Scan barcode
gsforest's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
I was looking forward to reading this (my sibling chose this out at the library for me) and the concept was interesting. Unfortunately, the plot and characters lacked any luster and I just found the story super boring. The characters felt one dimensional and really lacked any character development.
sannareads's review
1.0
I thought the description of this graphic novel sounded very interesting & fun. But sadly this didn’t quite end up being my cup of tea.
The art was something I really enjoyed, it was fun & quirky. But the story itself lacked a bit for me. I feel like Josie’s mother’s motives for doing what she did was a bit vague and I wish we’d seen more of her father as well. The ending of the book left me with so many questions. Did she even end up staying with her father?
If there will be a sequel I would probably pick it up anyways. Like I said I feel like some things where left unanswered and I would’ve liked to get less of an “open ending”.
This ARC was given to me for free from Net Galley but my opinions are still mine.
⭐️ “The Spy Who Raised Me” gets 1/5 stars from me!
The art was something I really enjoyed, it was fun & quirky. But the story itself lacked a bit for me. I feel like Josie’s mother’s motives for doing what she did was a bit vague and I wish we’d seen more of her father as well. The ending of the book left me with so many questions. Did she even end up staying with her father?
If there will be a sequel I would probably pick it up anyways. Like I said I feel like some things where left unanswered and I would’ve liked to get less of an “open ending”.
This ARC was given to me for free from Net Galley but my opinions are still mine.
⭐️ “The Spy Who Raised Me” gets 1/5 stars from me!
ziyal's review
3.0
I did not have any strong positive or negative feelings regarding this book.
I thought the theme of this book was an important one with the theme being about the importance of finding yourself and then getting a choice over your life and choosing what you want to do and that no one (not even your parents) should be able to take away your free will.
Another positive about this book was Josie and Zoe's friendship. I love how even though Josie's story is a hard one to believe, Zoe didn't abandon her. Both of them looked out for each and supported each other. I also appreciate their protectiveness of each other.
There was no romance in this book and while I do appreciate a good w|w romance I am happy that we got to see an amazing ride or die friendship between two girls. Platonic relationships can be just as important as romantic relationships.
This is a good middle grade book and while it wasn't a favorite I found it be an enjoyable quick read with a good theme.
I thought the theme of this book was an important one with the theme being about the importance of finding yourself and then getting a choice over your life and choosing what you want to do and that no one (not even your parents) should be able to take away your free will.
Another positive about this book was Josie and Zoe's friendship. I love how even though Josie's story is a hard one to believe, Zoe didn't abandon her. Both of them looked out for each and supported each other. I also appreciate their protectiveness of each other.
There was no romance in this book and while I do appreciate a good w|w romance I am happy that we got to see an amazing ride or die friendship between two girls. Platonic relationships can be just as important as romantic relationships.
This is a good middle grade book and while it wasn't a favorite I found it be an enjoyable quick read with a good theme.
sapphisms's review
3.0
i received this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review
cw: child abuse
i think people are a little too harsh on this graphic novel- it's not the best i've read, but certainly not as bad as the other reviews seem to make it out to be. the art style is fine and consistent with the narrative being told and certainly it's a bit reminiscent of black widow comics, though certainly not as cohesive. i think the biggest problem with it is that the story feels all-over-the-place and a lot of the events just doesn't get resolved (). the moral is very obvious (children can make their own decisions about their future), but the narrative that drives it goes in too many places. it's been mentioned several times over in other reviews, but this is a story essentially about child abuse, even with the veneer of it being a spy story, and it never actually seems to meaningfully engage with that fact. even in her confrontation with her mom, who starts to pull out the 'i don't need the codewords because i'm your mother' thing, it's just overlooked in favor of trying to get back to the action. having a mother literally abuse and control her daughter and use her as an espionage tool is a tragic background, especially when the mother appears to be working for a fictionalized version of the coca cola colombian death squads (which is a BAFFLING detail. has no one else noticed or mentioned this? seeing that on-paper made me feel crazy.), but it's never engaged with in any manner other than 'oh wow look at what cool spy skills i actually have'.
again, not as bad as other reviews make it out to be, but i'm not sure that the book is well-written enough to tackle the child abuse in a way that'd make it acceptable to be in the middle-grade genre, nor is it mature enough to really fend for itself in the young adult genre. it's just kind of a middle-of-the-road graphic novel without anything too substantial.
