Scan barcode
bunix's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This graphic novel was much different from what I expected. I got rather emotional in the end as I somewhat relate to her story. The novel was a book that showed me that sometimes the flaws of parents aren’t intentional and that sometimes it can just be their form of showing us love. Even through all of this I really enjoyed the story and like how they made the story about her without using romance/crush to be a big part.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Moderate: Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, and Body shaming
Minor: Death of parent
cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Grief
bookedandbusy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such an important story. It follows a girl struggling with an eating disorder and dealing with generational trauma and body shaming, it shows the emotions she goes through during the eating disorder and other issues she faces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Bullying
clarabooksit's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This YA graphic novel deals with some heavy topics, namely eating disorders and the death of a parent. While I can’t personally speak to the ED rep, I do think this book might be helpful to a young person dealing with that. Where this book lost me though is in how dismissed the grief is. The toxic relationship the mc has with her mother eclipses her own grief, which would’ve been fine and even realistic if that had been addressed but instead the death of her father felt like a bump in the road instead of the traumatic event it should’ve been. It made me angry. Anyway, the art is great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
dazzle_spider_reader_1212's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Grief, Gaslighting, and Death
livlamentloathe's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A surprisingly complex story about a teen girl struggling to love herself when her definition of love isn’t the same as that of her family. I appreciate the candid portrayal of bulimia and disordered eating. I also loved that the focus was mostly on the friendship between Val and Jordan, rather than on a romance. The art was absolutely lovely, and I liked the writing style used for the story. A great book about love, loss, eating, and acceptance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Body shaming
Moderate: Vomit, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Death of parent, and Grief
rather_b_reading's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher First Second Books for providing me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
I usually like to break down my graphic novel reviews into character, plot, and art.
Character: Victoria Ying chose to have fictional characters for her graphic novel although she says the struggles of the character Val are based on her own. I thought that Val as well as the other characters were very well portrayed. Some of the side characters were very flat and did not change, but because Val is so focused on her own image this makes sense. It would also be unrealistic for all of the issues with her mom to be resolved in less than a year because that is seldom true in life.
Plot: The plot is a little fast when it comes to exploring eating disorders, but since for many it is a life long struggle, I thought the author did an excellent job of showing that. The secondary storyline also felt rushed, but as it is used to further her struggle with bulimia I was fine with that.
Art: Amazing! I loved the pastel color palette and how that fit on with the title and the concept of invisible disability. The characters were also all distinct and recognizable.
I give this graphic novel a 5. I believe that it is so important to explore all facets of mental health and how different people's experiences can shape and change them.
I usually like to break down my graphic novel reviews into character, plot, and art.
Character: Victoria Ying chose to have fictional characters for her graphic novel although she says the struggles of the character Val are based on her own. I thought that Val as well as the other characters were very well portrayed. Some of the side characters were very flat and did not change, but because Val is so focused on her own image this makes sense. It would also be unrealistic for all of the issues with her mom to be resolved in less than a year because that is seldom true in life.
Plot: The plot is a little fast when it comes to exploring eating disorders, but since for many it is a life long struggle, I thought the author did an excellent job of showing that. The secondary storyline also felt rushed, but as it is used to further her struggle with bulimia I was fine with that.
Art: Amazing! I loved the pastel color palette and how that fit on with the title and the concept of invisible disability. The characters were also all distinct and recognizable.
I give this graphic novel a 5. I believe that it is so important to explore all facets of mental health and how different people's experiences can shape and change them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Vomit
More...