Reviews

Aya by Marguerite Abouet

crystalstarrlight's review against another edition

3.0

Bullet Review:

Totally not what I typically read - but it grew on me. At the end of the day, it was a delightfully fun read.

megan_reads_daily's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This is the best graphic novel I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to read the next volumes! There are so many plot twists and a very diverse range of characters. Both the writing and the art are excellent. A very solid 5 star rating. 

kemie's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

catcherinthepi's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Really interesting read! I liked the range of characters we got to meet, though it was a little hard to keep track of all the dramas. My main issue is actually with the artwork: while the colors were vibrant and beautiful, I think the depictions of the characters could have been much more expressive and dramatic, especially for something billed as a soap opera. 

relright's review against another edition

3.0

This is a graphic novel where the author is inspired by their youth in the Ivory Coast in the 1970s. While I can appreciate their perspective and it was fascinating to get a glimpse of a different era wherein the country is freshly independent but still very heavily influenced by France. The author discusses in a preamble at the beginning that this was a very optimistic time in the country both for economic and societal growth. I also really liked the vibrant art style and colors used. However i’m so sorry - despite following three main teen girls and their families as supporting characters I just did not enjoy the rampant lying/cheating/deceit. Even Aya who has relatively clean hands is needlessly snobby and judgemental of her friends. But between the secret second families being abandoned, girls getting pregnant by their friend’s boyfriends, men trying to marry girls their daughter’s age, marrying a rich man despite the baby being passed off as his being another’s. It’s just a lot. Like a big soap opera where you’re not really rooting for anyone and no one seems to ever learn a lesson and is ready to betray their loved ones and friends again at a moments notice. I guess I also missed the memo that the story continues in a volume two and I am definitely questioning if I want to pick that book up to continue more of the same misery.

annetjeberg's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sharonanouk's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

bridget1989's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

chloelees's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

maryvarn's review against another edition

4.0

I was interested in the characters and loved how the stories seemed realistic but the style at times had a charming cartoony style. It seems like that would be hard to pull off, but she does it! And it was great to be transported to a very different time and place than I'm usually familiar with.