Evil-ish by Kennedy Tarrell
Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group (July 2025)
Reviewed by Joshua Gage
Kennedy Tarrell (She/They) is a Los-Angeles based writer, storyboard artist, and comic-maker. She’s currently working as a story artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios, most recently on Wish. She’s also written, storyboarded, or developed in both the feature and TV space for clients including Cartoon Network, Netflix Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and WB. In the publishing space, her debut YA graphic novel, Evil-ish, is now available.
Hawthorne Vandercast has big plans: join the infamous Brigade of Shade, move into a glamorous castle, and leave their mundane life as a potion barista behind. But when they finally get the chance to join the Brigade, Hawthorne finds themselves overshadowed by Maple, a bubbly, bright, flowery girl who could not look further from evil. After Hawthorne accidentally destroys Lady Wrath, head of the Brigade of Shade, Hawthorne is suddenly tasked with leading the Brigade. They soon begin to realize that maybe villainy isn’t actually all it’s cracked up to be, especially when Maple reveals that there’s more to her than anyone first assumed.
Kennedy Tarrell has written a compelling tale for teens who feel out of place in their world. Hawthorne doesn’t fit in at home, doesn’t fit in in town, etc. Their dreams are within reach, though, and this quickly becomes a tale about getting more than one bargained for when they finally achieve their dreams. The tale delves into discussions of evil and good, what true evil looks like, and how those who are hurt and vulnerable often have the capacity for both good and evil in great amounts.
This is a book geared for teen readers, especially teens who are parts of fandom. Hawthorne Vandercast is a perfect protagonist for this tale, and their feelings of isolation and not belonging are palpable throughout. The foil of the perennially upbeat Maple works well, and the plot discusses large concepts in a way that teens will not feel lectured too. While teens are the target audience, any reader who has ever felt isolation for enjoying horror or dark things will find something in this book and will be able to identify with Hawthorne and Maple.
