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marissasa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is so raw and relatable because I know so many queer Asian American girls who had a weird high school relationship with a white person that ended in a break up. I like that this story doesn't shy away from the ugly sides of messy, toxic, teenage relationships both romantic and platonic. We are not always good friends when we get consumed by romance and there are times when we come back to the same person who keeps hurting us again and again. The main characters were a bit annoying and insufferable at times but even that is so realistic, and was very much an intentional choice. I really liked the side characters and the effortless queer diversity that felt true to the Berkeley social life I also experienced, and of course the art is gorgeous, stylish, and really enjoyable to look at too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, Homophobia, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
woodiefrog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Absolutely stunning. Best graphic novel I had the fortune to encounter in 2024. Masterly combined the struggles of coming-of-age, queer identity, and queer relationships as well as debated issues in the community itself. The art elevates the story so much. I weep for how effectively simple the lines and shading are.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, and Homophobia
chocolate_pondue's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
As someone who has gone through what Freddy has gone through, this book hit close to home. It was beautifully illustrated, very reflective, with a great happy ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
bekkysaurus_rex's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This graphic novel had been on my radar for yonks and then I finally got to it this year.
It was an interesting read. The exploration of a toxic relationship and its affects was interesting, however, the main character's choices did frustrate me a little and I struggled to like her, and while I know that it was definitely part of what the artist and author was trying to show, and that characters aren't always going to be loveable, I didn't love it. I also didn't love the ending which didn't fully show the reconciliation between the main character and those she had hurt, which is unusual for me because I am a big fan of open ended endings, but I felt I needed more.
However, I still think the author wrote a good and important story and I love their art style and the colours they used. So great!
It was an interesting read. The exploration of a toxic relationship and its affects was interesting, however, the main character's choices did frustrate me a little and I struggled to like her, and while I know that it was definitely part of what the artist and author was trying to show, and that characters aren't always going to be loveable, I didn't love it. I also didn't love the ending which didn't fully show the reconciliation between the main character and those she had hurt, which is unusual for me because I am a big fan of open ended endings, but I felt I needed more.
However, I still think the author wrote a good and important story and I love their art style and the colours they used. So great!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Abortion, and Adult/minor relationship
pynklaady's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Abortion and Adult/minor relationship
theinfinitebookcase's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
dynamogk's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Abortion, and Pregnancy
Minor: Homophobia
helendipietro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Another 5* YA graphic novel! I’m so grateful to have discovered this genre and know I would have loved them as a young person! The colour scheme and artwork in this one is outstanding and felt really intentional, adding emotion to the story. For me personally, I would have preferred more dialogue to really connect with the characters and story more but I think re reading it will give me a lot more next time!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
tiredcath's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
4.0
“I’m aware that I should be grateful that I have the ability to get broken up with and publicly humiliated the same as my hetero friends.
I am progress.”
An honest coming of age story about love, friendship, and being a young lesbian finding their way through the world.
I found the art style incredibly beautiful. The uses of pinks in an otherwise black and white novel was really well done. I appreciate Freddy’s growth, it felt natural and a realistic portrayal of realizing what you want may not be what you need.
I am progress.”
An honest coming of age story about love, friendship, and being a young lesbian finding their way through the world.
I found the art style incredibly beautiful. The uses of pinks in an otherwise black and white novel was really well done. I appreciate Freddy’s growth, it felt natural and a realistic portrayal of realizing what you want may not be what you need.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Abortion
arlaubscher's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Adult/minor relationship, and Abortion
Minor: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Rape