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saidtheraina's review
4.0
Coming of age GN about an outsider young woman who's obsessed with a HP-lookalike book series. She's heartbroken when the last book of her beloved series is over and really really wants the magic world to be real.
This is a great example of great storytelling paired with unimpressive illustrations. The book feels like something a teenager drew themselves - occasionally the drawings feel more professional, but that's more the exception than the rule.
I read this right after attempting to read another coming of age GN with mystical properties, and was impressed by the contrast. Although the illustrations on that unnamed GN were far more professional-looking in some ways, the story bored me and I didn't make it past the first chapter. This one was candy.
There's a bit of sexual content - this is an uncensored piece that feels like it sprang directly from a teen brain.
This is a great example of great storytelling paired with unimpressive illustrations. The book feels like something a teenager drew themselves - occasionally the drawings feel more professional, but that's more the exception than the rule.
I read this right after attempting to read another coming of age GN with mystical properties, and was impressed by the contrast. Although the illustrations on that unnamed GN were far more professional-looking in some ways, the story bored me and I didn't make it past the first chapter. This one was candy.
There's a bit of sexual content - this is an uncensored piece that feels like it sprang directly from a teen brain.
yu01101111's review
4.0
Briony really reminded me of my middle school self but in a sweet way. If I hadn't gone onto social media during that time, I may very well have ended up very similarly to her. Reading this book still felt a little bit cringey but in a way where there's nothing in my heart but kindness for Briony because of her sincerity. And isn't that the heart of cringe? Being so true to yourself that you can't realize how embarrassing your actions may be?
I feel like it definitely could have been longer - I feel like nearly all characters (besides Briony, Hope, and maybe Briony's mother) were very flat and 2d, but it didn't feel completely out of hand given the self-centered experience of adolescence, especially Briony's. At the same time though, I think that feeling could just be because there were very few interactions between Briony and other characters. Most of the book is spent in Briony's head and the writing of her perspective is where it shines because she's such a well defined character with experiences that don't get talked about enough together - maladaptive reading, body image issues, self-centeredness that isn't necessarily selfishness, loserhood, etc etc. Relatable in a very oddly distant way for me but even without me relating to her, she feels solid, like someone who could exist.
Visually, I really loved how the artist didn't shy away from ugliness. There's something flat and alien about a uniform beauty applied to a fictional universe that I've grown to find bland. We get to see Briony's double chin, overhanging belly, and her big curly hair and the vision of beauty to her is skinny but also has an aquiline nose rather than Briony's button one. And it feels like art that Briony could have drawn herself. The nudity/lack of censorship also made it feel more realistic and like it was coming from her own head.
I do kind of wish that it didn't go the supernatural route and that her depression was handled realistically but I think her relationship with Hope was sweet.
I feel like it definitely could have been longer - I feel like nearly all characters (besides Briony, Hope, and maybe Briony's mother) were very flat and 2d, but it didn't feel completely out of hand given the self-centered experience of adolescence, especially Briony's. At the same time though, I think that feeling could just be because there were very few interactions between Briony and other characters. Most of the book is spent in Briony's head and the writing of her perspective is where it shines because she's such a well defined character with experiences that don't get talked about enough together - maladaptive reading, body image issues, self-centeredness that isn't necessarily selfishness, loserhood, etc etc. Relatable in a very oddly distant way for me but even without me relating to her, she feels solid, like someone who could exist.
Visually, I really loved how the artist didn't shy away from ugliness. There's something flat and alien about a uniform beauty applied to a fictional universe that I've grown to find bland. We get to see Briony's double chin, overhanging belly, and her big curly hair and the vision of beauty to her is skinny but also has an aquiline nose rather than Briony's button one. And it feels like art that Briony could have drawn herself. The nudity/lack of censorship also made it feel more realistic and like it was coming from her own head.
I do kind of wish that it didn't go the supernatural route and that her depression was handled realistically but I think her relationship with Hope was sweet.
glanecia's review
5.0
I don't like many graphic novels. This one is perfection. It pulled on my heart strings, made me laugh, and made me sigh with nostalgia. I have two favorite lines in this book. "I will never find a magical kingdom in the back of a wardrobe. I will never get an owl inviting me to Wizard School." I also like the line at the end, "this isn't the end of the story. It's just where you have to stop reading."
The only negative thing I have to say is that the unflattering nudity was a bit off-putting, but it fit the character well, and made it more realistic.
I checked this book out at the library, but will definitely want to own it sometime in the future. I could re-read this a million times, and still love it.
The only negative thing I have to say is that the unflattering nudity was a bit off-putting, but it fit the character well, and made it more realistic.
I checked this book out at the library, but will definitely want to own it sometime in the future. I could re-read this a million times, and still love it.
2kimi2furious's review
4.0
This was pretty cute. I wish it would have gone more into Briony's depression and have her actually cure it instead of relying on ghosts to cure it, but it wasn't bad.
libraryanned's review
3.0
This was mildly entertaining, although it felt like two different stories. The first part felt real - the palpable loss of a really good book series is something many readers can relate to. The next part - ghost story was a little weird and just seemed not to quite gel with the first part. All said, it was just okay.
heypretty52's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing book about a young girl learning of life and herself. Briony's interaction with books is one I've had myself many times- a great love affair. And I love seeing a parent-child relationship being repaired.
nlusson's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
shidoburrito's review against another edition
4.0
Oh good, another book to reassure me that my strangeness is shared with others! I may not go as far as Briony, but fandom is definitely in my blood. Is it normal to totally obsess and fantasize about magic and favorite, not-real characters? I don't know about normal, but it happens! Briony LOVES a character in her favorite book series. Her life revolves around it. So when the final book in the series comes out, and she finishes reading it, then what? Everyone tells her to get her head out of the clouds, magic isn't real, and to focus on real life, but Briony just won't accept it. She has to find out of magic and spirits are real, or else the real world is going to be super boring.
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