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emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fun trip down memory lane for those of us who were alive in the early 00s.
The main character's mom had an interesting job - how many people do you hear about working at a mall? And I found it an interesting thing that the kid still thought the mall was cool, even though her mom worked there.
She makes some new friends, has some interpersonal drama. Some people I've heard talk about this book said that the predatory teacher plotline was surprising, but I thought it was pretty obvious from the beginning. I like that the "mean girl" plotline took some unexpected turns.
I like Leth's illustration style - kinda blocky, and well complemented by Diana Sousa's vibrant color work. Good variety of panel layouts - some interesting overlapping panel work. Particularly enjoyed the concept behind the Advent Calendar montage of Winter Break passing.
The main character's mom had an interesting job - how many people do you hear about working at a mall? And I found it an interesting thing that the kid still thought the mall was cool, even though her mom worked there.
She makes some new friends, has some interpersonal drama. Some people I've heard talk about this book said that the predatory teacher plotline was surprising, but I thought it was pretty obvious from the beginning. I like that the "mean girl" plotline took some unexpected turns.
I like Leth's illustration style - kinda blocky, and well complemented by Diana Sousa's vibrant color work. Good variety of panel layouts - some interesting overlapping panel work. Particularly enjoyed the concept behind the Advent Calendar montage of Winter Break passing.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
I really enjoyed this story of a high school girl who moves to a new town and has to deal with all the drama of being the new kid, plus family drama, and relationship drama too. The added twist for this story is a teacher at her school is a creep who is a sexual groomer. It is all dealt with finesse and good taste.
4.75
Turns out I was like every other bi teen goth. Could relate - but not to the gross pedo teacher hitting on me, would have preferred that wasn’t part of the storyline.
Otherwise it was a very nostalgic vibe.
https://youtube.com/@chanelchapters
Turns out I was like every other bi teen goth. Could relate - but not to the gross pedo teacher hitting on me, would have preferred that wasn’t part of the storyline.
Otherwise it was a very nostalgic vibe.
https://youtube.com/@chanelchapters
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is a really nostalgic read for me and alt kids will probably love it. It tackles some really heavy themes though as it shows Liv navigating being a new kid, trying to fit in, owning her sexuality, and being manipulated by multiple people the pacing was off and I think it would have benefitted from fleshing out repercussions for the teacher to really drive the point home.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
I stumbled across this graphic novel on Libby and thought it sounded interesting to pick up as a late night read.
“Mall Goth” follows a teenager named Liv who moves to a new town. It is hard to be the new girl, but Liv’s saving grace is the mall. She loves going to the mall to explore, window shop, and to even earn a little extra money. Can Liv find her place and make new friends in her new town?
This was such a fun read. I really loved Liv as a character and I highly enjoyed watching her explore all that the mall has to offer. Her life is not easy, for so many reasons, and I think she is a highly relatable main character.
This graphic novel touches upon an adult/minor relationship. One of Liv’s teachers makes her feel uncomfortable, and is paying a little too much attention to her. He even finds ways to talk to her outside of school. Liv does not know how to handle this initially because this is an adult she initially trusted. I really appreciated how the novel chose to handle this and how the other characters help Liv through it.
The people that Liv meets at her new school are so great. They seem to really embrace her and offer to include her right away. There is one boy that Liv kind of likes, but he is dating someone else. That story arch was executed impeccably. I loved what ultimately happened and I think it highlights a beautiful message about self love and friendship.
I highly recommend this to anyone teenager, or anyone who wants to feel nostalgic about the mall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship