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jugglingpup's review against another edition
4.0
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I am a big fan of dystopian novels. I have been since the first time I read The Handmaid’s Tale (Maddy has some views on it too!).
This book follows Angela as she expresses her discontent with the world as it stands. In that world there are even restrictions on speech such as saying “go” at the end of your talking, reciting a slogan, and not using too many words. The movies are only 14-15 minutes long. There is a lot of talk of being “hyper” and “fast”. The world has sped up to the point there is no enjoying the world anymore. People are have microchips in their arms. Everything is watched. It is a really well done world. It is a lot like all of the popular YA novels with its depth and complexity.
Angela accidentally finds the resistance movement when she is trying to track down a hidden gift from her grandfather. The way it worked out makes me think that the grandfather had something to do with it, which would be a really nice addition to the story. Angela tries to adjust to the new world and even starts in on a relationship, which I would like to point out happens very fast and with a girl, which was not expected, as Angela on the cover could be male, it is unclear.
The nod to the reader was well placed. One of the highest forms of deceleration that the resistance values is reading. Reading is seen as a high art form because someone has to be still and there are a lot of words. It didn’t feel like a hokey nod or a bad joke, instead it drew me in further as if I was part of the resistance because I am a reader. Well done.
The story ending much too quickly though. The story could use a second volume to explain more. There are so many questions that I have left. How did the resistance start? How did the three in charge get picked? How did the world change into violent Big Brother status? Some things may not ever be explained, even if there is a second book. They might be things that the people in the book may never know. It would be fascinating to see though.
I am a big fan of dystopian novels. I have been since the first time I read The Handmaid’s Tale (Maddy has some views on it too!).
This book follows Angela as she expresses her discontent with the world as it stands. In that world there are even restrictions on speech such as saying “go” at the end of your talking, reciting a slogan, and not using too many words. The movies are only 14-15 minutes long. There is a lot of talk of being “hyper” and “fast”. The world has sped up to the point there is no enjoying the world anymore. People are have microchips in their arms. Everything is watched. It is a really well done world. It is a lot like all of the popular YA novels with its depth and complexity.
Angela accidentally finds the resistance movement when she is trying to track down a hidden gift from her grandfather. The way it worked out makes me think that the grandfather had something to do with it, which would be a really nice addition to the story. Angela tries to adjust to the new world and even starts in on a relationship, which I would like to point out happens very fast and with a girl, which was not expected, as Angela on the cover could be male, it is unclear.
The nod to the reader was well placed. One of the highest forms of deceleration that the resistance values is reading. Reading is seen as a high art form because someone has to be still and there are a lot of words. It didn’t feel like a hokey nod or a bad joke, instead it drew me in further as if I was part of the resistance because I am a reader. Well done.
The story ending much too quickly though. The story could use a second volume to explain more. There are so many questions that I have left. How did the resistance start? How did the three in charge get picked? How did the world change into violent Big Brother status? Some things may not ever be explained, even if there is a second book. They might be things that the people in the book may never know. It would be fascinating to see though.
driedfrogpills's review against another edition
3.0
We've come across this kind of story before - the world moves too fast and we need to slow down. But what I enjoyed about Decelerate Blue was the details in the world-building (like saying, "Go" to indicate you're done speaking and the other person can now talk). It's not a super original story by any means, but it is a good reminder of what we could become if we let the drive to be in constant motion dictate our lives.
Spoiler
Also, the switch to color illustrations in the last couple of pages created a lovely emphasis that reminded me of Rob Cham's Light.haleymicheled's review against another edition
2.0
Very interesting graphic novel. Cool sci-fi setting although due to its length it hasn't really been fleshed out. Not sure how I felt about the ending but an intriguing concept for sure.
dlberglund's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like it. In a dystopian future where everything is focused on shed and efficiency and consumerism, Angela feels out of sync. Then she is coincidentally pulled into a community of underground dissenters, and in the space of a few days, completely indoctrinated into their rebellion. I'm on board with the message, and I like a lot of the writing, but I found the ending events too disturbing, and the artwork too fractured and angular for how I felt the story sounded.
rubadubindabathtub's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Addiction, Death, and Forced institutionalization
anna_hepworth's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As a near future dystopia set in a surveillance and control state, there is nothing particularly unique about the story being told here. However, it does it in an interesting manner, and the way that the visuals add depth -- particularly for the dream/nightmare sequences --works really well.
