Take a photo of a barcode or cover
tinyelfarcanist's Reviews (326)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In this case, I liked the animated adaptation way more. In this version, Hilda's mom is a little bit left behind. Great story nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Probably not the strongest in the series in terms of illustration, but I may be biased as Alfur is introduced. I loved the parallels, which I won't explain to avoid spoilers.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
Heartwarming, entertaining and sensible. This graphic novel is a paragon for YA queer representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Transphobia
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'll admit that the art style deterred me from picking up this high-rated graphic novel. It was until recently that I got to watch the Netflix series that I finally got to know this whimsical world.
The animated series has a beautiful art style and the pacing is better. I would recommend the graphic novels as companions to the series. Perfect for family reading.
The animated series has a beautiful art style and the pacing is better. I would recommend the graphic novels as companions to the series. Perfect for family reading.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like the representation of a trans MC without focusing too much on him being trans, but wasn't a fan of him validating his identity with heteronormative in the lines of "I'm a guy, I like girls".
The friendship between the two MCs is so wholesome and I would love to see them learn more from each other. This first volume is more of a layout for the upcoming story of these guys' endeavours to follow their dreams.
The friendship between the two MCs is so wholesome and I would love to see them learn more from each other. This first volume is more of a layout for the upcoming story of these guys' endeavours to follow their dreams.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Transphobia
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I wasn't a fan of the purple prose and I'm not really into the pop culture references, so I'll justify my rating with: This story just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A group of continually hangry teenagers fight predatorial behaviour... without addressing their inner misogynistic issues.
Squad operates on the premise of a new mixed-race student trying to fit in by joining an all-girls gang with "Mean Girls" mechanics. It misses being the feminist commentary it tries to be when the protagonist and her abused peers by a Regina George figure are portrayed solely as victims. You can't sympathise with them as they are still toxic to others when not in the presence of their aggressor.
In the end, most problems aren't solved and are kind of played down when the main obstacle is sorted out.
Squad operates on the premise of a new mixed-race student trying to fit in by joining an all-girls gang with "Mean Girls" mechanics. It misses being the feminist commentary it tries to be when the protagonist and her abused peers by a Regina George figure are portrayed solely as victims. You can't sympathise with them as they are still toxic to others when not in the presence of their aggressor.
In the end, most problems aren't solved and are kind of played down when the main obstacle is sorted out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Toxic relationship, Blood, Lesbophobia
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
Lately, I've been reading very problematic works and this is a breath of fresh air. It confronts issues like gaslighting and colonisation appropriately while keeping it simple.
For such an easy-to-read graphic novel, the characters are well-developed.
For such an easy-to-read graphic novel, the characters are well-developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- Gender bent ✔
- Adventure time ✔
- Hot bois ✔
- Fabulous villain ✔
- Cuteness overload ✔
This comic is brilliant and I just wish there was more of this.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Note: Did I buy this book because Timothée Chalamet is on the cover? Yes. Do I regret it? No.
'Venocia is a city that can't feed itself.'
I was ready to shower praise on this debut indie novel. I could easily believe a more experienced author wrote this; the world is richly fleshed out with multiple religions and customs. It could do with a little more editing but I can overlook it.
Its most recurrent problem was sexism, which I tried to ascribe to the setting of the story. But it's more than that:
- Most female characters had to be described by their beauty or their weight.
- The protagonist keeps patronizing his wife even after she complains about it.
- It makes light of rape and the protagonist even exposes a rape victim making her tend to a man who's shown interest in her.
Ableism is heavy, and although the character is put in a good light, other characters have strong opinions about people born with certain deformities. This character doesn't seem to be relevant apart from being a world-building tool, but I expect him to be more prominent if the story is continued.
What I couldn't stand was the blatant homophobia. Gay men are portrayed as nasty pedophiles with daddy issues and prone to anger. I won't repeat the slur mentioned in one character's thoughts about one of them.
It all gets a little bit preachy when the most lauded character at the end is a religious zealot.
When I started this book, it had the potential to be a 5-star reading and the author to become one of my favorites. By the time I got to the last chapter, I was infuriated. I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt as I really enjoyed his writing style and hope all these problematic postures are just an oversight on his part and not a reflection of his views.
It all gets a little bit preachy when the most lauded character at the end is a religious zealot.
When I started this book, it had the potential to be a 5-star reading and the author to become one of my favorites. By the time I got to the last chapter, I was infuriated. I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt as I really enjoyed his writing style and hope all these problematic postures are just an oversight on his part and not a reflection of his views.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Excrement