I love how masterful and expressive the artwork is. Some of the language, including the curses, feels a bit out of place. But who am I? I’m no historian. The dialogue was snappy and fun too; Loved Elisabeth though the darker sister protecting the lighter “daintier” one gets old. That’s no fault on the story more so on common story/colorist tropes. Stokes was also a favorite. 

Once the big fight happens, the tension holds throughout well. 

Anyway, worth the read. The narrative voice was excellent. 

This felt very early 2000’s and not necessarily in a good way. Could have been a Static Shock (which I do like!) episode. I liked the artwork and the dialogue was good. But the story’s execution could’ve been better. A few abrupt transitions and rushed pacing. 

The chapter titles are all Alicia Key songs, but I personally think there was a missed opportunity in not tying the songs more into the narrative. 

I can’t figure out if I liked this or not. A mixed bag. Definitely some things I liked and others I didn’t. 

fictional stories always have multiracial gangs, but I’ve yet to really see that in real life.

 

This was fun! A fitting close. One loose end didn't get resolved though...

what about Bina's bro and husband helping match funds? are they still going to match the funds, or when Lora said they got the money, did she mean the portion needed for Bina's fam to match the rest??? i'm thinking too financially about this lol

The execution was messy, but I do like the themes. And the cutesy BMO-like creatures, the jujus.

I really hate to say it, but I found this very boring despite Anne’s likeability. I don’t see why it was set in West Philly? Is that like a booming STEM city or something? There weren't that many unique changes here. I was a little salty about the Gilbert thing, but

this veers off with Anne realizing she had a crush on Diana

that doesn’t even get resolved. Is there going to be a second book? 

I felt sad for Lenore with her love troubles, being in her siblings' shadow, and always having to be "on," but she had <b>NO</b> chemistry with Alex. She came off unreasonably rude in the beginning. And Alex was boring. Their banter was strained with Alex walking on eggshells not to detonate Lenore who had a lot going on. I just never felt it for those two.

But I really love this normalization of gentle boys, therapy, and not having it all together before college. I, like so many others, didn’t know what I wanted to major in college. And the system is set up to drain you of all your money and time if you don’t already have an idea. So, you got people sticking it out in a major that makes them unhappy or afraid to try something else in case it’s worse. Stop punishing people for not having their whole life planned out. Mini rant over.