Reviews

Finding Molly: An Adventure in Catsitting by Justine Prado, Jenn St-Onge

kjerstig's review

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

lyssiski's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition

4.0

Finding Molly: An Adventure in Catsitting is a graphic novel about Molly Sanchez-Talebi, an unemployed art school grad who hesitantly starts catsitting to pay the bills. She dreams of breaking out of suburbia and her artistic rut, but she has a lot of self-discovery to do before that happens. The comic follows her funny misadventures as she learns that maybe these (sometimes) friendly felines are just what she needs to get her life on track.

Rating: 4/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: adorable, GORGEOUS artwork; loved the humor, the snark, and the true-to-life characters; some heavy subjects interlaced with catty mischief; this was such an entertaining, beautiful read!

Huge thanks to Justine Prado, Jenn St-Onge, Carey Pietsch, and YA Bound Book Tours for sending me a free digital galley of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.

Let me just start by saying: OH MY PENGUINS, THIS ARTWORK! Seriously guys, the art in this graphic novel is so gorgeous and drool-worthy and just... GAAAAAH! I found myself stroking my Fire tablet like a deranged penguin, eyes star-struck and huge, because so many pretties I cannot even! The color choices are gorgeous, the backgrounds are so so well-rendered, and the entire thing is just... THIS. This is what I love about graphic novels--how they can, when done correctly, draw you into the world and refuse to let you leave it. Even now, hours later, the artwork in this book is vibrantly painted across the backs of my eyelids. I will, I fear, be dreaming in these colors tonight. And that is not at all a problem in my world.

The panels are also complex and well-done. It's obvious, just glimpsing through this, that the gals who worked on it knew exactly what they were doing and exactly what they were aspiring to accomplish. The flow is smooth and natural, the lettering was chosen well to both work with and stand apart from the rest of the graphics... Every detail was considered carefully, and I so appreciate that in graphic novels. There is also a section in the back that gives readers a glimpse into things like creation process and character drafts--things we don't normally get to see in a comic or graphic novel, that somehow made me love this read even more.

But the kicker? These characters. Their personalities are just as vibrant as the artwork, they come to life within these pages, and they handle some pretty big messages about life and living. Their interactions with and reactions to the world around them, and each other, only helped solidify them in my mind--and the artists did a gorgeous job of highlighting the subtle emotions that might otherwise have been missed out on.

This was a gorgeously vibrant, entertaining read--filled with CATS! which, I mean, only made it about a thousand times better in my opinion. The artists did an amazing job capturing and bringing these characters to life for me, and I cannot wait to see more from them in the future. I recommend this to lovers of comics/graphic novels, stories about cat sitting gone wrong, and gorgeous artwork. It's time to let the cat out of the bag, penguins--and pick this read up!

ericawrites's review against another edition

5.0

This is an adorable coming of age and moving out of your parents' house story. Plus, cats.

blooker's review against another edition

5.0

Loved the art and the story and the characters, just so enjoyable!

jrosebartoli415's review

lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

becks_books's review against another edition

4.0

This is a must read for anyone who likes cats and fun cute comics! Super adorable.

brokebybooks's review

5.0

↣Art is GORGEOUS!
↣Beautiful settings: art, home, cityscapes
↣CUTE kitties, each with their own personality
↣Doesn't shy from showing the not so cute side of pet sitting
↣Frida!!
↣Sweet
↣Funny
↣Adorable
↣Relatable AF
↣Slow-burn romance *SQUEE*
↣Supportive, loving family
↣Understandable BFF that's more than a stereotype & lets Molly have it when needed
↣Seriously wonderful father/daughter moment
↣Clash between traditional and modern values, goals,


I can't believe it, I actually agree with IGN. None of my gamer friends must know. EVER.

This kind of searching for oneself, place, and purpose while navigating modern conveniences is what I beg for from New Adult. And here it is! WHOOP!

Favoritest scene: Molly coming home drunk from a party crying and having a heart to heart with her father.

Her problems making friends now that she's grown out of school and shit?! *Raises Hand*

The problem with getting together with people when you're all working?! *Raises Both Hands*

Used to being a rising star, not knowing where it all went wrong and you fell off?!
*Waves Hands Like I just don't...lolsob*

I was a straight A book nerd off to college a year early. Now I'm working in a call center to survive with no degree and debt I can't pay off. To say I emphasize is an understatement.

The only thing I'll say about this whole Millennial business people are bemoaning: The Catcher in the Rye generation shouldn't throw stones.

goldenbeebookshop's review against another edition

5.0

I loved Molly and her cast of family, friends, and cats when it was a web comic, so much so, that I happily contributed to the Kickstarter campaign to create a published volume.
This collection is the perfect fun read for anyone who is brave enough to pursue a career in the arts, for anyone who feels the doubt and frustration in becoming an independent adult, for anyone who plays the comparison game too much when it comes to finding personal satisfaction.
And, it's also a fab read for anyone who loves cats. Jenn St-Onge brings these furry little catalysts to life with such charm.

beckymmoe's review against another edition

4.0

Finding Molly, Volume 1: An Adventure in Catsitting was a fun read. The main character, Molly Sanchez-Talebi, has some growing up to do, which both adds to the humor at times and the reader's frustration at others. I'll admit I'm not the book's #1 demographic, because I found myself agreeing with her parents almost as much as I agreed with Molly, but I still found a lot to like in this story. The author clearly has spent a lot of time around cats, because the many, many examples throughout the story were spot-on. Watching Molly grow up and figure out how to accomplish what she wants to while balancing her family and friends was very entertaining.

I'd definitely sign up to see what is next from the author/illustrator AND Molly!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.