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rdyourbookcase's review
The pencil art didn't wow me (the artist was incredibly talented, but it didn't captivate me) and the story started off slow and mundane.
whatyoutolkienabout's review
5.0
Introduction
I was given an ARC to review for by Harper360ya. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #Firebird #Sunmi #Harper360ya #HarperAlley #ARCBookReview #ARCReview #GraphicNovel #Manhwa #BookReview #gifted #ad #GrapicNovelReview
Review
I have been a fan of graphic novels, manga, manhwa etc since my early teens. Probably earlier really. It’s been a while since I have found one that was so emotionally charged and offered both a slice of life and coming of age story with the added inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. In short this ticked a lot of boxes in one go and the extra icing on the cake was the inclusion of a Pontiac firebird.
Firebird ultimately focuses on the lives of two girls, one a lesbian and the other questioning not only their place in the world but life in general. Caroline Kim is begining to feel the weight of sophomore year between finding her place and her families expectations. But when she starts to tutor the infamous Kimberly Park-Ocampo – a charismatic lesbian and odd ball being friends to rich kids and punks alike – Caroline is flustered and intrigued. Soon their friendship begins to kindle before they even realise it. They are sneaking out for late-night drives and bonding beneath the stars over music, dreams and a desire to get away from it all. But as the connection grows and may even begin to smoulder will feelings of guilt and mounting pressure of life outside of these moments extinguish the spark before it catches fire?
As I already mentioned I have not read a graphic novel that deals with silce of life in such an emotional but beautiful way. Sunmi makes it easy to identify with both Caroline and Kim but also the supporting cast of their friends. It was lovely to follow their adventure and see the relationship blossom between them but most importantly it was the level of respect and acceptance the characters had for each other and from most of their friends.
I have never read anything by Sunmi before but after getting a chance to read Firebird I will definitely be finding their other works and reading those as well. A beautiful coming of age, slice of life graphic novel that is sure to strike a cord with any one be they young or older.
Hashtags
#Firebird #Sunmi #Harper360ya #HarperAlley #ARCBookReview #ARCReview #GraphicNovel #Manhwa #BookReview #gifted #ad #GrapicNovelReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
I was given an ARC to review for by Harper360ya. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #Firebird #Sunmi #Harper360ya #HarperAlley #ARCBookReview #ARCReview #GraphicNovel #Manhwa #BookReview #gifted #ad #GrapicNovelReview
Review
I have been a fan of graphic novels, manga, manhwa etc since my early teens. Probably earlier really. It’s been a while since I have found one that was so emotionally charged and offered both a slice of life and coming of age story with the added inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and themes. In short this ticked a lot of boxes in one go and the extra icing on the cake was the inclusion of a Pontiac firebird.
Firebird ultimately focuses on the lives of two girls, one a lesbian and the other questioning not only their place in the world but life in general. Caroline Kim is begining to feel the weight of sophomore year between finding her place and her families expectations. But when she starts to tutor the infamous Kimberly Park-Ocampo – a charismatic lesbian and odd ball being friends to rich kids and punks alike – Caroline is flustered and intrigued. Soon their friendship begins to kindle before they even realise it. They are sneaking out for late-night drives and bonding beneath the stars over music, dreams and a desire to get away from it all. But as the connection grows and may even begin to smoulder will feelings of guilt and mounting pressure of life outside of these moments extinguish the spark before it catches fire?
As I already mentioned I have not read a graphic novel that deals with silce of life in such an emotional but beautiful way. Sunmi makes it easy to identify with both Caroline and Kim but also the supporting cast of their friends. It was lovely to follow their adventure and see the relationship blossom between them but most importantly it was the level of respect and acceptance the characters had for each other and from most of their friends.
I have never read anything by Sunmi before but after getting a chance to read Firebird I will definitely be finding their other works and reading those as well. A beautiful coming of age, slice of life graphic novel that is sure to strike a cord with any one be they young or older.
Hashtags
#Firebird #Sunmi #Harper360ya #HarperAlley #ARCBookReview #ARCReview #GraphicNovel #Manhwa #BookReview #gifted #ad #GrapicNovelReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
black_flamed_candle_b00ks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
4.5
I really enjoyed this graphic novel! I think it’s the first where I really vibed with the minimal colour and mostly charcoal grey illustrations. The only thing that I felt was lacking was the ending. I thought we’d get a resolution on how they’d both navigate graduation and moving to different states/colleges as it was mentioned so often. I thought we’d see that resolved and a hint of a long distance relationship in an epilogue so to speak but we didn’t get that. Otherwise I don’t know why and what the point was in mentioning it so much when there was no resolution? I hope there’s a sequel! I read this in 2 hrs and 3 mins according to my Libby app. It was so good I read intermittently whilst I was at an orchestra because I couldn’t put it down! I just think we needed a few more chapters to resolve everything.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Transphobia, Homophobia, Bullying, Lesbophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
solenodon's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
a beautiful and sweet coming of age vignette
lightsuplibrary's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
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
4.0
this was an beautiful, coming of age queer story that kept me pretty captivated. personally, i don’t read graphic novels very often but i’m really glad i picked this one up.
mostly loved the exploration of measuring up to parental expectations and trying your all for your family but them not really seeing it. a universal concept we can probably all relate to done in a great way while seeing a character still come into their own identity. caroline was so precious and i was so happy to see supportive friends around her once she started questioning herself and contemplating making big changes. kim was lovely and strong, and so sweet to caroline. i think it’s just adorable they found each other.
a great read that incorporates lovely drawings, awesome queerness, relatable family struggles, and asian cultures. definitely recommend!
mostly loved the exploration of measuring up to parental expectations and trying your all for your family but them not really seeing it. a universal concept we can probably all relate to done in a great way while seeing a character still come into their own identity. caroline was so precious and i was so happy to see supportive friends around her once she started questioning herself and contemplating making big changes. kim was lovely and strong, and so sweet to caroline. i think it’s just adorable they found each other.
a great read that incorporates lovely drawings, awesome queerness, relatable family struggles, and asian cultures. definitely recommend!
ash_among_the_stars's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
queeerlybeloved's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
i love reading coming of age queer stories, and this one was a great one!
Caroline starts to question her sexuality (or continues to) when she starts tutoring Kim, a cool, charismatic lesbian senior. they start to talk more and hang out more and they start whether or not they're just friends or if there's something more between them.
it was a little slower paced than i was expecting, but i thought it developed pretty naturally! if anything, i just wanted more!
i wanted to grab Caroline by the shoulders and yell about how Kim was trying to hit on her 😂
this was a great read with great representation!
Caroline starts to question her sexuality (or continues to) when she starts tutoring Kim, a cool, charismatic lesbian senior. they start to talk more and hang out more and they start whether or not they're just friends or if there's something more between them.
it was a little slower paced than i was expecting, but i thought it developed pretty naturally! if anything, i just wanted more!
i wanted to grab Caroline by the shoulders and yell about how Kim was trying to hit on her 😂
this was a great read with great representation!
storystruck's review
4.75
With beautiful art, care, and heart, Sunmi’s graphic novel about a character coming to terms with her sexuality and gender is a moving read. I did think there was a lot going on in few pages which is why I didn’t give it a full five stars but I still highly recommend it!