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geekwayne's review
5.0
'Hockey Karma' by Howard Shapiro with art by Andres J. Mossa is the third book in the Forever Friends Trilogy. A dramatic series featuring hockey is a bit different, but I've enjoyed all three of these graphic novels.
Ten years have passed. Jeremiah "Jake' Jacobson has had a great career in hockey, but he's getting to the end of that career. When a hot, young player joins the team, Jake is reluctant to mentor him, and he's also got a medical problem that he is hiding from his team and friends.
His friend Tom is trying to put together a plan to help people in Bay City, but he needs Jake's input. Jake is so absorbed with his career and the prospect of losing it that he leaves Tom hanging.
Tom also finds an old flame in his home city, and meets up with some of the guys from their old high school band.
You will need to at least have read 'Hockey Saint' before this one, but there are references to both prior books.
The art isn't bad, but the real star here is the writing. Time has passed and these characters act older. Also, events happen off page and these transitions are done really well. I've really enjoyed this series. There is a lot of heart and a few life lessons to be found in these pages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Animal Media Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Ten years have passed. Jeremiah "Jake' Jacobson has had a great career in hockey, but he's getting to the end of that career. When a hot, young player joins the team, Jake is reluctant to mentor him, and he's also got a medical problem that he is hiding from his team and friends.
His friend Tom is trying to put together a plan to help people in Bay City, but he needs Jake's input. Jake is so absorbed with his career and the prospect of losing it that he leaves Tom hanging.
Tom also finds an old flame in his home city, and meets up with some of the guys from their old high school band.
You will need to at least have read 'Hockey Saint' before this one, but there are references to both prior books.
The art isn't bad, but the real star here is the writing. Time has passed and these characters act older. Also, events happen off page and these transitions are done really well. I've really enjoyed this series. There is a lot of heart and a few life lessons to be found in these pages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Animal Media Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
beastreader's review
3.0
I am a hockey fan. Yet, this is the first time I have heard about these books. I have read many hockey books but not a graphic novel one. The graphics in this book were great. They really did help to make the story come alive. They were done nicely without being overworked with too many details.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is that this was not just a book about a hockey player but that there were actual scenes featuring hockey players playing the game. In addition, the commentators were accurate in regards to reporting on the game. Another, aspect of this book that I appreciated was the fact that the hockey coach, Emma Schell, was a female. I know how male dominated this sport is, yet more female are breaking the barriers down and showing that women can be great coaches as well. Having not reading the prior novels I had not established that relationship with Jake and Tom so I was not as invested in their lives as I would have been if I had that established relationship. However, the lesson of this book showcasing the struggles that Jake had to overcome from bring the star player to a third lineman was good.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is that this was not just a book about a hockey player but that there were actual scenes featuring hockey players playing the game. In addition, the commentators were accurate in regards to reporting on the game. Another, aspect of this book that I appreciated was the fact that the hockey coach, Emma Schell, was a female. I know how male dominated this sport is, yet more female are breaking the barriers down and showing that women can be great coaches as well. Having not reading the prior novels I had not established that relationship with Jake and Tom so I was not as invested in their lives as I would have been if I had that established relationship. However, the lesson of this book showcasing the struggles that Jake had to overcome from bring the star player to a third lineman was good.
classicbhaer's review
3.0
This graphic novel has a lot going for it. A very good story line of personal growth, making amends, and doing whats right. On top of that the art work was beautiful. The cool tones used in most of the artwork really complemented the book.
My favorite thing about the graphic novel was watching Jake grow as a character and how his relationships responded to this. I really enjoy stories where the characters really grow and become their best selves. Even though I am personally not a dedicated hockey watcher I really enjoyed the read.
*Book was sent to me by the author for an honest review.
My favorite thing about the graphic novel was watching Jake grow as a character and how his relationships responded to this. I really enjoy stories where the characters really grow and become their best selves. Even though I am personally not a dedicated hockey watcher I really enjoyed the read.
*Book was sent to me by the author for an honest review.
ellelainey's review
4.0
Book – Hockey Karma (Forever Friends Trilogy #3)
Author – Howard Shapiro
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 160
Cover – Great!
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – Young Adult, Comic, Sport
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
Again, I find myself missing that real emotional connection of book 1. Maybe it's because there is so much of the story dedicated to Jeremiah that it didn't feel as great, but I definitely felt that there was something missing.
The story was a great continuance of the previous book, but after reading it, book 1 feels more like a prequel than a start; it didn't connect with the later two books as much as I'd hoped. I had thought maybe they would all be about this gang of rock loving friends, but Tom's friendship with Jeremiah was interesting enough to carry this story, especially with the added drama.
It was great to see some of the old characters back again, to have that realism of not staying in touch with high school friends and wishing you had. It was also nice that Tom was able to manage both while keeping his current friends, without anyone feeling alienated.
Again, the story managed to pack some pretty serious topics into a young adult story, without overdoing it or crossing the line into adult material – relationships, death, drug abuse etc. They were all handled sensitively and made a real impact. I also love that Tom really focused on his entrepreneurial work, which Jeremiah introduced him to.
