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jay_mack9712's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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? Yes
3.0
A different coming of age story. There is a lot of different things covered in a short timer period but nothing wrapped up.
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book, there were various things that I liked, but there were also various things I disliked. Since I am not feeling all to well, I will just make a good/bad review.
Good:
-The illustrations, they were pretty gorgeous and I really liked them, especially the huge illustrations that spanned more than one page.
-The various plots. We have several plots. Growing up, pregnancy, parent issues and more. It seems like they don't fit together, but they did. When the topics first came up I was afraid it might turn chaotic, but it didn't.
-The characters. I really liked Rose and Windy, they were very interesting characters and they are truly teenagers, trying out various things, being interested in things like boobs and boys. But on top of that, I loved their friendship. They are 2 characters who I wouldn't place together, they are just quite different, yet they still match.
-The vacation place and all the description we got by illustrations. At times I could just imagine myself there, imagine myself swimming. It seems like a wonderful place to just relax and have fun.
Not so good:
-The slut-shaming. I really dislike it, and it was brought up quite often. Even causing Rose to say things like it. It is sad that a girl this young already sees things like this. So another girl is seeking comfort, hugging someone else and then she is a slut? I can see where this is going when the kid hits 16. :\
-The mom. I wish she would have just been honest, honest with her kid, honest with everyone. I didn't like her at all. Her husband and her daughter both did their best, yet they only got cold shoulders and mood-swings. And sure, not being able to get another baby is hard and losing one while trying is hard, but this way you will lose everything you have. Your husband, your daughter, everything.
-The ending, I feel like there were still enough things that didn't end well. But I guess the book is just about the summer, so when that is over, everything is over. I guess we will never know if Rose's parents stuck together, what happened to Jenny, what happened to Dud. It is a shame.
All in all though I really liked this book and I would recommend this one.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Good:
-The illustrations, they were pretty gorgeous and I really liked them, especially the huge illustrations that spanned more than one page.
-The various plots. We have several plots. Growing up, pregnancy, parent issues and more. It seems like they don't fit together, but they did. When the topics first came up I was afraid it might turn chaotic, but it didn't.
-The characters. I really liked Rose and Windy, they were very interesting characters and they are truly teenagers, trying out various things, being interested in things like boobs and boys. But on top of that, I loved their friendship. They are 2 characters who I wouldn't place together, they are just quite different, yet they still match.
-The vacation place and all the description we got by illustrations. At times I could just imagine myself there, imagine myself swimming. It seems like a wonderful place to just relax and have fun.
Not so good:
-The slut-shaming. I really dislike it, and it was brought up quite often. Even causing Rose to say things like it. It is sad that a girl this young already sees things like this. So another girl is seeking comfort, hugging someone else and then she is a slut? I can see where this is going when the kid hits 16. :\
-The mom. I wish she would have just been honest, honest with her kid, honest with everyone. I didn't like her at all. Her husband and her daughter both did their best, yet they only got cold shoulders and mood-swings. And sure, not being able to get another baby is hard and losing one while trying is hard, but this way you will lose everything you have. Your husband, your daughter, everything.
-The ending, I feel like there were still enough things that didn't end well. But I guess the book is just about the summer, so when that is over, everything is over. I guess we will never know if Rose's parents stuck together, what happened to Jenny, what happened to Dud. It is a shame.
All in all though I really liked this book and I would recommend this one.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
mimimilaa's review against another edition
2.0
I think I was just expecting too much from this.
Ultimately, I just felt like nothing really happened in this story. There was no conclusion to a single story line within this. The art was beautiful, and had I not has such high expectations I probably would have rated this three stars, but this just didn't live up to the hype for me.
Ultimately, I just felt like nothing really happened in this story. There was no conclusion to a single story line within this. The art was beautiful, and had I not has such high expectations I probably would have rated this three stars, but this just didn't live up to the hype for me.
togidemi's review against another edition
3.0
Beautiful art from Jillian Tamaki - the rough inks especially shine in pensive scenes showing off the environment. The characters are nicely expressive and visually distinct from each other despite the relatively simple style they're rendered in.
Story-wise it was kinda just eh. The atmosphere of a warm, nostalgic summer at the cusp of adolescence was perfectly captured, but those summers are pretty aimless - and for better or worse, this graphic novel echoes it. Rose's curiosity and angst about the things around her, her attempts to show that she's more grown up than she really is, are pretty fucking accurate to the preteen experience, but all that bubbling around with other summer shenaniganery just kept me from getting really engrossed into it. I don't know, I guess I just like my stories to be a bit more concrete. Plot threads get woven in, but they're resolved(?) at a kinda... sluggish, barely-there pace. I was surprised the book ended where it did because... like, even with it being the end of summer, the closing line was just so... mundane? Which I guess is the point but like, man, hit me with a bit of an attempt at a banger at least when you're closing off??
Story-wise it was kinda just eh. The atmosphere of a warm, nostalgic summer at the cusp of adolescence was perfectly captured, but those summers are pretty aimless - and for better or worse, this graphic novel echoes it. Rose's curiosity and angst about the things around her, her attempts to show that she's more grown up than she really is, are pretty fucking accurate to the preteen experience, but all that bubbling around with other summer shenaniganery just kept me from getting really engrossed into it. I don't know, I guess I just like my stories to be a bit more concrete. Plot threads get woven in, but they're resolved(?) at a kinda... sluggish, barely-there pace. I was surprised the book ended where it did because... like, even with it being the end of summer, the closing line was just so... mundane? Which I guess is the point but like, man, hit me with a bit of an attempt at a banger at least when you're closing off??
kkoerth613's review against another edition
3.0
Other than the Bone series, this was probably my first graphic novel. I like it but its different from my usual selection and it took me a short amount of time to read through it. The ending felt kind of awkward and abrupt. I wish it could have been longer. But a good start to this genre.
rachelliechti's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lilaceous's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
characters - .5⭐️
illustrations - ⭐️
effective storytelling - ⭐️
engaging to read - ⭐️
would recommend -
well… being an adolescent is definitely tough. this was a bit too bleak in my opinion, though. the main character is going through a lot, including general teenage angst, but she just constantly rains anger and hate on the world and people around her and that’s.. pretty much the whole book :/
well… being an adolescent is definitely tough. this was a bit too bleak in my opinion, though. the main character is going through a lot, including general teenage angst, but she just constantly rains anger and hate on the world and people around her and that’s.. pretty much the whole book :/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infertility, Toxic friendship, and Fatphobia
sarahisstanding's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0