Dorcas was just a child did not matter to the accusers. In the midst of the hysteria, any person, regardless of age or social standing, could be targeted. The townspeople were desperate for an explanation for the inexplicable events occurring in their community, and they latched onto the idea of witchcraft as a way to find answers. Dorcas found herself imprisoned, alongside her mother and many others accused of witchcraft. The conditions were harsh, and the accused faced public ridicule and humiliation. They were subjected to harsh interrogations and often forced to make false confessions. Despite the lack of evidence and the obvious innocence of a four-year-old child, the court refused to dismiss the case against Dorcas. The judges and the jury seemed blinded by their own fears and prejudices, leading to a grave miscarriage of justice. Fortunately, Dorcas was eventually released from prison, along with her mother and the others accused. However, the damage had already been done. Lives were ruined, families torn apart, and a community left scarred by the events of the Salem Witch Trials. The case of Dorcas Good serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the destructive power of fear. Even the most vulnerable members of society, such as a young child, can become victims of unchecked paranoia. It is a sobering lesson from history and a cautionary tale for future generations..
Reviews for "The Forgotten Victim: Exploring the Story of Dorcas in Salem"
1. John Doe - 1 star - I found "Dorcas accused of being a witch in Salem" to be a complete waste of time. The writing was amateurish, with poorly developed characters and a predictable plot. The author's attempt to capture the historical setting of the Salem witch trials fell flat, as there was a lack of depth and authenticity in the portrayal. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars - Although "Dorcas accused of being a witch in Salem" had an intriguing premise, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. While I appreciate the author's attempt to explore the Salem witch trials, I was left wanting more depth and complexity. Overall, this book had potential but failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.
3. Sarah Johnson - 1 star - "Dorcas accused of being a witch in Salem" was a disappointment from start to finish. The writing was riddled with cliches and lacked any originality. The characters felt one-dimensional, making it impossible to care about their fates. The author's attempt to create tension and suspense fell flat, leaving me bored and uninterested. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating historical fiction read.