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kelleemoye's review against another edition
3.0
This graphic novel surprised me. When I looked at the cover, I thought it was going to be about a girl in ancient time who fenced. Then I read the flap and learned it is about a normal high school girl who fences for a hobby- AWESOME! But then as you read more, you learn that everything is not what it seems. You have to put the mask ON in this book to see everything for what it really is.
lckrgr's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this story especially in terms of the illustration. I appreciated that Yolen made such a cool female character that had her own interests and did her own thing. If I can find the sequel I will definitely read it.
plusrich's review against another edition
4.0
This was very good and quirky.
It started deliberately, got comfortable and then blasted forward.
The structural conceit was clever.
I could feel Jane Yolen in this. I've always felt a lyricism in her work that echoes classic story-telling and myths.
The reveal could have been a little less on-the-nose.
I'm looking forward to the follow-up volume.
It started deliberately, got comfortable and then blasted forward.
The structural conceit was clever.
I could feel Jane Yolen in this. I've always felt a lyricism in her work that echoes classic story-telling and myths.
The reveal could have been a little less on-the-nose.
I'm looking forward to the follow-up volume.
izumisano's review against another edition
3.0
That took a weird turn. The big twist in the narrative doesn't occur until over half way through the book. I'm guessing they were going for the slow burn, but it takes so long it almost seems out of place. I heard First Second cancelled more books after the second, so it's possible Yolen was planning a long drawn-out series.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
3.0
I'm trying to put my finger on why this wasn't a four-star book for me. I think there are a couple of things.
First, I loved that the majority of the book is in black and white (like the protagonist's vision) with color coming in only when the magical element is introduced. However, when the color IS introduced, the illustration style doesn't feel in the same vein as the rest of the book, so that the otherworldly elements don't feel integrated into the world on this plane (is it plane or plain in this context?). It feels disjointed.
But I think the main thing is that the first two thirds of the book feels like a great realistic Outsider story. And then this magical realism/faerie stuff is thrown in near the end, and granted, it's been building through the rest of the book, but it feels underdeveloped to me. I don't feel like we get enough of an explanation for the phenomenon, and the exact nature of the magical content isn't explored at all. It almost does feel just thrown in there. It feels like it should be the first of a series, where this just gives introduction and context to the story. But as far as I know, it isn't a planned series. Or maybe I was just feeling down on my GNs this month. I think I would have loved it if it'd stuck with the realistic direction the first part was going towards, but I guess since it was [a:Jane Yolen|5989|Jane Yolen|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1209044511p2/5989.jpg], magic was required.
Also, it gets on my nerves that the hook comes two thirds through the book. It's gonna be a pain to figure out how to booktalk, if it even comes to that. But my teen bookgroup kids liked the sound of it, so I think I'll try.
First, I loved that the majority of the book is in black and white (like the protagonist's vision) with color coming in only when the magical element is introduced. However, when the color IS introduced, the illustration style doesn't feel in the same vein as the rest of the book, so that the otherworldly elements don't feel integrated into the world on this plane (is it plane or plain in this context?). It feels disjointed.
But I think the main thing is that the first two thirds of the book feels like a great realistic Outsider story. And then this magical realism/faerie stuff is thrown in near the end, and granted, it's been building through the rest of the book, but it feels underdeveloped to me. I don't feel like we get enough of an explanation for the phenomenon, and the exact nature of the magical content isn't explored at all. It almost does feel just thrown in there. It feels like it should be the first of a series, where this just gives introduction and context to the story. But as far as I know, it isn't a planned series. Or maybe I was just feeling down on my GNs this month. I think I would have loved it if it'd stuck with the realistic direction the first part was going towards, but I guess since it was [a:Jane Yolen|5989|Jane Yolen|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1209044511p2/5989.jpg], magic was required.
Also, it gets on my nerves that the hook comes two thirds through the book. It's gonna be a pain to figure out how to booktalk, if it even comes to that. But my teen bookgroup kids liked the sound of it, so I think I'll try.
lexy's review against another edition
2.0
This was incredibly meh for me. It felt so promising but then took some strange turns that didn’t feel well thought out at all?
booksnorkel's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, this wasn't as good as I thought it would be. The dialogue was stilted and awkward often jumping like there were missing frames somewhere. There was no subtlety, if something happened the girl had to say it, and did not let the illustrations speak for themselves.
I'm not mad that I read this, and I will read the next one but I doubt that I will pay for it.
I'm not mad that I read this, and I will read the next one but I doubt that I will pay for it.
readerpants's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing! I don't know if it was the comic format, but there were a few plot points that never connected -- like a few chapters had been left out. The basic pieces of a great story were there -- strong girl protag, gimmicky but neat structure, urban setting, fantasy -- but nothing to hold them together.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun tween graphic novel. The story takes a while to get all sorted out, but is entertaining along the way. The second book is even better since the groundwork is already laid out.
autumnleeves's review against another edition
3.0
About 2/3 of the way through this book it took a completely unexpected turn. I am curious what happens in the sequel.