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sophiesmallhands's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Fatphobia, Colonisation, Classism, Police brutality, Death of parent, Death, and Gore
jac_panic_attac's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
k_fry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
On the positive side - this book is gorgeous. The different planets feel distinct, the characters are all unique and interesting, as are their individual expressions. I also really felt like the story was cohesive and clear to follow which I don’t think is always the case with a graphic novel.
I loved the worldbuilding in concept, but I’ll admit I can’t fully buy into the utopia that Delliquati explores and tries to sell as existing in the story.
There is a certain Pacifist subset of society that turn away from ongoing struggles in the universe to protect themselves and live in their utopia. My issue with this is the underlying implications. In a story about how to make a world fairer, how is it fair for people to have their basic needs met, and moreover be able to have freedom to pursue any interest at a whim, when they are also aware of struggles elsewhere? How can they be comfortable watching their food materialize Star Trek style while people starve across a galaxy? It’s not a question I expect an answer to but I’m left frustrated that it wasn’t a question asked in the story.
While hinted at during a conversation between Lu and Fassen early on, no significant exploration of the disconnect occurred among the larger group later.
I think you could read into Lu’s actions as part of that exploration, in my head though I interpreted them as related more to their personal interest in research for the sake of research.
Overall, it wasn’t until forced to contribute that this society made a significant effort to work against the empire, which rivals the collectivist mindset otherwise described. That was still only a select few members however.
Maybe it’s reading this while living in the US as the genocide in Gaza is taking place, but that lack of nuance didn’t sit well with me as I read. I guess I felt like there should have been more reflection on the decision to stay out of things.
I throughly enjoyed the read and the ways it made me think about topics of war, rebellion, human needs beyond the most basic, and connections between people. I may not have been able to fully buy into every aspect, but the story even making me think that way is, in my opinion, a testament to how wonderful it is.
I loved the worldbuilding in concept, but I’ll admit I can’t fully buy into the utopia that Delliquati explores and tries to sell as existing in the story.
While hinted at during a conversation between Lu and Fassen early on, no significant exploration of the disconnect occurred among the larger group later.
I think you could read into Lu’s actions as part of that exploration, in my head though I interpreted them as related more to their personal interest in research for the sake of research.
Overall, it wasn’t until forced to contribute that this society made a significant effort to work against the empire, which rivals the collectivist mindset otherwise described. That was still only a select few members however.
Maybe it’s reading this while living in the US as the genocide in Gaza is taking place, but that lack of nuance didn’t sit well with me as I read. I guess I felt like there should have been more reflection on the decision to stay out of things.
I throughly enjoyed the read and the ways it made me think about topics of war, rebellion, human needs beyond the most basic, and connections between people. I may not have been able to fully buy into every aspect, but the story even making me think that way is, in my opinion, a testament to how wonderful it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
smasson13's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
It's very queer, very diverse, but struggles to piece itself together. The ending and explanation of morals is easily explained due to it being a children's book. Yet, the work was jumpy and at times difficult to follow the plot clearly.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Dysphoria, War, Police brutality, Classism, and Murder
zombiezami's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
4.5
My only point of contention, which isn't a complaint, is that the book is described as a romance and it's not. I don't know why that's in the blurb. Everything was amazing otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Body horror, Medical content, Blood, Grief, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Vomit
torrentsofhayl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Death of parent
Moderate: Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and War
micaelacccc's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
This felt like a warm hug. It was something I didn't know I needed, but I'm so glad I got to experience it. It made me feel hopeful for what we all can do as a society to push back against corrupt forces. Overall, it was a lovely, cozy & wonderful story full of body positivity and unapologetic queerness!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Colonisation, War, and Gun violence
Minor: Dysphoria and Death of parent
the_vegan_bookworm's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was an interesting sci-fi story with queerness centered throughout. It examined war and how we become tools of the war machine even without intending to be such, what we 'deserve' and how we 'earn' things like joy, and about the potential for utopia in our communities. I loved all of the characters, but Sertig was my favourite by far and I would do anything to protect her.
