Scan barcode
powisamy's review against another edition
I had been looking forward to Kiss Number 8 for the longest time as it was a First Second graphic novel that I hadn't heard that many people talk about.
I was expecting a light coming of age graphic novel but instead it was a family drama which was quite confusing at times. I would not have minded but the synopsis really does set this one up to fail as it really doesn't tell you the true plot.
As I was looking for something else, I didn't just connect with the story and I didn't find it interesting as a whole. I did like the art style but this could not save the whole story.
While this wasn't for me, I do recommend it for other people if you want a more complex graphic novel aimed at a YA audience.
I was expecting a light coming of age graphic novel but instead it was a family drama which was quite confusing at times. I would not have minded but the synopsis really does set this one up to fail as it really doesn't tell you the true plot.
As I was looking for something else, I didn't just connect with the story and I didn't find it interesting as a whole. I did like the art style but this could not save the whole story.
While this wasn't for me, I do recommend it for other people if you want a more complex graphic novel aimed at a YA audience.
olivebananas's review
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
soupwitch86's review
3.0
This really gets a 3.5 but can't select half stars.
I'm slowly getting into graphic novels, specifically one's centering and written by LGBTQ+ folx. I REALLY liked the illustrations of the characters, their style and body language were done SO well.
The writing and language of the kids was also done well, especially for 2004. It felt very real. Spoilers ahead.
Things that I liked/loved: Amanda's friendship with Cat and Laura - so realistic how she loves them both but has such a different relationship with them. Amanda's relationship with her parents - it closely mirrored my relationship with my parents at that age, I saw my dad as a friend and couldn't stand my mom and was awful to her. The fact that Amanda wanted nothing to do with Adam, LOL. That with the kids, there were Black and brown characters, fat characters, gay, characters, trans characters, slutty characters. YES.
Things that I didn't like as much: How much focus was spent on Adam being obsessed with Amanda, I GET IT HE LIKES HER,they could have cut a lot of that out and focus more on the other character's storylines. The casual misgendering and transphobia by the adults that was never dealt with (this is a YA book and it would have been great if someone called out the adults when they did this). Amanda's move from one friend group to the other felt sudden and thrown together at the end, would have loved to see more development there, especially because Jess and her crew WERE THE BEST.
Should also note that this book gives a feel that it will be about a girl realizing she is in love with one of her best girlfriends and it's not really that. She winds up being bi/pan (WOO!) but also isn't accepted by her friends, and finds a new group of friends. There is also a sub-plot of her finding out one of her grandparents is a trans man and the family's secret keeping of it. She lives in a small Catholic town and religion plays a prevalent role in the book which I didn't mind because I think it's great to show queer characters that aren't all big city and atheist and stuff, and so I understand the reactions to everything, but their reactions could have still been challenges and pushed back on, if for nothing than for the young trans kids reading this.
I'm slowly getting into graphic novels, specifically one's centering and written by LGBTQ+ folx. I REALLY liked the illustrations of the characters, their style and body language were done SO well.
The writing and language of the kids was also done well, especially for 2004. It felt very real. Spoilers ahead.
Things that I liked/loved: Amanda's friendship with Cat and Laura - so realistic how she loves them both but has such a different relationship with them. Amanda's relationship with her parents - it closely mirrored my relationship with my parents at that age, I saw my dad as a friend and couldn't stand my mom and was awful to her. The fact that Amanda wanted nothing to do with Adam, LOL. That with the kids, there were Black and brown characters, fat characters, gay, characters, trans characters, slutty characters. YES.
Things that I didn't like as much: How much focus was spent on Adam being obsessed with Amanda, I GET IT HE LIKES HER,they could have cut a lot of that out and focus more on the other character's storylines. The casual misgendering and transphobia by the adults that was never dealt with (this is a YA book and it would have been great if someone called out the adults when they did this). Amanda's move from one friend group to the other felt sudden and thrown together at the end, would have loved to see more development there, especially because Jess and her crew WERE THE BEST.
