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laurenpilled's review against another edition
5.0
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher*
This story is so important. It details all of the problems of white feminism, and explores the joy of the queer people of color. Juliet is such an interesting protagonist-and through her we see things like pronouns, gender identity, and sexuality explained in a simple way. Characters like Max and Kiera were so fun to learn more about, and Juliet's relationship with her family was incredibly realistic.
The illustrations were breathtaking. The colors and shading completely transformed this story into something palpable. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
This story is so important. It details all of the problems of white feminism, and explores the joy of the queer people of color. Juliet is such an interesting protagonist-and through her we see things like pronouns, gender identity, and sexuality explained in a simple way. Characters like Max and Kiera were so fun to learn more about, and Juliet's relationship with her family was incredibly realistic.
The illustrations were breathtaking. The colors and shading completely transformed this story into something palpable. I highly recommend this graphic novel!
mogojojo1013's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.75
jay003_x's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
eehoskins's review against another edition
2.0
Juliet is headed off to intern for an author she admires tremendously, but not before she blurts out her secret (she's a lesbian and has a girlfriend!) to her mother and the rest of their family.
When she arrives in Portland she finds that Harlowe Brisbane is everything she was hoping (feminist! free! open!) and some things she wasn't expecting (disorganized! inconsistent! and... some spoiler-y things I won't mention!)
The art in this book is GORGEOUS! I loved the style and depictions of the story throughout the entire book.
The story itself- I feel like it addressed a lot of important issues that queer BIPOC deal with on an ongoing basis. It does speed through some of the scenes that I felt needed more information, especially as someone who hadn't read the full-length novel already.
I am torn between my love for the art, my feeling that there are important issues addressed, and my feeling that some of the scenes were "a lot" for a book intended for young adults (thinking from the perspective of a school librarian). I know- clear as mud, but that is how I feel after an initial read-through.
When she arrives in Portland she finds that Harlowe Brisbane is everything she was hoping (feminist! free! open!) and some things she wasn't expecting (disorganized! inconsistent! and... some spoiler-y things I won't mention!)
The art in this book is GORGEOUS! I loved the style and depictions of the story throughout the entire book.
The story itself- I feel like it addressed a lot of important issues that queer BIPOC deal with on an ongoing basis. It does speed through some of the scenes that I felt needed more information, especially as someone who hadn't read the full-length novel already.
I am torn between my love for the art, my feeling that there are important issues addressed, and my feeling that some of the scenes were "a lot" for a book intended for young adults (thinking from the perspective of a school librarian). I know- clear as mud, but that is how I feel after an initial read-through.
krystlocity's review against another edition
4.0
I'd read the novel before this, so I can't really talk very much about how this works as a stand alone, but it didn't feel like anything was missing from the novel version to translate it to the graphic novel version. Illustrations were wonderful. As with the novel, and really good read for people who view themselves as "white allies".
amoryslaysvamps's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a beautiful graphic novel, aesthetically, emotionally, across the board.
I actually tried reading the original novel for this two separate times and just could not get through it. Both times, I stopped because I was too annoyed by Harlowe to spend time reading about the other, actually wonderful characters in this book.
But this works so perfectly as a graphic novel, and I'm really glad this was made into this format so I could still meet these characters. I loved Juliet, loved the other queer members of her family, and loved the friends she made in Oregon and Miami. I smiled during her happier moments and cried during the sad ones; every emotional beat of this just landed perfectly for me when I saw it illustrated in a way that the original novel just didn't quite do for me.
Gabby Rivera is already an iconic force in the comic industry, and I'll definitely be reading her other works as well!
I actually tried reading the original novel for this two separate times and just could not get through it. Both times, I stopped because I was too annoyed by Harlowe to spend time reading about the other, actually wonderful characters in this book.
But this works so perfectly as a graphic novel, and I'm really glad this was made into this format so I could still meet these characters. I loved Juliet, loved the other queer members of her family, and loved the friends she made in Oregon and Miami. I smiled during her happier moments and cried during the sad ones; every emotional beat of this just landed perfectly for me when I saw it illustrated in a way that the original novel just didn't quite do for me.
Gabby Rivera is already an iconic force in the comic industry, and I'll definitely be reading her other works as well!
jovianjournals's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.0
jezatrix's review against another edition
5.0
I had a lot of fun reading this title. Juliet Takes A Breath is about a young woman coming out to her family and a summer spent learning about herself and the gay community. There are a couple nods to historical women, which is a cool way to get them on your radar. The book is also clear that there are some experienced white people just can’t completely understand.
I actually think moments like that, where the author doesn’t pull punches, is one of the reasons this story works well as a graphic novel. I didn’t find any of the writing or illustration to be gratuitous; I would say it’s “safe” for your freshly-out high school readers.
4.5 stars.
I actually think moments like that, where the author doesn’t pull punches, is one of the reasons this story works well as a graphic novel. I didn’t find any of the writing or illustration to be gratuitous; I would say it’s “safe” for your freshly-out high school readers.
4.5 stars.
stacimb22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
3.5
stephanies_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Really beautiful art and a lot of good takeaways but the plot needed some tightening up. I often thought I'd skipped a page when in fact the story just jumped around or ahead. While a few topics could've been explored further (and may be in the original novel), others were handled thoughtfully and lovingly.