A good lesson in communication over violence.

First, every page has beautiful, colorful, and expressive artwork. I love seeing each panel and the movement inside them.

EndGames is a very lengthy anti-war message along with how the media (newspapers in this case) can be a powerful tool (and a quick reference to a trans-person).

This is all great, but since when is stopping a war this easy???

everyone kind of has a change of heart after realizing that war helps no one, so they release previously conquered colonies and the new queen hires Snow, the spy, for her country... okay.

. Gender roles are also a subtle part of this story because it's expected that boys/men go fight in the war, boys are the only newsboys, and an important part concerning a certain character.

The relationship between Hector and Leo is really sweet. I'm not sure if it's meant to be strictly friendship or romantic, but it added a nice layer to the story. Sometimes, soldiers are just following orders despite their own beliefs.

Anyway, if there's another book, I'll read it. *virtual thumbs up*

10/10 stars for the artwork! I love Picolo's style, and I'm happy to see his work in graphic novel form. He's doing Beast Boy's origin story next *excited squeals*

Raven's journey and the plot twists are terribly cliche, but I like this new, diverse origin story. Here, Raven is a foster child growing up in New Orleans (NOLA) with a Haitian-American(?) or Creole(?) family (

and, of course, the aunt's a voodoo priestess

). I really liked Max because she was so understanding. Usually, in these type of stories, the biological child has strife/has to learn to love their foster-sibling but not here and it felt genuine.

it was obvious the direction Tommy and Raven were going into, but their couple moments were still cute. I mean taking selfies and eating beignets (which I've never had and really want to try)

I'm not really getting why Max has so much difficulty with Eman. If she likes him, how does her attracting souls prevent them from dating? I mean does Eman have a lot dead people around him? Maybe she's just afraid he won't like the real her. I guess it doesn't matter as long as she isn't giving him false hope.

3.5 for story

"I ... I don't know. I guess. Sometimes it is easier to stay quiet. People get tired of questions that can't be answered."

'Or scared of the answers they find ...' (pg 14).

Hicotea is an excellent story for all ages! It made me think and it promotes curiosity and the smallest bit of environmental awareness. Of course, the illustrations are bursting with color and cuteness. There's a slight edge of creepiness or, at least, some parts make you feel uncomfortable (like something's not right). That's a hard feeling to capture in artwork/stories.

Anyway, I recommend. c:

A beautiful, quirky, colorful, and heartwarming story. Nathaniel is the absolute best character. It was a joy to read about him, and Ben's okay too. There's a lot of magical realism that makes their journey super fun (also, some cool astronomy references). The art style is also endearing.

I definitely recommend.

You have to live with your past. But don't let it become a prison.

Dark, gritty, and makes you think. Jun is frustrating and relatable all at different points.

Artwork was 5/5! The story was fine and simple

Hated older Luisa. She was just so cantankerous, ugh. Beautiful artwork. That is what really drew me in from the character expressions to the color changes. I guess the takeaway is take all your opportunities or you will end up as a grouchy 32-year-old.