Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Pixels of You

A sci-fi graphic novel set in the future where two photographers, Indira a cybernetically augmented human and Fawn a human-presenting AI, are forced to work together on an exhibit. Throughout their collaboration, they grow closer and learn about the ways the other navigates and struggles in their world.

I did not expect the depth of this book; I went in thinking this would be a cool human/AI rivals to lovers story, but the details we’re given about the world throughout are so interesting and honestly left me thinking.

I personally really liked the art style of this graphic novel; it appealed to me a lot and I really loved how the colours were done!

As for the story itself, I enjoyed it even though the whole photoshoot aspect didn’t feel so important amongst everything else that was happening between Indira and Fawn, but I did like their romance; slow burn and heartfelt. I personally was just super intrigued and horrified by the snippets we are given throughout the book about the issues within the AI system. The way it was conveyed, dropped between scenes of the book and with so little words yet so much behind it, had me thinking about the implications and consequences of an AI system that has unfortunately inherited our prejudices.

“Study finds bias by gender and skin type across multiple commerical AI systems: Neural networks failed to recognise some photo portraits as showing a human face at all.”

“LOL! Noora is bleeping out Bollywood song lyrics because they’re being mistaken for curse words!”

To me, it also felt so real in that way; it falls into the background as it wasn’t the focus of the story yet affects our main characters significantly because this is the world they live in. Indira’s backstory especially, the choice made in her childhood impacting her present day.

If she’d testified, would things have been different?

And Fawn as well, how her human-like appearance affects her place in the world, how she must be perceived and treated by humans and how she was treated by other AIs who aren’t human-presenting. I was honestly just so intrigued and engrossed in the setting that was created.

I suppose my only issue is that I didn’t quite understand some of Indira’s scenes, particularly the ‘dream’ parts, but that’s probably on me. There’s a lot left unsaid, but I thoroughly enjoyed this graphic novel and found it a wonderfully compelling read!

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anniereads221's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Books with AIs in will always have a special place in my heart!!! Was it too short yes, but i still loved it!!

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bluberrybooks's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

It was cute but I felt it was a bit lackluster. It touched upon the biases and racism that AI can have due to the people who program it. I wish that was further discussed and explored. I liked the story, but I wish it was longer and more developed. It didn't seem quite finished. I loved the artwork and color pallets in each page. Beautiful art overall

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cheesepuppy's review against another edition

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lighthearted

Loveable characters? No

3.0

Cute story. Lovely artwork. The storyline was overtly real-life accurate. This is definitely a statement piece, not in a bad way.

This other review summed up my feels on the story: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/3f8b62a4-e692-43d5-995b-3aec095da095

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fallandfox's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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hayleyvem's review against another edition

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dark emotional 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

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elenamarmiroli's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Illustrazione interessanti e belle a livello cromatico, storia carina, così come lo è lo sviluppo dei rapporti tra le due protagoniste. Ma come con quasi tutte le graphic novel che leggo, continuo ad accorgermi che non riesco mai ad apprezzare a pieno le storie raccontate in questo formato, tant'è che la cosa che ho gradito di più sull'opera erano gli interludi relativi agli AI e i loro difetti e come essi impattino la vita delle persone.

Nel complesso reputo la lettura carina e se vi piacciono le graphic novel, secondo me la potete apprezzare abbastanza.

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readalongwithnat's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.0

I received a free eARC from Netgalley and Amulet Books in exchange for my honest review.

I think the concepts behind this story are really fresh and interesting, but I think I wanted the book to be longer so the storyline could be developed further. The art is really cool in black and white and I look forward to seeing the final story in color.

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