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embot77's reviews
150 reviews
Season of the Bruja, Vol. 1 by Aaron Durán
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.5
I started to connect with the character in the museum when the security guards held 'Lia back and tied her up even though the white priest man touched her chest without consent and threatened her. Not to mention that he STABBED an old latina! To say the least, I was pissed for Lia. There should have been a larger lawsuit filed in the book for how that was handled. I don't like how that was swept under the rug. Anyways, from there on, I was engaged with the book.
I don't know much about latinx culture, nor do I know much Spanish, so reading the Spanish portions and understanding some of the magical aspects was a bit challenging. However, I was glad to learn more of it as the story went.
I wouldn't have picked this graphic novel up if I'd known there were more volumes (I don't like suprise long term reading investments). I was looking more for a one-and-done. Shame on the publisher for not marking the cover as volume 1.
I don't know much about latinx culture, nor do I know much Spanish, so reading the Spanish portions and understanding some of the magical aspects was a bit challenging. However, I was glad to learn more of it as the story went.
I wouldn't have picked this graphic novel up if I'd known there were more volumes (I don't like suprise long term reading investments). I was looking more for a one-and-done. Shame on the publisher for not marking the cover as volume 1.
Neurocomic by Hana Ros
challenging
informative
fast-paced
2.75
The audience of this comic may be those who are already familiar with the topic of neuroscience. As someone who vaguely remembers their psychology courses, some of the text came across as overwhelming, despite the assistance of pictures. I do appreciate the simplicity of the scenery and color scheme since the content was complex. However, the flipping between sections of the books to understand the inside jokes was somewhat distracting and annoying. The weak story line was made up for the contnet/informative focus of the book. Overall, I felt like the comic could have been better executed for readers who want to know more about neuroscience.
This looks like someone published their extra credit study guide.
This looks like someone published their extra credit study guide.
Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure: A Graphic Novel by Lewis Hancox
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This graphic novel's simplistic aesthetic, from the coloring to the art style to the portrayal of events, makes the story and its message more accessible to readers.
Reading the eye dialect was a bit challenging for one who reads primarily non eye dialect American English, especially with "reet" in the first half of the book. I eventually got the hang of it. The technique highlights the non-fiction aspect of the story and places the reader closer within the story itself.
While the simplicity of the graphic novel makes it accessible, it leaves room for questions as well, especially for those in a less supportive and/or more complicated situation. Of course, this book is not meant to cover all of the readers' possible concerns. If anything, the book is designed to be an introduction of and looking glass into the life of someone growing up and realizing their trans. This is done in hopes that it inspires readers who are facing similar troubles to be kinder to their past selfs as they grow into their future selfs.
Reading the eye dialect was a bit challenging for one who reads primarily non eye dialect American English, especially with "reet" in the first half of the book. I eventually got the hang of it. The technique highlights the non-fiction aspect of the story and places the reader closer within the story itself.
While the simplicity of the graphic novel makes it accessible, it leaves room for questions as well, especially for those in a less supportive and/or more complicated situation. Of course, this book is not meant to cover all of the readers' possible concerns. If anything, the book is designed to be an introduction of and looking glass into the life of someone growing up and realizing their trans. This is done in hopes that it inspires readers who are facing similar troubles to be kinder to their past selfs as they grow into their future selfs.
Fine: A Comic About Gender by Rhea Ewing
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
If used as an educational resource, this book would be a great introduction to gender and sexuality's fluidity, influence, and differences. The emphasis on language and communication (as well as the lack of), as well as their relationship to it, is crucial for those exploring these spheres.
In Real Life by Jen Wang, Cory Doctorow
adventurous
informative
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I enjoyed how the usual trope of a misunderstood gamer finds community meets the economic struggles found in China. Not a lot of stories aimed at middle grades and young adults bring humanized economics to the forefront, but the publisher, First Second, does a great job making those stories accessible.
