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corky12's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
saphfics's review
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Years later I still am not over this couple and this webtoon. It has been such a beautiful tale that I keep getting back to. Also check the authors other work on webtoon because they are equally wonderful
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
robinks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Awwww this is overall a sweet story with a beautiful color palette. Some parts of Austen and Sunati’s relationship are a bit clunky and troubling, but I’m glad to see them directly figuring things out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Cancer, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Transphobia
nyxtingale's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
4.25
It's a truly adorable webcomic but seriously why is Sunati 22 and Austen 18 it's so unnecessary and adds nothing to the plot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Chronic illness
One of the main characters has a chronic illness which makes her unable to use mods like most other people. This is central to who she is as a person.wolfiegrrrl's review
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
You can tell this is a WebToon printed in a book format. It's a slice of sci-fi life where queer people can live out a fantasy we can currently only dream of. The ability to essentially shapeshift on a whim without surgery?! Sign me up! But the implication that people can use body mods to race-fake goes disconcertingly unaddressed outside of one line where Sunati says she wants to keep her facial structure and promised her mom she wouldn't change her skin color.
This first volume is a collection of short episodes about Sunati and Austen getting to know each other and learning that first impressions can be misleading, and it introduces us to a colorful supporting cast of diverse characters. They're all interesting and fun in their own ways, but they come across as a little flat at this early stage of the series.
Austen, however, is the main focus of the story. It's wild to see a character we would consider able-bodied get labeled disabled because her immune system is too strong for her to use technological enhancements to download information directly into her brain or change her physical appearance whenever it suits her. She gets sick, has to study, and would need to use hair dye and makeup and colored contacts like the rest of us. Much like how people in our world treat people with disabilities, Austen is either turned into inspiration porn by the modded characters in the story or they think of her as someone who can do no wrong because "she can't help it" and "life is so hard for her."
To directly counter this, Ari North attempts to show us that Austen is a flawed character by having her repeatedly take out her emotions on the people around her by yelling and sometimes physically assaulting them. In a romance story, this is more than a little concerning. Flawed characters are great and flawed characters in flawed relationships are even better as long as there is an effort to show conscious character growth as the story continues, but the way it stands now Austen's abusive behavior is excused by everyone close to her as something "normal" that she always does. This is most likely an attempt to hammer home the point that even the people who have known her for longer than a month (including her own family) still refuse to acknowledge her flaws because of her perceived disability, but it's unsettling that she can go so far as to attack her sibling while they're sleeping and everyone brushes it off as just a quirky thing she did to get her way. It's hard to find her character charming, but I do sincerely hope she gets the chance to properly reflect and make an effort to put her best foot forward as the series develops.
This first volume is a collection of short episodes about Sunati and Austen getting to know each other and learning that first impressions can be misleading, and it introduces us to a colorful supporting cast of diverse characters. They're all interesting and fun in their own ways, but they come across as a little flat at this early stage of the series.
Austen, however, is the main focus of the story. It's wild to see a character we would consider able-bodied get labeled disabled because her immune system is too strong for her to use technological enhancements to download information directly into her brain or change her physical appearance whenever it suits her. She gets sick, has to study, and would need to use hair dye and makeup and colored contacts like the rest of us. Much like how people in our world treat people with disabilities, Austen is either turned into inspiration porn by the modded characters in the story or they think of her as someone who can do no wrong because "she can't help it" and "life is so hard for her."
To directly counter this, Ari North attempts to show us that Austen is a flawed character by having her repeatedly take out her emotions on the people around her by yelling and sometimes physically assaulting them. In a romance story, this is more than a little concerning. Flawed characters are great and flawed characters in flawed relationships are even better as long as there is an effort to show conscious character growth as the story continues, but the way it stands now Austen's abusive behavior is excused by everyone close to her as something "normal" that she always does. This is most likely an attempt to hammer home the point that even the people who have known her for longer than a month (including her own family) still refuse to acknowledge her flaws because of her perceived disability, but it's unsettling that she can go so far as to attack her sibling while they're sleeping and everyone brushes it off as just a quirky thing she did to get her way. It's hard to find her character charming, but I do sincerely hope she gets the chance to properly reflect and make an effort to put her best foot forward as the series develops.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cancer
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
storiesandsidequests's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’m so in love with this story! The artwork, the characters, the worldbuilding – everything is just…amazing.
This graphic novel is everything I want in a story. Set in a futuristic society where technology “mods” are used to change a person’s appearance or help with daily living, this sapphic romance follows Sunati and Austen as they fall in love and navigate the excitement and challenges that come with a new relationship.
The characters are well-developed, and relatable with realistic quirks, strengths, and flaws. Even though romance is at the center of the story, I loved that the author also took time to develop the platonic friendships and family relationships, showing that both characters have their own lives beyond their relationship. The story is sweet and tender but also addresses important issues such as body image, self-confidence, and illness/disability.
“What does strength have to do with it? What’s brave about not having a choice?”
This quote from Austen was one of the most emotional scenes in the story for me. She, like other people who are living with physical or mental illnesses, are often praised for being “brave” by well-meaning friends and family. But being congratulated for the simple act of existing is often more patronizing than encouraging. Watching Sunati try to understand her new girlfriend’s struggles is something I wish we saw more often in stories because this type of communication and reframing is so important in relationships.
The representation in this comic is amazing. In addition to the main f/f relationship, there are side characters who are aro-ace, agender, and genderfluid, (the sequel also includes m/m & a poly relationship). I also liked that the characters are older than in most YA romances – Sunati is working at her first internship and Austen is in college.
Other things I enjoyed: Rae is ultimate best friend goals. I loved the way she simultaneously calls Sunati out on her poor decisions and is an unconditionally supportive friend. Also, I enjoyed the scenes with Austen’s younger sibling Yasel. They were the perfect balance of annoying and helpful younger sibling as they give Sunati advice about Austen.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Eating disorder
daydreamermoonwalker's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
A super cute, fluffy, sapphic romance!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Cancer and Eating disorder
benediction's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
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