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thepetitepunk's review
5.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My Riot tells the story of Val, a teenage ballerina in the '90s. Overwhelmed by the pressure to maintain a certain "lady-like" personality, be a certain weight, and conform to her parents' conservative rules, Val must evaluate who she truly is and what she actually wants. It is within the punk music scene that she finally finds the freedom she craves; even though she's never picked up a guitar before, she starts a riot grrrl band with two other people, which becomes an instant success.
Even if you aren't that big on punk music, or specifically riot grrrl punk, My Riot is for everyone. It's honest, it's angry, it's down to earth in the best way possible. You don't need to be familiar with mosh pits and rioting, or even ballet, to appreciate Val's messy coming-of-age. There's such a familiar sense of teenage anger and mistakes that couples so well with the themes of injustice, gender roles, body image, and general societal expectations--and it is incredibly empowering. Even though Val made quite a few blunders, I was cheering her on the whole time as she fumbled her way through self-discovery.
However, if you are familiar with the punk scene, you definitely should not miss out on this one. This graphic novel was exactly what I've been desperate to find since I discovered punk in middle school. Val comes to love punk in the same way that I'm sure many others have in their teen years. I'd like to emphasize again the excellent portrayal of teenage anger and frustration--it was just showcased so wonderfully in My Riot as an important factor in breaking apart from the often harmful expectations that are thrust upon young girls. I also thought it was fun to see references to bands that I grew up with--Black Flag, Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, you name it. I think I might have been living a bit vicariously through Val. I was both surprised and thrilled that punk was portrayed in multiple lights. Even though there were plenty of characters who drank and smoked (which punk is often associated with), this was the first time I've seen a straightedge punk person being explicitly represented in fiction. As someone who identifies with the straightedge punk culture, I really appreciated this.
Overall, My Riot is a raw, inspiring graphic novel about friendship, first loves, parent woes, and dangerous societal expectations, all tied together beautifully through the power of music. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves messy yet strong characters who have learned to use their anger as a tool for self-betterment.
Potential trigger warnings: eating disorders, some violence, sexism, slut-shaming, drinking/smoking, teenage sex, mentioning of abortion
My Riot tells the story of Val, a teenage ballerina in the '90s. Overwhelmed by the pressure to maintain a certain "lady-like" personality, be a certain weight, and conform to her parents' conservative rules, Val must evaluate who she truly is and what she actually wants. It is within the punk music scene that she finally finds the freedom she craves; even though she's never picked up a guitar before, she starts a riot grrrl band with two other people, which becomes an instant success.
Even if you aren't that big on punk music, or specifically riot grrrl punk, My Riot is for everyone. It's honest, it's angry, it's down to earth in the best way possible. You don't need to be familiar with mosh pits and rioting, or even ballet, to appreciate Val's messy coming-of-age. There's such a familiar sense of teenage anger and mistakes that couples so well with the themes of injustice, gender roles, body image, and general societal expectations--and it is incredibly empowering. Even though Val made quite a few blunders, I was cheering her on the whole time as she fumbled her way through self-discovery.
However, if you are familiar with the punk scene, you definitely should not miss out on this one. This graphic novel was exactly what I've been desperate to find since I discovered punk in middle school. Val comes to love punk in the same way that I'm sure many others have in their teen years. I'd like to emphasize again the excellent portrayal of teenage anger and frustration--it was just showcased so wonderfully in My Riot as an important factor in breaking apart from the often harmful expectations that are thrust upon young girls. I also thought it was fun to see references to bands that I grew up with--Black Flag, Bikini Kill, Sleater-Kinney, you name it. I think I might have been living a bit vicariously through Val. I was both surprised and thrilled that punk was portrayed in multiple lights. Even though there were plenty of characters who drank and smoked (which punk is often associated with), this was the first time I've seen a straightedge punk person being explicitly represented in fiction. As someone who identifies with the straightedge punk culture, I really appreciated this.
Overall, My Riot is a raw, inspiring graphic novel about friendship, first loves, parent woes, and dangerous societal expectations, all tied together beautifully through the power of music. I highly recommend this one to anyone who loves messy yet strong characters who have learned to use their anger as a tool for self-betterment.
Potential trigger warnings: eating disorders, some violence, sexism, slut-shaming, drinking/smoking, teenage sex, mentioning of abortion
jess_mango's review
4.0
It's the early 90's and teenaged Val feels the pressure from her ballet instructor to lose those final 5 or so pounds to get under 110 pounds. She is starting to feel dissatisfied with her life. Then she meets Kat, a girl with a wild streak, who quickly becomes her best friend. The two teach themselves to play instruments and form a punk band. This is during the height of the Riot Girl scene.
This was a fun, well-written graphic novel full of 90's teen girl angst. There was great character development so I feel like I really grew to understand Val. She was a complex character and the author & artist did a good job of getting that across. It was cool to see Val's sense of self AND her relationship with her mother evolve as the story progressed.
What to Listen to While Reading (or during reading breaks)
Sleater-Kinney
Bikini Kill
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Plus: The Ramones & The Cramps.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun, well-written graphic novel full of 90's teen girl angst. There was great character development so I feel like I really grew to understand Val. She was a complex character and the author & artist did a good job of getting that across. It was cool to see Val's sense of self AND her relationship with her mother evolve as the story progressed.
What to Listen to While Reading (or during reading breaks)
Sleater-Kinney
Bikini Kill
Siouxsie and the Banshees
Plus: The Ramones & The Cramps.
I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
leafblade's review
4.0
I recieved a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: eating disorder, puking on purpose (idk the word for that in English, maybe purging?), smoking, minor fistfights
There's a short list of things that made me go "WOMANHOOD!!! I LOVE BEING A WOMAN!!!!!" and this graphic novel just got added to that list. Despite the darker themes it eventually dives into, at its core it's just a celebration of free womanhood, and what we can do when we get together.
