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meredithmc's review against another edition
2.0
I had high expectations for this one, because I'm one of those women in her thirties who read every possibly Sweet Valley book she could. Unfortunately, it did not live up to those expectations.
Yes, it's a book for teens but it felt very dumb and trying to be hip at times. The writing was cliche and full of phrases we've heard in other media about teens. The attempt at bringing social media and Internet speak into the book felt very heavy-handed. It almost felt like a satire at times weirdly enough. I don't know if I'd recommend this to any actual teens but probably adults who read Sweet Valley in their youth and want to revisit the twins in a more modern retelling.
The only thing keeping me from giving it one star was that I actually liked the artwork, it went well with the story, and the ending did intrigue me. If the whole book had been about that scenario as opposed to what it was, I probably would've liked it a lot more.
Yes, it's a book for teens but it felt very dumb and trying to be hip at times. The writing was cliche and full of phrases we've heard in other media about teens. The attempt at bringing social media and Internet speak into the book felt very heavy-handed. It almost felt like a satire at times weirdly enough. I don't know if I'd recommend this to any actual teens but probably adults who read Sweet Valley in their youth and want to revisit the twins in a more modern retelling.
The only thing keeping me from giving it one star was that I actually liked the artwork, it went well with the story, and the ending did intrigue me. If the whole book had been about that scenario as opposed to what it was, I probably would've liked it a lot more.
nomadreader's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
reading_cat's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable enough, but not really blowing my mind or making me want to read the next installment in the series. I did like the art, though.
crystalmbookshelf83's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
loveinpanels's review against another edition
2.0
So this is a “bad” rating, but only because the original SVH books are Not Great and this one isn’t an improvement. It’s true to the originals, with twins who are largely wrapped up in boys and one who over-volunteers, the other who gets caught up in the popularity race.
Updated with tech and modern references. Some brown people in the background. I’m not sure there’s much else that improved.
Updated with tech and modern references. Some brown people in the background. I’m not sure there’s much else that improved.
pacey1927's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my childhood! This was so much fun! A blast from the past, that truly reads as one of the 1980's young adult novels. However this graphic novel is updated for the new generation and shows the twins texting and using Instagram! This wasn't perfect but so much better than the adult follow up "Sweet Valley Confidential" which essentially distorted the beloved characters beyond recognition.
pacey1927's review
4.0
Oh my childhood! This was so much fun! A blast from the past, that truly reads as one of the 1980's young adult novels. However this graphic novel is updated for the new generation and shows the twins texting and using Instagram! This wasn't perfect but so much better than the adult follow up "Sweet Valley Confidential" which essentially distorted the beloved characters beyond recognition. I truly enjoyed this one and I kinda love that it is marked as book#1.
pixieauthoress's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hannie241's review
2.0
I grew up on Sweet Valley High, so when I found out that the series was going to get a modern reboot in the form of a graphic novel, I was immediately on board. Unfortunately, I found that this really didn't work for me. The art style wasn't great, first of all. Every character looked nearly identical, even beyond the actual identical twins that the book centers upon. While it may have been amusing at first to realize how hard it was to tell twins Jessica and Elizabeth apart, that wore thin quickly as I determined that it really was quite difficult to figure out which twin I was following in a given scene until someone actually said her name out loud.
Additionally, the actual story really wasn't up to par here. I forgot how much of the Sweet Valley High series revolved around couples not communicating with each other and then being surprised when things blow up in their faces. This reboot continues that trend, with Elizabeth's entire storyline being about how she seems remarkably unable to discuss her feelings with her boyfriend, Todd, in spite of having been together for years. In summary, I think I'm going to just live with my nostalgic feelings about old-school Sweet Valley High and skip keeping up with the reboot because, really, there's much better YA out there now.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Additionally, the actual story really wasn't up to par here. I forgot how much of the Sweet Valley High series revolved around couples not communicating with each other and then being surprised when things blow up in their faces. This reboot continues that trend, with Elizabeth's entire storyline being about how she seems remarkably unable to discuss her feelings with her boyfriend, Todd, in spite of having been together for years. In summary, I think I'm going to just live with my nostalgic feelings about old-school Sweet Valley High and skip keeping up with the reboot because, really, there's much better YA out there now.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
solelylu's review against another edition
2.0
Argh, so sad about this rating. Am I too old for these? Maybe the full volume will be much better. Because these are quite short. But I definitely took my time
with this even then.
with this even then.