Take a photo of a barcode or cover
TW: animal abuse (dog kicked, not called out), imagined scenarios of animal dying, mentions of horse slaughter, racist neighbor comparing 'unsightly' home to 'tobacco road'
A forgotten childhood favourite found in a box of old donated books. I was afraid it might have aged poorly, though the references there are are very much not excusable. Overall the message is still solid and one I needed right now. Being different is OK, we don't have to be cookie cutters and all live the same way with the same things. Main character had very similar traits to my autistic/ADHD self so I loved seeing that and knowing myself better after all these years.
A forgotten childhood favourite found in a box of old donated books. I was afraid it might have aged poorly, though the references there are are very much not excusable. Overall the message is still solid and one I needed right now. Being different is OK, we don't have to be cookie cutters and all live the same way with the same things. Main character had very similar traits to my autistic/ADHD self so I loved seeing that and knowing myself better after all these years.
TW: bullying, ableism, internalised ableism, death of a parent, murder, trauma nightmares, attempted sexual assault, past mentions of assault
While the plot was formulaic and the big twist could be called ten miles off, I still enjoyed having a disabled protagonist come into her own and find her loving and accepting community. ❤️
While the plot was formulaic and the big twist could be called ten miles off, I still enjoyed having a disabled protagonist come into her own and find her loving and accepting community. ❤️
3.5
TW: bullying, absent parent
*SPOILER*
...
...
...
...
catfishing (communication from who you thought was one person actually from another)
Not quite the clever code cracking caper it advertised on the sleeve, but more a sweet story about a boy coming to terms with a lot of growing up problems, from bullying to blending a family to the truth about his dad and imperfect parents who mess up.
TW: bullying, absent parent
*SPOILER*
...
...
...
...
catfishing (communication from who you thought was one person actually from another)
Not quite the clever code cracking caper it advertised on the sleeve, but more a sweet story about a boy coming to terms with a lot of growing up problems, from bullying to blending a family to the truth about his dad and imperfect parents who mess up.
TW: racism, near drowning, missing parent
Such an awesome book! Perfect for kids wanting something like HP (but with an actually amazing author). This really is Black Panther meets X-men meets HP and you all will love it.
Such an awesome book! Perfect for kids wanting something like HP (but with an actually amazing author). This really is Black Panther meets X-men meets HP and you all will love it.
TW: parental abandonment
Absolutly reccomend if you loved Encanto! Magical mystery with fiesty family magic! Add witches and ghosts and top notch friendship that never wavers, and you get this perfect little book.
Absolutly reccomend if you loved Encanto! Magical mystery with fiesty family magic! Add witches and ghosts and top notch friendship that never wavers, and you get this perfect little book.
MAJOR TW: Rape, sexual assault, abuse, pedophelia, stalking, blood, misgendering, death of a parent
Note: This review comes from a non-binary trans person.
I honestly am having a hard time with this manga getting so many rave reviews. I understand WHY, but what I don't understand is the huge elephant in the room that everyone glazes over. The major "Hey, one of the main characters literally sexually assaults the other protagonist...twice" elephant in the room.
Now, I'm okay with a trans character being imperfect and even cruel and hurting others, like any minority we have our fair share of traumatised, emotionally unhealthy and manipulative folks. But not only do the fans of this manga completely excuse the protagonists assaults and frame the entire story as sweet and healing, the story itself never addresses the assaults this character inflicts as wrong. It clearly traumatises the other protagonist but it's just waved off the next moment as nothing.
Again, I'm not saying the story had to change or that this should not have happened per say, because hurt people hurt people, and it made sense in the story that a person as traumatised and hurt as this one lashed out trying to inflict pain, not excusable, but makes sense. But the fact that no one is addressing this as problematic, in a manga where the entire premise is very much built around another instance of sexual assault, is just wrong.
And of course the message is just plain messy. We explore one characters gender, but it's so often implied their gender comes from one: their mother dressing them like a girl, since that's the gender of child she wanted (are the cis okay?) and two: from being sexually assaulted. While this can very well be real reasons for people to grapple with sexuality and gender it is a harmful stereotype and isn't even properly or fully explored in the manga.
This is all a shame because the art, the humour, the other characters where so well done and I had many good laugh-out-loud moments. But the ending, the lashing out, and also just how graphic the sexual assault scenes were, as well as my complaints above I just can't let the good points undo the damage.
Note: This review comes from a non-binary trans person.
I honestly am having a hard time with this manga getting so many rave reviews. I understand WHY, but what I don't understand is the huge elephant in the room that everyone glazes over. The major "Hey, one of the main characters literally sexually assaults the other protagonist...twice" elephant in the room.
