The other reviews are not wrong about this book. While the title of transgender teens "speaking out" is not wrong per se, it's misleading: this is much more an introduction to transgender youth experiences and issues than about transgender youth social justice, activism, or other political message through story. While Kuklin tries to keep herself out of the narrative, she steps in often to explain various terms, experiences, and ask pointed questions. There's an obvious focus on discovery, transition, and geography (all of the participants have a connection to/live in the New York area). I did enjoy the teens' diversity though: we have PoC folk, socioeconomic variety, & even a Thai citizen. That was very awesome.

The downside of Kuklin's focus is that it doesn't make for what I like to call "advanced queer reading." It's like, when you first start reading queer stories, they all center on coming out. Once that narrative becomes familiar enough, you start looking for other narratives. Like, stories about relationships and finding partners, or navigating therapy and mental health, or finding work. And this book is...not that. It's the basic basics. It's about coming out. It circles around the interviewees figuring out their identities and making their bodies match their hearts and heads. Which was a little disappointing to me, since I thought the book was more about trans teen social justice, activism etc etc.

However, the plus side of all Kuklin's work is that BEYOND MAGENTA is a perfect book for anyone (teen or otherwise) who knows nothing about transgender as an identity and wants to know more. This book is a great, if not the perfect, starting place.

This book is basically the same as the first volume, except perhaps MORE nudity. I did like the minor development of characters and the first big exam. It gave the story a sense of progression, even if everything else is going at a snail's pace.

I'm getting real tired and impatient of sexual assault being played off for laughs and women being insulted when they retaliate. I'll not be continuing this series and refuse to recommend it to anyone.

My mom is obsessed with OUTLANDER, so when I had the chance to read the graphic novel, I snatched it and savored it like the last whiskey of the day. Gabaldon's dialogue was great and fun and great fun. I enjoyed dipping into other characters' heads and not just seeing things from Claire's POV. The pacing felt rather rushed, so I was very glad I'd watched the TV show and heard my mom talk about the book before I picked this up. The pages in the back about the making of the book made me giggle, and it seems like everyone had a good time making the book, which is always good to hear.

Unfortunately, the art style, while being way, way, waaaaaay better than anything I can draw, didn't quite jive with me. I've been spoiled by the muted paint style of BLACK WIDOW and impressionistic dashings of SANDMAN: every other paint style is ruined for me. In addition, there were a lot of needless boob shots. Like, yes, Outlander is a romance, but there was a definite male gaze tinge to this art.

And thus, 3 stars. THE EXILE is great fodder for the insatiable Outlander appetite, but I'm unsure it stands strong enough on its own as a comic.

Darren continues to rivet in this second volume of the saga. I laughed a little less and internally cried a little more, but THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT was still buckets of fun. Shan's use of simple language to convey complex sights and emotions is astounding. My dork dad Crep is still a dork, and I really appreciated how he emotionally evolved and let Darren's remaining humanity influence him. Everyone, including and especially the "freaks," was doing their best and had understandable motivations. They felt very much like real people to me, and I still couldn't be happier with a MG series.

But like...they're almost too good. I ATE this book. Shan's sense of pacing is insanely on point. I had this book for a little over 24 hours and suddenly...what times does the library open and when can I read the next one?

The buzz of this book built up around me like a whisper turning into to shout. I kept hearing it mentioned again and again, especially with the movie coming out (featuring my favorite actor Sebastian Stan). And daaaaaang Ms. Jackson can write my socks right off.

The agoraphobia, the twisting plot, the shifting view of the characters, the dry humor and sentence structure: the sheer craft and skill are mind-boggling. It's a masterwork of horror, just the right mix of sorrow and creeping atmosphere that makes it a fun scaredy time as opposed to a chest-beating and hair-tearing scaredy time. Imagining Sebastian Stan in Charles' place added some fun during otherwise bleak, angry time towards the end.

Overall, a terrific, terrifying read that won't break your heart, but will chill your bones. I can't think of a better Halloween read.