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dinipandareads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
If you're like me and you pick this up solely because of the cover, and you don't look at the synopsis, you might go into this thinking it'll be a cute story about... Sheets? Turns out, while there are many sheets involved, it's not at all the light-hearted cutesy story that I thought it would be. This deals with heavy themes of death, grief, belonging, and loneliness. It's told from two main POVs, Marjorie a living girl and Wendell, a young ghost boy. My heart hurt for Marjorie and all that she was dealing with—from the grief of losing her mother, an absent father who's lost to grief and depression, and running a family business that's being sabotaged by a nasty man. She's such a resilient character who was easy to empathise with. Wendell was also a character whose story made my heart feel heavy. He doesn't feel like he belongs in the land of ghosts and goes to the human world and lands in Marjorie's family laundromat by chance. The Land of Ghosts and the story behind the community of young ghosts who exist there with Wendell made my heart hurt even more! But I loved the way they still had fun and stuck by each other, even when they didn't always get along. I also appreciated how the author delineated between the living world in colour and the land of ghosts in monochrome. I also think that the heavy themes were handled well and touched on sensitively, if not a bit lightly. I did want a bit more depth to the story, especially Marj's interactions with the other characters in the story like her swim coach and the popular jock who rocks up out of nowhere in the end (although he has some presence from the beginning). I hope that this will be explored further in subsequent books in the series!
Also, thankfully, both our MCs' stories end on a more positive note which signifies that everything is going to be alright. Overall, if you can handle a sadder read, it's worthwhile picking it up for a wonderfully illustrated story about death, grief and belonging. I'm glad I finally read it :)
Also, thankfully, both our MCs' stories end on a more positive note which signifies that everything is going to be alright. Overall, if you can handle a sadder read, it's worthwhile picking it up for a wonderfully illustrated story about death, grief and belonging. I'm glad I finally read it :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Death
small_shrimp's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Child death
samarakroeger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
loved the color palette of this book. cool art. it didn't really leave an impact on me (but I'm not the target demographic). I guess this was my ~spooky~ book for October? there's ghosts in here but it's not remotely scary or creepy (and I didn't expect it to be).
if I found the rest of the series at half price books or the library, I'd pick them up but it's not something I plan on going out of my way for.
if I found the rest of the series at half price books or the library, I'd pick them up but it's not something I plan on going out of my way for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
vj_thompson's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was so cute. I loved the duel story and worlds. The more serious topics discussed was done very well. The art is GORGEOUS!! Some of the scenes are phone wallpaper worthy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, Excrement, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Abandonment, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcoholism
emilywemily6's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a cute palette cleanser! I loved the artistic style/colors. I also found the premise unique, between the laundromat and the land of ghosts coinciding in the story. There were some dark themes glanced upon and yet lots of lighthearted moments. The ending wrapped up too quickly but was so heartfelt. I also found that the businessman trying to sabotage the laundromat distracted from some of the deeper themes touched on in the book. Overall, an enjoyable quick read unlike anything I’ve read before.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Child death, and Death of parent
emikateb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death and Classism
Minor: Alcoholism
rhiannon814r's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Grief, and Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Classism
curiousmadra's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks Netgalley and publisher for automatically allowing me to read this graphic novel.
I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and often felt bad for Marjorie who is pretty much a loner as well as trying her best to manage her late mother’s laundrette. She is always harassed by greedy fat businessman Nigel who really wants the laundrette to turn into a “five star hotel with the family living happily in accommodation”. She then meets ghost sheet boy Wendell who pretty much might as well be the main hero in this story since he pretty much saved the day no problem with his ghost homies lol..
Even though I wish it didn’t have such an abrupt ending to which it didn’t really give us a chance to see Wendell find Marjorie’s mother. Again it only just rushed to Wendell saving the day but still, I recommend it since it was enjoyable and easy to read..
I enjoyed reading this graphic novel and often felt bad for Marjorie who is pretty much a loner as well as trying her best to manage her late mother’s laundrette. She is always harassed by greedy fat businessman Nigel who really wants the laundrette to turn into a “five star hotel with the family living happily in accommodation”. She then meets ghost sheet boy Wendell who pretty much might as well be the main hero in this story since he pretty much saved the day no problem with his ghost homies lol..
Even though I wish it didn’t have such an abrupt ending to which it didn’t really give us a chance to see Wendell find Marjorie’s mother. Again it only just rushed to Wendell saving the day but still, I recommend it since it was enjoyable and easy to read..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Bullying
ruthhelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This has been on my to read list for a few years now, so I was really happy to get a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Marjorie is not having the easiest time, even compared to other 13 year old girls. Her mum has passed away and ever since her dad has been like a ghost, floating around their home and family laundromat and barely speaking, leaving Majorie to handle running the business, looking after them all and somehow staying on top of school work. A local ghoul of another type in the shape of a man is hovering, forcing his hostile plans to open a spa in the building Majorie and her family call home by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, another more literal ghost is trying to grapple with the afterlife.
I really enjoyed this book. It handled grief and mental health incredibly well, and the artwork is beautiful. I feel it would be a wonderful addition to any middle school or high school library, and would really enrich the lives of anyone who read it, particularly as an age appropriate tool to start conversations and spark empathy.
As an adult I also really enjoyed reading and will be on the look out for other books by the same author.
Marjorie is not having the easiest time, even compared to other 13 year old girls. Her mum has passed away and ever since her dad has been like a ghost, floating around their home and family laundromat and barely speaking, leaving Majorie to handle running the business, looking after them all and somehow staying on top of school work. A local ghoul of another type in the shape of a man is hovering, forcing his hostile plans to open a spa in the building Majorie and her family call home by any means necessary.
Meanwhile, another more literal ghost is trying to grapple with the afterlife.
I really enjoyed this book. It handled grief and mental health incredibly well, and the artwork is beautiful. I feel it would be a wonderful addition to any middle school or high school library, and would really enrich the lives of anyone who read it, particularly as an age appropriate tool to start conversations and spark empathy.
As an adult I also really enjoyed reading and will be on the look out for other books by the same author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Death, Gaslighting, and Mental illness