There are a couple of scenes that are uncomfortable at the 'teenager doing stupid things without thinking first'. And the general plot has little of happiness in it. But it is certainly a very slick modernisation of the story
There are a couple of scenes that are uncomfortable at the 'teenager doing stupid things without thinking first'. And the general plot has little of happiness in it. But it is certainly a very slick modernisation of the story
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Death, and Medical trauma
Minor: Suicide
There was a scene that made me think that Jonestown was being referenced; the outcome was horrendous, but not for those reasons. The police brutality + fascism + nobody gets to opt out adds up to some particularly nasty scenes.calico_camaraderie's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Too much exposition and world-building via the characters' dialogue. This can work well in certain situations (see: Chimera Ant arc of Hunter x Hunter) but the comic medium is more about showing than telling. I found myself skipping past the explanations that wound up being repetitive anyways.
missprint_'s review against another edition
2.0
In the future the world is obsessed with efficiency. Adjectives are a waste of time. Reading needs to be streamlined. Even conversation is utilitarian with "goes" at the end of every sentence.
Angela's parents are on board with everything the Guarantee Committee is selling. Why would they do anything to jeopardize their guarantee and its promise of a better life?
Angela isn't so sure. She wants a chance to slow down. To think. To feel.
After reading a book called Kick the Boot Angela realizes she isn't alone. Soon she finds herself at the center of a radical movement determined to slow society down in Decelerate Blue (2017) by Adam Rapp, illustrated by Mike Cavallaro.
This standalone graphic novel offers a startling view of a bleak dystopian future where human interaction and contemplation are secondary to speed and efficiency.
Rapp's fascinating and disturbingly possible premise is dampened by a simplistic plot and world building that falls short of building anything. Who are the Guarantee Committee? What exactly is a Guarantee? Decelerate Blue is short on answers.
Cavalarro creates some interesting spreads but the impact is often diminished by the comic largely being in black and white. (Blue is a key color to the story which is often lost given the black and white pallette.) Although the comic does some clever things with full color panels contrasted with black and white it isn't enough to make the artwork cohesive. A blue and white palette also might have been more effective.
Angela has a romance with another girl during her (brief) time with the underground resistance. But instead of creating an empowering queer relationship readers instead get yet another tragic lesbian death.
Decelerate Blue takes on a lot of things to create an interesting sci-fi dystopian comic but it doesn't always negotiate the form well leading to questions of how the story might have functioned with different artistic choices or even as a novel with a bit more development.
Readers looking for an intriguing piece of flash fiction or a superficial treatment of dystopian themes might find what they're looking for in Decelerate Blue.
Possible Pairings: Feed by M. T. Anderson, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1984 by George Orwell, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
*A copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
Angela's parents are on board with everything the Guarantee Committee is selling. Why would they do anything to jeopardize their guarantee and its promise of a better life?
Angela isn't so sure. She wants a chance to slow down. To think. To feel.
After reading a book called Kick the Boot Angela realizes she isn't alone. Soon she finds herself at the center of a radical movement determined to slow society down in Decelerate Blue (2017) by Adam Rapp, illustrated by Mike Cavallaro.
This standalone graphic novel offers a startling view of a bleak dystopian future where human interaction and contemplation are secondary to speed and efficiency.
Rapp's fascinating and disturbingly possible premise is dampened by a simplistic plot and world building that falls short of building anything. Who are the Guarantee Committee? What exactly is a Guarantee? Decelerate Blue is short on answers.
Cavalarro creates some interesting spreads but the impact is often diminished by the comic largely being in black and white. (Blue is a key color to the story which is often lost given the black and white pallette.) Although the comic does some clever things with full color panels contrasted with black and white it isn't enough to make the artwork cohesive. A blue and white palette also might have been more effective.
Angela has a romance with another girl during her (brief) time with the underground resistance. But instead of creating an empowering queer relationship readers instead get yet another tragic lesbian death.
Decelerate Blue takes on a lot of things to create an interesting sci-fi dystopian comic but it doesn't always negotiate the form well leading to questions of how the story might have functioned with different artistic choices or even as a novel with a bit more development.
Readers looking for an intriguing piece of flash fiction or a superficial treatment of dystopian themes might find what they're looking for in Decelerate Blue.
Possible Pairings: Feed by M. T. Anderson, Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, 1984 by George Orwell, Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
*A copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
You can find this review and more on my blog Miss Print
gabamunchkin's review against another edition
4.0
The concept behind what was written was very eye-opening, especially since it discussed going through life without really *going through life.* The romance that played a part in this story was also well done and didn't seem forced which is really nice.
xiphactinusfish's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the essence of the story, but it felt like a lot of the ideas were underdeveloped.