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A review by sauvageloup
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
a fun, light hearted read with light angst and pretty artwork.
pros:
- Ari and Hector are sweet characters which would probably be more relatable for younger readers/teenagers, it's a kind of coming of age story more than a romance, with Ari seeming much younger than Hector.
- the art work is lovely, I like the style and the atmosphere the book creates.
- it was nice to see the friends and parents involved in the story.
- the baking montages were cute, would probably appeal to someone who liked cooking/baking more.
cons:
- Felt like maybe this graphic novel was aimed younger than me. But even so, the plot lacked major resolution for me personally. Ari's wrongful idolising of Cameron (and him not standing up to him) is never really addressed, Ari just leaves the shared flat.
- though Ari decides to stay with his parents, theres no resolution with his liking of music and to explore, just that his city experience wasnt great and he gave up on it. no real deep discussion of why he changed his mind.
- also, we get Ari apologising to Hector but no explanation for why he lied, and then no growing romance between them?? just a cut scene to the winter? for a romance graphic novel, theres not much romance. should be marketed as more coming of age and friendship.
- the parents didnt make an effort to really understand Ari's desire to move. and Hector pushes aside Ari's unhappy feelings and calls him clingy when he leaves. theres very little communication between them, especially when Ari seems to be exhibiting anxiety symptoms.
- the splitting up of the band and Cameron blaming ari was also a big deal and wasnt addressed much.
- also, shame there wasnt a little more details to the art. it created an overall feeling well and communicated actions, but no little details to find with closer inspection like Alice Oseman does.
overall, a nice but shallow read that left me with some frustration. some of that was from poor marketing and me being the wrong age, I think, but also lack of plot resolution in many places.
pros:
- Ari and Hector are sweet characters which would probably be more relatable for younger readers/teenagers, it's a kind of coming of age story more than a romance, with Ari seeming much younger than Hector.
- the art work is lovely, I like the style and the atmosphere the book creates.
- it was nice to see the friends and parents involved in the story.
- the baking montages were cute, would probably appeal to someone who liked cooking/baking more.
cons:
- Felt like maybe this graphic novel was aimed younger than me. But even so, the plot lacked major resolution for me personally. Ari's wrongful idolising of Cameron (and him not standing up to him) is never really addressed, Ari just leaves the shared flat.
- though Ari decides to stay with his parents, theres no resolution with his liking of music and to explore, just that his city experience wasnt great and he gave up on it. no real deep discussion of why he changed his mind.
- also, we get Ari apologising to Hector but no explanation for why he lied, and then no growing romance between them?? just a cut scene to the winter? for a romance graphic novel, theres not much romance. should be marketed as more coming of age and friendship.
- the parents didnt make an effort to really understand Ari's desire to move. and Hector pushes aside Ari's unhappy feelings and calls him clingy when he leaves. theres very little communication between them, especially when Ari seems to be exhibiting anxiety symptoms.
- the splitting up of the band and Cameron blaming ari was also a big deal and wasnt addressed much.
- also, shame there wasnt a little more details to the art. it created an overall feeling well and communicated actions, but no little details to find with closer inspection like Alice Oseman does.
overall, a nice but shallow read that left me with some frustration. some of that was from poor marketing and me being the wrong age, I think, but also lack of plot resolution in many places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship
debatable whether Cameron's treatment of Ari is quite emotional abuse, but its definitely a toxic friendship and he says cruel things. issue isn't properly addressed either.