I almost skipped reading Muted: Volume 1 by Miranda Mundt. It looks too “girly” and maybe even a bit too graphic in the “thriller/horror” elements. And before I go much farther into the review: TRIGGERS include, but are not limited to: bullying, child death, parent death, fire, death, blood, a form of self-harm, form of racism towards other classes of witches, fantasy elements and mental abuse.
And even though the cover made me iffy about reading things, I did finally “pick up” the online reader. Due July of 2025, the illustrations of this originally WebToon story are the “make and break” for me. They are lush, colorful, dark, sensual, and push the story a bit more than the text. Yet, the story is also compelling. And while overall I liked this book, there were a few bumps for me. The background story does unfold well (we get it slowly within the story itself) but it also is painstakingly slow. With big bursts of “OH!ByTheWayLetUsRushThroughThis part we just tossed in at you.”
The people are interesting, but do you really trust anyone? Is our narrator reliable? At times, I am not sure I like our main character, even though she has had a terribly harsh life. I am not sure if I am invested enough in her. Then there are the plot points that are a bit predictable. And of course there is the question of “Are friends really friends? Who really is my enemy?” It does deal with power, some LGBGQ themes, loyalty, being different and more, but it also is a bit cliched in a few areas. This is not an original story. However, as I said,I enjoyed it. The “knowing” most before it happens has its comfort points. I do wish I had the full/finished story, though.
It is obviously not for everyone. This is not just because of the darker parts, or harder to read parts, but it is fantasy, magical and has a realistic-romantic feeling combined with that other worldly. It is set in the south and the swamps are not the only thing that is hot. It is a coming of age story that we know: finding your past, present and future. I do like the illustrations and would frame some of them. And as a small spoiler: I am really LOVING that some of the witches have alligators for familiars.