I appreciate how the game jargon didn't overpower the story. The diction was informal and easy to understand. I recommend this graphic novel for those who want to introduce their kids, or themselves, to what is happening economically beyond their home and their screen.
I appreciate how the game jargon didn't overpower the story. The diction was informal and easy to understand. I recommend this graphic novel for those who want to introduce their kids, or themselves, to what is happening economically beyond their home and their screen.
Woman World by Aminder Dhaliwal
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
3.75
This collection of comic strips about a world consisting of only women is light hearted and told through colored strips (when told through the unseen narrator) and black and white (when told through third person). The simplicity of the drawings nicely contrasts the weight of the situation they characters are in, but complements the light humor and the simple approaches the characters have in their relationships with one another and the situation surrounding them.
The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
As a young woman, it hurts to know that what the women in this book, despite being fictional, experience still occurs today. It hurts even more knowing that I find comfort in a legend designed to scare evil men and relieve girls and women.
Following Kai, I, too, grew up wanting to join pre-dominantly male activities. The scenes where she is studying martial arts and has to go to a woman who will put her in a role of servitude for another man (and messes it up) reminded me of the movie, Mulan, a favorite of mine when I was younger. I would recommend this graphic novel to whoever felt like Mulan or enjoyed that movie.
I enjoyed the simple notes on Korean words, the class system, and culture. The made the reading more enjoyable without me disengaging from the story too often and too much.
I appreciate that the coloration of the graphic novel parallels the colors in the Korean flag: red, blue, yellow, white, and black. This represents the unification of the country and how, no matter the part of the country or world, the idea of sexual assault and vigilante justice is enacted.
Following Kai, I, too, grew up wanting to join pre-dominantly male activities. The scenes where she is studying martial arts and has to go to a woman who will put her in a role of servitude for another man (and messes it up) reminded me of the movie, Mulan, a favorite of mine when I was younger. I would recommend this graphic novel to whoever felt like Mulan or enjoyed that movie.
I enjoyed the simple notes on Korean words, the class system, and culture. The made the reading more enjoyable without me disengaging from the story too often and too much.
I appreciate that the coloration of the graphic novel parallels the colors in the Korean flag: red, blue, yellow, white, and black. This represents the unification of the country and how, no matter the part of the country or world, the idea of sexual assault and vigilante justice is enacted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Gore, Infertility, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I'm not sure if the protagonist remained a fox maiden after her true love tried to kill herself. Did the true love officially die? If so, the immortalization water shouldn't have worked. Didn't the protagonist have to eat the true love's liver to become permanently human again?
Under Kingdom by Christof Bogacs
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
As a young adult, the plot came across as a basic "I'm not what people want, but I am what I am and I am happy with that" set in a land of monsters and a land of humans. This best of both worlds graphic novel is depicted through rough and rigid art mimicking the classic pointilesim and layering found in old DC and Marvel comics.
I recommend this for 1st graders and above given the basic language, abundant color, and humor.
I recommend this for 1st graders and above given the basic language, abundant color, and humor.
The Boy from Clearwater: Book 1 by Yu Pei-Yun
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Little of what is conveyed in this book is taught in primary schools in the U.S. While the ideas of false arrests, political prisoners, and reeducation camps are conveyed in most WWII stories (specifically about Germany) from the U.S., this story parallels the Holocaust from the Taiwanese perspective. Issues such as these exist today, and the protagonists' cleverness and resolve illuminates upon the need for strategy, knowledge, and kindness during trying times.
While historically accurate, I struggled to emotionally engage with the text due to my lack of understanding the history. Note that there are plenty of times where the reader is explicitly told what is happening historically speaking. However, I struggle with mentally incorporating, connecting, and remembering history's applications to stories in general. Nonetheless, if the reader wishes to learn more about the Taiwanese side around WWII, this book is a good jumping off point.
From a graphic design point of view, the illustrator does well to separate part 1 and part 2 visually. Just by looking at the book edges, a reader can tell the first and white half is of a happier, lighter heart time while the second and blacker half is when more challenging and depressing times will occur.
