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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
A gripping adventure that hammers home the vitality of the stories we consume. Those we tell about ourselves, those our country tells about what is important; storytelling is the single most crucial aspect of our humanity.
Aiza dreams of escaping her restricted life by joining the military. A hard worker, she has little idea of the sacrifices that will be required of her, instead believing that advancement will be possible with perseverance. Every recruit has their own ambitions and the powers that be know it. When the recruits find out things are not as they seem will they find the power to imagine a new reality?
The book is weighty in more ways than one.
Aiza dreams of escaping her restricted life by joining the military. A hard worker, she has little idea of the sacrifices that will be required of her, instead believing that advancement will be possible with perseverance. Every recruit has their own ambitions and the powers that be know it. When the recruits find out things are not as they seem will they find the power to imagine a new reality?
The book is weighty in more ways than one.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
Histories are neutrals tools until they are wielded, and Palestinian-American author Nadia Shammas asks us to confront the stories we are told and that we tell ourselves, including hers, in a quick read that is remarkable visual story telling from artist Sara Alfageeh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, War
Beautiful story, beautiful art. The pacing felt off; the first two-thirds were very slow (in a good way) and the last third was lightning speed to get to the plot points. But would definitely recommend for a solid, standalone graphic novel.
No rating, but having the black character be one of the recruits most vehemently believing in empire was interesting lol I know that wasn’t the point and the book didn’t factor in race at all, but real world connotations don’t just disappear!
fast-paced
LOVED the story, loved the art, but it was so fast paced I definitely could’ve used more!
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
very much for young adult audiences and those beginning to understand power and empire — which is a good thing, there should be more stories that break down our status quo in comprehensive terms and still go on to leave a hopeful message. plus, the art is so charming and full of life!