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A review by bianchibooks
This Winter by Alice Oseman
4.0
Did I read the Osemanverse in order? No. Did I read this during the holidays? Also no. In theory, I probably shouldn't have liked this novellas as much as I did but I must say between the two other non-graphic novel works I have read by Oseman ([b:Nick and Charlie: A Heartstopper Novella|61285758|Nick and Charlie A Heartstopper Novella|Alice Oseman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1659645549l/61285758._SX50_.jpg|45645263] and [b:Solitaire|61780028|Solitaire|Alice Oseman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682045195l/61780028._SX50_.jpg|39901420]), this one BLOWS the other two out of the water considering they received a 1.5 star and 2 star rating from me respectively.
This novella feels so much more authentic to the characters I know and love from the Heartstopper graphic novel series. I've always loved the concept of using a novella to expand on a missing scene from a larger novel or other work. The details of the holidays are only explained through Nick's letter to himself on New Year's Eve, and it is lovely to get the perspective of this from three additional characters.
The sibling dynamic here feels the strongest it's even been. This is also the first time I have read anything from Oliver's POV and it's a great change from the familiar POVs of both Tori and Charlie that I have gotten very familiar with lately, even if Oliver only gets 2 pages (give us more, Oseman).
I was expecting this to fall flat and maybe that's why I enjoyed it so much, there were very low expectations for it to cross, but since it takes place during Volume Four of Hearstopper which is undoubtedly my favorite of the graphic novel volumes, I guess I cannot be too surprised.
This novella feels so much more authentic to the characters I know and love from the Heartstopper graphic novel series. I've always loved the concept of using a novella to expand on a missing scene from a larger novel or other work. The details of the holidays are only explained through Nick's letter to himself on New Year's Eve, and it is lovely to get the perspective of this from three additional characters.
The sibling dynamic here feels the strongest it's even been. This is also the first time I have read anything from Oliver's POV and it's a great change from the familiar POVs of both Tori and Charlie that I have gotten very familiar with lately, even if Oliver only gets 2 pages (give us more, Oseman).
I was expecting this to fall flat and maybe that's why I enjoyed it so much, there were very low expectations for it to cross, but since it takes place during Volume Four of Hearstopper which is undoubtedly my favorite of the graphic novel volumes, I guess I cannot be too surprised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Moderate: Self harm