Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Snapdragon

You know when a book is just good and you don’t have a whole lot to say about it besides that? That’s Snapdragon. The artwork is well done, with strong character designs that are simple yet highly expressive, and each panel has just the right amount of detail to make the world feel real while still being easily readable. The characters are easy to love and root for. The story is sweet yet also a little dark, but not in a way that feels inharmonious. It’s just good. Give it a read.

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finesilkflower's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I was disconcerted by the mix of bubbly, cartoony, Steven Universe-ish art with a goth subject matter (witchcraft centering around animal ghosts and reanimating animal bones). Style is my favorite part of spooky stories, and I would have liked to see a more goth style for this spooky subject matter. That's not to say that the art isn't sometimes spooky, including mystical forests (which were my favorite part).

Love that this is a friendship/mentorship story between a young queer and an older butch. It's like if Karate Kid were about queer witches.

Snap's best friend is a trans girl who is initially introduced as a boy but who comes into her own throughout the book, changing her name and presentation. This is generally well handled by the main characters, who are accepting and supportive without making a big deal about it, but toward the beginning we see more transphobic bullying. I'm of two minds about this, because I think it's important and validating to reflect kids' world back to them instead of denying that they're dealing with the things they're dealing with and presenting them a sugarcoated fantasyland, but I also think it's a bit heavy to be thrown in without a lot of unpacking. Similar to the rest of the story, it feels like an uneasy mix of darkness and light.

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totallyshelfaware's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Snapdragon is an utterly delightful celebration of queerness that made my heart SING and put the biggest smile on my face.

If you adore the found family trope and feel like a little gremlin struggling to do your best on most days? This is the perfect book for you. It is an unabashedly joyful exploration of friendship, love, and family and how the bonds you treasure give you the strength to hope.

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rennyrocket's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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blueroo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

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pidgepodge's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I really enjoyed this book! Full of diverse characters, adventure, mystery and friendship.

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merula's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? No

5.0

This is an incredibly sweet, heartfelt, funny story about being yourself and finding your own way to do things.

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jeanniea's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.75

Love the characters, the events, the lessons, the relationships, how themes were addressed. Felt so natural and comforting to read. A world i'd like to live in. Such an embracement of diversity!!

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