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needlesnbooks's review against another edition
4.0
So, first I was like, meh. But then, about half way through it started to get more interesting. And by chapter four I was liking this a lot. Courtney is a sassy, foul-tempered kid (middle school aged), smart kid. She is my peoples. And the creatures were creepy and interesting (though not too creepy). A good October spooky-ish read.
P.S. my library has this as YA and I think it would fit much better in the Juvenile section.
P.S. my library has this as YA and I think it would fit much better in the Juvenile section.
margaretann84's review against another edition
3.0
The art was pretty, but the stories didn't really hold my attention very well. Still, I'd recommend it for fans of Gaiman.
amyjoy's review against another edition
4.0
A great young adult graphic novel featuring a girl who is learning to navigate a world that includes things that go bump in the night. I enjoyed her little adventures, and I like that the night things were actually a bit scary.
blackcatkai's review against another edition
5.0
So cute! Absolutely love the art & story. Can't wait to pick up the next few volumes.
acidraineburns's review against another edition
5.0
A friend of mine sent me home with this graphic novel back in October. Even though I don't usually won't when someone has lent me a book, he requested that I not read it in the bathtub. That being the case, it has taken be this long to get to it. While over at this house eating lasagne and watching horror movies, he brought it back to my attention. He said that it was a quick read, which I already figured given the page numbers and the simple fact that it is a graphic novel. After finishing Life As We Knew It and waiting to pick up a book on hold at the library, I took this book down. It took me about an hour full of interruptions to finish it.
After using all of their credit cards, Courtney's parents move in with Great Uncle Aloysius on the pretense of taking care of him. Seeing this as a wonderful way of elevating their social status and still living at elevated means, they move Courtney into the old mansion. Given the neighborhood, Courtney is immediately put off. Not only is she eccentric, dark, and brooding, it is obvious by her dress than she is not as well off as her other classmates. However, after a strange encounter on her second night in the house, Courtney makes and unlikely friend in her reclusive Uncle Aloysius.
The book has four chapters. It follows Courtney from her beginnings in the house, the town, and her school. In the first chapter, she makes a new friend, develops some tormenters, and end up finding a way to keep them in her place. After feeling isolated and lonely in her new home, she puts a glamour on herself and learns "to be careful what she wished for." The third chapter takes her to the goblin market and the fourth heralds her doppelganger.
The artwork works well with the story. It lends it a dark, gothic feel. Even though it is black and white, I get the impression of Courtney being very pale while the rest of her world is colourful. It could be the writing style of Naifeh. The graphic novel is a combination of storytelling and Courtney's thoughts and experiences. It is different from other young adult graphic novels I have read, but it makes a big impact. Honestly, the story caught my attention when I read the note by the author at the beginning of the book.
If you're interested in more dark and sinister things, this is a good graphic novel. I am curious to see how the series continues. The art is a clever mix of manga and something else. I could see more cynical children really enjoying this.
After using all of their credit cards, Courtney's parents move in with Great Uncle Aloysius on the pretense of taking care of him. Seeing this as a wonderful way of elevating their social status and still living at elevated means, they move Courtney into the old mansion. Given the neighborhood, Courtney is immediately put off. Not only is she eccentric, dark, and brooding, it is obvious by her dress than she is not as well off as her other classmates. However, after a strange encounter on her second night in the house, Courtney makes and unlikely friend in her reclusive Uncle Aloysius.
The book has four chapters. It follows Courtney from her beginnings in the house, the town, and her school. In the first chapter, she makes a new friend, develops some tormenters, and end up finding a way to keep them in her place. After feeling isolated and lonely in her new home, she puts a glamour on herself and learns "to be careful what she wished for." The third chapter takes her to the goblin market and the fourth heralds her doppelganger.
The artwork works well with the story. It lends it a dark, gothic feel. Even though it is black and white, I get the impression of Courtney being very pale while the rest of her world is colourful. It could be the writing style of Naifeh. The graphic novel is a combination of storytelling and Courtney's thoughts and experiences. It is different from other young adult graphic novels I have read, but it makes a big impact. Honestly, the story caught my attention when I read the note by the author at the beginning of the book.
If you're interested in more dark and sinister things, this is a good graphic novel. I am curious to see how the series continues. The art is a clever mix of manga and something else. I could see more cynical children really enjoying this.
laura_is_fae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ktharp89's review against another edition
4.0
Super cute and creepy graphic novel. Perfect for October. It seems like a kids graphic novel but it's definitely not.
mshiiken's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those graphic novels that falls thoroughly into the spooky-for-kids camp. I really love this in particular because it has that thread of humor that a lot of classical horror movies have. The situations that Courtney finds herself in are just enough over the top that it's amusing, and her relationship with her uncle is also somehow very sweet.
colleenoakes's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, how I love to tow the line between creepy and scary. One step over into scary and I'm done, but not enough creepy and I'm bored. I felt like this graphic novel was the perfect balance of creepy but not scary, and I bet kids just die for it, since they love that line. I'm absolutely looking forward to the next one. I appreciated the dark humor, the gorgeous colors used, the laughable deaths and Courtney's lack of a nose.
skundrik87's review against another edition
2.0
this would be great for people who enjoy creepy. I just don't though.