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amyeller's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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? No
3.0
haf666ia's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, the illustration is beautiful, a great medium for a nature theme. I did appreciate all of the topics brought up in this story-the exclusion of so many people in the religion, racism, TERFism, not feeling like you belong as it’s own part of growing up but also while being in spaces that have historically excluded you. Unfortunately I did wish that these themes were explored more. I really wanted to hear the conversation Penny had with Bee about racist coded language, especially because Bee is the mother of a half Diné woman. This felt unfinished, partly I sense that some things were meant to be open ended/spark discussion, however overall I just feel like this felt unfinished-I was so surprised by its abrupt ending. I liked this book but I would love if it either had a sequel or if it had like another 100 pages to resolve everything that was touched on.
electricgoldfish's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
stefhudon's review against another edition
5.0
The suspense leading up to the ceremony! Sadly this novel only composes the first two days of their hiking adventure. I did find the webcomic at http://www.melaniegillman.com/?page_id=16 so I will be finishing the last two days (and the ceremony!) soon. So much happening in a YA novel! A young queer, black girl befriending a girl who reveals she is trans all while attending a religious all-women 'retreat' that will end in some sort of "whitening" ceremony. Oh the suspense!
voidkid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This graphic novel was beautiful, the art fantastic, wonderful spreads of color pencil landscapes and beautiful and expressive characters. It was absolutely beautiful and lovely.
The story was incredibly interesting as well, and opened my eyes to interesting discussions of race and gender in a way I hadn’t thought about it before.
I loved the characters as well, they all seemed incredibly strong and well written. I loved their development.
However, we didn’t get to see the development. We didn’t get to see an ending. Everything the novel built up to was just— ended. In what felt like the middle of the story. It upset me and confused me. I want to know what happens to Charlie and her new friends. I don’t understand why it ended where it ended and the rating suffered for it.
It’s worth to read for the visuals alone, but there’s no ending, so just— be aware of that.
The story was incredibly interesting as well, and opened my eyes to interesting discussions of race and gender in a way I hadn’t thought about it before.
I loved the characters as well, they all seemed incredibly strong and well written. I loved their development.
However, we didn’t get to see the development. We didn’t get to see an ending. Everything the novel built up to was just— ended. In what felt like the middle of the story. It upset me and confused me. I want to know what happens to Charlie and her new friends. I don’t understand why it ended where it ended and the rating suffered for it.
It’s worth to read for the visuals alone, but there’s no ending, so just— be aware of that.
unforth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was really interesting and the art was beautiful. But there was a lot introduced and left unresolved. That was clearly intentional but it didn't really work for me personally as a reader.
Eta: I saw somewhere else that there was supposed to be a second volume originally so that might be why it feels this way.
Eta: I saw somewhere else that there was supposed to be a second volume originally so that might be why it feels this way.
anastasiabookgirl's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
glowsheep's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Religious bigotry
lady_doowop's review against another edition
2.0
It was a quick read with really lovely landscape illustrations but I feel like the story fell short of the description that hyped me up. I would have liked more character development and less trees, lakes, and mountains. I get it. They are hiking. In the forest. The ending was also very unresolved, like I hadn't finished the whole story. I ended up looking on the web comics site and it's still on going so that was a relief to know this book is not the end of Charlie and Sydney's story! I'm not giving up on this story yet though and hopefully there will be more published.
baldwinme40's review against another edition
4.0
3.5- I love the art and really wanted to explore the concept: how progressive Christianity and feminism can exclude non-white, non-straight people. Especially since it's an outdoor spiritual retreat, another thing that strikes home for me.
I am just confused by the structure. The natural climax of the book would be the secret ceremony on the mountaintop, you know, you start a trip with a known goal, I expect the story to take me to that goal and not cut off the night before. It's unclear what Charlie and Sydney will do with their growing understanding of the issue. There isn't a second volume but it looks like the author was working on a webcomic continuation... and stopped updating in 2017. Come on!!
I am just confused by the structure. The natural climax of the book would be the secret ceremony on the mountaintop, you know, you start a trip with a known goal, I expect the story to take me to that goal and not cut off the night before. It's unclear what Charlie and Sydney will do with their growing understanding of the issue. There isn't a second volume but it looks like the author was working on a webcomic continuation... and stopped updating in 2017. Come on!!