Scan barcode
andye_reads's review against another edition
3.0
From a parent's point of view:
I thought that this was a pretty cute book, and I like that my kids are really enjoying Manga. It's an easy read for them and something that they can read in between other books to boost their confidence. I wasn't crazy about the content in this book, though, and if I had read it before my daughter, I probably wouldn't have given it to her. The age recommendation on the book is for ages 7 and up, but I found the language a bit much, and the content was too old for a 7 year old, in my opinion. It included a scene where a boy forces Courtney to kiss him, a changeling baby that smokes and drinks, some profanity, a picture of an obviously female creature topless, and a couple of other things I won't mention here. So, needless to say, if you care about that kind of thing, make sure you check over the mangas before passing them on, and don't just trust the age recommendations! :) I honestly don't understand the point in putting things like this in a book for 7 year olds, it certainly didn't enhance the story at all, so I'm at a loss to see the positive side of it. If it weren't for these things, I would recommend the book to kids who like to read creepy stories, that aren't too creepy. But at this point, I'd definitely save this book for when they're a little older than 7.
I thought that this was a pretty cute book, and I like that my kids are really enjoying Manga. It's an easy read for them and something that they can read in between other books to boost their confidence. I wasn't crazy about the content in this book, though, and if I had read it before my daughter, I probably wouldn't have given it to her. The age recommendation on the book is for ages 7 and up, but I found the language a bit much, and the content was too old for a 7 year old, in my opinion. It included a scene where a boy forces Courtney to kiss him, a changeling baby that smokes and drinks, some profanity, a picture of an obviously female creature topless, and a couple of other things I won't mention here. So, needless to say, if you care about that kind of thing, make sure you check over the mangas before passing them on, and don't just trust the age recommendations! :) I honestly don't understand the point in putting things like this in a book for 7 year olds, it certainly didn't enhance the story at all, so I'm at a loss to see the positive side of it. If it weren't for these things, I would recommend the book to kids who like to read creepy stories, that aren't too creepy. But at this point, I'd definitely save this book for when they're a little older than 7.
karmakat's review against another edition
4.0
Cute, yet slightly twisted, graphic novel aimed at the middle-school crowd. My husband didn't really enjoy it, but as the awkward girl growing up, I could really relate to Courtney.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I got a free ARC via netgalley.
Poor Courtney Crumrin. Her parents are clueless, the family has moved in with her mysterious uncle, she’s the new kid at school, and there is something that goes bump in the night in her bedroom.
What’s a girl to do?
Use her noggin.
Courtney Crumrin, like Tiffany Achling, is the girl’s answer to Harry Potter. She’s Hermione gone gothic. Well, slightly Goth. Courtney is her own teen after all. (And how come male authors keep doing this, not female ones?)
This volume contains three stories about Courtney as she adjusts to her new life. The first is about her experiences in a new school, and the other two are adventures. What Ted Naifeh has done, and done brilliantly, is take that out of place teen feeling and grafted in onto fairy stories.
And I don’t mean Tinkerbelle fairy or the Tooth Fairy. I mean the let’s dance in the fairy ring for days fairy.
Courtney isn’t nice or sweet. In fact, she’s every anti-social teen you’ve ever met. Yet because of this, she becomes the every teen. The idea of belonging or not belonging, that desire to be social that inflict even the most unsocial of us, runs though these three stories. Yet, while Courtney is that outsider teen, she isn’t a victim. She might be a potential bully victim, but she fights back. There is something special about Courtney in her anti-behavior, in her ability to learn from her mistakes, of her better nature. The reader roots for her.
Naifeh makes great and intelligent use of fairy motif and lore. There is a bit about magic, and the story is framed by a goblin/demon that resembles a large wolf. He’s not sweet, don’t worry. In addition to the use of teen awkwardness, Naifeh makes good use of family behavior in terms of changelings. There is some social and family dynamic commentary here, such as people who have children as a status symbol. There are wonderful touches of detail, not only in how the tales are used, but also in the families and the drawings. In addition, Courtney’s desire to be herself is balanced by her parents’ desire to belong. While the moral might not be subtle, the parents are not necessary walking clichés or stereotypes either. Despite their brief appearances, there is some depth to them.
This is a great book for a teen or an adult to read.
Poor Courtney Crumrin. Her parents are clueless, the family has moved in with her mysterious uncle, she’s the new kid at school, and there is something that goes bump in the night in her bedroom.
What’s a girl to do?
Use her noggin.
Courtney Crumrin, like Tiffany Achling, is the girl’s answer to Harry Potter. She’s Hermione gone gothic. Well, slightly Goth. Courtney is her own teen after all. (And how come male authors keep doing this, not female ones?)
