This was actually good? Like, a good YA mystery???
I was doubtful at first because the way the protagonist was presented kind of sounded like "I'm weird, I'm a weirdo, I don't fit it and I don't want to fit in, have you ever seen me without this stupid Hercule Poirot book? That's weird" but I eventually grew to appreciate her. Quite.
I really liked that a large part of the book focused on the discovery of the school and the characters before coming down to the actual murder, because then it didn't feel rushed or gratuitous like some other stories.
Last but not least, the mystery itself is exciting. I am very fond of enigmas and riddles, and it truly delivered.

Still, I won't lie and say there weren't some elements that ticked me off a little. For instance, the way the past crime was told. It was sometimes accounted through later records, sometimes through the witnesses' point of view at the time of the incident, and not in a linear way, I think? It all felt a bit messy.
Plus, the few characters from marginalized groups did not really have an impact on the plot and served more as token diversity imo (but maybe that will change in the next books). And I'm not that invested in the side love story. Yet. But it was overall a nice read!

Also, for some reason I thought it'd be a standalone and I rushed the last bits hoping to find all the answers and was so surprised to read that there was a sequel! I can't wait to meet Stevie again :)

When I read what the book was about and then the first pages, I wasn't too thrilled about it. I wondered wether it would revolve around the bank heist only, which, let's be honest, would have been super boring. But it was more than that.

In fact, the spine of the book is not the main event: it is the protagonist's backstory—a rich and involved one, which kept me on edge the whole time. To be fair, most of the flashbacks only have a superfluous correlation with the main event but it allows the author to tackle some heavy subjects and instil a new dynamism into an otherwise blend narrative.

Also, lovers to friends is such a good trope.

As for the style, some sentences seemed taken from a 'Girls quotes' Tumblr account or something which threw me off a little because of how unnatural they sounded but other than that the writing does the job: it is fast-paced and punchy, just as expected from this kind of story.

Would defo recommend to anyone who wants to read a quick and innovative (in form) YA thriller :)

“In a strange mood for love”

I started reading this manga because someone mentioned how much it reminded them of Wong Kar-wai and they did not lie: there are so many echoes with the Hong Kongese's films, be it in the atmosphere of the city, both quiet and busy depending on the area, the nostalgic feeling, the dialogues that are tinged with intimacy, estrangement and longing… it was all lovely.
Also, there is a nice twist at the end which questions the notion of the passing of time and leads the story to a new genre that I can't wait to discover.
I'm really looking forward to reading the sequel!

Man, what a ride.

I bought this book without even understanding what it was about just because the cover looked gorgeous and I am confident to say that the story was too.

The universe is so cool and original, I mean, spaceships that look like fish, hello?? And everything else is just too good—the drawing is very compelling, the characters are really likeable, the relationships are wholesome and the whole plot was so nicely executed that I was completely immersed right from the beginning. All these elements made this story both heartbreaking and soothing!

I haven't read a graphic novel for so long but after this one I'll definitely be looking more into this!