I especially enjoyed the author's notes and reflections on writing this story of utopia and what we 'deserve'.
While I felt the book had excellent trans rep throughout, I challenge the idea that it's a sapphic story. It feels much more like a queer platonic relationship between Fassen and Lu than a romantic one.
I especially enjoyed the author's notes and reflections on writing this story of utopia and what we 'deserve'.
While I felt the book had excellent trans rep throughout, I challenge the idea that it's a sapphic story. It feels much more like a queer platonic relationship between Fassen and Lu than a romantic one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and War
Minor: Death of parent
lackyducks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A very active read. The story opens with a prologue, showing the meeting of the two main characters and establishing the relationships between their associated factions. It then jumps in time to kick off the main plot of the story.
Although it would've been nice to see more of Lu and Fallen's relationship over time, it is still clear how much the characters care for each other. You see the effort Fallen puts into contacting Lu, the stories they share and how much they know about each other.
I enjoyed how their differing viewpoints and factions were treated throughout the story. As well as how they contributed to the resolution of it.
The story goes between fast paced action scenes and slower scenes showing the area and situation characters live in and developing the relationships between them. As well as the main plot, you watch Fallen's journey of growth which I found was executed well.
I greatly enjoyed the science fiction elements. There was enough depth to keep me engaged without boring me. I thought the technology was cool, and loved the amount of thought put into the different factions and how they're presented. They all look distinct from each other in design and colour. I would have liked to see more of Blossom, as despite being set up as the main enemy, it feels like we found very little out about their motives or lives.
I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, with some twists catching me off-guard. I also liked the exploration into morality in war and the after effects of living in those situations (something I feel often gets left from these stories.) Seeing Fallen struggle in a new environment was nice, it was nice to see a story where trauma is not left behind and forgotten.
As somebody that often loses track of characters, I found I was able to remember the main cast without much issue! The character designs are all very distinct, as are their personalities.
I overall really enjoyed this read. It was an engaging world and a fun story with a nice amount of depth.
Although it would've been nice to see more of Lu and Fallen's relationship over time, it is still clear how much the characters care for each other. You see the effort Fallen puts into contacting Lu, the stories they share and how much they know about each other.
I enjoyed how their differing viewpoints and factions were treated throughout the story. As well as how they contributed to the resolution of it.
The story goes between fast paced action scenes and slower scenes showing the area and situation characters live in and developing the relationships between them. As well as the main plot, you watch Fallen's journey of growth which I found was executed well.
I greatly enjoyed the science fiction elements. There was enough depth to keep me engaged without boring me. I thought the technology was cool, and loved the amount of thought put into the different factions and how they're presented. They all look distinct from each other in design and colour. I would have liked to see more of Blossom, as despite being set up as the main enemy, it feels like we found very little out about their motives or lives.
I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, with some twists catching me off-guard. I also liked the exploration into morality in war and the after effects of living in those situations (something I feel often gets left from these stories.) Seeing Fallen struggle in a new environment was nice, it was nice to see a story where trauma is not left behind and forgotten.
As somebody that often loses track of characters, I found I was able to remember the main cast without much issue! The character designs are all very distinct, as are their personalities.
I overall really enjoyed this read. It was an engaging world and a fun story with a nice amount of depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and War
augustar14's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
A beautiful graphic novel with a host of queer characters all over the rainbow. I appreciate that a character's LGBTQ+ identity was independent of their morality, and not questioned by any other characters. The variety in characters appearances and traits was delightful; I often struggle to remember which characters are which in stories at times, but this author did a great job of making each one distinct not just in appearance but also personality.
I love the world Blue has created and the possibilities they lead the reader to consider when reading this story.
I love the world Blue has created and the possibilities they lead the reader to consider when reading this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Gun violence, Death of parent, Bullying, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Colonisation, and Child death
Minor: Vomit