Reviews

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

grimpantaloon's review

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Let’s just say I might be biased about this one. Vera Brosgol is one of my favorite authors ever. This is ultraspecific to the kinds of stories that I like, but I don’t think Vera can create a story that wouldn’t appeal to me and tug on my heartstrings.

I really loved Plain Jane and the Mermaid. It’s a cool multilayered middle-grade story. I loved the characters, the mystical setting, the signature Brosgol dark twists and dry humor! Great adventure story with an important message about society and beauty. I also enjoyed this book as an illustrator - the cinematic panels, character design, expressive close-ups and visual narrative are delicious, I can pore over them for hours.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fatphobia

Minor: Emotional abuse

bookish_brenna's review

funny reflective sad medium-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

4.5

ribbonbeam's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

agentshellfish's review

adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

What can I say, I'm a sucker for mermaid stories and Vera Brosgol.

izzymow's review

adventurous hopeful reflective 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

marybeebooks's review

5.0

Thank you Vera Brosgol, First Second, Mac Kids Books, and Storygram Tours for sending me a copy for tour! 🥰🫶
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Plain Jane and the Mermaid had a beautiful message of loving yourself that I really enjoyed. I loved to see the MC’s progression from accepting society’s influences to being and loving herself. I love the illustration in this book as it’s so gorgeous and the underwater scenes are gorgeous! The scenery and atmosphere in this story feels so cozy! I also loved the ending and felt it was a good conclusion for all the characters! This is a wonderful graphic novel and I’d love to read more by this author! ☺️

jagussow's review

adventurous hopeful reflective 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

hckilgour's review

4.0

This is such a light, fun, wholesome read.

And I loved that there was a plus size MC that isn’t the best and brightest and prettiest. Like… I saw myself so much in Jane.

And I loved that she and Peter were able to be like… yeah we were being dumb “in love”, let’s just be friends.

But also. Mermaids!

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Content Warnings

Minor: Fatphobia

bookshelfkeeps's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is a story I wish I could have read as a kid - so much of my life the idea of how I look has occupied so much of my time. It's in the fairy tales, the heroes are beautiful, the villains are ugly, and these messages start so early and we carry them with us into adulthood 

Vera tells a new story, one we all need, no matter our age. 

I loved this one.

anroshie's review

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read an ARC through Netgalley. Vera Brosgol never fails to make such personak and succinct stories full of humor and heart.