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helecturas's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
erkhaly's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just couldn’t resist the book when I read that blurb and saw that title. I just had to find out more. See the family.
In this book we follow three members of this family. The mom, her daughter and her son. The mom knows her husband is cheating and that he isn’t happy with things, but is he doing anything about it? No. He just comes home sometimes. I really wanted to yeet that guy far away. Then there is the daughter, named Cam, she is about to go to high school after the summer and she is meeting up with an older guy, but is he really it? And lastly we have the youngest, the son, named Lulu. He is into barbies, princesses, and he really likes his best friend. We see him try to explore that. And we see the reaction of the friend.
It was a really good read. I think out of all the characters the son was my favourite to follow. Seeing him try to figure out these feelings. To figure out what he is. Who he is. We read how he always has loved princesses. We see him play games in which he is the princess, or a mermaid. He is having mostly a fun time, but we see that things are not working out. His friend? I knew what would be coming next and I was trying to prepare myself, but in the end I was still heartbroken for this boy. Yes, it wasn’t a good move to do that, but he was also exploring and probably didn’t know any better ways. I loved that despite that his sister and he clashed at times they dearly loved each other. I loved how his sister was there for him.
I was also so proud of Cam and the mom. Cam for doing a very difficult thing, at least I would think it is that given everything + her age. That was a big decision and I am sure it hurt her, but I am proud that she stuck her guns. And then there is the mom who was just DONE with it. I loved seeing her standing up for herself. For her kids. Gave her husband a portion of her mind. I would have kinda liked them to talk instead of these fleeting moments that he pretended to be a good dad/husband.
Next to all of this we also have the death of Princess Diana. The book begins just when the accident happens and as the story unfolds so does the investigation and more. I am still not sure if I found it fitting with the story, given some things I guess yes, but at times I just found it more of a distraction.
The art is just gorgeous. I really love the style and I loved it when Lulu and his friend were playing games, fantasy stories. That really came to life. The style went from calm to explosive and colourful, totally fitting the epic stories and plays they play.
All in all, a beautiful family graphic novel about standing up for yourself, sexuality and who you are, love and friendship, and more. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just couldn’t resist the book when I read that blurb and saw that title. I just had to find out more. See the family.
In this book we follow three members of this family. The mom, her daughter and her son. The mom knows her husband is cheating and that he isn’t happy with things, but is he doing anything about it? No. He just comes home sometimes. I really wanted to yeet that guy far away. Then there is the daughter, named Cam, she is about to go to high school after the summer and she is meeting up with an older guy, but is he really it? And lastly we have the youngest, the son, named Lulu. He is into barbies, princesses, and he really likes his best friend. We see him try to explore that. And we see the reaction of the friend.
It was a really good read. I think out of all the characters the son was my favourite to follow. Seeing him try to figure out these feelings. To figure out what he is. Who he is. We read how he always has loved princesses. We see him play games in which he is the princess, or a mermaid. He is having mostly a fun time, but we see that things are not working out. His friend? I knew what would be coming next and I was trying to prepare myself, but in the end I was still heartbroken for this boy. Yes, it wasn’t a good move to do that, but he was also exploring and probably didn’t know any better ways. I loved that despite that his sister and he clashed at times they dearly loved each other. I loved how his sister was there for him.
I was also so proud of Cam and the mom. Cam for doing a very difficult thing, at least I would think it is that given everything + her age. That was a big decision and I am sure it hurt her, but I am proud that she stuck her guns. And then there is the mom who was just DONE with it. I loved seeing her standing up for herself. For her kids. Gave her husband a portion of her mind. I would have kinda liked them to talk instead of these fleeting moments that he pretended to be a good dad/husband.
Next to all of this we also have the death of Princess Diana. The book begins just when the accident happens and as the story unfolds so does the investigation and more. I am still not sure if I found it fitting with the story, given some things I guess yes, but at times I just found it more of a distraction.
