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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
This was soooo close to being 5 stars, I just wish the ending was more concrete. But I guess that’s the point. I had no idea what this book was about and it surprised me how much I loved it. Exploring generational violence and trauma, gang culture, gun violence, and masculinity, along with AMAZING artwork, it really made me think. I love that it entirely takes place during 1 elevator ride. Loved it.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
When Will (15) sees his older brother, Shawn, gunned down outside their block he sets out to follow the rules of those who live and die in the neighbourhood: not to cry, not to snitch but to exact revenge no matter the cost.
As he travels down the elevator though he finds himself haunted by the ghosts of his past, each with their story to tell of how they were all a victim to 'the rules'. As each ghost shares their story with Will, he finds that the world is not as black and white as it first seemed and that the tapestry of life that has been woven behind him is threaded with stories as complicated as the life-changing decision he is about to make. Will their revelations be enough to steer Will down a different path and finally escape the endless circle of violence that runs through the neighbourhood.
Reynolds' free-verse verse novel has been married with Novgorodoff's incredible watercolours to present a visceral, vivid graphic novel where bright fiery gunshots noises blast across the spreads and steel grey-blue washes look back upon the past. Whilst the graphic novel format heightens some of the rawness that is there in Reynold's words, it also brings the reader closer to Will's world, geographically and culturally. A far more accomplished graphic novel with regards to form than [b:The Crossover|43261155|The Crossover (Graphic Novel)|Kwame Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560048346l/43261155._SX50_.jpg|67138954]. It feels as if something 'new' has been created here rather than a simple dressing up of Reynolds' original story.
I have yet to read the original verse but this reading has made me want to. Although I thought it powerful, it all felt a little crammed for me with emotional gaps in places that meant I felt a little more removed from Will than I wanted to be: I have a feeling I'll find these gaps filled in the original text. On saying all of this, the graphic novel will invite a new readership in and still invite much-needed discussion.
As he travels down the elevator though he finds himself haunted by the ghosts of his past, each with their story to tell of how they were all a victim to 'the rules'. As each ghost shares their story with Will, he finds that the world is not as black and white as it first seemed and that the tapestry of life that has been woven behind him is threaded with stories as complicated as the life-changing decision he is about to make. Will their revelations be enough to steer Will down a different path and finally escape the endless circle of violence that runs through the neighbourhood.
Reynolds' free-verse verse novel has been married with Novgorodoff's incredible watercolours to present a visceral, vivid graphic novel where bright fiery gunshots noises blast across the spreads and steel grey-blue washes look back upon the past. Whilst the graphic novel format heightens some of the rawness that is there in Reynold's words, it also brings the reader closer to Will's world, geographically and culturally. A far more accomplished graphic novel with regards to form than [b:The Crossover|43261155|The Crossover (Graphic Novel)|Kwame Alexander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560048346l/43261155._SX50_.jpg|67138954]. It feels as if something 'new' has been created here rather than a simple dressing up of Reynolds' original story.
I have yet to read the original verse but this reading has made me want to. Although I thought it powerful, it all felt a little crammed for me with emotional gaps in places that meant I felt a little more removed from Will than I wanted to be: I have a feeling I'll find these gaps filled in the original text. On saying all of this, the graphic novel will invite a new readership in and still invite much-needed discussion.
Very short read. Would be a good lead in to the original
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is way too simple a story to get away with making me cry this much. Goddamn. Great book. With great art - I'm glad I went with the graphic novel version.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence