Hex Vet – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hex Vet

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

87%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Think 'All Creatures Great and Small' but with more magic wands and significantly fewer actual cow births.

Hex Vet

book

2018

87%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

Think 'All Creatures Great and Small' but with more magic wands and significantly fewer actual cow births.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

Hex Vet is a total win for parents looking for 'low-stress' fantasy. It avoids the dark, brooding tropes that have taken over a lot of middle-grade fiction lately, opting instead for a story about being helpful and getting the job done.

It’s not 'brain rot'—it’s actually quite smart about how it handles the responsibilities of the two main characters. If you have a kid who loves animals and is starting to get into graphic novels, this is a much better pick than some of the more generic tie-in comics you'll find on the shelves.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 7 to 11 crowd. It’s sophisticated enough for a 5th grader to enjoy the world-building, but simple and visual enough for a 2nd grader to follow along without getting lost in the weeds.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It centers on two apprentices, Nan and Clarion, who spend their time caring for magical animals. It models professional responsibility, kindness toward creatures, and a solid partnership between the two leads without unnecessary drama.

Imaginative

The 'magical veterinarian' concept is a clever twist on the standard witch-school trope. Davies populates the clinic with creative creatures that require unique magical treatments, which keeps the world-building fresh.

Safe

This is about as safe as it gets for middle-grade readers. Even the 'dangerous' creatures are drawn with a soft, playful aesthetic that prioritizes 'cute' over 'creepy.' No gore, no heavy mature themes, and no shock value.

Enriching

It encourages empathy and the idea that even magical problems require hard work and attention to detail. It’s a great 'career-adjacent' fantasy that shows the value of apprenticeship and steady learning.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

It trades the usual 'save the world' stakes for 'save this weird magical cat' stakes, which is a refreshing change of pace.
Sam Davies' artwork is vibrant, expressive, and moves the story along at a clip that won't lose a kid's attention.
The focus on caretaking and empathy for animals (even the grumpy ones) is a great message that doesn't feel like a lecture.
It’s a fantastic gateway for kids who aren't quite ready for the intensity of 'Wings of Fire' but want a fantasy world to live in.

⚠

What to Watch For

The stakes are relatively low, so if your kid only likes high-octane battle scenes, they might find this too 'chill.'
There are some slightly 'spooky' magical bugs and creatures, but they're mostly just misunderstood or in need of a bath.

Conversation Starters

"If you worked at a magical vet clinic, which creature would you be most afraid to give a check-up to?"
"Nan and Clarion have very different personalities—which one do you think is better at handling the 'hex' part of the job?"
"Why do you think the author chose to make the scary creatures look more 'cute' than 'monstrous'?"
"If our pet suddenly started floating or breathing bubbles, what's the first thing you'd do?"

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