I've never really read any Agatha Christie, though I always wanted to and I have to say that this was a nice little read to use as a way to test the waters. It's impressive how such a fascinating, twisty mystery with interesting characters can be told in such a short time. I guess my favorite thing was how intrigued I was by the background established about this location especially as it was brought into the current tale. I've always been impressed by the skill it takes to tell such a captivating story in a short time. I really enjoyed the narration as well. I'm definitely going to have to try out more by the author later. 

An interesting read. It’s definitely got some pretty art and a fascinating story spin. I love stuff involving mythology and mythological gods so naturally I had to pick this up. There were parts that felt a little confusing and scattered, but I feel like that was intentional. A way to keep you feeling as confused as the character of Laura. I feel like the bit at the start felt unnecessary? Mostly out of place since it isn’t like we don’t know the premise. But perhaps something tied to that comes up later. Definitely could’ve done without the intentional misgendering barb and the reveal that it was an intentional one being how it’s revealed a character is transgender. Lucifer or not it didn’t feel necessary for the character in any way, shape, or form. Hopefully there’s no more of that needlessly harmful nonsense in other issues. I’ll likely at least give the next volume s try as it was enjoyable and did have an interesting ending. 

 A Sweet, Colorful Story

This is such a touching and beautiful graphic novel. The color use in it is just gorgeous. I feel like the color choices really fit the story being told especially in regards to Blue and Hamal. I love that it went places unexpected and evoked a lot of emotions without turning into a darker story or losing the simplicity. I feel like the simplicity really adds to the sweetness of this story. While sweet, it also evokes a lot of emotion in regards to the ghosts and things learned. I’d definitely recommend checking out content warnings especially if you struggle with topics relating to loss and/or grief. I hope the author writes more in this setting cause I’d love to see more of the other ghosts as well. 

Beautiful Art, Touching Story

After reading all of The Tea Dragon Society I adore the work of K. O’Neill. I’ve read another book by her as well and found it enjoyable too. And so I was excited to grab this one as well and was not disappointed. While I feel like the story wasn’t as strong as The Tea Dragon Society? It was definitely still a really touching, emotional story with an important message and I love the educational stuff at the end that ties into the message being taught to us. I will warn you though that there people should be warned for content warnings of parental loss and discussions of grief if you have difficulty handling those subjects. I was not prepared and it hit me pretty hard given I’ve experienced both things, and still deal with the trauma, and wouldn’t want others going into this unprepared. Otherwise I definitely recommend this story and hope that we’ll eventually get more stories set in Aquicorn Cove. 

So happy to finally read this

I’ve been wanting to read this book for over a year now. Ever since I first heard about it on booktube and then saw the cover I was hooked. And I wasn’t disappointed either. The story was wonderful and the characters just so well-done. While it wasn’t a 5 star for me as I felt like I wanted a little something more from the ending? It’s still a solid 4 star and definitely a graphic novel I’d recommend as it has beautifully done D/deaf and HoH as well as LGQBT+ representation. I was also happy to see old characters as well. And while I want to give a warning for the following sensitive material such as mentions and discussion of parental loss, grief, depression, and abuse? I also have to say that I felt it was handled well. Though a quick disclaimer that you should look up the content warnings for yourself in case I missed any. Last, though certainly not least, the art was lovely and just absolutely jaw-dropping at some parts especially in the depictions of magic. Hopefully one day soon this will grace my shelves cause I’d love to own a physical copy of something this beautiful. 

OMG I love it

This was everything I expected and more. Between the story, the characters, and the art, it had me hooked instantly. The Rat Queens themselves are delightful, but even the side characters are interesting which is a bonus. Also I love how much this made me laugh. It was wonderful. I can’t wait to continue on with this series. 

OMG this book was just absolutely magical and wonderful and sweet and. . . way more than I expected from the description. The characters of Snap and Jacks and Lu and Vi were just great. So well done. The mother/daughter relationship between Snap and Vi was beautiful. And then the developing friendship between Lu and Snap was so well done. The acceptance in their friendship was an absolute joy to read along with just the developing story of Lu within the main story. Such beautifully handled representation. And well, the developing story and friendship and found family aspects in the main story between Snap and Jacks just. . . I love it so much.