Now, I'm okay with a trans character being imperfect and even cruel and hurting others, like any minority we have our fair share of traumatised, emotionally unhealthy and manipulative folks. But not only do the fans of this manga completely excuse the protagonists assaults and frame the entire story as sweet and healing, the story itself never addresses the assaults this character inflicts as wrong. It clearly traumatises the other protagonist but it's just waved off the next moment as nothing.
Again, I'm not saying the story had to change or that this should not have happened per say, because hurt people hurt people, and it made sense in the story that a person as traumatised and hurt as this one lashed out trying to inflict pain, not excusable, but makes sense. But the fact that no one is addressing this as problematic, in a manga where the entire premise is very much built around another instance of sexual assault, is just wrong.
And of course the message is just plain messy. We explore one characters gender, but it's so often implied their gender comes from one: their mother dressing them like a girl, since that's the gender of child she wanted (are the cis okay?) and two: from being sexually assaulted. While this can very well be real reasons for people to grapple with sexuality and gender it is a harmful stereotype and isn't even properly or fully explored in the manga.
This is all a shame because the art, the humour, the other characters where so well done and I had many good laugh-out-loud moments. But the ending, the lashing out, and also just how graphic the sexual assault scenes were, as well as my complaints above I just can't let the good points undo the damage.
*Special thanks to Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGallery for the eARC of this book*
*NOTE: This review comes from a non-binary trans person who is also the parent of a trans child.
TW: Transphobia, dead-naming, misgendering, bullying, stories of non-affirmation
I'm so happy this book exists. It is going to be life-saving and relationship saving. I know parents who have approached me with "What do I do" questions and I've had to have many sit-down sessions and recommend several books in order to help. This is all my usually advice wrapped up into one easy and accessable place.
The format is great. A question with advice from several people/parents/professionals. The parent or guardian can figure out what works best for their family and situation. It felt like having different people to bounce ideas around with rather than one "you have to do it this way" (the narrative self-help books can often unintentionally push).
So many questions from real people are asked and answered, and it covers so much. I especially appreciate that it offers great insight for diaspora of differing cultures.
All libraries should have this book.
*NOTE: This review comes from a non-binary trans person who is also the parent of a trans child.
TW: Transphobia, dead-naming, misgendering, bullying, stories of non-affirmation
I'm so happy this book exists. It is going to be life-saving and relationship saving. I know parents who have approached me with "What do I do" questions and I've had to have many sit-down sessions and recommend several books in order to help. This is all my usually advice wrapped up into one easy and accessable place.
The format is great. A question with advice from several people/parents/professionals. The parent or guardian can figure out what works best for their family and situation. It felt like having different people to bounce ideas around with rather than one "you have to do it this way" (the narrative self-help books can often unintentionally push).
So many questions from real people are asked and answered, and it covers so much. I especially appreciate that it offers great insight for diaspora of differing cultures.
All libraries should have this book.
*Special thanks to Oni Press and NetGallery for the eARC of this manga*
TW: Blood, lynched body, decapitations (lots!)
Sourya stated in the (really insightful) end note that he was aiming to capture the spirit of a JRPG, with the unique characters, classic quests and medieval themes. Specifically he referenced Dragon Quest VIII, which is one of my favourite games. Honestly I was comparing this manga to that game while reading - feeling the same epic grandeur, yet cozy characters of a great JRPG/fantasy manga.
My only complaint would be our main character, Talli, falls a bit flat. She is more of a blank space for the reader to project themself, and while this works in a video game setting, it doesn't so much in a book setting. She drifts along where the story takes her, and doesn't have any traits that really put her apart from the other party members aside from her summoning ability. I felt far more attached and intrigued by Lélo. His temperament and abilities and character design just made him stand out more to me. In fact, all the other characters had such great designs and personalities that I often entirely forgot it was Talli's story at all.
While that may sound quite negative, in all honesty the rest of the manga, the art, the action, the mystery and concept and all other characters were so good it honestly makes up for our more bland 'main' character. But even then I almost hesitate to call her the protagonist because it does seem the story is more about the group than Talli, and it's really refreshing.
One of the most impressive moments was the chase towards the end. The way the art was framed and storyboarded was SO good it felt interactive, which my brain easily filling in music and sound effects. The tension and speed were conveyed so well. Truely a masterpiece of a moment.
TW: Blood, lynched body, decapitations (lots!)
Sourya stated in the (really insightful) end note that he was aiming to capture the spirit of a JRPG, with the unique characters, classic quests and medieval themes. Specifically he referenced Dragon Quest VIII, which is one of my favourite games. Honestly I was comparing this manga to that game while reading - feeling the same epic grandeur, yet cozy characters of a great JRPG/fantasy manga.
