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pam_'s review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Deadnaming
Minor: Death, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Gore
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Gore
jayisreading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.25
Lubchansky nailed what it’s like to be in cis spaces as a trans person, particularly for those who don’t fall on the gender binary and/or are transitioning. Boys Weekend is such a poignant reflection on how difficult it can be to be your true self today, and what it’s like to return to a space with people from your past—who you love(d)—and knew you as a particular person. Lubchansky does a wonderful job exploring what it means to hold onto or let go of that past and its people, and the emotions that come with that decision.
In addition to this focus on trans identity and being in/finding community, Lubchansky provides biting commentary about capitalism and masculinity in the form of a bachelor’s party and a cult gathering taking place in the more-lawless-and-hedonistic-than-Vegas hotel, El Campo. Admittedly, I’m still trying to make sense of this part of the graphic novel, specifically the gore and eldritch horrors that make an appearance and their underlying meaning. (It made sense but also not, ahaha.) Everything was humorously over-the-top to really drive home the point that this is all absurd.
Overall, this graphic novel was surprisingly moving. As bleak as things got—especially with the constant misgendering and deadnaming—Lubchansky makes clear that there’s still something for us on the horizon. As the protagonist, Sammie, wonderfully states, “If a world doesn’t hold anything for you? You can leave it behind. We can expect better for ourselves.”
Note: I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a finished copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Gore, and Deadnaming
autumnruth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Transphobia, Gore, Deadnaming, and Murder
jarku's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Intensely relatable, which is a feat for a speculative horror comic. The setting is so rich and thoroughly imagined. Will strike a chord with any trans folks in cisnormative circles, especially tech. Tear-jerker ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming
Moderate: Transphobia and Gore
Minor: Alcohol, Fatphobia, and Religious bigotry
juffnstuff's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Murder, Gore, and Death
chefboyavi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I finished in one sitting since it’s a quick read and hard to put down. The juxtaposition of gender and identity with supernatural horror is a winner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Gore, Vomit, Deadnaming, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Violence, Murder, Toxic friendship, Death, and Bullying
grey_jayne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Boys Weekend is epic!!!! Horror is being trans, surrounded by cis people who don't understand or respect you, and Mattie Lubchansky recreates this experience better than I've ever seen it done before. This book creeps in the best ways, with both its horror and its emotional core. Read it now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
mfrisk's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely loved this graphic novel. It is an excellent read about harmful gender roles, changing friendships, and how easy it is for people to be driven to extremes in trying to conform and please others. All done with some wacky drawings, a kickass main character, and so much world building in a short graphic novel. Will definitely read more from this author in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Death, Body horror, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Alcohol
matthewosborne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A really fun book with an interesting twist. I knocked this out in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia