Reviews

Lumberjanes, Vol. 5: Band Together by Kat Leyh, Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, Shannon Watters

_mjmp_'s review

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bree_h_reads's review

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Violence

carolinamoon's review

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

emily_mh's review

lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

This was a perfectly serviceable “filler” novel of Lumberjanes. The story wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but it nicely tied the various plot threads together: a struggling mermaid friendship (because OF COURSE there are mermaids in the lake), Battle of the Mermaid Bands, Ripley and Bubbles’ upcoming performance, and some character development for April. I like that we got to see a vulnerable side to April here; she can come across as totally self-assured and confident, so it was nice to see another layer to her character.

I didn’t like the art style of this volume unfortunately. Carolyn Nowak’s issue covers were spectacular, but her work on the comic content itself felt rushed and lacking in comparison.

At one point it is implied that Harlow, the main merperson in the story, is the mermaid equivalent of a TERF. This view is not endorsed by the authors; it is treated as something that Harlow needs to change. But given the significance of this topic, I don’t think this should have been briefly mentioned in a panel near the end and then immediately moved on from. It needed proper page space, especially seeing as Harlow was a character we were supposed to root for!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Ableism, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Transphobia, and Violence

Minor: fainting, volcano, adverse weather

talasterism's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

higher rating for mermaids. also just the merwymen bit and for the constant "how does this equipment even work underwater" CAUSE ITS SO TRUE i dont like the art/style change so much but again gotta give it to the mermaids....

becreally's review

lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

greenleafbooks's review

5.0

I loved this volume! The flashbacks of when the Roanoke girls first came to the camp were so cute and I liked seeing all of their families. Also this volume had mermaids so obviously I’m giving it 5 stars :).

ellejaoy's review against another edition

3.0

Some changes I don’t like as much..

The art changes in this one for majority of it. I don’t like the new style as much and it really made me sad. However I loved the throwback to see how the girls arrived at camp!!

kellbells's review

4.0

Add "Mermaid Lemonade Stand" to the list of fictional books I really want to read.

gabalodon's review

5.0

I always love these, and this one had rock mermaids so I loved it even more than usual.