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A review by lastblossom
Batter Royale by Leisl Adams
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Beautiful, lively artwork and a fun set of lead characters. Ambitious story moves a little too fast for my tastes.
About
Rose has always wanted to be a baker, but lack of experience and money seem like insurmountable odds. But a chance opportunity to compete in a reality TV baking competition might just be what she needs to make her dreams come true.
Thoughts
I usually start with the story and then talk about the art, but the art is just too good to hold off on. It's very good! Distinct and appealing character designs, expressive characters, and some really solid paneling. The layout when Rose's parents broke the news to her was especially poignant. Art is consistent across the board with bright colors, competent backgrounds, and tantalizing food illustrations. I absolutely loved the energy of the artwork. The story was a fun ride, although albeit a bit too ambitious for the page count. Everyone loves an underdog story, and Rose's dedication to being a good person, even in the face of adversity really warmed me. I think the romance between friends was probably my favorite thread (I love a childhood friend romance!), and the confession while on the London Eye was very romantic. Outside of the two leads though, other characters don't have much time to develop, which is a shame. The main antagonists in particular get very little time to develop as characters. Is Nicole so good she's definitely going to win, or is she a cheat who needs to sabotage others? Does she actually see a kindred spirit in Fred, or is she just trying to make things hard for Rose? And does her partner have any contribution to the story at all? I see the framework of a great story that I enjoy, but I suspect I'd enjoy it more if it had time to breathe over more than one volume. The book also includes recipes, which I appreciate, because after reading all that, I desire baked goods!
Beautiful, lively artwork and a fun set of lead characters. Ambitious story moves a little too fast for my tastes.
About
Rose has always wanted to be a baker, but lack of experience and money seem like insurmountable odds. But a chance opportunity to compete in a reality TV baking competition might just be what she needs to make her dreams come true.
Thoughts
I usually start with the story and then talk about the art, but the art is just too good to hold off on. It's very good! Distinct and appealing character designs, expressive characters, and some really solid paneling. The layout when Rose's parents broke the news to her was especially poignant. Art is consistent across the board with bright colors, competent backgrounds, and tantalizing food illustrations. I absolutely loved the energy of the artwork. The story was a fun ride, although albeit a bit too ambitious for the page count. Everyone loves an underdog story, and Rose's dedication to being a good person, even in the face of adversity really warmed me. I think the romance between friends was probably my favorite thread (I love a childhood friend romance!), and the confession while on the London Eye was very romantic. Outside of the two leads though, other characters don't have much time to develop, which is a shame. The main antagonists in particular get very little time to develop as characters. Is Nicole so good she's definitely going to win, or is she a cheat who needs to sabotage others? Does she actually see a kindred spirit in Fred, or is she just trying to make things hard for Rose? And does her partner have any contribution to the story at all? I see the framework of a great story that I enjoy, but I suspect I'd enjoy it more if it had time to breathe over more than one volume. The book also includes recipes, which I appreciate, because after reading all that, I desire baked goods!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying