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oliviapincin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Physical abuse
inkyinsanity's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a cute, heartwarming little story. (I guess it counts as horror to people who don’t routinely read or watch horror stuff, otherwise it’s just paranormal.)
I enjoyed it, and both art styles are very cool. I found the story itself to be very simple and cliche, which wasn’t what I was hoping for. The only things to make it stand out was the artwork, the gay romance, an FTM trans protagonist, and an unnamed but apparently debilitating autoimmune disorder in one of the main characters. (I really don’t like it when medical conditions aren’t named, especially when it’s a relevant part of the story! But then, I have one of those invisible autoimmune diseases, so I suppose it’s a personal subject.)
Overall, enjoyable but probably forgettable.
I enjoyed it, and both art styles are very cool. I found the story itself to be very simple and cliche, which wasn’t what I was hoping for. The only things to make it stand out was the artwork, the gay romance, an FTM trans protagonist, and an unnamed but apparently debilitating autoimmune disorder in one of the main characters. (I really don’t like it when medical conditions aren’t named, especially when it’s a relevant part of the story! But then, I have one of those invisible autoimmune diseases, so I suppose it’s a personal subject.)
Overall, enjoyable but probably forgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
meecespieces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Alcoholism
itsthedreamon's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
3.0
Blackwater is one of those books that tends to be messy but you can't bring yourself to put down. While there is plot development it is definitely a character-driven story at it's core, which I appreciate.
There are likable characters, but certain choices some make do not sit right and it leads to a haunting throughout the book that is not supernatural; just an ugly, frustrated feeling in your chest. I did ponder over the artwork too, sometimes scenes would be portrayed a little awkwardly (intense scenes were sometimes very "quiet," is the only way I can describe it) and art styles seem to go back and forth between chapters.
But there are such gems in the story that I appreciate, the goth character really carried the book on her shoulders, and every line that came from her was such a treat. The jock's character development is something I was super pleased with as well. It's really easy to write a cocky character as unlikable at first, but I didn't mind him from the start at all. Despite what I said before, the artwork itself is really good. It's the kind of work that inspires me to create and I'll definitely be going back to see how this book pulled off some genuinely creepy stuff. The werewolf work can genuinely run a shiver up your spine at times.
Overall, there are some things I couldn't seem to get over, but it was an addicting read with good representation of LGBTQ people. I am not disabled or a POC, so I will allow those who are to speak their thoughts on how the authors did on that front. Blackwater is a solid story in my book, and I'm glad I found it.
There are likable characters, but certain choices some make do not sit right and it leads to a haunting throughout the book that is not supernatural; just an ugly, frustrated feeling in your chest. I did ponder over the artwork too, sometimes scenes would be portrayed a little awkwardly (intense scenes were sometimes very "quiet," is the only way I can describe it) and art styles seem to go back and forth between chapters.
But there are such gems in the story that I appreciate, the goth character really carried the book on her shoulders, and every line that came from her was such a treat. The jock's character development is something I was super pleased with as well. It's really easy to write a cocky character as unlikable at first, but I didn't mind him from the start at all. Despite what I said before, the artwork itself is really good. It's the kind of work that inspires me to create and I'll definitely be going back to see how this book pulled off some genuinely creepy stuff. The werewolf work can genuinely run a shiver up your spine at times.
Overall, there are some things I couldn't seem to get over, but it was an addicting read with good representation of LGBTQ people. I am not disabled or a POC, so I will allow those who are to speak their thoughts on how the authors did on that front. Blackwater is a solid story in my book, and I'm glad I found it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
clarabooksit's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Ableism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content
pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This was a really fun read. I'm not a big fan of reading about werewolves, but this book had me invested! I really enjoy the origin story of a character turning into a werewolf and having to figure out this new part of them. Both main protagonists are disabled and living with chronic illnesses. Tony has asthma and we see him using an inhaler during his track meets. Eli lives with an autoimmune disorder and we see him in the hospital a lot.
Eli is a trans boy who has gotten top surgery and I was pleasantly surprised bc I didn't know there was trans rep! It was so subtle and that's what I love to see when there's a trans character. There's also an Achellian romance that is a slow burn (which I love) and I enjoyed the way it was done. THE TENSION!
However, I do wish the book wasn't ALL in black and white. This threw me off and made me less interested and invested in the surroundings. I definitely think Blackwater would have benefited from having pops of color throughout the book when needed especially since the cover is so lively. I understand B&W for the purposes of a paranormal book, but I still stand by my opinion.
[READ FOR A VLOG. COMING SOON...]
Eli is a trans boy who has gotten top surgery and I was pleasantly surprised bc I didn't know there was trans rep! It was so subtle and that's what I love to see when there's a trans character. There's also an Achellian romance that is a slow burn (which I love) and I enjoyed the way it was done. THE TENSION!
However, I do wish the book wasn't ALL in black and white. This threw me off and made me less interested and invested in the surroundings. I definitely think Blackwater would have benefited from having pops of color throughout the book when needed especially since the cover is so lively. I understand B&W for the purposes of a paranormal book, but I still stand by my opinion.
[READ FOR A VLOG. COMING SOON...]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, and Violence
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! It was such a great story. Perfect for spooky season.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Ableism
Moderate: Blood and Gore
sydneyj's review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Ableism, and Bullying
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol
bookenbee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
I loved this! The end felt rushed, but it was overall a well paced story and great characters. Tony and Eli are so sweet together. If there was a sequel to this to answer some questions/give us more background on the characters it would be even better!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Ableism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Body horror, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship