Reviews - Girlmode: A Graphic Novel

317 reviews for:

Girlmode: A Graphic Novel

Paulina Ganucheau, Magdalene Visaggio

3.76 AVERAGE

trix_lyn's review against another edition

3.5

hopeful lighthearted 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

Content Warnings

farmerkristyn's review against another edition

4.5

Literally only thing I wanted was a bit more about Phoebe's relationship with her mom, and maybe a little more insight into Mackenzie's upbringing, oh also some more about Jessica, but tbh what an amazing story. Really happy queer girls have these kinds of stories nowadays. Art was phenomenal. Pacing was shockingly good for a graphic novel. Very happy with this book. Now we just need one for all the lesbian trans girls...

Edit to add: The actual only critique I have is Ben's character fell really flat for me, despite starting off relatively strong and layered. He felt like eeeevery toxic nerd boy I have ever known. But then by the end he was just a two-dimensional cartoonish villain. I definitely get what the author was going for; he definitely was just using Phoebe to get to the popular kids, whom he only had vitriol for at the beginning. Makes sense, but it was clumsy because his dialogue was just too cheesily evil and he lost all nuance.

Also, like some others have said, the use of dyke was.... eh. The author has a wife and needed friends to consult about the experience of liking boys (lol), so she is definitely a lesbian and can definitely reclaim the slur; my issue is not necessarily the author's use of it, but the character's. I suppose it makes Mackenzie a realistic teenager. Doesn't mean I like it, though.

Content Warnings

katemch's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

audreads122's review against another edition

3.5

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I liked this book and the premise a lot (trans girl has to navigate being a girl AND being a girl in high school), but the plot and non-Phoebe characters felt a little on the thin side. Thinking out loud, I wonder if that’s to make the book amenable for, say, a limited release on a streamer. Maybe, maybe not. I could have used a little more focus on Phoebe’s interiority, too. That said, I had fun, liked the art style (Phoebe’s hair, my God), and okay fine, Little Shop plot points get an extra bump from me.

_bookworm's review against another edition

1.0

I don’t know whether to hate or love how messy these teens are. Everyone behaved awful to each other a lot more then was comfortable to me. Everyone was using each other to prove a point of their existence. The character growth was realistic but at times made me sick to my stomach. I’m also confused on the audience of this story. There was so much use of the word dyke in the most unnecessary manners possible.
Bonus points for the beautiful art and Jessica who taught Phoebe how to surf.