The beginning was a bit slow, and I didn't really get how it was going to turn into a riot grrrl story, but that's about all the complaints I have.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: eating disorder, puking on purpose (idk the word for that in English, maybe purging?), smoking, minor fistfights
There's a short list of things that made me go "WOMANHOOD!!! I LOVE BEING A WOMAN!!!!!" and this graphic novel just got added to that list. Despite the darker themes it eventually dives into, at its core it's just a celebration of free womanhood, and what we can do when we get together.
The beginning was a bit slow, and I didn't really get how it was going to turn into a riot grrrl story, but that's about all the complaints I have.
mehsi's review
5.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Something attracted me to this book, I just love graphic novels and this seemed so interesting. A ballerina who falls in love with punk and starts her own band. OMG.
Since I am dead tired at this moment (and some other stuff) I will write a review.. but it will be a bit chaotic as I write while reading with some addings to parts as I read further.
Something attracted me to this book, I just love graphic novels and this seemed so interesting. A ballerina who falls in love with punk and starts her own band. OMG.
Since I am dead tired at this moment (and some other stuff) I will write a review.. but it will be a bit chaotic as I write while reading with some addings to parts as I read further.
bardicbramley's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booklover160's review
3.0
More accurately: 3.5 stars
A coming of age graphic novel about a girl who once wanted to be a ballerina and turns to music instead. Her ballet coach demands she loses weight (even encourages taking up smoking to curb her appetite) and she seems to have no one to talk to. She discovers a friend in a rebellious girl who introduces her to a local band. She decides she wants to start a band and ends up having decent success as a feminist riot band.
The story was well done and I liked the art but it didn’t seem to connect with me very much. But overall a good read!
A coming of age graphic novel about a girl who once wanted to be a ballerina and turns to music instead. Her ballet coach demands she loses weight (even encourages taking up smoking to curb her appetite) and she seems to have no one to talk to. She discovers a friend in a rebellious girl who introduces her to a local band. She decides she wants to start a band and ends up having decent success as a feminist riot band.
The story was well done and I liked the art but it didn’t seem to connect with me very much. But overall a good read!
lennofspades's review
5.0
I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
My Riot is a coming-of-age story where we follow the story of Val Simmons who has dreamed of becoming a ballerina her whole life, but found out that some things change while we grow up. Despite the riot and her parents telling her what she should do with her life, she was introduced to punk rock and have fallen in love with it so much that she even started her own band.
I absolutely loved ALL the characters in this story. My favorite was Val because I admire her for being so brave and for standing up for the things she wants. Her character was full of teenage angst and feminism, which I am totally into.
This book has already made it my favorites of 2020 and I am so excited for the release of this book. The cover, the art style, the plot — everything about this book is astoundingly beautiful. I am in tears.
Everyone should definitely read My Riot. I am 26 years old, yet finishing this book still made me realize that we should be who we are and fight for that no matter what. Its message has been clear: Don't lose who you are, just because the world wants you to be someone else.
My Riot is a coming-of-age story where we follow the story of Val Simmons who has dreamed of becoming a ballerina her whole life, but found out that some things change while we grow up. Despite the riot and her parents telling her what she should do with her life, she was introduced to punk rock and have fallen in love with it so much that she even started her own band.
I absolutely loved ALL the characters in this story. My favorite was Val because I admire her for being so brave and for standing up for the things she wants. Her character was full of teenage angst and feminism, which I am totally into.
This book has already made it my favorites of 2020 and I am so excited for the release of this book. The cover, the art style, the plot — everything about this book is astoundingly beautiful. I am in tears.
Everyone should definitely read My Riot. I am 26 years old, yet finishing this book still made me realize that we should be who we are and fight for that no matter what. Its message has been clear: Don't lose who you are, just because the world wants you to be someone else.
rosariofacio's review
4.0
Thank you to netgalley for sending me the e-Arc to this graphic novel. I really liked the artwork it went great with the storyline. I loved the plotline for this it was easy to read it didnt feel rushed and I loved the topics that brought up with the characters.
kathy_reads's review
5.0
"No, I'm not rich. No, I'm not famous. I'm not a lot of things. But I'm happy."
A comic set in the 90's about three girls that form a rock band against society's expectations of what it means to be a young woman coming of age in the modern world.
This was a really nice read! The main character Val starts with ballet as a hobby, but she isn't happy with that anymore. Everybody is just complaining about her body and commenting on her weight, forcing her to lose more weight so she can get the lead role in the next big dance thing. Forcing her to start smoking so she won't feel hungry etc. And one day it's enough for her and she tells everybody off and finds a whole new path herself.
Her new best friend is totally different to everyone she was ever friends with. (And I love how they made her plus size, and it's not an issue in the story at all!)
The art style is very nice and the story overall very detailed and not confusing like a lot of other comics I've been reading recently
A comic set in the 90's about three girls that form a rock band against society's expectations of what it means to be a young woman coming of age in the modern world.
This was a really nice read! The main character Val starts with ballet as a hobby, but she isn't happy with that anymore. Everybody is just complaining about her body and commenting on her weight, forcing her to lose more weight so she can get the lead role in the next big dance thing. Forcing her to start smoking so she won't feel hungry etc. And one day it's enough for her and she tells everybody off and finds a whole new path herself.
Her new best friend is totally different to everyone she was ever friends with. (And I love how they made her plus size, and it's not an issue in the story at all!)
The art style is very nice and the story overall very detailed and not confusing like a lot of other comics I've been reading recently