Honestly, I loved this whole story. All the representation was handled well. The art was absolutely stunning. The characters were all interesting. There wasn’t anything that I disliked about this graphic novel. It made me laugh and cry - sad tears and happy tears - and warmed my heart in so many ways. I am so glad I decided to pick this up today cause it made a rough feeling Saturday into a much better day. I don’t know if the author intends to tell more stories about these characters, but if they did I’d pick the books up in a second.

Definitely plan to check out their other work and recommend this book like everywhere. Hopefully I’ll also be able to get ahold of a physical copy for my bookshelf too cause it needs to be on there as it’s a new favorite for sure.

If there’s anything I love a lot it’s definitely futuristic space sci-fi.

I kept hearing about this particular graphic novel on Booktube & Bookstagram, and was always stun by the examples of the art as well as the genre and story premise. Finally being able to get ahold of the first volume was exciting. The art style is even more gorgeous than the examples I’d seen. . . even the more brutal scenes. The story hooked me right out the door. Though it looks like I might be waiting awhile before I can read anymore which is unfortunate as I could see myself flying through this story if I had access. I already want to know more about Tim-21 and see where his story leads. I also can’t wait to learn more about Telsa and Quon who are interesting as well. That particular reveal along with the ending has left me wanting more.

Though I’d definitely recommend looking up some content warnings/trigger warnings before starting the series since there’s definitely some sensitive subject matter to be found both in the text and in the art. 

While the premise of this story was really intriguing, it ultimately failed to deliver on that element. I should've DNFed it at like Chapter 13 cause honestly that's where my interest completely disappeared. I found the characters to be good, and the way the story evolved was fascinating, but something about the way the narrator told the story was. . . not it for me. Perhaps later I'll try the physical or ebook version of this book and see if that makes a difference. For now though, this'll just be a 2 star book that left my spooky-vibes-wanting-self feeling unsatisfied. 

If anyone has ever played the Telltale's Walking Dead game series then you know who the star of this graphic novel is: Clementine. You've went along on her journey through the games and faced everything right alongside her. Now, her story continues in this graphic novel series (I assume, given this is called Book One) written and illustrated by Tillie Walden. If you have not completed the game series, I would advise not reading this until you do & if you've never played them well. . . you don't necessarily need to play the games to enjoy the story, but I would suggest giving them a try or finding a lets play of the series as the story up until this point is really, really good and the games are phenomenal.

In this graphic novel, we follow Clementine after the events of the last game. Her mental health is at its worst for sure — Clem has been through a lot — and that's not a surprise given that she's now roughly 17 years old. She's found herself alone and traveling, and this isn't easy as now she's disabled in a land where that puts a person at even more risk. I was pleased that the disability rep in this seemed to be handled really well along with the mental health rep, and not just with Clementine either as their are other characters who have issues they deal with in the story. During her journey, Clementine meets some people from an Amish community who offer to help her as she isn't well, and then when she leaves she eventually joins up with one of the people leaving the town, Amos, for his Rumspringa. He's heading North to help build a community that reports to be walker-free and safe, and as he's never been out in this world on his own Clementine naturally feels the need to offer her protection in the form of her company even though she knows the risk of getting attached to people.

Naturally, they meet others at this location and. . . well, do things ever go well for Clementine?

I won't get into the specifics cause of spoilers, but I will say that the story, and its emotional beats, in here fit well with the themes from the games. In many ways, Clementine is a different character than before though this is to be expected given the circumstances and the fact that we're not quite sure how long she's been on her own — I am sure more will be revealed as the story goes along as it seems like we'll learn things about what brought her to this point as things progress — and the fact that she has been through so much trauma plus now is facing trying to survive alone with a disability that she has to learn how to navigate on her own. Yet, underneath everything Clementine is still herself. The essence of the character we grew to love in the games is still in there.

I will say that the one area where I was disappointed though was the art. Not that the art doesn't have its beautiful moments cause Tillie Walden is quite a skilled artist. However, to come from the vivid world of the Telltale's Walking Dead games to Clementine's story being told in such a colorless way just. . . isn't the same. There were moments where that color choice really made understanding what was happening a bit of a struggle. And, perhaps that was intentional for those parts? But it took away from the moment for me.

Ultimately that's why this was a 3 star for me instead of a 4 star. I'll definitely pick up the next part of this story, as I want to know what happens to the characters, especially Clementine, but I don't understand the decision not to tell this story with the vivid colors that the world of The Walking Dead (games and graphic novels) are known for to its readers.