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betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a delight! It is a bit on the long side for a middle grade graphic novel, but Dani and Dorian get into all sorts of hijinks that I think middle grade readers will enjoy. There are some darker moments in this storyline, but it reads similar to something like Percy Jackson. It fits for the audience it's intended for.
The art style reminds me a bit of manga, and there's a whimsy in this story that also feels sort of like a Studio Ghibli story. I am hooked by this little band of misfits, and I can't wait to see what they get up to in the next volume.
The art style reminds me a bit of manga, and there's a whimsy in this story that also feels sort of like a Studio Ghibli story. I am hooked by this little band of misfits, and I can't wait to see what they get up to in the next volume.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment and Child abuse
ashleycmms's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
thewordsdevourer's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
hooky is a book jam-packed w/ action, magic, mystery, and characters. while that should make for a rollicking ride, in this case it's all actually a lil too overwhelming for me. while the story continually develops, i wish there were more breathing room and the pace slowed down at points for the reader to simply reflect first, bc at certain points so much is happening that it's actually confusing. and while the worldbuilding's serviceable for the book's world, it'd be even better w/ more expalnation on the history and origins of it all jn order for the reader to fully comprehend the present.
even so, i do like the characters, whether it be their designs, fleshed out complexity or development. the central conflict, while simple, is effective and helps drive the themes, tho i think it could be handled a lil better. my fav thing is perhaps the art, w/ how bonastre tur is masterful w/ both the characters and background scenes, w/ the former always expressive and never awkward, while the latter can be wildly colorful and vibrant or pricking w/ tension depending on the scenes.
tldr: a graphic novel that perhaps tries to juggle too much story-wise, but one thats great artistically nevertheless.
even so, i do like the characters, whether it be their designs, fleshed out complexity or development. the central conflict, while simple, is effective and helps drive the themes, tho i think it could be handled a lil better. my fav thing is perhaps the art, w/ how bonastre tur is masterful w/ both the characters and background scenes, w/ the former always expressive and never awkward, while the latter can be wildly colorful and vibrant or pricking w/ tension depending on the scenes.
tldr: a graphic novel that perhaps tries to juggle too much story-wise, but one thats great artistically nevertheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death
Minor: Murder and Child abuse
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