Scan barcode
jenniharbour's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
geekwayne's review
5.0
'Goldie Vance Vol. 1' by Hope Larson with illustrations by Brittney Williams is a new detective series with a smart, thrill-seeking young detective at it's heart. It's also got a nostalgic feel all over it with the wonderful art.
Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives in the Crossed Palms Resort in Florida. Her mom lives nearby and works as a mermaid in a water show. She runs odd jobs around the hotel, and acts as an amateur detective. When we meet her, she has found a missing young boy and returned him to his parents. Things are about to get a bit darker though with the arrival of a stranger with a German accent who has lost a necklace. Goldie is on the case going against the wishes of her father and the hotel's owner. Can she crack the case?
I loved the flavor of this book. There are so many great things about it, like the setting and the characters. There are little touches, like the young woman with the crush on Alan Shepard, Goldie's "can do" attitude, and how she knows and treats the people around her. The art is a visual treat that fit the story perfectly. The colors have a soft, almost pastel color that fits the Florida sun and palms. I had a great time reading this one.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Boom! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Marigold "Goldie" Vance lives in the Crossed Palms Resort in Florida. Her mom lives nearby and works as a mermaid in a water show. She runs odd jobs around the hotel, and acts as an amateur detective. When we meet her, she has found a missing young boy and returned him to his parents. Things are about to get a bit darker though with the arrival of a stranger with a German accent who has lost a necklace. Goldie is on the case going against the wishes of her father and the hotel's owner. Can she crack the case?
I loved the flavor of this book. There are so many great things about it, like the setting and the characters. There are little touches, like the young woman with the crush on Alan Shepard, Goldie's "can do" attitude, and how she knows and treats the people around her. The art is a visual treat that fit the story perfectly. The colors have a soft, almost pastel color that fits the Florida sun and palms. I had a great time reading this one.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Boom! Studios and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
4saradouglas's review
3.0
I really liked a lot of it, but as soon as those helicopter people came and started talking about space... I don't know, you just kind of lost me. I guess I just wish Goldie were solving more realistic mysteries.
jgintrovertedreader's review
5.0
Young sleuth Goldie Vance works as a valet at the Florida resort her dad manages. When a guest reports that an invaluable necklace has been stolen from his room, Goldie inserts herself into assists with the investigation.
Oh my goodness! This is so stinking cute and smart!
I was never a big mystery reader as a kid. I could never guess “whodunnit” and that irritated me. Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys were practically nonstarters for me. I wish Goldie Vance had been around back in the day because she would have turned me into a mystery reader for sure!
Goldie herself is a treasure. (See what I did there?) She’s intelligent, fearless, tenacious, assertive without being aggressive, and a daredevil. As most precocious teens do, she drives the adults around her a bit crazy. I absolutely loved her and I can’t wait to see the direction her personal life takes in the next books.
I wish we had seen more of the supporting cast because I think I’m going to like them a lot too. The characters are very diverse and I loved that inclusiveness. There are allusions to Goldie’s past history with other characters that I want to read about in more detail.
The ending of the mystery goes in a completely unexpected and frankly implausible direction but it’s fun.
The illustrations with their popping colors and retro, “cool cat” vibe (the book feels like it’s set in the 1960s) were awesome!
I loved this so much that I immediately requested the next three volumes of the series from the library. I highly, highly recommend this as a fun, retro mystery with a diverse cast of characters.
Oh my goodness! This is so stinking cute and smart!
I was never a big mystery reader as a kid. I could never guess “whodunnit” and that irritated me. Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys were practically nonstarters for me. I wish Goldie Vance had been around back in the day because she would have turned me into a mystery reader for sure!
Goldie herself is a treasure. (See what I did there?) She’s intelligent, fearless, tenacious, assertive without being aggressive, and a daredevil. As most precocious teens do, she drives the adults around her a bit crazy. I absolutely loved her and I can’t wait to see the direction her personal life takes in the next books.
I wish we had seen more of the supporting cast because I think I’m going to like them a lot too. The characters are very diverse and I loved that inclusiveness. There are allusions to Goldie’s past history with other characters that I want to read about in more detail.
The ending of the mystery goes in a completely unexpected and frankly implausible direction but it’s fun.
The illustrations with their popping colors and retro, “cool cat” vibe (the book feels like it’s set in the 1960s) were awesome!
I loved this so much that I immediately requested the next three volumes of the series from the library. I highly, highly recommend this as a fun, retro mystery with a diverse cast of characters.
brightgreenink's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ttreadsya's review
adventurous
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Super fast-paced little graphic novel based off 50s detective style shows and books! Whole lot of fun with very unpredictable action and a nice setting. Gonna pick up some more in the series
readsbylaura's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
This was cute. I liked the plot and am curious to see what other detective type stuff Goldie will get into.
I’m kind of sad that the f/f relationship came at the end, but it definitely makes me want to continue this series so I can see their relationship develop. I can already see how cute it’ll be.
I also love that Goldie is biracial. It’s the perfect addition to the story.
This was cute. I liked the plot and am curious to see what other detective type stuff Goldie will get into.
I’m kind of sad that the f/f relationship came at the end, but it definitely makes me want to continue this series so I can see their relationship develop. I can already see how cute it’ll be.
I also love that Goldie is biracial. It’s the perfect addition to the story.
cleansky7's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0