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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
When I was eight years old, I made a female Runescape avatar with hot pink hair and matching clothes. Within two minutes I had multiple other players come up to me and repeatedly say “ur hot”. I don’t think joining an unsupervised all-girl guild would have done anything to prevent this.
I appreciate the attempt to tell this story, but I think it needed to come from someone closer to the issues at hand - I am far too uninformed to comment on how the Chinese characters were handled, but since the sexism aspect was brushed aside rather poorly, I have little faith much else was done right. At least the art was pretty.
I appreciate the attempt to tell this story, but I think it needed to come from someone closer to the issues at hand - I am far too uninformed to comment on how the Chinese characters were handled, but since the sexism aspect was brushed aside rather poorly, I have little faith much else was done right. At least the art was pretty.
adventurous
fast-paced
Interesting subject matter and visually stunning. This graphic novel is about gaming, economics, international as well as online relationships. Sadly, the ideas don't translate into a really compelling or particularly challenging narrative. Good but not great.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
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
This was cute.
5 stars for the art.
3 stars for the storyline.
So an average of 4!
5 stars for the art.
3 stars for the storyline.
So an average of 4!
Beautiful artwork, and I almost want to give an extra star just for that, but the story ultimately fell short for me. It touches on a lot of important and nuanced issues (sexism, community, bullying, prejudice, human rights violations, racism, and global economics) but doesn’t deal with any of them in very comprehensive ways. Admittedly, it’d be difficult to give all these topics their fair share of consideration in any book, much less in a 200-page graphic novel.
Sometimes I have a hard time rating graphic novels. I mean, you can't really knock off points for it not being very fleshed out, because that's kind of the nature of graphic novels. This one just seemed to be really bare bones. I liked the art, and the story was okay, but there wasn't much to it. It was pretty much over as soon as things got going.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed how the usual trope of a misunderstood gamer finds community meets the economic struggles found in China. Not a lot of stories aimed at middle grades and young adults bring humanized economics to the forefront, but the publisher, First Second, does a great job making those stories accessible.
I appreciate how the game jargon didn't overpower the story. The diction was informal and easy to understand. I recommend this graphic novel for those who want to introduce their kids, or themselves, to what is happening economically beyond their home and their screen.
I appreciate how the game jargon didn't overpower the story. The diction was informal and easy to understand. I recommend this graphic novel for those who want to introduce their kids, or themselves, to what is happening economically beyond their home and their screen.
My main issue with stories like this and Ready Player One is the books talk to you like you're stupid.
I hate being explained to about the obvious stuff here. I also hate when exposition is just thrown in because they can't show it, which should be even easier with a comic, and just tell you this is how it is and how you should feel instead of letting the reader enjoy. Also there's some great issues this count have tackled but instead just went softly by the themes or ideas of online gaming and overall was very sad they didn't try harder there.
The art is solid enough, if a bit plain, and the ending was cheesy yet cute. Overall it's decent, and aimed at a younger audience than myself, but I expected a lot better from it. So many great subjects to touch on and instead just let it slip through their fingers.
I hate being explained to about the obvious stuff here. I also hate when exposition is just thrown in because they can't show it, which should be even easier with a comic, and just tell you this is how it is and how you should feel instead of letting the reader enjoy. Also there's some great issues this count have tackled but instead just went softly by the themes or ideas of online gaming and overall was very sad they didn't try harder there.
The art is solid enough, if a bit plain, and the ending was cheesy yet cute. Overall it's decent, and aimed at a younger audience than myself, but I expected a lot better from it. So many great subjects to touch on and instead just let it slip through their fingers.
hopeful
informative
sad
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:
Yes