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billturner's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.25
nerdyfoxreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
how_sweet_the_sound's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
Generally, graphic novels are quick easy reads that I can finish in one or two sittings. This is not that kind of graphic novel. It is long and dense and filled with art that is so detailed and so vivid you’ll want to spend some time just looking at every single page.
I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed when the mystery wasn’t solved at the end of the book (v.2 is coming) but I can’t deny that it’s a great story. I love that Karen is drawn as a monster and I love that every page is a work of art.
I’ll admit I was a bit disappointed when the mystery wasn’t solved at the end of the book (v.2 is coming) but I can’t deny that it’s a great story. I love that Karen is drawn as a monster and I love that every page is a work of art.
trin's review against another edition
3.0
This was...okay. It's possible all the hype raised my expectations too high, and thus dampered my enjoyment. Ferris' art is beautiful, but the story was overloaded with characters and plot elements -- it could have really used some focused editing. Also, it was often really difficult to navigate the movement of the panels and dialogue; I got lost and read the wrong way not just once or twice, but with extreme frequency. And I say this as someone who reads a lot of comics and graphic novels, and is therefore pretty darn familiar with the usual structural conceits. There were places where the House of Leaves-style textual manipulation worked, but many many others where it seemed like Ferris wanted to have the reader proceed in a somewhat linear fashion...except it was nearly impossible to tell what that was.
Also on the subject of expectations: I'd been led to believe that this was mostly a story about a girl obsessed with monsters and how she views the world. Actually, a solid third or more is a Holocaust narrative filled -- even before the Nazis show up! -- with graphic and brutal sexual violence. I understand the links Ferris is drawing between different kinds of monsters, but there was one I thought I was signing up for here, and one I wasn't.
Also on the subject of expectations: I'd been led to believe that this was mostly a story about a girl obsessed with monsters and how she views the world. Actually, a solid third or more is a Holocaust narrative filled -- even before the Nazis show up! -- with graphic and brutal sexual violence. I understand the links Ferris is drawing between different kinds of monsters, but there was one I thought I was signing up for here, and one I wasn't.
knittingchaos's review against another edition
5.0
This tale of a young girl dealing with a hard life is excellent. The artwork is phenomenal. I can't wait until volume 2 comes out.
bookwormmelissa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
aimeeverret's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Hate crime, Pedophilia, War, Trafficking, Alcohol, Antisemitism, Blood, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, Deportation, and Genocide
Moderate: Homophobia, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, and Gore
magsreadingjourney's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0