Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I love Gene Luen Yang's Printz winning graphic novel, American Born Chinese and I expected Level Up to be another witty and heartfelt coming of age story. In some ways it is, but I was let down by this one.
I think with the cover and the title and the character obsessed with video games, I expected this one to have more of a video game feel to it, ala Scott Pilgrim. But instead, the video game aspect is pushed to the side and instead we get a story about Dennis dealing with his grief over his father and his drive to make his father happy.
I wanted more about the angels but instead they seemed to come and go and never really connect with the story. I also wanted a bit more humor-while there are moments of humor, the tone of Level Up is much more serious.
It's still a good graphic novel and I'm continualy impressed with Gene Luen Yang's work, but I had hoped for a bit more.
I think with the cover and the title and the character obsessed with video games, I expected this one to have more of a video game feel to it, ala Scott Pilgrim. But instead, the video game aspect is pushed to the side and instead we get a story about Dennis dealing with his grief over his father and his drive to make his father happy.
I wanted more about the angels but instead they seemed to come and go and never really connect with the story. I also wanted a bit more humor-while there are moments of humor, the tone of Level Up is much more serious.
It's still a good graphic novel and I'm continualy impressed with Gene Luen Yang's work, but I had hoped for a bit more.
emotional
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
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
I liked this story. It’s a little dated since it’s from 2011 but the message is still a strong one and I enjoyed following Dennis’ character arc. It’s a quick read, I finished it in less than an hour.
Another coming of age sort of tale. Dennis is wrestling with the expectations of his parents and his desire (and talent) for playing video games. And seriously, what kid hasn't had to deal with this? Along the way Dennis makes friends and falls in like with a girl who tries to set him straight when it comes to his destiny. It isn't until he's faced with the broken promises of his father that Dennis starts to think for himself, but is it really the right kind of thinking?
The artwork is simple, but fitting. The angels kind of reminded me of Powerpuff Girls. Though I liked everything about this, I didn't love it the way I loved The Shadow Hero, but that's okay. Can't love everything, right?
The artwork is simple, but fitting. The angels kind of reminded me of Powerpuff Girls. Though I liked everything about this, I didn't love it the way I loved The Shadow Hero, but that's okay. Can't love everything, right?
I am amazed at Gene Yang's graphic novels! Review to follow shortly...
Nice short little graphic novel. I don't read many of these, but I really liked the art style as I was flipping through, so I picked it up. It's a very, VERY short read, and it's great for high school or college-level students since it's very much about college/med school. Anyways, yeah. The concept was okay. The execution was okay. Everything was a little weird, but I mean it was a graphic novel so... I really liked the ending; it wrapped up very well.
Storytelling: Fantastic
Drawing style: Extremely disappointing
Drawing style: Extremely disappointing
A boy grows up under his father's No Video Games rules, and buys a Nintendo immediately after his father's death. Video games become all-consuming, and it takes four spritely angels to get him back into school, where he loses himself again.
I don't want to say too much and ruin the plot--it's not a very long book--but the video games really propel the story, right through the way the main character deals with the angels following him. It's a story I can see many teens identifying with (a desire to play games against parents' wishes; academic performance vs recreational activity; parental expectations), and while it's cute and funny I don't know that it will stick with me.
I don't want to say too much and ruin the plot--it's not a very long book--but the video games really propel the story, right through the way the main character deals with the angels following him. It's a story I can see many teens identifying with (a desire to play games against parents' wishes; academic performance vs recreational activity; parental expectations), and while it's cute and funny I don't know that it will stick with me.
everything gene luen yang writes is just amazing. his stories use magical realism so creatively, and every time i finish one, it hits me so hard.