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kenlaan's review
4.0
In the future, you can crowd-fund the assassination of someone that wronged you with the REAPR service. Usually these don't go anywhere, but Charlie Ellison somehow manages to rack up a $1m bounty. The campaigns last 30 days, so she uses the DFEND app to hire a body guard for the duration, and winds up with Vita, who is the lowest-rated bodyguard in the area.
Manages to be bitingly satirical about near-future society without being overly cynical or bleak. Vita and Charlie are both very likable (Vita genuinely so, Charlie in an "entertaining terrible person" sort of way), and the plot has more legs than I thought it would. There are also (literal) militant librarians that were awesome. I like the art (especially the coloring) a lot, too.
The only reason this isn't a 5-star for me is because my 5-stars all have to have a fair amount of weight, for some arbitrary reason. As good as this is, it's not quite there.
Manages to be bitingly satirical about near-future society without being overly cynical or bleak. Vita and Charlie are both very likable (Vita genuinely so, Charlie in an "entertaining terrible person" sort of way), and the plot has more legs than I thought it would. There are also (literal) militant librarians that were awesome. I like the art (especially the coloring) a lot, too.
The only reason this isn't a 5-star for me is because my 5-stars all have to have a fair amount of weight, for some arbitrary reason. As good as this is, it's not quite there.
alandd's review
2.0
It tried SO hard that it ended up failing. The concept is great, but the execution is poor. Vita is the only worthy character here, whereas Charlie is unbearable to death, stupid, illogical, bordering brain dead sometimes (scene at the stripper club; I seriously hoped it would be an important change for her, but it wasn't). And don't get me started in the romance, so lifeless and unnatural.
sparklemaia's review
4.0
This book is bonkers. The gig economy rules everything and vigilantism is so normalized that you can crowdfund assassinations and download an app to hire a bodyguard. There are near constant shootouts, lots of explosions, a purse dog, robot car chases, a Disaster Lesbian who's good with guns and bad with people, teen hackers, salty exes, dong shaped party favors, libraries as safehouses, and animosity banter. Everyone is thoroughly unlikeable and I liked that. Special note of appreciation for the dynamic art & colorwork.
sorrickl's review
5.0
I adored this comic. I found the story line original and the characters very well done.
thebeeselbows's review
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
daisysbookmusings's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was going to be daft (and don't get me wrong, there were daft moments) so I didn't get my hopes up.
Crowded however completely shocked me, it is RAMMED with action, thrill and a black mirror esq social commentary regarding crowd funders, a person's desire for revenge and how pettiness can sometimes become more dangerous than we care to admit.
Don't get me wrong Charlie was SO fucking annoying at times but I guess that's the point, she's meant to be unbearable because it's all a facade. I can't wait to find out her secrets and to cheer Vita on the whole way (a character I love, who is literally a gooey centre in a hard shell)
Crowded however completely shocked me, it is RAMMED with action, thrill and a black mirror esq social commentary regarding crowd funders, a person's desire for revenge and how pettiness can sometimes become more dangerous than we care to admit.
Don't get me wrong Charlie was SO fucking annoying at times but I guess that's the point, she's meant to be unbearable because it's all a facade. I can't wait to find out her secrets and to cheer Vita on the whole way (a character I love, who is literally a gooey centre in a hard shell)
ecroot's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75