Reviews

The Golden Hour by Niki Smith

bentersbookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

annereads's review

5.0

Loved this book! A must read!

izzys_internet_bookshelf's review

3.0

3.5/5

Agh I loved the paintings in this book. The story was heartbreaking and uplifting at the same time. It was so interesting on how it showed the main character going through his attacks and showing how he is able to help himself

havenhill's review

emotional informative inspiring 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

3.75

trevoryan's review

5.0

We need books about kids dealing with anxiety. And this one approaches the topic incredibly well. Also, the manga influence in the art is great!

jenniekolakoski's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-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? No

5.0

sweetrosegirl76's review

3.0

Manuel witnessed someone shooting a teacher at his school, it wasn't a mass shooting but still just as traumatic and he's dealing with PTSD and anxiety since it happened. He finds friends and good grounding techniques to help him. I feel like the book ended abruptly but it's good. I would def recommend for kids age, and I think I might even recommend for school shooting survivors as this shows the realistic ongoing anxieties one goes through and shows different ways of coping and navigating the world. I think it'd make kids feel less alone not that school shootings are a unique and one off occurrence in America

amieeaya's review

5.0

A perfect graphic novel, perfectly middle grade, so much heart and feeling. Set in rural America. The art was perfect. Super excited to watch this author's career. 

seobhan12's review

emotional

3.5

wheatlyre's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

 The Golden Hour is an emotional story about a young boy with a love of photography, returning to school after a traumatic event and figuring out how to cope with his anxiety and PTS that surfaced as a consequence of said event. The art is absolutely gorgeous and visuals cinematic.

While it did feel quite emotionally bleak at times, it does end on a good note.

TLDR; Very sweet, I cried.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gun violence

Moderate: Mass/school shootings