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alyssaarch's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, Grief, Vomit, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Cancer, and Suicide attempt
missbookiverse's review against another edition
4.0
Der Vorgänger von Goth Girl Rising [b:The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl|257445|The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl (The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl, #1)|Barry Lyga|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1348077698s/257445.jpg|719301] hat ein zum Inhalt passendes, ansprechendes Cover. Es ist mir ein absolutes Rätsel wieso man diesen Stil für die Fortsetzung nicht beibehalten hat. Stattdessen bekommen wir eine Nahaufnahme extrem mit strähnigen Haaren (die kaum Sinn machen, da Kyra nach den ersten paar Kapiteln eine komplett andere Frisur trägt) und ultraschlecht gephotoshopptem Lippenstift. WIESO? Lasst euch bitte nicht abschrecken, sondern bastelt stattdessen euren eigenen Buchumschlag.
Während Fanboy & Goth Girl sich auf die Sicht von Fanboy (dessen richtiger Name in jedem der beiden Bücher je nur 1x erwähnt wird) beschränkt hat, bekommt man bei Goth Girl Rising die volle Ladung Kyra. Da steckt ordentlich Frust, Wut, Klugscheißerei und Verletzlichkeit drin. Nichts für Fans von einfachen Protagonistinnen.
Ich mag kratzbürstige Figuren. Auch wenn es im Zusammenhang mit Menschen, die Kyra eigentlich helfen wollen schwer mitanzulesen ist. Gerade Kyras Verhaltem ihrem Vater gegenüber oder die Rackepläne, die sie für Fanboy schmiedet, haben mich traurig gestimmt. Trotzdem konnte ich sie verstehen. Kyras Wut ist oft berechtigt, leider trifft sie meist die falsche Person.
Was mich am meisten überrascht hat, war der gesellschaftskritische Ton, den Kyra anschlägt. Sie spricht offen (und genervt) an wie oft Frauen nur auf ihre Brüste und ihren Hintern reduziert werden. Es geht darum wie manche junge Mädchen das ausnutzen, sich aufreizend anziehen, um Jungs und Männer um den Finger zu wickeln. Viele fühlen sich dadurch mächtig, doch Kyra gibt zu bedenken, dass man Männern dadurch eigentlich genau das gibt, was sie wollen.
Beeindruckend was für Gedankenschwälle da aus dem Kopf eines männlichen Autors strömen. Zu vielem konnte ich nur gebannt nicken. Hier gibt’s auf jeden Fall ordentlich Stoff zum Nachdenken und Diskutieren.
Die meisten Kapitel sind nur wenige Seiten kurz und lesen sich in angenehmem Tempo weg. Aufgelockert wird das ganze durch ein immer wiederkehrendes Gedicht und Briefe, die Kyra an Neil Gaiman schreibt. Von dem und seinen Sandman Comics ist sie ziemlich besessen. Über letztere schwärmt Kyra im Buch so viel, dass ich mir inzwischen tatsächlich die erste Sammelausgabe der Sandman Comics bestellt habe.
Wer schon andere Bücher von Barry Lyga gelesen hat, weiß dass die meisten seiner Geschichten an der Brookdale High spielen. Dementsprechend viele Crossover-Charaktere werden erwähnt. In diesem Fall wird das ein oder andere Wort über Josh aus Boy Toy und sogar über Andi (eine Figur aus einer Kurzgeschichte aus der Anthologie Geektastic) verloren. Ich liebe es, wenn Autoren ihr eigenes Universum erschaffen haben (ohne gleich eine andere Welt erfinden zu müssen) und das nutzen.
Während Fanboy & Goth Girl sich auf die Sicht von Fanboy (dessen richtiger Name in jedem der beiden Bücher je nur 1x erwähnt wird) beschränkt hat, bekommt man bei Goth Girl Rising die volle Ladung Kyra. Da steckt ordentlich Frust, Wut, Klugscheißerei und Verletzlichkeit drin. Nichts für Fans von einfachen Protagonistinnen.
Ich mag kratzbürstige Figuren. Auch wenn es im Zusammenhang mit Menschen, die Kyra eigentlich helfen wollen schwer mitanzulesen ist. Gerade Kyras Verhaltem ihrem Vater gegenüber oder die Rackepläne, die sie für Fanboy schmiedet, haben mich traurig gestimmt. Trotzdem konnte ich sie verstehen. Kyras Wut ist oft berechtigt, leider trifft sie meist die falsche Person.
