Reviews with content warning for Self harm - Slip

Jade is a young ceramic artist who goes to a competitive art camp, but is struggling through a difficult time with a lot of heavy emotions. Those feelings show up in her art in unexpected ways. I do think this is a good book for anyone learning to grieve and feel their feelings, however I would definitely check trigger warnings before recommending this book to anyone.

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bookishsapphicshay's review

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

3.5

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sprucewillow's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

This book and story was overall quite sweet. Had to take a moment once it finished to just sit and reflect and think about stuff. The fantasy element was one I did not expect but it added a mysterious and fun element which, by the end, was nice.

I love the art and the use of red/pink to highlight emotionally intense moments.

Spoilers below, tw for suicide and self harm mention

My only gripes about it (why it didn't get a higher rating):

- I felt that the idea that Pheobe attempted suicide by cutting was not clear enough. The only implication of such was the bandages on her arm in her first appearance, which I initially missed. This made the scene where Jade was triggered from the other artists' Persephone painting confusing and not as impactful as it intended. But, I understand why such explicit details about her attempt may have been excluded.

- I think Jade and Mary kissed too many times. The kisses felt a bit rushed and shallow. Maybe it's just me, because I wouldn't have just met someone and a week or so later kiss them. The purpose of such a budding romance in the story has its place and it definitely added to it, but it did not feel realistic given the timeline and how it played out exactly. Perhaps given greater character development it wouldn't have felt awkward for me.

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saratonin_stories's review against another edition

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challenging emotional lighthearted reflective sad tense 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

3.25

cw:self harms suicides panic attacks institutionalization
Jade, a talented young ceramicist, prepares for a prestiguous summer art program designed to help students
build portfolios and win scholarships. Then she finds out Pheobe, her best friend who reassured and encouraged her
durring the application process, is institutionalized for a suicide attempt. Jade, unable to contact her friend, is sent to
camp to “focus on herself” while Pheobe does the same. While Jade reflects upon her memories with Pheobe, the things
she could have missed or changed, she is also thrust into a new environment to navigate new relationships and
her own insecurities with her artistic talent. The artwork is a simple cute style that uses the color red ingeniously.

I love that red represents increased anxiety, but your never sure if its sadness and anger or excitement and nervousness. Jade is a very loveable character and watching her build new relationships and having crushes was so fun. Her dynamic with Mary is definitely a chaotic whirlwind, but definitely one I was cheering to succeed. I did think it was unhinged
that the parent just sent her to camp after her closest friend attempts suicide, very on brand for emotionally stunted adults (but still). Its understandable that it would impact her greatly and she would feel isolated in her feelings. I loved the artwork being a processing tool and the symbolism of burning for her friendship memories. The moving ceramic pieces didn't quite work for me, but it didn't take away from the story. It was well-done for
how short and simple it was, while still being a sensitive, deep impactful story. I would have liked to or would like to see Pheobe’s perspective for a little more well-roundedness. (But also understand it's meant to be Jade's experience).

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