Reviews

Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Only show reviews with written explanations

I enjoyed this book, especially in combination with its companion, [b:Boxers|17210470|Boxers (Boxers & Saints, #1)|Gene Luen Yang|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1359199413s/17210470.jpg|23691809]. Together, these books provide what many can't: both sides of a story, without being biased towards one or the other. Both of these can be read on their own, but really do better together, as there are parts in which the stories intersect.

In Saints, we follow Vibiana (or Four-Girl) as she finds a way out of a bad home through Christianity. She begins seeing visions of Joan of Arc and believes she's to become a female warrior for Christ. This works well as a piece of multicultural literature, as well as a piece of Christian literature--though some Christians may not be happy with the outcome.

The graphic style is wonderful, particularly the use of color. Most of the colors are muted, but the visions Vibiana has are beautiful gold.

booksteabedby7's review

Go to review page

4.0

The second volume, following Boxers, was extraordinarily hard hitting. I don’t want to say much as having no idea what to expect certainly made this more interesting for me. What a story, though.

shelitelschow's review

Go to review page

4.0

Good stuff

aaronentaylor's review

Go to review page

adventurous sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

elizabethwillett's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

appalachian_singer's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tx2its's review

Go to review page

4.0

Reading 2019
Book 142: Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

So this list popped up, 29 Best YA graphic novels to read now. I put as many on hold at the library as they had available. These are two separate books told from different perspectives of the same events.

The Boxer Rebellion taking place right around the turn of the 20th century in China. The peasants are rising up against the foreigners invading their countryside, the books focus on the two sides of the Christian part of the rebellion. The main character in each book is very strong, opinionated, and has a significant event that leads them toward rebellion, both feeling righteous in their quest.

I really enjoyed the perspective of each of the books, but as a whole the Boxers book better. Boxers was better developed, and Saints seemed a bit more hurried. This set was so interesting, something different than I have read before. The books are by the author of American Born Chinese, that I also enjoyed. Reviews are mixed, one says grade 9 and up, another ages 12 and older. For my classroom library I would say split the difference and 8th grade and older. The whole discussion of the female YIN might be a bit much for 7th grade boys that would be drawn to the books, especially Boxers.My rating 4⭐️

archipeligo's review

Go to review page

5.0

this books ends up being a really lovely companion book to Boxers. Imo, it's better read after Boxers, which sets up a lot of things in this book, especially the eyes and hands motif. A very beautiful/heart-breaking ending.