Was mich am meisten überrascht hat, war der gesellschaftskritische Ton, den Kyra anschlägt. Sie spricht offen (und genervt) an wie oft Frauen nur auf ihre Brüste und ihren Hintern reduziert werden. Es geht darum wie manche junge Mädchen das ausnutzen, sich aufreizend anziehen, um Jungs und Männer um den Finger zu wickeln. Viele fühlen sich dadurch mächtig, doch Kyra gibt zu bedenken, dass man Männern dadurch eigentlich genau das gibt, was sie wollen.
Beeindruckend was für Gedankenschwälle da aus dem Kopf eines männlichen Autors strömen. Zu vielem konnte ich nur gebannt nicken. Hier gibt’s auf jeden Fall ordentlich Stoff zum Nachdenken und Diskutieren.
Die meisten Kapitel sind nur wenige Seiten kurz und lesen sich in angenehmem Tempo weg. Aufgelockert wird das ganze durch ein immer wiederkehrendes Gedicht und Briefe, die Kyra an Neil Gaiman schreibt. Von dem und seinen Sandman Comics ist sie ziemlich besessen. Über letztere schwärmt Kyra im Buch so viel, dass ich mir inzwischen tatsächlich die erste Sammelausgabe der Sandman Comics bestellt habe.
Wer schon andere Bücher von Barry Lyga gelesen hat, weiß dass die meisten seiner Geschichten an der Brookdale High spielen. Dementsprechend viele Crossover-Charaktere werden erwähnt. In diesem Fall wird das ein oder andere Wort über Josh aus Boy Toy und sogar über Andi (eine Figur aus einer Kurzgeschichte aus der Anthologie Geektastic) verloren. Ich liebe es, wenn Autoren ihr eigenes Universum erschaffen haben (ohne gleich eine andere Welt erfinden zu müssen) und das nutzen.
thewallflower00's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book remarkable because the first was semi-autobiographical. But the second takes the POV of a girl. And a seriously messed up girl. An obnoxious, self-centered girl -- that works as a secondary, but as a main character?
Like the first, there's a lot of thinking, ruminating, and introverted rants as teens do. I suppose it's part of the character, but it just goes on too long. It fills the book, and the plot elements tend to be diminished. But I liked the plot events that did happen. Although they weren't real exciting, they were true to characters. So I guess this is better as a "true" book than a "good" book. If that makes any sense.
Like the first, there's a lot of thinking, ruminating, and introverted rants as teens do. I suppose it's part of the character, but it just goes on too long. It fills the book, and the plot elements tend to be diminished. But I liked the plot events that did happen. Although they weren't real exciting, they were true to characters. So I guess this is better as a "true" book than a "good" book. If that makes any sense.
cleah's review against another edition
5.0
Warning: do not read this book without reading The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl first.
GOTH GIRL RISING picks up the story right where it left off. At least for Kyra (AKA Goth Girl). Back from her time in the mental hospital and still dealing with her mother's death, she wants nothing more than to get re-connected with Fanboy and her previous life. Unfortunately, Fanboy is not the person he used to be...
My first thought when I started this book was that it felt so good to be back in Brookdale. It was great to see the same characters again, like The Spermling and Cal, and especially great to see the new Fanboy. It was also neat to see things from Kyra's perspective, and the close ties to Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is sure to please many comic book fans.
GOTH GIRL RISING brings a harsh and brutally honest voice from a confused girl. At times she is downright unlikeable, and yet readers will find themselves wanting good things to happen to her. Though this book deals with issues like suicide and the death of a parent, it is also about hope and overcoming the things that can sometimes hold you back. A top notch follow-up from Lyga, and I would love to see more from these characters!
GOTH GIRL RISING picks up the story right where it left off. At least for Kyra (AKA Goth Girl). Back from her time in the mental hospital and still dealing with her mother's death, she wants nothing more than to get re-connected with Fanboy and her previous life. Unfortunately, Fanboy is not the person he used to be...
My first thought when I started this book was that it felt so good to be back in Brookdale. It was great to see the same characters again, like The Spermling and Cal, and especially great to see the new Fanboy. It was also neat to see things from Kyra's perspective, and the close ties to Neil Gaiman's Sandman series is sure to please many comic book fans.
