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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
(A big thank you to Europe Comics, Joris Chamberlain and Anne-Lise Nalin for letting me read this ARC)
I really liked this comic. Not only does it show passion for someone’s hobby, minor learning disability/difficulty as well as how it can be when someone is losing their eye sight and how friendship and love can make us to crazy (but also good) things to help the people we care about.
I will however say that this comic book was very fast paced to the point where there were some plot holes in my opinion or some thing being let out of the plot that were mentioned a little in the beginning and I felt like the story was a bit rushed in that aspect. But that might just be my personal preference for it to be a bit longer than it was. And it might be able to be more explored if this story has a a sequel.
Either way I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read with blind/ visually impaired representation and a small cute romance.
I really liked this comic. Not only does it show passion for someone’s hobby, minor learning disability/difficulty as well as how it can be when someone is losing their eye sight and how friendship and love can make us to crazy (but also good) things to help the people we care about.
I will however say that this comic book was very fast paced to the point where there were some plot holes in my opinion or some thing being let out of the plot that were mentioned a little in the beginning and I felt like the story was a bit rushed in that aspect. But that might just be my personal preference for it to be a bit longer than it was. And it might be able to be more explored if this story has a a sequel.
Either way I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick read with blind/ visually impaired representation and a small cute romance.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
inspiring
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:
No
I don’t read a lot of graphic novels but I loved the cover of this one and the description caught my attention. Oh my goodness this was the cutest thing ever with some great themes like dedication, finding things you’re passionate for, and how you are important to others. I really enjoyed this cute story and I’m wondering if there will be more . I guess I’ll have to keep a lookout for them. Also the graphics were beautiful.
hopeful
informative
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:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Beautiful art, adorable characters, heartfelt story. A short self contained story, but that does make some issues for the pacing. To make up for it there are pages that feel a bit too crammed with text for easy reading. I don't love that our protagonist is named Victor and another character is named Vincent, for some reason those names feel way too similar. There are character lore drops that feel warrant more focus but don't, and friendships that are meant to be meaningful, but are neglected. Victor is in a band but that oscillates from important to nothing. A miscommunication is never really cleared up but moved past....
This was certainly cute and quick read, but from a storytelling perspective, very flawed.
This was certainly cute and quick read, but from a storytelling perspective, very flawed.
This book is not at all what I was expecting since I picked it up due to the title and didn't bother reading the description but overall it was such a cute quick story. Marie and Victor were able to help and understand one another in a way probably a lot of people didn't before. I'd love to be able to read about what the future has in store for Marie and Victor because Marie helped change Victor into the person he wanted to be. I truly recommend this book, it's short but it has a good message to it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks Netgalley for the free e-arc of this book.
This was a very cute story that was told through beautifully done illustrations. The only thing that I did not really like was how fast the storyline progressed. To me it felt like one second Marie was helping Victor study, and the next she was telling him she loved him. (This book is only 78 pages.)
Other than that, I connected with Victor and his struggles in school and not feeling good enough because of it. I also really liked how the relationship between Victor and Marie was portrayed, even though it was quite short.
This was a very cute story that was told through beautifully done illustrations. The only thing that I did not really like was how fast the storyline progressed. To me it felt like one second Marie was helping Victor study, and the next she was telling him she loved him. (This book is only 78 pages.)
Other than that, I connected with Victor and his struggles in school and not feeling good enough because of it. I also really liked how the relationship between Victor and Marie was portrayed, even though it was quite short.
A graphic novel based on the book A Friend in the Dark, a French middle grade published in English in 2012.
I had very mixed feelings about this one. I liked the artwork a lot, it felt like a storyboard for a movie and the whole story was one that would adapt well. I also liked the exploration of teen life and feelings, and the romance was cute. It was also very moving to watch Victor growing as a person and finding comfort and purpose in his life.
However, there were some fundamental things that bothered me. The main one was the treatment of Marie's blindness. I felt it was presented almost as something to be ashamed of, that a school designed for blind people would just hold her back, and I felt that the ending (without giving spoilers) was farfetched. It's really hard to explain without giving details, but I feel blindness was written about better in The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paula Paretti. It's worth saying that my problem with this isn't confined to the graphic novel - I read the original book, A Friend in the Dark, straight after, and it isn't really anymore nuanced.
