Book Review: Muirwood: The Lost Abbey issue #1

Book: Muirwood: The Lost Abbey issue #1 story by Jeff Wheeler, written by Matthew Sturges and Dave Justus with illustration by Alex Sheikman and color by Lizzy John

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Publisher: Jet City Comics

Description:

Told in graphic novel form, Muirwood: The Lost Abbey introduces an all-new chapter in Jeff Wheeler’s Muirwood universe.

Maia, the daughter of the king of Comoros, has been banished, her rank and station taken away. Although magic is forbidden of women in her world, Maia secretly learned...and now her desperate father has sent her on a dangerous quest to save their kingdom. Protected by a hired killer, Maia voyages to another realm—the cursed shores of Dahomey, where an ancient Blight has destroyed all the inhabitants. Maia believes she can restore the deadly lands by using her magic medallion, but if she’s discovered wielding her clandestine power, she will most certainly be hunted down and killed.

From renowned fantasy writers Jeff Wheeler, Matthew Sturges (Jack of Fables, House of Mystery), and Dave Justus (Fables: The Wolf Among Us), featuring stunning art by Alex Sheikman (Dark Crystal: Creation Myths) and Lizzy John (Dark Crystal: Creation Myths). Covers by Inaki Miranda (Fairest).


Issues #1 description:

Maia, the daughter of the king of Comoros, has been banished. Magic is forbidden of women, but Maia secretly learned, and now her desperate father sends Maia on a deadly quest to save the kingdom.



Rating: 2 stars

Review:

This was okay, it's a misogynistic story where supposedly a group of women who possessed magic somehow ruined the kingdom. And ever since then women are now forbidden the use of magic and even to have an education.

Years ago the despicable King of Muirwood had not only sent away both his wife and daughter but also stripped them of their titles of Queen and Princess. The former Princess Marciana "Maia" Soliven was currently living in a rundown manor when the King sent for her. He needed her to travel to a far away land on an extremely deadly quest to save the kingdom but to do that she will need to use the magic that she was illegally taught along with a magical medallion called a Kyrstel. To use her gifts would put her in danger since women are not to wield magic.

This first issue didn't leave me interested in following Maia's journey. I thought the writing was good but the story was slow moving and ultimately I have no desire to read about a world where women are treated poorly. Maybe at some point I might be inclined to read the rest of the issues but for now I'm going to pass. I hope at the end of the finale issue Maia reclaims her title and restores the honor of women in this bleak world.