Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones

upped the rating despite this being a reread bc i just love the smh crew and samwell so damn much.

check, please! book 2: sticks & scones is by no means a perfect book; the narrative feels disjointed at times and the timeline + sudden scene jumps can be confusing.

but boy oh boy does it have a lot of heart. this one's less funny than its predecessor but it's filled w/ heartfelt and squeal-inducing moments. we spend time w/ old characters while also learning to love new ones. and ofc, bitty's the star: it's amazing to see his growth, him becoming more affirmed in his identity, and his evolving yet in some ways never-changing relationships w/ others. there's no toxicity here and it's so refreshing.

i also rly enjoy how ukazu explores the issue of queerness in such a hypermasculine sphere like sports w/ nuance, esp thru the foils of bitty and whiskey + jack and parse. the art's also clean and crisp, though some panels are more effective than others.

finishing this book feels like reminiscing w/ old friends, and the end of bitty's college life makes me so nostalgic w/ bittersweetness for my own. the smh crew and their story will always hold a special place in my heart. <3

Content Warnings

jonezzzing's review

Go to review page

4.0

Content Warnings

quasinaut's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

This comic has everything -- copious procrastibaking (I can relate), a too-private then too-public relationship and the confusion and emotional turmoil that comes with navigating all that, friendships, college shenanigans, witty banter. Also, hockey, I guess. Bitty is such a delight. My only complaint is I had trouble keeping track of the side characters and their storylines, and I don't think the comic/graphic novel format helped here, unfortunately!

Content Warnings

More...