This volume contains three stories about Courtney as she adjusts to her new life. The first is about her experiences in a new school, and the other two are adventures. What Ted Naifeh has done, and done brilliantly, is take that out of place teen feeling and grafted in onto fairy stories.
And I don’t mean Tinkerbelle fairy or the Tooth Fairy. I mean the let’s dance in the fairy ring for days fairy.
Courtney isn’t nice or sweet. In fact, she’s every anti-social teen you’ve ever met. Yet because of this, she becomes the every teen. The idea of belonging or not belonging, that desire to be social that inflict even the most unsocial of us, runs though these three stories. Yet, while Courtney is that outsider teen, she isn’t a victim. She might be a potential bully victim, but she fights back. There is something special about Courtney in her anti-behavior, in her ability to learn from her mistakes, of her better nature. The reader roots for her.
Naifeh makes great and intelligent use of fairy motif and lore. There is a bit about magic, and the story is framed by a goblin/demon that resembles a large wolf. He’s not sweet, don’t worry. In addition to the use of teen awkwardness, Naifeh makes good use of family behavior in terms of changelings. There is some social and family dynamic commentary here, such as people who have children as a status symbol. There are wonderful touches of detail, not only in how the tales are used, but also in the families and the drawings. In addition, Courtney’s desire to be herself is balanced by her parents’ desire to belong. While the moral might not be subtle, the parents are not necessary walking clichés or stereotypes either. Despite their brief appearances, there is some depth to them.
This is a great book for a teen or an adult to read.
cindymarie's review against another edition
1.0
I was really excited to read this, but it didn't work for me at all. It's hard to like a story when you hate the main character.... and boy do I hate her. When you have a bad attitude and you are a bully towards people yourself, I have no sympathy for you if you are bullied. Especially if you make comments about people "Riding the short bus." and hate people before you have even met or spoken with one person because they have money so they are "privileged." She has so much attitude the teacher doing role call her first day of school says her name and she just says "yea."
Why does she not have a nose? If you are going to make a character like that it needs to be explained. Is this Voldemort's child? I guess that would make sense.
Why does she not have a nose? If you are going to make a character like that it needs to be explained. Is this Voldemort's child? I guess that would make sense.
lucasrene's review against another edition
3.0
Overall a good introduction to a story of a girl who doesn't quite fit in, but is happily absorbed into a world of darkness, magic, and goblins. Why isn't Courtney drawn with a nose? This actually bothered me a lot. :/
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness I want to read more! Loved this.
kitsana_d's review against another edition
4.0
I started this series back in '03 and adored it. Then life kept happening and it got forgotten. But it's held up - a dark fantasy world with a teen witch finding her way who retains what makes her her. Courtney has a bad attitude and refuses to change who she is. 14 year old me would have adored her; 34 year old me still does.
pussreboots's review against another edition
5.0
Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things by Ted Naifeh is the first in a YA paranormal graphic novel series. Although published originally in 2003, it's been reissued in color.
The book opens with Courtney and her family moving in with a great uncle. He's basically a hermit, shacked up in his dilapidated mansion on the edge of a wealthy but severely dysfunctional (think Stepford Wives) town.
At home Courtney faces all sorts of strange night creatures invading the house and her room. At school she faces alienation and bullying. Courtney, though, quickly grows sick of both bad situations and takes manners into her own hands.
Now while The Stepford Wives had a manmade problem, this town is at the mercy of something completely paranormal. Fans of The Replacement or The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making will probably like the Courtney Crumrin series.
My only minor complaint is the artwork. I'm not a fan of the claw like fingers that Naifeh's characters usually have. Here though, I got so wrapped up in the story that I began to neglect the artwork.
The book opens with Courtney and her family moving in with a great uncle. He's basically a hermit, shacked up in his dilapidated mansion on the edge of a wealthy but severely dysfunctional (think Stepford Wives) town.
At home Courtney faces all sorts of strange night creatures invading the house and her room. At school she faces alienation and bullying. Courtney, though, quickly grows sick of both bad situations and takes manners into her own hands.
Now while The Stepford Wives had a manmade problem, this town is at the mercy of something completely paranormal. Fans of The Replacement or The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making will probably like the Courtney Crumrin series.
My only minor complaint is the artwork. I'm not a fan of the claw like fingers that Naifeh's characters usually have. Here though, I got so wrapped up in the story that I began to neglect the artwork.
vylotte's review against another edition
4.0
Courtney moves with her parents into a massive mansion to "take care of" a mysterious old uncle. Of course, nothing is as it seems. Luckily Courtney has plenty of ingenuity and spunk to conquer whatever trials come her way. Fun and clever.
More...