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A review by holybranches
The Dreaming: Waking Hours by G. Willow Wilson
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The book I chose to read to celebrate San Jorge! 🌹
Okay, let's see. I really really loved that. "The bard and the bard" had me completely enthralled, I loved every second of it and it was a direct 5-star for me, I adored it. I didn't love the interlude, the change of style was a bit jarring although I was mostly worried that Nick Robles wasn't going to do any more episodes, but luckily he did! Although with some parts illustrated by M. K. Perker, which I really didn't like, I must admit (if Rodriguez's interlude had already brought me out, Perker's past sequences... buf, I don't want to be mean but they really made it hard for me to keep reading just because of how little I liked the artstyle). In any case: I loved the story, especially loved the characters, (they're diverse they have cool designs they're loveable they have depth, they're great). It should have handled better the deadname thing, definitely, I think every trans person on sight could see what the outcome of that encounter should have been, but I still thought the representation was great and warmed my heart ! My only other qualm with this story is that the ending lost me: I know there are parts about Dream and Heather's family and such that appear in other comics but, still, it did feel a bit rushed, specially in Ruin's arc. It should have explored it more slowly, and I would have also appreciated knowing more from the "dream boy". I wish this had an epilogue or a continuation of any kind, I'm a bit sad I didn't love the ending as much as I was shaping up to (this really was a 5-star graphic novel for me! I just wish it had wrapped up in a more satisfactory way...)
In any case, I would still recommend it greatly, specially the first part. Lindy and Ruin as main characters really worked for me, Lindy was a really grounding and relatable character for me, and I loved the Shakespearian thematic all throughout. Nick Robles' artstyle is beautiful, whimsical when it needs to, leaning on horror when it needs to, and in general stunning to see, I hope to read more from him in the future!
Okay, let's see. I really really loved that. "The bard and the bard" had me completely enthralled, I loved every second of it and it was a direct 5-star for me, I adored it. I didn't love the interlude, the change of style was a bit jarring although I was mostly worried that Nick Robles wasn't going to do any more episodes, but luckily he did! Although with some parts illustrated by M. K. Perker, which I really didn't like, I must admit (if Rodriguez's interlude had already brought me out, Perker's past sequences... buf, I don't want to be mean but they really made it hard for me to keep reading just because of how little I liked the artstyle). In any case: I loved the story, especially loved the characters, (they're diverse they have cool designs they're loveable they have depth, they're great). It should have handled better the deadname thing, definitely, I think every trans person on sight could see what the outcome of that encounter should have been, but I still thought the representation was great and warmed my heart ! My only other qualm with this story is that the ending lost me: I know there are parts about Dream and Heather's family and such that appear in other comics but, still, it did feel a bit rushed, specially in Ruin's arc. It should have explored it more slowly, and I would have also appreciated knowing more from the "dream boy". I wish this had an epilogue or a continuation of any kind, I'm a bit sad I didn't love the ending as much as I was shaping up to (this really was a 5-star graphic novel for me! I just wish it had wrapped up in a more satisfactory way...)
In any case, I would still recommend it greatly, specially the first part. Lindy and Ruin as main characters really worked for me, Lindy was a really grounding and relatable character for me, and I loved the Shakespearian thematic all throughout. Nick Robles' artstyle is beautiful, whimsical when it needs to, leaning on horror when it needs to, and in general stunning to see, I hope to read more from him in the future!