GOTH GIRL RISING brings a harsh and brutally honest voice from a confused girl. At times she is downright unlikeable, and yet readers will find themselves wanting good things to happen to her. Though this book deals with issues like suicide and the death of a parent, it is also about hope and overcoming the things that can sometimes hold you back. A top notch follow-up from Lyga, and I would love to see more from these characters!
margeryb's review against another edition
4.0
First thing, I think the cover does a disservice to this book. Because the cover to the book this is a sequel/follow up too is great and this one is not so much.
Second, this is the Barry Lyga I know and love. What I really like about this book is that nothing "big" happens... no demonstration before the school or one single profound moment of understanding or big speech... which is often a part of realistic teen fiction (and other realistic fiction in general). This is just about a character's journey living their life with regular hardships. And it works. That's hard to do, and it works, and I wanted to keep reading.
I also think Barry Lyga did a good job writing a female protagonist, which I believe this is his first (at least first published anyway).
If you read the book preceding this (The Astounding Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl) I would suggest reading this one too.
Second, this is the Barry Lyga I know and love. What I really like about this book is that nothing "big" happens... no demonstration before the school or one single profound moment of understanding or big speech... which is often a part of realistic teen fiction (and other realistic fiction in general). This is just about a character's journey living their life with regular hardships. And it works. That's hard to do, and it works, and I wanted to keep reading.
I also think Barry Lyga did a good job writing a female protagonist, which I believe this is his first (at least first published anyway).
If you read the book preceding this (The Astounding Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl) I would suggest reading this one too.
babyfacedoldsoul's review against another edition
3.0
I first read this book when I was 17 and loved it from start to finish. I could really identify with Kyra and thought Lyga did an excellent job of portraying teenage women. I read the reviews of this book and found that many people did not agree with my original opinion. Intrigued and realistically with nothing better to do I decided to reread the book and see if my views had changed. And my had they ever.
I found Kyra to be very annoying this time through, and I was also shocked at how often Lyga chose to write about her boobs. I really don't remember thinking about mine that much at that or any age. I no longer found myself able to relate to Kyra, finding her to be very immature and dramatic and angsty. I find myself wondering if I was really like this at 17 then how come someone did not call me out for it.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're a teenage girl of the goth persuasion and a huge Neil Gaimon fan, this is probably the book for you. It's a quick and easy read (I finished it in two days and found myself unable to put it down the whole time) but read it as a YA novel.
I found Kyra to be very annoying this time through, and I was also shocked at how often Lyga chose to write about her boobs. I really don't remember thinking about mine that much at that or any age. I no longer found myself able to relate to Kyra, finding her to be very immature and dramatic and angsty. I find myself wondering if I was really like this at 17 then how come someone did not call me out for it.
So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you're a teenage girl of the goth persuasion and a huge Neil Gaimon fan, this is probably the book for you. It's a quick and easy read (I finished it in two days and found myself unable to put it down the whole time) but read it as a YA novel.
missprint_'s review
2.0
Time is a funny thing in the hospital. Especially in the mental ward. You lose track of it easily. When Kyra, otherwise known as Goth Girl, is finally released from the Maryland Mental Health Unit after six long months, she is ready to pick up right where she left off.
She's ready to make up with Fanboy and continue helping him with his graphic novel. He might have been a jerk and it might have been his fault that she got committed again. But Fanboy might be the only person who really understands her just as she is, and that's worth something.
Except a lot can change in six months. Especially outside of the mental ward. When Kyra returns to Brookdale she expects everything to be the same. But nothing is.
Her goth friends Simone and Jecca don't seem quite so interesting. Roger isn't the standoffish father he once was. And Fanboy, well, he isn't Fanboy anymore.
Suddenly popular and self-assured, Fanboy has become someone Goth Girl doesn't recognize. Someone who doesn't even need her. Someone who forgot her.
All of Kyra's plans for a grudging reconciliation with Fanboy are soon replaced by frustration, and only one acceptable course of action--to destroy him and all of her other enemies in Goth Girl Rising (2009) by Barry Lyga.
Goth Girl is a complex character whose story was largely up in the air at the end of this book's prequel The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. In addition to explaining what happened to Kyra between books, Lyga provides a window into Kyra's world by narrating Goth Girl Rising in her voice.
Unfortunately, the peripheral characters in this story are not as well-developed. Simone and Jecca especially are not as complex, appearing, by the end of the story, to be more like annoying nuisances than Kyra's best friends.The homoerotic subplot between Jecca and Kyra is also problematic not so much because it's in the book as because it is so scattered and does little to add to the plot or even the character development.
