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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
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
libscote's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Tony has a pretty good life (minus his relationship with his father) but he finds himself drawn to Eli, a quiet boy who is often picked on. As they grow closer, they start to deal with a mysterious force in the woods, one that attaches itself to Tony as well. I enjoyed it. The Maine setting is not a real town, but it didn't bother me, the way it can. There were a few parts where I thought things changed around quickly, but the story flows well otherwise. I like that the chapters alternate between Tony and Eli's perspectives, with each author taking a chapter so the styles are slightly different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
readthesparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I am not much of a YA or graphic novel reader. I'm just not the target demographic for YA and high school is typically not a super interesting setting for me, and graphic novels typically are paced in a way I do not really enjoy. Blackwater, however, did everything right for me.
The characters are wonderful. Their designs are not terribly complex but they are super fun on the page--I love Tony's pomp and little fangs especially. Every character, while obviously inspired by or referencing certain high school stereotypes, is given depth and nuance (including the bully). The excellent characterization and focus on character relationships is what really carries this title for me, I think; the plot itself is fine, but it's certainly not the star of the show. In this case, I think that's a good thing--a simpler, easy to follow (but still interesting) plot using familiar supernatural creatures whose lore broadly follows about what the reader is familiar with allows for more focus to be given to the characters.
Connected to the writing is the pacing. Again, normally pacing in graphic novels isn't my thing; it either feels rushed or over too soon. Blackwater, however, felt very well-paced. The story in this volume wrapped up on a satisfactory note, leaving me feeling like I had gotten a fully developed and well-executed story while still leaving possible openings for more to follow.
I look forward to more of Blackwater. The authors did a fantastic job and I would love to see where the character's story goes next. I would really advise anyone who is interested in queer YA to pick it up, even if they're not interested in horror (As the horror is present in elements but the goal of the story certainly isn't to horrify).
This graphic novel firmly lands itself in the catergory of "god, I wish I had this in high school." I'm glad it's here now.
The characters are wonderful. Their designs are not terribly complex but they are super fun on the page--I love Tony's pomp and little fangs especially. Every character, while obviously inspired by or referencing certain high school stereotypes, is given depth and nuance (including the bully). The excellent characterization and focus on character relationships is what really carries this title for me, I think; the plot itself is fine, but it's certainly not the star of the show. In this case, I think that's a good thing--a simpler, easy to follow (but still interesting) plot using familiar supernatural creatures whose lore broadly follows about what the reader is familiar with allows for more focus to be given to the characters.
Connected to the writing is the pacing. Again, normally pacing in graphic novels isn't my thing; it either feels rushed or over too soon. Blackwater, however, felt very well-paced. The story in this volume wrapped up on a satisfactory note, leaving me feeling like I had gotten a fully developed and well-executed story while still leaving possible openings for more to follow.
I look forward to more of Blackwater. The authors did a fantastic job and I would love to see where the character's story goes next. I would really advise anyone who is interested in queer YA to pick it up, even if they're not interested in horror (As the horror is present in elements but the goal of the story certainly isn't to horrify).
This graphic novel firmly lands itself in the catergory of "god, I wish I had this in high school." I'm glad it's here now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Medical content, Violence, and Body horror
asipofcozy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Blackwater is a spooky contemporary-paranormal story that follows the story of two young teenagers just trying to find their place in the world. Eli a chronically ill boy who is wanting to live a normal life, and Tony who just wants his parents to be there for once. Of course, thrown in some spirits, a werewolf prancing around the forest, and teenage angst...and there you have Blackwater in a nutshell!
I believe my favorite part of this graphic novel was the art style. I was impressed with the spooky vibes it was giving off and I definitely felt like I was put in a twilight zone/ stranger things situation. Also, is it just me or does Tony look like Fonzie from Happy Days. Lol, was I the only one growing up watching older shows!
As for the story itself. The premise of the novel was intriguing to me. I loved the idea of seeing ghosts and having werewolves run around. However, I felt like the plot and backstory were falling flat for me. Especially when the plot raced ahead and didn't pause to give us any context on the situation. There was a missing context that would have been nice to know, some back history to this town that seems to have a lot of supernature creatures living in it.
Also, having a background on the characters would have been nice as well. It would have helped slow the plot a bit and given us more history on the characters. I felt like I was missing something when Tony talked about his mom and was thrown through a loop of Eli being from Germany.
However, I do recommend this graphic novel to anyone that wants those spookyish vibes and a quick read when you are in a reading slump!
I believe my favorite part of this graphic novel was the art style. I was impressed with the spooky vibes it was giving off and I definitely felt like I was put in a twilight zone/ stranger things situation. Also, is it just me or does Tony look like Fonzie from Happy Days. Lol, was I the only one growing up watching older shows!
As for the story itself. The premise of the novel was intriguing to me. I loved the idea of seeing ghosts and having werewolves run around. However, I felt like the plot and backstory were falling flat for me. Especially when the plot raced ahead and didn't pause to give us any context on the situation. There was a missing context that would have been nice to know, some back history to this town that seems to have a lot of supernature creatures living in it.
Also, having a background on the characters would have been nice as well. It would have helped slow the plot a bit and given us more history on the characters. I felt like I was missing something when Tony talked about his mom and was thrown through a loop of Eli being from Germany.
However, I do recommend this graphic novel to anyone that wants those spookyish vibes and a quick read when you are in a reading slump!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Violence
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Animal death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Death
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