mandelb 's review for:

Forest Hills Bootleg Society by Nicole Goux, Dave Baker

adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-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

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okay I loved this. much more than all the other graphic novels I've raced through recently, the attention to detail here really demanded I take my time and pore over every page. I love the underlying thesis that every side character in every story is tragic and complex and funny, and I love the overarching thesis that having friends can save your life and ruin it. girls who hold onto each other so hard they leave a mark..... yeah. love the art style, especially Melissa's design. so so many unexplored paths and stories at the fringes, even in the main girls stories, but in ways that suggest they have rich inner lives rather than leave them feeling unfinished. I think Kelly's arc is my favorite, that she is very publicly going through this transition of like, oh I love this in a way no one else gets. that's so hard and weird! and of course I truly understand so deeply connecting with something that feels out of nowhere, even if anime has never particularly been for me. and on top of all this, lush and beautifully drawn, especially the wide shots and backgrounds. wow. great book.