Fanboy and Goth Girl are both, in their own ways, comic book geeks. This book is rife with references to Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series but instead of adding to the story these references feel more like a crutch device filling the pages of this story with explanations of different aspect of Gaiman's work.
Lyga does still manage to tackle some heavy themes effectively here. Kyra's narrative voice rings true as talks through her depression and suicidal thoughts. By the end of Goth Girl Rising readers will understand what Kyra has been through even if they can't quite grasp her rage.
Really, the main problem with this book is that there was not enough Fanboy. Having read about and loved that charming comic geek before, it was disappointing to find him in a relatively small part of Goth Girl Rising as seeing Goth Girl and Fanboy reunited was one of the best parts of this novel.
Possible Pairings: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman, How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman, Liar by Justine Larbalestier, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga, Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
She's ready to make up with Fanboy and continue helping him with his graphic novel. He might have been a jerk and it might have been his fault that she got committed again. But Fanboy might be the only person who really understands her just as she is, and that's worth something.
Except a lot can change in six months. Especially outside of the mental ward. When Kyra returns to Brookdale she expects everything to be the same. But nothing is.
Her goth friends Simone and Jecca don't seem quite so interesting. Roger isn't the standoffish father he once was. And Fanboy, well, he isn't Fanboy anymore.
Suddenly popular and self-assured, Fanboy has become someone Goth Girl doesn't recognize. Someone who doesn't even need her. Someone who forgot her.
All of Kyra's plans for a grudging reconciliation with Fanboy are soon replaced by frustration, and only one acceptable course of action--to destroy him and all of her other enemies in Goth Girl Rising (2009) by Barry Lyga.
Goth Girl is a complex character whose story was largely up in the air at the end of this book's prequel The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl. In addition to explaining what happened to Kyra between books, Lyga provides a window into Kyra's world by narrating Goth Girl Rising in her voice.
Unfortunately, the peripheral characters in this story are not as well-developed. Simone and Jecca especially are not as complex, appearing, by the end of the story, to be more like annoying nuisances than Kyra's best friends.The homoerotic subplot between Jecca and Kyra is also problematic not so much because it's in the book as because it is so scattered and does little to add to the plot or even the character development.
Fanboy and Goth Girl are both, in their own ways, comic book geeks. This book is rife with references to Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" series but instead of adding to the story these references feel more like a crutch device filling the pages of this story with explanations of different aspect of Gaiman's work.
Lyga does still manage to tackle some heavy themes effectively here. Kyra's narrative voice rings true as talks through her depression and suicidal thoughts. By the end of Goth Girl Rising readers will understand what Kyra has been through even if they can't quite grasp her rage.
Really, the main problem with this book is that there was not enough Fanboy. Having read about and loved that charming comic geek before, it was disappointing to find him in a relatively small part of Goth Girl Rising as seeing Goth Girl and Fanboy reunited was one of the best parts of this novel.
Possible Pairings: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, The Sandman Series by Neil Gaiman, How to Steal a Car by Pete Hautman, Liar by Justine Larbalestier, The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga, Boy Toy by Barry Lyga
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
librariann's review
4.0
It's six months after the end of The Astonishing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl. Kyra has spent those six months in a psych ward, dubbed DCHH by the nurses because Daddy Couldn't Handle Her. During those six months, Fanboy was incommunicado. Why did he stop caring? To Kyra, it doesn't matter. All that matters is getting her revenge.
I love Barry Lyga's books. I love the voices of his characters. This one is no different. 4.5 stars, I think.
An important question to ask regarding sequels:
Do I have to read The Astonishing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl first?
Probably.
Probably?
On one hand, I read the first book so long ago that it's almost as if I hadn't read it at all. On the other, as I read Goth Girl Rising, I started to remember bits and pieces from FB & GG that were pretty helpful re: Kyra's character. Bottom line: it's a good enough story to pick up even if you haven't read the first, but you'll probably want to pick up the other one after you've finished. I know I want to read it again..
I love Barry Lyga's books. I love the voices of his characters. This one is no different. 4.5 stars, I think.
An important question to ask regarding sequels:
Do I have to read The Astonishing Adventure of Fanboy and Goth Girl first?
Probably.
Probably?
On one hand, I read the first book so long ago that it's almost as if I hadn't read it at all. On the other, as I read Goth Girl Rising, I started to remember bits and pieces from FB & GG that were pretty helpful re: Kyra's character. Bottom line: it's a good enough story to pick up even if you haven't read the first, but you'll probably want to pick up the other one after you've finished. I know I want to read it again..