The art is just gorgeous. I really love the style and I loved it when Lulu and his friend were playing games, fantasy stories. That really came to life. The style went from calm to explosive and colourful, totally fitting the epic stories and plays they play.
All in all, a beautiful family graphic novel about standing up for yourself, sexuality and who you are, love and friendship, and more. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
francisdee's review against another edition
4.0
Read via NetGalley
This is the story of 8-year-old Lulu, in love with his best friend; his sister Cam, trying to be what she thinks a cool teenage girl should be; and their parents, trapped in a struggling marriage.
Three love stories, from budding desire to fading passion, play out within one family the day after Princess Diana's death.
I really liked this story. I found the art style very sweet, and the characters quite believable. I felt the sadness and frustration emanating from the mother, the teenage angst and confusion felt by Cam, and the simple and pure feelings that Lulu had for his best friend.
I remember being around Lulu's age and wanting to play the same kind of games with my friends we had always played, but being met by sneer and being belittled because they were already changing into pre-teens, thinking of girls, wanting to distance themselves from their younger self.
I remember being a teen and sneakily smoking, convinced my parents would never know. I have never had a boy coming and going from my window, but having loud music, not feeling understood by anyone around me and being taken advantage of by older boys was unfortunately very relatable.
I have never been married, but I really felt the mother's struggle and I found the father quite distasteful.
This is the story of 8-year-old Lulu, in love with his best friend; his sister Cam, trying to be what she thinks a cool teenage girl should be; and their parents, trapped in a struggling marriage.
Three love stories, from budding desire to fading passion, play out within one family the day after Princess Diana's death.
I really liked this story. I found the art style very sweet, and the characters quite believable. I felt the sadness and frustration emanating from the mother, the teenage angst and confusion felt by Cam, and the simple and pure feelings that Lulu had for his best friend.
I remember being around Lulu's age and wanting to play the same kind of games with my friends we had always played, but being met by sneer and being belittled because they were already changing into pre-teens, thinking of girls, wanting to distance themselves from their younger self.
I remember being a teen and sneakily smoking, convinced my parents would never know. I have never had a boy coming and going from my window, but having loud music, not feeling understood by anyone around me and being taken advantage of by older boys was unfortunately very relatable.
I have never been married, but I really felt the mother's struggle and I found the father quite distasteful.
karls_av's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A quiet, reflective glimpse into the love lives of a mother, daughter, and son. It’s brief and very much character driven, but still heartfelt and sweet. Perfect for anyone who likes quick coming of ages stories about family, friendships, and making sense of the world.
A quiet, reflective glimpse into the love lives of a mother, daughter, and son. It’s brief and very much character driven, but still heartfelt and sweet. Perfect for anyone who likes quick coming of ages stories about family, friendships, and making sense of the world.
karlss_av's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
braincell4rent's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best comic I've read but definitely not the worst either.
I liked the art, but the story was a bit lacking for me. Too many cliches: the old marriage falling apart because the husband might have a lover, the edgy teenager who's got an elder boyfriend (that's not worth it) and the kid who struggles with falling in love for the first time (okay, I actually liked how the author portrayed the queerness in this, it was well done).
I think my main problem with this story is that I cannot empatize with anyone that's not the main character (and his mother and sister, sometimes). All the love interests are awful... and maybe that was the intention all along. So I'm not exactly complaining.
The ending felt a bit abrupt. It got me wondering, so that's it? What now?
Anyway, it was a nice and short read.
I liked the art, but the story was a bit lacking for me. Too many cliches: the old marriage falling apart because the husband might have a lover, the edgy teenager who's got an elder boyfriend (that's not worth it) and the kid who struggles with falling in love for the first time (okay, I actually liked how the author portrayed the queerness in this, it was well done).
I think my main problem with this story is that I cannot empatize with anyone that's not the main character (and his mother and sister, sometimes). All the love interests are awful... and maybe that was the intention all along. So I'm not exactly complaining.
The ending felt a bit abrupt. It got me wondering, so that's it? What now?
Anyway, it was a nice and short read.
lapuce1006's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5