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moonyreadsbystarlight's review
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Parts of this I really liked, other parts I had mixed feelings about. It had a neat adventure in a portal fantasy and I like how it approached the MC's gender and gender journey. I also liked some of the side characters.
However, I wasn't too sure about parts of the story including the resolution. it's not super surprising that a middle grade would choose to go in the direction of loving someone instead of fighting. Could have been more nuance to that end of things or explanation, but it is a short volume. While I get where it was going with the boys in this, I don't think parts were clear enough, so I get why some people may be confused about parts of the messaging. It tried to spin it as the boys weren't all bad, but it wasn't super clear on that and we didnt get a strong resolution around it. I am also curious to see how Black readers responded to this. I found it weird that the only Black character in the book was characterized as angry/grumpy, while the others in the friend group had very friendly dispositions.
I really wanted to like it more. Parts of it were really endearing, but it had its issues and was a bit rushed.
However, I wasn't too sure about parts of the story including the resolution.
I really wanted to like it more. Parts of it were really endearing, but it had its issues and was a bit rushed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Sexism and Transphobia
unluckycat13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
A very cute and positive kids comic about accepting loss and coming out as transgender. It has a character who came out as nonbinary too who breaks a lot of stereotypes, which I also thought was nice. The motif of grieving a lost parent works well I think, since it can double as accepting leaving your old life behind, and sometimes losing family from coming out. The book also managed to display the difficulties one might have coming out without diving into transphobia, while still acknowledging the emotional hardship that can come from it.
The art was so-so, but it got the job done.
The art was so-so, but it got the job done.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Death of parent, and Sexism
purplepenning's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A great idea — a fun portal quest fantasy to a world full of sapient animals and an interesting and mostly successful portrayal of coming-of-age gender identity struggles — with a few things that gave me pause.
First, as others have noted — the harmful strong, angry black woman stereotype. It's... pretty egregious.
Second, I think it's genuinely hard (impossible?) to consistently hit the right level of obvious/subtle for middle school readers, but even being understanding of that tightrope act, I found this uneven. Some things are spelled out so clearly it threatens to take the reader right out of the story. Other important nuances (like the scourge of boys being a victim of fear and how that fear was dismantled to free them) seem rushed and muddled.
Third, the art is SO cute and cool — until it's suddenly not. I thought it was just the adults that were oddly rough and sometimes weirdly positioned, but it pops up in the kids faces sometimes, too.
But overall — a fun, trans-affirming, fantasy quest for middle schoolers? With wise warrior rabbits, gorgeous princess horses with like fashion scarves and over the top names, fierce grassland sprites, an understanding father, a funny friendly open-hearted Junebug, and ... Yeah. More like this, please!
First, as others have noted — the harmful strong, angry black woman stereotype. It's... pretty egregious.
Second, I think it's genuinely hard (impossible?) to consistently hit the right level of obvious/subtle for middle school readers, but even being understanding of that tightrope act, I found this uneven. Some things are spelled out so clearly it threatens to take the reader right out of the story. Other important nuances (like the scourge of boys being a victim of fear and how that fear was dismantled to free them) seem rushed and muddled.
Third, the art is SO cute and cool — until it's suddenly not. I thought it was just the adults that were oddly rough and sometimes weirdly positioned, but it pops up in the kids faces sometimes, too.
But overall — a fun, trans-affirming, fantasy quest for middle schoolers? With wise warrior rabbits, gorgeous princess horses with like fashion scarves and over the top names, fierce grassland sprites, an understanding father, a funny friendly open-hearted Junebug, and ... Yeah. More like this, please!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Animal death, Death of parent, Hate crime, Grief, War, and Homophobia
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