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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Beautifully illustrated, a world that sucks you in, characters that you care about and a story that you never want to end.
Mesmerising, wholesome and deep, all at the same time!! ☀️
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
This is a fantastic book, oh my word. BEAUTIFUL illustrations and storytelling, wonderful characters, slow burn relationships, and the scope of a space opera with the focus on a beautiful found family. I loved this very much.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood
Minor: Vomit
Much to my surprise, I didn't really like this all that much. I will probably list some reasons down below, but bottom line ultimately is that something about it just never gelled with me.
To elaborate, I didn't really like any of the characters, except Elliott. The world-building makes no sense. (Or, there is no world-building?) Maybe it's just me, but I like my sci-fi to make logical sense, and this reads more like a fantasy dream sequence than sci-fi to me. The dialogue didn't work for me. It felt very rote and bland (except for Jules, who had character coming out her ass). Also, the art kept me at a remove from the characters, even while the landscapes were visually very stunning. It was hard to distinguish which character was which sometimes.
And the big one that really did me in, the stakes always just seemed very artificial. At points, I just kept thinking to myself, this is dumb. (Specifically I just gave up on the book. What was there didn't do a good enough job establishing the context for any of it, and because I never connected with the characters, I was just fed up with the whole thing.
I also don't think the book did a good job of selling me on the love between Grace and Mia, you know, the central story in the book. In theory, their arc is solid, but I never felt any of it.
All in all, I'm very sad I didn't like this very much, because it seems like I should love it. Giving it 2.5 stars, rounded up, because there were elements I did like (mostly Elliott, except for their half-assed, overly dramatic backstory, but that's more a function of the other stuff I didn't like than it is of Elliott). And I can tell that it's probably a "just me" thing, so it doesn't really deserve two stars.
[2.5 stars]
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
To elaborate, I didn't really like any of the characters, except Elliott. The world-building makes no sense. (Or, there is no world-building?)
Spoiler
Oxygen, where is it? How are they dealing with all the background cosmic radiation? Why are all these random fucking buildings floating in space? When is this set? Men? Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the idea behind a female run society, but there are children present, and where are they coming from? If females can reproduce now, fine, but can you please explain it? Also, how can someone be non-binary if there is only one gender??? There is no other side to the binary to be non-binary about. I also had an unbelievably hard time buying into the premise of the Staircase. It seemed like a fairy-tale creation someone was trying to get me to take seriously.And the big one that really did me in, the stakes always just seemed very artificial. At points, I just kept thinking to myself, this is dumb. (Specifically
Spoiler
when all the people start in trying to murder Elliot--once again, they were the only character I liked--I also don't think the book did a good job of selling me on the love between Grace and Mia, you know, the central story in the book. In theory, their arc is solid, but I never felt any of it.
All in all, I'm very sad I didn't like this very much, because it seems like I should love it. Giving it 2.5 stars, rounded up, because there were elements I did like (mostly Elliott, except for their half-assed, overly dramatic backstory, but that's more a function of the other stuff I didn't like than it is of Elliott). And I can tell that it's probably a "just me" thing, so it doesn't really deserve two stars.
[2.5 stars]
Read Harder Challenge 2019: A comic by an LGBTQIA creator
This graphic novel uses stunning illustrations of other-worldly landscapes to create a dreamy and intimate story about young queer love and chosen family, set in outer space. I loved the affirming messages it sent to young queer, trans, and disabled people that it’s okay to be different, and that there will always be people who love and accept you, just the way you are — and that there is no need to tolerate bullshit, shitty working conditions, or disrespectful behaviors. It’s also a really engaging storyline that heads in unsuspecting places. Although there were moments of suspense, I was grateful for the sweet and affirming happy ending.
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
I went into this graphic novel expecting light reading. Instead, I got a beautifully emotional story. I love it.
This is one of my favourite books, it is beautiful, both in story and in the stunning artwork and visuals.
Absolutely beautiful art and wonderful cast of characters with just enough story to hold them all together. Surreal in a satisfying way. Queer in the best ways. Violence isn't overdone. Romance isn't forced. My only regret is that it isn't longer with room for more plot twists!
Side note: the print version just isn't a big enough format to appreciate the beautiful art. I bought it in print and ended up reading it online on a big monitor to really soak in the artwork.
Side note: the print version just isn't a big enough format to appreciate the beautiful art. I bought it in print and ended up reading it online on a big monitor to really soak in the artwork.
adventurous
emotional