Scan barcode
rogenecarter's review against another edition
4.0
A rollercoaster of a graphic novel that took me from the highest highs to the lowest lows in just 161 pages. Fantastic.
lobodepapel's review against another edition
5.0
Get your shit together, heart.
It's all in pieces, I know.
It's not easy, I know.
You want to be whole again, I know.
But if you do it right, you'll be bigger, better and in more pieces and places than before, but in a good way.
If not... well, keep reading untill you get it.
It's all in pieces, I know.
It's not easy, I know.
You want to be whole again, I know.
But if you do it right, you'll be bigger, better and in more pieces and places than before, but in a good way.
If not... well, keep reading untill you get it.
pun_intended's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting and wild examination of giving your heart away. Though some moments felt rushed to me, I enjoyed this start to finish.
bibli0rach's review against another edition
I enjoyed the quest and the unusual framing of the story. good stuff!
jmanchester0's review against another edition
5.0
What did I just read?
Where did this come from? Why is it on my shelf?
Don‰ЫЄt get me wrong. It‰ЫЄs amazing.
I‰ЫЄve just never read anything like it, and can‰ЫЄt remember where I got it.
Oh! My girlfriend just informed me she knew the author from her podcast.
Plus, I‰ЫЄd already read a book by her! Crazy.
Anyway, this book was wild. It was really different. The story, the art, everything.
Check it out. Definitely recommended.
It had so much soul, you know?
And a lot of heart!
Bahahahaha!
Where did this come from? Why is it on my shelf?
Don‰ЫЄt get me wrong. It‰ЫЄs amazing.
I‰ЫЄve just never read anything like it, and can‰ЫЄt remember where I got it.
Oh! My girlfriend just informed me she knew the author from her podcast.
Plus, I‰ЫЄd already read a book by her! Crazy.
Anyway, this book was wild. It was really different. The story, the art, everything.
Check it out. Definitely recommended.
It had so much soul, you know?
And a lot of heart!
Bahahahaha!
becks_books's review against another edition
2.0
I thought I'd like this a lot more than I did, purely because I've just read Kelly Thompson's Hawkeye series and it was so good, but this has a very different tone. This book is definitely more adult, it feels darker and generally that's not what I'm looking for in graphic novels, sometimes it works really well but I definitely get along better with fun, cute comics overall.
I wasn't really keen on the art, in the occasional scenes where there was action I couldn't really tell what was happening, I think the way the hearts were drawn were beautiful but other than that I didn't think the art looked very nice or conveyed the story in the best way possible.
I also didn't really like the main character, it was kind of difficult to connect with her, and while I like the general premise of the book a lot, I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. I still love you Kelly Thompson but next time I'll probably read some of your lighter, cuter stuff.
I wasn't really keen on the art, in the occasional scenes where there was action I couldn't really tell what was happening, I think the way the hearts were drawn were beautiful but other than that I didn't think the art looked very nice or conveyed the story in the best way possible.
I also didn't really like the main character, it was kind of difficult to connect with her, and while I like the general premise of the book a lot, I don't think it was executed as well as it could have been. I still love you Kelly Thompson but next time I'll probably read some of your lighter, cuter stuff.
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Kelly Thompson either needed to do more worldbuilding for this book, or she did a lot of worldbuilding that she couldn't find a way to get across to readers. Usually I <3 books where I don't know exactly what's going on, but this book left me with so many question marks I just found it frustrating, not intriguing.
But Meredith McClaren's art is as lovely as always; Emma is a delightfully complex protagonist; and several of the supporting characters are really engaging. Worth the frustration.
Kelly Thompson either needed to do more worldbuilding for this book, or she did a lot of worldbuilding that she couldn't find a way to get across to readers. Usually I <3 books where I don't know exactly what's going on, but this book left me with so many question marks I just found it frustrating, not intriguing.
Spoiler
AND WHY DID THE CAT RUN AWAY???But Meredith McClaren's art is as lovely as always; Emma is a delightfully complex protagonist; and several of the supporting characters are really engaging. Worth the frustration.
tsedai's review against another edition
5.0
Heart in a Box is the story of a girl named Emma who has just gone through a breakup, and wishes that she could get rid of her her heart so that she will no longer have to deal with the emotions of pain and loneliness. Of course, after "Bob" shows up to grant her wish, she realizes having no heart is worse than having a broken one, and goes on a journey to reunite the pieces of her lost heart.
This is one of those sorts of stories where I the entire time I was reading it I was like, "yes." The author just gets it. From the awesome gay best friend to the need to do weird shit to your hair after a traumatic event, everything in this story just felt so connected to reality, despite the fact that the entire plot is based on a fantastical heart loss and reclamation system. The character's journey takes her on an epic cross country road trip, with stops in several major cities. I haven't been to all of the places Emma visits, but I've been to enough of them to appreciate the authentic vibe the writer and illustrator have given the setting. Mostly, though, it is being able to identify and empathize with Emma on every step of her journey that sells this story. Granted, Emma's actual situation is a bit unique, as are many of the ordeals she must face on her quest, but the emotional issues she deals with are universal and completely understandable.
The art in this graphic novel is unique, strange, and beautiful. It took a little while for me to adapt to the style, but it is visually striking and suits the story. The artwork really started to grow on me after a bit, and I really fell in love with it by the end of the story. The visuals greatly contribute to the feel of the characters and setting as the story progress. It is incredibly well integrated with the story being told.
Overall I think this is a fantastic story, with beautiful art, and a charming and heartfelt message. I love all of the characters and how they interact with each other and the world around them. The book feels effortlessly truthful in a way that many other stories strive for, yet fail to achieve. It is depressing, heartwarming, entertaining, and thought provoking, all while being a quick read. It leaves a lasting impression, and is a story I'm sure I'll want to revisit in the future. Highly recommended.
This is one of those sorts of stories where I the entire time I was reading it I was like, "yes." The author just gets it. From the awesome gay best friend to the need to do weird shit to your hair after a traumatic event, everything in this story just felt so connected to reality, despite the fact that the entire plot is based on a fantastical heart loss and reclamation system. The character's journey takes her on an epic cross country road trip, with stops in several major cities. I haven't been to all of the places Emma visits, but I've been to enough of them to appreciate the authentic vibe the writer and illustrator have given the setting. Mostly, though, it is being able to identify and empathize with Emma on every step of her journey that sells this story. Granted, Emma's actual situation is a bit unique, as are many of the ordeals she must face on her quest, but the emotional issues she deals with are universal and completely understandable.
The art in this graphic novel is unique, strange, and beautiful. It took a little while for me to adapt to the style, but it is visually striking and suits the story. The artwork really started to grow on me after a bit, and I really fell in love with it by the end of the story. The visuals greatly contribute to the feel of the characters and setting as the story progress. It is incredibly well integrated with the story being told.
Overall I think this is a fantastic story, with beautiful art, and a charming and heartfelt message. I love all of the characters and how they interact with each other and the world around them. The book feels effortlessly truthful in a way that many other stories strive for, yet fail to achieve. It is depressing, heartwarming, entertaining, and thought provoking, all while being a quick read. It leaves a lasting impression, and is a story I'm sure I'll want to revisit in the future. Highly recommended.
legs_mcgee's review against another edition
5.0
I checked this book out from the library as part of my goal to read everything Meredith McClaren has had a hand in, and I'm so glad I did. Loved the art, was delighted by the storytelling.
Not everything is revealed, but I like this method of following a bad idea through to its (possible) logical ending.
Not everything is revealed, but I like this method of following a bad idea through to its (possible) logical ending.