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vagorsol's review
3.0
The premise is a bit unrealistic, but other than that I think it’s just ok.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia and Racism
mossgoblins's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
This is a beautiful graphic novel that deals with very complicated topics in an open-minded, informed way. Anyone who likes video games, social equality, or simply gorgeous illustrations would enjoy In Real Life.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Classism, Cursing, Fatphobia, and Medical content
farrengreen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Animal death, Fatphobia, Death, and Classism
the deaths are of npcs as well as a few playersdirectorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Animal death
madisonraelutz's review
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.75
The art style was fun, it was paced well, and there were elements I enjoyed but overall I just felt unsettled by this book—and it wasn’t because it was challenging in a good way. More it just left a bad taste in my mouth.
As someone who is Chinese, the role the Chinese characters play in this book doesn’t sit right. As others have mentioned, there is a strong feeling of the white savior complex and western egocentrism. It also has elements of the non-white characters merely servicing as tools to teach the white main character about the world, etc. Which is a trope/stereotype I am so done seeing.
While I think the intentions were earnest with this book—it was perhaps too much to take on in a 175 page graphic novel. It had to be simplified and condensed in ways that I don’t think served the intent the creators were going for.
As someone who is Chinese, the role the Chinese characters play in this book doesn’t sit right. As others have mentioned, there is a strong feeling of the white savior complex and western egocentrism. It also has elements of the non-white characters merely servicing as tools to teach the white main character about the world, etc. Which is a trope/stereotype I am so done seeing.
While I think the intentions were earnest with this book—it was perhaps too much to take on in a 175 page graphic novel. It had to be simplified and condensed in ways that I don’t think served the intent the creators were going for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Fatphobia
Minor: Racial slurs
carleesi's review
2.75
We love an anti-capitalist, pro-union, online feminist utopia!!
Alas, the white saviouriam and fatphobia let the story down.
Alas, the white saviouriam and fatphobia let the story down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
nitya's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3.5 because I adore Jen Wang's style too much
While I am not a gamer, it was really refreshing to see a teenage girl interested in Dungeons and Dragons, guilds, and everything dominated by neckbeards. Yes, girls can be geeks AND super badass, it's not impossible or out of the ordinary! And the subtle commentary on capitalism and its pitfalls is A+++.
I saw that this was adapted from a short story by Doctorow. BRB hunting that down!
While I am not a gamer, it was really refreshing to see a teenage girl interested in Dungeons and Dragons, guilds, and everything dominated by neckbeards. Yes, girls can be geeks AND super badass, it's not impossible or out of the ordinary! And the subtle commentary on capitalism and its pitfalls is A+++.
I saw that this was adapted from a short story by Doctorow. BRB hunting that down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Fatphobia
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