I also like the choice to color-code the text to demonstrate which languages are being spoken despite all of it being in English for the reader. This serves as an easy marker for the reader to distinguish the linguistic diversity and fluidity the protagonist needed to master as he faces each new "era" in political rule. It also distinguished which language was standard (black text), sub-standard (grey), imposed (light red/blue), and heavily imposed to the point it weighed on them like their oppression (dark red/blue).
The red in the lighter half of the book highlighted the color in the people's faces, the health of the land and people, as well as the boldness and imminent danger of the time. Though scarce in the second half of the book, the blue emanated sorrow and hope in the sky, water, and songs that kept the soldiers calm and at bay. The lack of color and the emphasis on the dark pannels in the second half demonstrated the draining health and the severity of the situation. No one knew if the light would still welcome them, still find them pure of mind and consciousness. For the protagonist, the light hurt him as he compared his time to how it was before to ehat his reality was now and would be. The future was dark for him, even with the light at the end of his 10 year sentence. He still carried the darkness when he came home and fell into it once more.
While historically accurate, I struggled to emotionally engage with the text due to my lack of understanding the history. Note that there are plenty of times where the reader is explicitly told what is happening historically speaking. However, I struggle with mentally incorporating, connecting, and remembering history's applications to stories in general. Nonetheless, if the reader wishes to learn more about the Taiwanese side around WWII, this book is a good jumping off point.
From a graphic design point of view, the illustrator does well to separate part 1 and part 2 visually. Just by looking at the book edges, a reader can tell the first and white half is of a happier, lighter heart time while the second and blacker half is when more challenging and depressing times will occur.
I also like the choice to color-code the text to demonstrate which languages are being spoken despite all of it being in English for the reader. This serves as an easy marker for the reader to distinguish the linguistic diversity and fluidity the protagonist needed to master as he faces each new "era" in political rule. It also distinguished which language was standard (black text), sub-standard (grey), imposed (light red/blue), and heavily imposed to the point it weighed on them like their oppression (dark red/blue).
The red in the lighter half of the book highlighted the color in the people's faces, the health of the land and people, as well as the boldness and imminent danger of the time. Though scarce in the second half of the book, the blue emanated sorrow and hope in the sky, water, and songs that kept the soldiers calm and at bay. The lack of color and the emphasis on the dark pannels in the second half demonstrated the draining health and the severity of the situation. No one knew if the light would still welcome them, still find them pure of mind and consciousness. For the protagonist, the light hurt him as he compared his time to how it was before to ehat his reality was now and would be. The future was dark for him, even with the light at the end of his 10 year sentence. He still carried the darkness when he came home and fell into it once more.
Junkwraith by Ellinor Richey
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
While the message of the book, take care and reuse the objects we interact with, is present, I could not connect with the main character, or the other characters for that matter. Their archetypal presentation is good for emphasizing the message, but leaves less room for connection and engagement for the reader.
The relationship between Flo and Zoe seem forced, too. I barely knew anything about these characters, but I didn't get a sense that they had feelings for each other.
As for the art, I had some difficulty focusing on and distinguishing what was drawn. The loose and rigid style, while similar to Rare American music videos and the Adventure Time cartoon, was a little too messy for me.
In this case, the art was a stronger focus of the story, borrowing from the Disney movie "Atlantis" and "Howl's Moving Castle" for certain plot and art elements.
The relationship between Flo and Zoe seem forced, too. I barely knew anything about these characters, but I didn't get a sense that they had feelings for each other.
As for the art, I had some difficulty focusing on and distinguishing what was drawn. The loose and rigid style, while similar to Rare American music videos and the Adventure Time cartoon, was a little too messy for me.
In this case, the art was a stronger focus of the story, borrowing from the Disney movie "Atlantis" and "Howl's Moving Castle" for certain plot and art elements.