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mehsi's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
So, um, I am going to keep this one short as I just don't know what to think of this graphic novel. The idea was pretty fun, a dystopian world, a girl who hasn't been born in a city so according to citylaws is Un-Pan, I was curious to finding out more about the world and what had happened to it. In the end? We don't find out anything. Instead we see dodgeball (well ish, sometimes it looks like paintball) battles to gain independence (yes, really). With various terrains. Aster is magically amazing at this apparently despite not knowing what to do at first. Aster also isn't the smartest cookie because everyone could see who that woman was. There is also a bit of romance, just a bit though. I found it cute, but also a bit eh given how Wallis reacted. Come on, Wallis, you know Aster...
The art is gorgeous! Really, some scenes were just so pretty and I loved the character design.
The ending was a surprise.
All in all, I am just not sure how I felt about it. Too much dodgeball for me. Never liked the sports that much.
So, um, I am going to keep this one short as I just don't know what to think of this graphic novel. The idea was pretty fun, a dystopian world, a girl who hasn't been born in a city so according to citylaws is Un-Pan, I was curious to finding out more about the world and what had happened to it. In the end? We don't find out anything. Instead we see dodgeball (well ish, sometimes it looks like paintball) battles to gain independence (yes, really). With various terrains. Aster is magically amazing at this apparently despite not knowing what to do at first. Aster also isn't the smartest cookie because everyone could see who that woman was. There is also a bit of romance, just a bit though. I found it cute, but also a bit eh given how Wallis reacted. Come on, Wallis, you know Aster...
The art is gorgeous! Really, some scenes were just so pretty and I loved the character design.
The ending was a surprise.
All in all, I am just not sure how I felt about it. Too much dodgeball for me. Never liked the sports that much.
quinoaqueenn's review against another edition
4.0
For me, this book did not come together until the final few pages . When I read the reviews of this book, I feel like that was a crucial part of the story that wasn't always taken into account. Which, to me, fully explains why Aster was a mary sue, why there were some plot holes, and why some things went unexplained. I like to think that the author even addressed these issues You aren't supposed to have all the answers, the characters are meant to be close to perfect, so all of the plot holes are left open for speculation; some of them are even pointed out in the final pages.
I suggest this book for readers who are okay with open endings, don't mind not knowing why some things happen, and are willing to read a book that is 30-40 percent forest dodgeball.
Spoiler
where it is revealed that the entire story is a mythSpoiler
The story is about someone considered legendary!Spoiler
when the girl who gave the presentation told the boy questioning her "...use your imagination."Spoiler
This story is a myth!I suggest this book for readers who are okay with open endings, don't mind not knowing why some things happen, and are willing to read a book that is 30-40 percent forest dodgeball.
dariai's review against another edition
2.0
very little world building and character development made for a somewhat confusing reading experience
gerwigverse's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this in exchange of an honest review.
The concept of this graphic novel is super interesting. The year is 2068. The place, Fontainebleau forest, ancient home of some of France’s mightiest monarchs on the outskirts of what was once Paris. The post-apocalyptic society of Pan survives by growing rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization.
And it didn't disappoint. I thought it was super entertaining to read, connected with the characters and I think the art was just beautiful! I'm glad I picked it up, because I spent two hours reading it and I had so much fun!
The concept of this graphic novel is super interesting. The year is 2068. The place, Fontainebleau forest, ancient home of some of France’s mightiest monarchs on the outskirts of what was once Paris. The post-apocalyptic society of Pan survives by growing rice and scavenging among the ruins of a destroyed civilization.
And it didn't disappoint. I thought it was super entertaining to read, connected with the characters and I think the art was just beautiful! I'm glad I picked it up, because I spent two hours reading it and I had so much fun!
sleepygh0st's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
haileydonna's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.
I'm a huge fan of graphic novels and Aster of Pan was a fresh indie comic with gorgeous illustrations. Merwan built an interesting post-apocalyptic world where the citizens of Pan struggle to survive with limited resources and radiation poisoning the land. Aster, the title character, is "un-Pan", born outside the territory and not granted citizenship or rations as dictated by Pan laws. When an armed delegation from the distant territory of Fortuna arrives on Pan's shores with an ultimatum, the fate of Pan and its citizens rests in a form of ritual combat that basically amounts to dodgeball.
Unfortunately, that's where the story kind of lost me. In general I'm not a sports fan and it just seemed exceedingly silly for the fate of an entire nation to be decided by a ball game. I was drawn in my the world of Pan and the ways the different territories survived and rebuilt after cataclysmic disaster and I would have preferred to see more of a focus on the survivors and the political/social structures of Pan, Fortuna and Ceres. In addition, Aster being preternaturally skilled at this ball game when she'd never even heard of it or practiced before the initial match was a bit too much of a stretch for me.
Overall, I really liked the art and it was worth the read just for the illustrations.
I'm a huge fan of graphic novels and Aster of Pan was a fresh indie comic with gorgeous illustrations. Merwan built an interesting post-apocalyptic world where the citizens of Pan struggle to survive with limited resources and radiation poisoning the land. Aster, the title character, is "un-Pan", born outside the territory and not granted citizenship or rations as dictated by Pan laws. When an armed delegation from the distant territory of Fortuna arrives on Pan's shores with an ultimatum, the fate of Pan and its citizens rests in a form of ritual combat that basically amounts to dodgeball.
Unfortunately, that's where the story kind of lost me. In general I'm not a sports fan and it just seemed exceedingly silly for the fate of an entire nation to be decided by a ball game. I was drawn in my the world of Pan and the ways the different territories survived and rebuilt after cataclysmic disaster and I would have preferred to see more of a focus on the survivors and the political/social structures of Pan, Fortuna and Ceres. In addition, Aster being preternaturally skilled at this ball game when she'd never even heard of it or practiced before the initial match was a bit too much of a stretch for me.
Overall, I really liked the art and it was worth the read just for the illustrations.
droar's review against another edition
3.0
Aster of Pan is a a sports themed post post apocalypse French graphic novel. The art is gorgeous (as I find most French comics are) but the story is a little lacking or at least strangely translated (as I also find most French comics are). I liked the general feel of the world but the charters & their 'growth' were stilted and a bit strange. I dunno, it's pretty, it's Very French, & I liked it but didn't love it. If post fallout societal conflicts negotiated through dodgeball are your jam this book is one million percent for you!
books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't exceptional.
I really liked the colors and the world building, but the characters were pretty basic with nothing to make the readers like or dislike them.
It was a pretty common post-apocalyptic story. The pace of the story was good though.
I liked it enough that I want to read the second one coming out but not enough that I'd recommend it.
I really liked the colors and the world building, but the characters were pretty basic with nothing to make the readers like or dislike them.
It was a pretty common post-apocalyptic story. The pace of the story was good though.
I liked it enough that I want to read the second one coming out but not enough that I'd recommend it.
suzanneke's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
3.5
panelparty's review against another edition
4.0
5 more pages would have served this book well, enjoyable fun story with beautiful art to be hit with "and they all lived happily ever after" 2 page wrap-up. :c