My only complaint would be our main character, Talli, falls a bit flat. She is more of a blank space for the reader to project themself, and while this works in a video game setting, it doesn't so much in a book setting. She drifts along where the story takes her, and doesn't have any traits that really put her apart from the other party members aside from her summoning ability. I felt far more attached and intrigued by Lélo. His temperament and abilities and character design just made him stand out more to me. In fact, all the other characters had such great designs and personalities that I often entirely forgot it was Talli's story at all.
While that may sound quite negative, in all honesty the rest of the manga, the art, the action, the mystery and concept and all other characters were so good it honestly makes up for our more bland 'main' character. But even then I almost hesitate to call her the protagonist because it does seem the story is more about the group than Talli, and it's really refreshing.
One of the most impressive moments was the chase towards the end. The way the art was framed and storyboarded was SO good it felt interactive, which my brain easily filling in music and sound effects. The tension and speed were conveyed so well. Truely a masterpiece of a moment.
TW: ableism, death, underage drinking and drug use, car accident, drowning
If you go into Goodman's books knowing they're more teen drama than thriller you enjoy them better. But this one? It was lackluster and the reveal was easily predicable. No tension or thrill at all. Now onto my more angry ranting:
Goldie's relationship with her boyfriend was toxic, he was a grade A jerk who let her life become hell due to his folly. This is never called out and in the end its revealed he actually 'loved her'. No he didn't.
This 'small town' of nearly 8000 people were ready to sacrifice this girl to the wolves for the drunk car accident she (supposedly) caused. Quite frankly I found this aspect very unbelievable. I came from a small town of 2000 conservative religious folks,and if this happened I gaurentee people would blame her, yes, but also pity and be sickeningly over-concerned for her. Not tell her she should have 'been the one to die' (and the townsfolk in the book say this to her even when the victom of the car accident wasn't even killed).
And this leads to the absolute casual ableism that was, frankly, unforgivable. A star hockey player was hit by Jerkface's car and now he's in a wheelchair. For this, he is only mentioned as the 'poor victim' his 'life ruined' and career destroyed. The town pities him, and he's only mentioned to advance the plot. Him loosing his ability to walk is a dark cloud over the town, his disability only a tragidy. Also, he never speaks a single line in this book. Not. Even A. Word.
Also I must warn the number of times I endured hearing about friendship bracelets. Were they part of the plot and the three friends wore them? No. Was one a murder clue? No. Where they discribed a lot because there was a scene of kids making them? Nope. Rather just continuous repeats of "kids loved camp and making friendship bracelets" scattered about 40,000 times through the text.
I thought this book was a mediocre disappointment but after writing my review I got so salty it dropped to a one. I loved your first book, Jessica Goodman. I believe you can do better next time.
If you go into Goodman's books knowing they're more teen drama than thriller you enjoy them better. But this one? It was lackluster and the reveal was easily predicable. No tension or thrill at all. Now onto my more angry ranting:
Goldie's relationship with her boyfriend was toxic, he was a grade A jerk who let her life become hell due to his folly. This is never called out and in the end its revealed he actually 'loved her'. No he didn't.
This 'small town' of nearly 8000 people were ready to sacrifice this girl to the wolves for the drunk car accident she (supposedly) caused. Quite frankly I found this aspect very unbelievable. I came from a small town of 2000 conservative religious folks,and if this happened I gaurentee people would blame her, yes, but also pity and be sickeningly over-concerned for her. Not tell her she should have 'been the one to die' (and the townsfolk in the book say this to her even when the victom of the car accident wasn't even killed).
And this leads to the absolute casual ableism that was, frankly, unforgivable. A star hockey player was hit by Jerkface's car and now he's in a wheelchair. For this, he is only mentioned as the 'poor victim' his 'life ruined' and career destroyed. The town pities him, and he's only mentioned to advance the plot. Him loosing his ability to walk is a dark cloud over the town, his disability only a tragidy. Also, he never speaks a single line in this book. Not. Even A. Word.
Also I must warn the number of times I endured hearing about friendship bracelets. Were they part of the plot and the three friends wore them? No. Was one a murder clue? No. Where they discribed a lot because there was a scene of kids making them? Nope. Rather just continuous repeats of "kids loved camp and making friendship bracelets" scattered about 40,000 times through the text.
I thought this book was a mediocre disappointment but after writing my review I got so salty it dropped to a one. I loved your first book, Jessica Goodman. I believe you can do better next time.