Should also note that this book gives a feel that it will be about a girl realizing she is in love with one of her best girlfriends and it's not really that. She winds up being bi/pan (WOO!) but also isn't accepted by her friends, and finds a new group of friends. There is also a sub-plot of her finding out one of her grandparents is a trans man and the family's secret keeping of it. She lives in a small Catholic town and religion plays a prevalent role in the book which I didn't mind because I think it's great to show queer characters that aren't all big city and atheist and stuff, and so I understand the reactions to everything, but their reactions could have still been challenges and pushed back on, if for nothing than for the young trans kids reading this.
taylizart's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
To see more reviews check out MI Book Reviews.
I saw this book and didn’t think anything of it. It didn’t look anything special at first. Now that I have read it I see so many details on the cover that are just so important to the story. The art fits the story so well and the cover is just one example of how well the artist was able to capture the story. The art was one of my favorite parts of this story.
The story itself was complicated. There was the Catholic school girl plot, there was the plot of attempting to date, the plots of coming to terms with being gay, and more. The idea that got under my skin was the big mystery that was not what I was expecting at all. I will just have to leave the twist alone so not to spoil it.
While I loved that there were openly trans characters, I was not impressed with how the tranpshobia was handled in the book. The characters CONSTANTLY misgendering the main trans character got on my nerves real quick. There was no punishment, no sense that misgendering is wrong or dangerous. It just stunk of cis authors trying to be diverse, but not quite getting it as much as they thought they did. There were some amazing scenes like when a character comes out as trans and doesn’t immediately reveal his birth name/dead name. That was a big bonus for me. The fact that the trans guy’s plot wasn’t coming out or not passing was also wonderful. It was like the author understood trans 101 by the end of the book, but not in the beginning or the middle. It was so close, SO CLOSE.
Bisexuality was a thing in this book. OH BOY WAS IT A THING! I am going to be clear, I am adding labels to this character because his sexuality was not discussed at length. So few labels were used, instead characters were just characters. So for lack of having the words of the character, I will go with bisexual. He had been with boys and girls. Its the closest word I have unless I grill the authors for the label. I am so happy when I see positive bi/pan/poly representation in media. It is so rare that it is anything but “that person is a slut, gross” that when I see something wholesome like this I just want to hug the authors and thank them.
Overall, this story was more complicated than just coming out. There were more complex characters than I was expecting. If the transphobia wasn’t such a central plot that just went unresolved for me this would have been a five star graphic novel.
I saw this book and didn’t think anything of it. It didn’t look anything special at first. Now that I have read it I see so many details on the cover that are just so important to the story. The art fits the story so well and the cover is just one example of how well the artist was able to capture the story. The art was one of my favorite parts of this story.
The story itself was complicated. There was the Catholic school girl plot, there was the plot of attempting to date, the plots of coming to terms with being gay, and more. The idea that got under my skin was the big mystery that was not what I was expecting at all. I will just have to leave the twist alone so not to spoil it.
While I loved that there were openly trans characters, I was not impressed with how the tranpshobia was handled in the book. The characters CONSTANTLY misgendering the main trans character got on my nerves real quick. There was no punishment, no sense that misgendering is wrong or dangerous. It just stunk of cis authors trying to be diverse, but not quite getting it as much as they thought they did. There were some amazing scenes like when a character comes out as trans and doesn’t immediately reveal his birth name/dead name. That was a big bonus for me. The fact that the trans guy’s plot wasn’t coming out or not passing was also wonderful. It was like the author understood trans 101 by the end of the book, but not in the beginning or the middle. It was so close, SO CLOSE.
Bisexuality was a thing in this book. OH BOY WAS IT A THING! I am going to be clear, I am adding labels to this character because his sexuality was not discussed at length. So few labels were used, instead characters were just characters. So for lack of having the words of the character, I will go with bisexual. He had been with boys and girls. Its the closest word I have unless I grill the authors for the label. I am so happy when I see positive bi/pan/poly representation in media. It is so rare that it is anything but “that person is a slut, gross” that when I see something wholesome like this I just want to hug the authors and thank them.
Overall, this story was more complicated than just coming out. There were more complex characters than I was expecting. If the transphobia wasn’t such a central plot that just went unresolved for me this would have been a five star graphic novel.
pich's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Outing and Toxic friendship