cw: child abuse
i think people are a little too harsh on this graphic novel- it's not the best i've read, but certainly not as bad as the other reviews seem to make it out to be. the art style is fine and consistent with the narrative being told and certainly it's a bit reminiscent of black widow comics, though certainly not as cohesive. i think the biggest problem with it is that the story feels all-over-the-place and a lot of the events just doesn't get resolved (
Spoiler
why was the father programmed? why is the mother so dedicated to the company? why was it important she secure a job for her daughter?again, not as bad as other reviews make it out to be, but i'm not sure that the book is well-written enough to tackle the child abuse in a way that'd make it acceptable to be in the middle-grade genre, nor is it mature enough to really fend for itself in the young adult genre. it's just kind of a middle-of-the-road graphic novel without anything too substantial.
zinzee's review against another edition
3.0
The plot of this book had so much potential to be great. I was expecting so much more. On the other hand as always I enjoyed the artwork. I think this graphic novel was average.
willowmae's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The first part was meh the middle got interesting and the ending was a let down
The art could have been better
The art could have been better
saramarie08's review
3.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Josephine, or J. B. to her friends, is your typical C-average student in high school who finishes in the middle of the pack in PE and gets Cs or high Ds on her French tests. One day, when accosted by agents demanding to know about her actions in France on a recent "business trip" with her mom, J. B. finds out she’s actually an operative for The Company, and she’s been brainwashed into not remembering her skills, training, or missions. What’s worse, is that this was all done to her by her mother, who wants J. B. to have job security within The Company! J. B. has never been in control of her full self, so it’s time to change all that and fight back against The Company and other forces that are trying to control and use her.
This is a very action-packed story, almost to the detriment of other parts of the story. Very early on, J. B. goes along with he friend Zoe to try to figure out how to get free of The Company, but Zoe doesn’t have very much dimension. She’s a helpful friend, but she has almost the same voicing and even illustrated mannerisms as J. B. At one point, the characters point out how ridiculous this all sounds, and I couldn’t agree with them more. There are a lot of convenient scenes where J. B. has exactly the right skill set to outsmart everything, including operatives who have been training their entire lives. She’s just that good, apparently. The art is also really simple, but action sequences are easy to follow. This was interesting for a low-stakes, fun, easy read, but don’t go looking for monumental character or plot development.
Sara’s Rating: 5/10
Suitability Level: Grades 5-8
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale April 6, 2021.
Josephine, or J. B. to her friends, is your typical C-average student in high school who finishes in the middle of the pack in PE and gets Cs or high Ds on her French tests. One day, when accosted by agents demanding to know about her actions in France on a recent "business trip" with her mom, J. B. finds out she’s actually an operative for The Company, and she’s been brainwashed into not remembering her skills, training, or missions. What’s worse, is that this was all done to her by her mother, who wants J. B. to have job security within The Company! J. B. has never been in control of her full self, so it’s time to change all that and fight back against The Company and other forces that are trying to control and use her.
This is a very action-packed story, almost to the detriment of other parts of the story. Very early on, J. B. goes along with he friend Zoe to try to figure out how to get free of The Company, but Zoe doesn’t have very much dimension. She’s a helpful friend, but she has almost the same voicing and even illustrated mannerisms as J. B. At one point, the characters point out how ridiculous this all sounds, and I couldn’t agree with them more. There are a lot of convenient scenes where J. B. has exactly the right skill set to outsmart everything, including operatives who have been training their entire lives. She’s just that good, apparently. The art is also really simple, but action sequences are easy to follow. This was interesting for a low-stakes, fun, easy read, but don’t go looking for monumental character or plot development.
Sara’s Rating: 5/10
Suitability Level: Grades 5-8
This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Net Galley. This graphic novel will be on sale April 6, 2021.
kindlelover1932's review
3.0
The artstyle had the hint of being good but ultimately was too rushed to be impactful on the writing. this book suffers from not being long enough and from being for the ya genre, because the premise of a mother secretly making her daughter what is essentially a killing machine, and going so far as to manipulate and gaslight her for her entire life, is a tiny bit horrific!
brightyoungthing's review
4.0
I don't understand the negative reviews on this. It's a really solid middle grade graphic novel with a compelling premise and great art. Everyone leaving negative reviews seems to have gone into this book for children expecting a life changing emotional arc, and obviously that's not going to happen - and it doesn't need to!
Yes, it's far more action oriented than emotionally full, but it's an engaging middle grade work all the same. I'm far from the age this was intended for but I went in with an open mind and got just what I bargained for - a fun, quick, middle grade story which was well worth the read. If you're buying this for younger children or a school library, I'd definitely recommend.
Yes, it's far more action oriented than emotionally full, but it's an engaging middle grade work all the same. I'm far from the age this was intended for but I went in with an open mind and got just what I bargained for - a fun, quick, middle grade story which was well worth the read. If you're buying this for younger children or a school library, I'd definitely recommend.