For me, books 2 and 3 are the perfect fit together, with a great ending. But, book 1 will always be my favourite, despite how good the other two are in their own right. I do love a good Hockey story, so this one really played on that part of me that loves the sport, while maintaining the story and characters that had begin in the previous book.
Author – Howard Shapiro
Star rating - ★★★★☆
No. of Pages – 160
Cover – Great!
Would I read it again – Maybe
Genre – Young Adult, Comic, Sport
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
Again, I find myself missing that real emotional connection of book 1. Maybe it's because there is so much of the story dedicated to Jeremiah that it didn't feel as great, but I definitely felt that there was something missing.
The story was a great continuance of the previous book, but after reading it, book 1 feels more like a prequel than a start; it didn't connect with the later two books as much as I'd hoped. I had thought maybe they would all be about this gang of rock loving friends, but Tom's friendship with Jeremiah was interesting enough to carry this story, especially with the added drama.
It was great to see some of the old characters back again, to have that realism of not staying in touch with high school friends and wishing you had. It was also nice that Tom was able to manage both while keeping his current friends, without anyone feeling alienated.
Again, the story managed to pack some pretty serious topics into a young adult story, without overdoing it or crossing the line into adult material – relationships, death, drug abuse etc. They were all handled sensitively and made a real impact. I also love that Tom really focused on his entrepreneurial work, which Jeremiah introduced him to.
For me, books 2 and 3 are the perfect fit together, with a great ending. But, book 1 will always be my favourite, despite how good the other two are in their own right. I do love a good Hockey story, so this one really played on that part of me that loves the sport, while maintaining the story and characters that had begin in the previous book.
sadiecass's review
4.0
Now we're talking. We got to see all of the old gang in this one...even Jacoby!
I enjoyed this third installment in the series, and like that the end was left open for more. I also like the way the characters have aged and where they've ended up. It was good seeing Tom finally step into his own...and Jeremiah figuring out he was more than hockey.
Copy received free via netgalley. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this third installment in the series, and like that the end was left open for more. I also like the way the characters have aged and where they've ended up. It was good seeing Tom finally step into his own...and Jeremiah figuring out he was more than hockey.
Copy received free via netgalley. All opinions are my own.
ljrinaldi's review
3.0
This is a third in the trilogy of music and hockey stories that comes together well. I liked how things from the first graphic novel were bright back years later. I enjoyed seeing the growth of the characters.
You don't have to know about hockey to enjoy this story filled with humans going though heartbreak, addiction, and search for a purpose in life.
Things are never easy, of course, and some things go differently the you would expect.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
You don't have to know about hockey to enjoy this story filled with humans going though heartbreak, addiction, and search for a purpose in life.
Things are never easy, of course, and some things go differently the you would expect.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
vermillion__'s review
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for my honest review.
I think it is a lovely ending to a lovely graphic novel series. I really enjoyed reading it. I love every character and their developments. Friendship in this graphic novel is amazing. I love the song recommendations parts too.
I think it is a lovely ending to a lovely graphic novel series. I really enjoyed reading it. I love every character and their developments. Friendship in this graphic novel is amazing. I love the song recommendations parts too.
carroq's review
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book in the Forever Friends trilogy (The Stereotypical Freaks and The Hockey Saint are the other two books). The book is a progression from the previous stories and is set about 10 years after The Hockey Saint. It follows two friends, Tom Leonard and hockey player Jake Jacobson.
Jake is near the end of his career and battling with replacement and drug addiction. The creators did a great job of showing how these affected other aspects of his life. While Jake's life is deconstructing, Tom is working on building things up. He starts a relationship with his high school crush and develops plans to improve the community where the book is set. These events unfold over the course of the hockey season, which works nicely to pace the story.
The art is markedly different from the previous books. Mostly this is in the characters, which makes sense because they are a bit older now. I enjoyed it in general. There were a couple panels where the angle of the illustration combined with the character design made it look a little odd. The action shots on the ice are well done.
I think this is an excellent conclusion to the series. Although the characters are older now, it should appeal to teens that might have read the first two books or anyone that enjoys hockey stories.
This is the third book in the Forever Friends trilogy (The Stereotypical Freaks and The Hockey Saint are the other two books). The book is a progression from the previous stories and is set about 10 years after The Hockey Saint. It follows two friends, Tom Leonard and hockey player Jake Jacobson.
Jake is near the end of his career and battling with replacement and drug addiction. The creators did a great job of showing how these affected other aspects of his life. While Jake's life is deconstructing, Tom is working on building things up. He starts a relationship with his high school crush and develops plans to improve the community where the book is set. These events unfold over the course of the hockey season, which works nicely to pace the story.
The art is markedly different from the previous books. Mostly this is in the characters, which makes sense because they are a bit older now. I enjoyed it in general. There were a couple panels where the angle of the illustration combined with the character design made it look a little odd. The action shots on the ice are well done.
I think this is an excellent conclusion to the series. Although the characters are older now, it should appeal to teens that might have read the first two books or anyone that enjoys hockey stories.
tmaluck's review
I abstain from rating this particular graphic novel, as I had a minor hand in its creation and leave it to others to judge its merits/faults.
How come? Right this way...
How come? Right this way...