Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by backshelfbooks
Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir
4.0
Camp Spirit is a YA graphic novel set in the 1990s in Ontario, where its protagonist, Elodie, has been forced by her mom to be a camp counselor for the summer. Elodie is very 90s grunge and is not at all interested in camping or the outdoors. What starts as a frothy, pulpy sort of story takes a sharp turn about mid-way through, and turns this summer romance into a a graphic novel full of intrigue, mystical nightmares, demonic presences, and urban legends. Even through this shift, though, the book never loses its center- the growing friendship (and maybe more) between Elodie and camp counselor extraordinaire, Catherine.
This book is adorable and un-put-down-able, and I really loved both Elodie and Catherine. Their relationship is super sweet, and I loved seeing them grow from acquaintances to friends to more-than-friends throughout the course of the story. Both of the characters feel very 90s, and it was really fun to read. Elodie is the perfect 90s grunge, and I loved loved loved her style.
There’s actually quite a bit of the story focused on Elodie’s growing fondness for the kids in her stead, who are all redheads and mostly rambunctious. The kids have characters, which is nice to see for them being minor characters. If you happened to go to summer camps in the 1990s or thereabouts, like me, you will feel right at home in this story. Even if you never went to camp or aren’t in the targeted demographic, I still think this story will resonate with you, just maybe not to the point that it did with me.
The illustrations and coloring of the book are really nice, and effectively evoke the camp setting. I think the scenery was especially well-captured, and the eery blue lights and green “demonic” coloring was really very effective.
All in all, this was a 4 star graphic novel for me! I think it was exceptionally fun, but missing some depth, which I love in my reading. I can see where this may not be the book for everyone, but I felt the nostalgia and loved my time with it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review! Camp Spirit releases on April 14, 2020.
This book is adorable and un-put-down-able, and I really loved both Elodie and Catherine. Their relationship is super sweet, and I loved seeing them grow from acquaintances to friends to more-than-friends throughout the course of the story. Both of the characters feel very 90s, and it was really fun to read. Elodie is the perfect 90s grunge, and I loved loved loved her style.
There’s actually quite a bit of the story focused on Elodie’s growing fondness for the kids in her stead, who are all redheads and mostly rambunctious. The kids have characters, which is nice to see for them being minor characters. If you happened to go to summer camps in the 1990s or thereabouts, like me, you will feel right at home in this story. Even if you never went to camp or aren’t in the targeted demographic, I still think this story will resonate with you, just maybe not to the point that it did with me.
The illustrations and coloring of the book are really nice, and effectively evoke the camp setting. I think the scenery was especially well-captured, and the eery blue lights and green “demonic” coloring was really very effective.
All in all, this was a 4 star graphic novel for me! I think it was exceptionally fun, but missing some depth, which I love in my reading. I can see where this may not be the book for everyone, but I felt the nostalgia and loved my time with it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review! Camp Spirit releases on April 14, 2020.