The other thing I wasn't keen on was how Marie never really got to know the real Victor, as he felt he had to cover up some of his interests and pretend to be keen on the same things she was keen on. It was as though the person he was wasn't really good enough and he had to become more brainy and cultured in order to be a proper person.
So I guess I had issues with the storyline itself, but then I'm very picky about my middle-grade/YA. Overall it was a cute and interesting read, and if you see it as something of a fairytale it works better. I think I just would have liked a little more depth.
Final rating 3 stars, mainly for the artwork. I also think it was a good adaptation of the book, better in some ways than the original. If you enjoy graphic novels it's worth checking out.
I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I had very mixed feelings about this one. I liked the artwork a lot, it felt like a storyboard for a movie and the whole story was one that would adapt well. I also liked the exploration of teen life and feelings, and the romance was cute. It was also very moving to watch Victor growing as a person and finding comfort and purpose in his life.
However, there were some fundamental things that bothered me. The main one was the treatment of Marie's blindness. I felt it was presented almost as something to be ashamed of, that a school designed for blind people would just hold her back, and I felt that the ending (without giving spoilers) was farfetched. It's really hard to explain without giving details, but I feel blindness was written about better in The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paula Paretti. It's worth saying that my problem with this isn't confined to the graphic novel - I read the original book, A Friend in the Dark, straight after, and it isn't really anymore nuanced.
The other thing I wasn't keen on was how Marie never really got to know the real Victor, as he felt he had to cover up some of his interests and pretend to be keen on the same things she was keen on. It was as though the person he was wasn't really good enough and he had to become more brainy and cultured in order to be a proper person.
So I guess I had issues with the storyline itself, but then I'm very picky about my middle-grade/YA. Overall it was a cute and interesting read, and if you see it as something of a fairytale it works better. I think I just would have liked a little more depth.
Final rating 3 stars, mainly for the artwork. I also think it was a good adaptation of the book, better in some ways than the original. If you enjoy graphic novels it's worth checking out.
I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
emotional
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:
Yes
This was a delightful little graphic novel. I am always happy to see disability representation in stories, especially when they're targeted towards younger readers.
I wish the story and characters (and their relationships) were a bit more fleshed out, but it was still a perfectly lovely story. I also wish Marie had gotten to know Victor a bit better, more specifically when it came to his musical interests, which felt like they were skipped over and forgotten about.
The art was the best part, and each frame was absolutely stunning. It's also very short, so I recommend reading it if the synopsis is of any interest to you! It won't be a waste of your time!
I wish the story and characters (and their relationships) were a bit more fleshed out, but it was still a perfectly lovely story. I also wish Marie had gotten to know Victor a bit better, more specifically when it came to his musical interests, which felt like they were skipped over and forgotten about.
The art was the best part, and each frame was absolutely stunning. It's also very short, so I recommend reading it if the synopsis is of any interest to you! It won't be a waste of your time!
this was so cute!!!!
thank you to Netgalley and the book publisher for approving me for this e-arc.
my heart in braille is about two characters coming together to help each other out for the betterment of the two of them. Marie helps Victor in his studies and Victor helps Marie make sure to be true to herself; while they both manage to bring out the good in each other for the improvement of them as separate people, there is also immense improvement through them together in their relationship as it grows.
the disability rep in this book as visually impaired throughout most of the story then the character becoming fully blind is something I wish we could have seen more of. what we saw of Marie’s process in coming to terms with hers degenerative health and just her life as she goes through it was good! I just really would have loved to have seen more. more development in that aspect of the story and the text size being bigger are the only real criticisms I have on this book.
I really enjoyed this and would love to recommend to a friend in the future!
3.75/5⭐️
thank you to Netgalley and the book publisher for approving me for this e-arc.
my heart in braille is about two characters coming together to help each other out for the betterment of the two of them. Marie helps Victor in his studies and Victor helps Marie make sure to be true to herself; while they both manage to bring out the good in each other for the improvement of them as separate people, there is also immense improvement through them together in their relationship as it grows.
the disability rep in this book as visually impaired throughout most of the story then the character becoming fully blind is something I wish we could have seen more of. what we saw of Marie’s process in coming to terms with hers degenerative health and just her life as she goes through it was good! I just really would have loved to have seen more. more development in that aspect of the story and the text size being bigger are the only real criticisms I have on this book.
I really enjoyed this and would love to recommend to a friend in the future!
3.75/5⭐️