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A review by snowwhitehatesapples
Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A graphic novel with pretty art, lovely typography and sapphic rep which I completely adore, Squad is exactly as pitched: Pretty Little Liars meets Teen Wolf.
That said, it's expected that the plot's predictable and the characters are stereotypical. The stance the girls of the Squad have on patriarchy is an understandable one. Although their method of bringing the patriarchy down isn't commendable, it can't be denied that sometimes, we just want the other to feel as much or more pain than what we've been subjected to. Of course, that can't happen in real life so here we have girls going wild in a fictional world doing so. Nevertheless, I have to agree that smashing patriarchy via murder doesn't give a great message. Additionally, there comes to a point in the story where the main focus of taking action against toxic masculinity goes off elsewhere when the sisterhood gets challenged.
Other than that, there are tropes and prejudice (microaggressions) in this graphic novel that remains unchallenged or not subverted. I would've loved to see them being challenged or subverted but again, that's not unexpected—particularly when you keep how it's pitched as in mind.
Anyway, the main problem I had with Squad is how there are moments between panels that have been skipped. Maybe I'm too used to reading manga where a lot of details and actions are included to create a very cohesive story, but yeah, the story got confusing for me at certain parts and they took a few rereads for me to connect the dots.
Everything considered, there is so much potential in this graphic novel. I think Squad would've been better as a series with multiple volumes so that more aspects could be expanded on and better fleshed out. Still, it's a fun and quick read as it is!
That said, it's expected that the plot's predictable and the characters are stereotypical. The stance the girls of the Squad have on patriarchy is an understandable one. Although their method of bringing the patriarchy down isn't commendable, it can't be denied that sometimes, we just want the other to feel as much or more pain than what we've been subjected to. Of course, that can't happen in real life so here we have girls going wild in a fictional world doing so. Nevertheless, I have to agree that smashing patriarchy via murder doesn't give a great message. Additionally, there comes to a point in the story where the main focus of taking action against toxic masculinity goes off elsewhere when the sisterhood gets challenged.
Other than that, there are tropes and prejudice (microaggressions) in this graphic novel that remains unchallenged or not subverted. I would've loved to see them being challenged or subverted but again, that's not unexpected—particularly when you keep how it's pitched as in mind.
Anyway, the main problem I had with Squad is how there are moments between panels that have been skipped. Maybe I'm too used to reading manga where a lot of details and actions are included to create a very cohesive story, but yeah, the story got confusing for me at certain parts and they took a few rereads for me to connect the dots.
Everything considered, there is so much potential in this graphic novel. I think Squad would've been better as a series with multiple volumes so that more aspects could be expanded on and better fleshed out. Still, it's a fun and quick read as it is!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Minor: Racism and Lesbophobia