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calamitywindpetal's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
oddduck's review against another edition
5.0
I remain Not a Sports Person and Ngozi Ukazu is probably the only person who can make me even approach enjoying sports.
I loved all of the characters. They're all so distinct (though I had a hard time remembering names, because we get introduced to so many at once) and interesting and fun. All of the different designs and personalities were really well done! Honestly, I loved the characters so much that my biggest complaint about this book is that I didn't get to spend enough time with them. I'd love to see them doing all the boring college stuff together and slowly becoming friends. There's a bit of that, but due to this being a very plot driven story, it's not the focus. Not a bad thing, and I'm very satisfied overall, but I would not have been annoyed if this had been longer.
There were several things in the plot that I'm going to have to just handwave as either "private art school" or "artistic liberty" because they did not make logical sense to me (that an entire team could retroactively be awarded an athletic scholarship?? I'll buy it in a fictional private college, but I'd have a very hard believing that in real life, and definitely not at a public university). Beyond that, I'm not sure if the plot actually was a bit predictable, or if I'm just familiar enough with how Ngozi Ukazu structures stories, but I figured out most of the big reveals well before they happen. Granted, the first one, I was only about 50% serious when I guessed (who Susanna's mom was/why the Dean kept showing up to games ), but the others I was serious about (losing the final game and the other scholarship loophole, including which scholarship they'd get ). Fortunately, I'm a person who can have the entire plot spoiled and still enjoy reading the story, so this was actually fun for me.
Overall, super enjoyable to read. If you liked Check Please, you'll probably like this too.
I loved all of the characters. They're all so distinct (though I had a hard time remembering names, because we get introduced to so many at once) and interesting and fun. All of the different designs and personalities were really well done! Honestly, I loved the characters so much that my biggest complaint about this book is that I didn't get to spend enough time with them. I'd love to see them doing all the boring college stuff together and slowly becoming friends. There's a bit of that, but due to this being a very plot driven story, it's not the focus. Not a bad thing, and I'm very satisfied overall, but I would not have been annoyed if this had been longer.
There were several things in the plot that I'm going to have to just handwave as either "private art school" or "artistic liberty" because they did not make logical sense to me (that an entire team could retroactively be awarded an athletic scholarship?? I'll buy it in a fictional private college, but I'd have a very hard believing that in real life, and definitely not at a public university). Beyond that, I'm not sure if the plot actually was a bit predictable, or if I'm just familiar enough with how Ngozi Ukazu structures stories, but I figured out most of the big reveals well before they happen. Granted, the first one, I was only about 50% serious when I guessed (
Overall, super enjoyable to read. If you liked Check Please, you'll probably like this too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
ezwolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
BUNT! is about college freshman, Molly, who was promised a full ride scholarship, only to discover that she actually has no scholarship. While considering the alternatives, Molly finds a softball scholarship, where if her team can win at least one game, it’s theirs.
I am not a sports person at all, but Ngozi Ukazu has already got me to read a whole webcomic about hockey, so of course I was ready to read about softball! This was such a fun graphic novel that really highlights some of the issues with universities and gentrification.
Everyone on the team was unique and fun and added so much to the group and the story. Molly and Ryan’s friendship felt so genuine but I just really loved the team as a whole. The way they all joined the team for their own reasons but by the end were all there for each other, that’s one of my favorite kind of stories.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
I am not a sports person at all, but Ngozi Ukazu has already got me to read a whole webcomic about hockey, so of course I was ready to read about softball! This was such a fun graphic novel that really highlights some of the issues with universities and gentrification.
Everyone on the team was unique and fun and added so much to the group and the story. Molly and Ryan’s friendship felt so genuine but I just really loved the team as a whole. The way they all joined the team for their own reasons but by the end were all there for each other, that’s one of my favorite kind of stories.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Molly Bauer is ready to start her first year at PICA, a prestigious art school. However, on day one, she learns that the full ride scholarship she was counting on has suddenly vanished! Now she has to scramble to figure out how to pay for school–ideally without taking out any loans.
Looking through PICA’s financial aid documents, Molly discovers a loophole. If she can gather together 9 other PICA students to start a softball team, they can get a sports scholarship. That is, if they can win at least one game of the season. Can a group of art students pull it together to win before the end of the season?
Thanks to NetGalley and First Second for an advanced copy of Bunt! Striking Out on Financial Aid by Ngozi Ukazu to review. This is Ukazu’s first graphic novel since Check Please!, and I was so excited to check this one out. I am happy to report that it absolutely does not disappoint!
Let me start by saying this might be one of the funniest graphic novels I’ve read in a while. And I read a lot of graphic novels. The entire premise: a group of art students attempting to play softball to earn college tuition, is funny on its own. But then you add the cast that Ukazu has created and you’ll be hooked right from the beginning.
Ukazu doesn’t illustrate this one, but Mad Rupert does an excellent job bringing this story to life. The colors are vibrant, the art style fits the overall tone of the story, and brings a lot of life to the cast of quirky characters. I loved it from start to finish.
Underneath the silly antics of the characters is a slightly more serious tone about whether or not it’s really worth it to go to school to study art. Molly struggles with this, especially when she realizes she might have to pay for school herself. Her process and ultimate decision at the end of the book is one that I think teens will relate to, even if they’re not going to art school. It applies generally to college as well.
All in all, this was one of my most-anticipated graphic novels of 2024, and I’m so glad it lived up to my expectations. Definitely check it out when it comes out this February!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Cursing
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Cursing
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