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motleybooksandtea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Lesbophobia
annemaries_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
What a fun, campy revenge horror story... all about rape culture and teen life and trying to exert a modicum of control when, as a teen girl in today's society, there's very little control.
It gave me The Secret History and Mean Girl vibes - if the teen girls were hungry werewolves preying on the worst of teen boys. The art style and use of progressively darkening colour palettes was also really effective in creating tension and atmosphere.
Despite the focus on straight relationships, there's still queer characters (their Chem teacher uses the honorific/title Mx.) and our MC is gay.
I also appreciate that the author tried to diversify what I imagine was the inspiration - a straight (presenting), majority white, rich neighbourhood/town.
And my main critique - that no one clued in on the disappearing teen boys for way too long - ended up being addressed in the second half of the text. I think the ending wrapped up nicely with a satisfying outcome for certain characters.
After enjoying Squad, I'm definitely interested in Tokuda-Hall's other works - especially any other graphic novels she may do (hopefully with the same amazing illustrator).
CW: sexual assault/harassment (nothing graphic but it's on page), violence, blood and gore, murder, underaged drinking. Disordered eating is also discussed.
Graphic: Blood, Body shaming, Alcohol, Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Lesbophobia, and Fatphobia
sadie_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Very cool book, and I really enjoyed the drawings. Also I liked that they went after guys who were predators. I didn’t know coming into this book that it was sapphic but I’m so glad it was and sapphics in supernatural books are just so great.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual harassment, and Death
Moderate: Fatphobia and Sexual assault
Minor: Racism, Eating disorder, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
bookbrig's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Murder, Gore, and Sexual assault
Minor: Fatphobia and Racism
kelecoo's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Death, Fatphobia, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
fox's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence and Cannibalism
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Lesbophobia
benediction's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Toxic friendship, Death, Blood, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, and Infidelity
Minor: Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Rape
pleasantboat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Fatphobia, Sexism, and Homophobia
Minor: Rape
booksthatburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Homophobia, Bullying, Body horror, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Child death
Minor: Eating disorder and Racism
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
That said, it's expected that the plot's predictable and the characters are stereotypical. The stance the girls of the Squad have on patriarchy is an understandable one. Although their method of bringing the patriarchy down isn't commendable, it can't be denied that sometimes, we just want the other to feel as much or more pain than what we've been subjected to. Of course, that can't happen in real life so here we have girls going wild in a fictional world doing so. Nevertheless, I have to agree that smashing patriarchy via murder doesn't give a great message. Additionally, there comes to a point in the story where the main focus of taking action against toxic masculinity goes off elsewhere when the sisterhood gets challenged.
Other than that, there are tropes and prejudice (microaggressions) in this graphic novel that remains unchallenged or not subverted. I would've loved to see them being challenged or subverted but again, that's not unexpected—particularly when you keep how it's pitched as in mind.
Anyway, the main problem I had with Squad is how there are moments between panels that have been skipped. Maybe I'm too used to reading manga where a lot of details and actions are included to create a very cohesive story, but yeah, the story got confusing for me at certain parts and they took a few rereads for me to connect the dots.
Everything considered, there is so much potential in this graphic novel. I think Squad would've been better as a series with multiple volumes so that more aspects could be expanded on and better fleshed out. Still, it's a fun and quick read as it is!
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism and Lesbophobia