pwbalto's review against another edition
4.0
Quite good. The limited color palette doesn't overpower the artist's lovely lines, and the graceful style enhances the slightly surreal atmosphere that the story suggests. Makes me think of Tonoharu - similar stranger in a strange land thing, similar subdued colors, similar self-assured artistic ability.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
Dealing with death right, so this graphic novel was appropriate to read.
The story is of a boy of filipino decent, who goes back to his grandmother Lola's house, after she dies.
But the house is not being haunted by his recently dead grandmother, but by a cousin who died, that Jessie was friends with, the last time he came to visit.
Gramma Lola had the gift, as does Jessie, but he doesn't want it, like his cousin does. But nothing he can do about it.
Interesting story, learning about Filipino folklore.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The story is of a boy of filipino decent, who goes back to his grandmother Lola's house, after she dies.
But the house is not being haunted by his recently dead grandmother, but by a cousin who died, that Jessie was friends with, the last time he came to visit.
Gramma Lola had the gift, as does Jessie, but he doesn't want it, like his cousin does. But nothing he can do about it.
Interesting story, learning about Filipino folklore.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
stiricide's review against another edition
4.0
J. Torres could write a phone book and I'd think it was adorable. Elbert Orr could illustrate it, and I would skritch its chin.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I received this graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
This is a book about a boy who can see ghosts, a boy who has lost his grandma and who along with his father and mother go back to their home country to say their last respects to grandma.
Review to come in March 2020.
This is a book about a boy who can see ghosts, a boy who has lost his grandma and who along with his father and mother go back to their home country to say their last respects to grandma.
Review to come in March 2020.
2kimi2furious's review against another edition
3.0
This book was okay. The title was misleading, as I thought it would be more about Jesse's grandmother than his cousin. She was only in a flashback and didn't really do much other than to maybe explain why Jesse could see things, but then also maybe not?
I thought all the stuff with JonJon was cute. Short, but cute. It was really in contrast with all the other weird stuff Jesse saw like rotting corpses and monsters. I wish the writer would have decided if he was going to tell a cute heartwarming ghost storynor a weird creepy one. Or at least would have meshed the two together better. It just sort of felt like they weren't connected very well.
Also, is there a companion volume? It seems like there should be. It ended abruptly unless we are to assume that everyone's dead? If the writer is going to come up with a sequel, I'd probably read it, but as a standalone work, I am not sure I'd read this boom again.
I thought all the stuff with JonJon was cute. Short, but cute. It was really in contrast with all the other weird stuff Jesse saw like rotting corpses and monsters. I wish the writer would have decided if he was going to tell a cute heartwarming ghost storynor a weird creepy one. Or at least would have meshed the two together better. It just sort of felt like they weren't connected very well.
Also, is there a companion volume? It seems like there should be. It ended abruptly unless we are to assume that everyone's dead? If the writer is going to come up with a sequel, I'd probably read it, but as a standalone work, I am not sure I'd read this boom again.
lulitta2's review
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
leslie_d's review against another edition
3.0
The Publisher’s Comments for Lola : A Ghost Story make this graphic novel sound more atmospheric than it really is. I mean, the idea that Jesse sees dead people alone makes for creepy idea. And it is disturbing when it happens (when you realize it is happening). But overall, I was hardly frightened. What it was though, was compelling.
Jesse’s grandmother has died, bringing his family to her farmhouse in the Philippines for the funeral, a place haunted by the stories his uncle and cousin insist on recalling, stories of his grandmother’s youth and her legacy of a supernatural ability. The stories are not the only thing haunting the farmhouse.
The mystery of who JonJon was and what happened to him unfolds as Jesse comes to grips with who he is via his grandmother, still a bit overwhelmed by its most surreal/folk lorish qualities. Torres & Or cleverly reveal JonJon and the extent of Jesse’s abilities over the course of the story. They explore both the curse and blessing of it, and end with an honest uncertainty. Moments of terror and triumph find a balance in a young life just beginning (and as another has ended).
The story is told in sepia; the gentler contrast softens the blow of a story cast in black. The renderings of the characters are very expressive, appealing. The narrative easy to follow, a well-crafted partnership of text and image. Beginning in subtlety, transitions blur with the ambiguity of what is really occurring and what Jesse is seeing. Stories come to life alongside other more disturbing things–like ghosts, and unforgettable sorrows.
I found Lola on the Teen Graphic Novel shelf, but Powells books categorizes it under Juvenile fiction. For the maximum effect of creepiness, Powells has it right. As for the Teen Shelf, is it the last page, 102? After some sense of victory, a perilous, but otherwise positive result of his gift, Jesse is reminded of the more tormentive aspects. The cover and the style of artwork appeals to the young set, but the upper end of Juvenile fiction may find the last page appropriately haunting without permanent damage…or would it. I enjoyed the shift back into the dark and disturbing, the tipping backward into imbalance and intrigue and uncomfortable ideas–and the idea that Jesse is still trying to find his voice.
*****************
Additionally: You get a bit of cultural education: words native to the Philippines are given translation in small print at the bottom of the page. old traditions meet new external influences and the more modern era. a marvelous setting compliments of Elbert Or.
So, Lola : A Ghost Story should be good and creepy for the younger audience. I should try it out, but I can never tell how these things go with Natalya (newly 11). If I can coax her away from her Hardy Boys mysteries before the book is due back, I will let you know how it went.
L @ omphaloskepsis
Jesse’s grandmother has died, bringing his family to her farmhouse in the Philippines for the funeral, a place haunted by the stories his uncle and cousin insist on recalling, stories of his grandmother’s youth and her legacy of a supernatural ability. The stories are not the only thing haunting the farmhouse.
The mystery of who JonJon was and what happened to him unfolds as Jesse comes to grips with who he is via his grandmother, still a bit overwhelmed by its most surreal/folk lorish qualities. Torres & Or cleverly reveal JonJon and the extent of Jesse’s abilities over the course of the story. They explore both the curse and blessing of it, and end with an honest uncertainty. Moments of terror and triumph find a balance in a young life just beginning (and as another has ended).
The story is told in sepia; the gentler contrast softens the blow of a story cast in black. The renderings of the characters are very expressive, appealing. The narrative easy to follow, a well-crafted partnership of text and image. Beginning in subtlety, transitions blur with the ambiguity of what is really occurring and what Jesse is seeing. Stories come to life alongside other more disturbing things–like ghosts, and unforgettable sorrows.
I found Lola on the Teen Graphic Novel shelf, but Powells books categorizes it under Juvenile fiction. For the maximum effect of creepiness, Powells has it right. As for the Teen Shelf, is it the last page, 102? After some sense of victory, a perilous, but otherwise positive result of his gift, Jesse is reminded of the more tormentive aspects. The cover and the style of artwork appeals to the young set, but the upper end of Juvenile fiction may find the last page appropriately haunting without permanent damage…or would it. I enjoyed the shift back into the dark and disturbing, the tipping backward into imbalance and intrigue and uncomfortable ideas–and the idea that Jesse is still trying to find his voice.
*****************
Additionally: You get a bit of cultural education: words native to the Philippines are given translation in small print at the bottom of the page. old traditions meet new external influences and the more modern era. a marvelous setting compliments of Elbert Or.
So, Lola : A Ghost Story should be good and creepy for the younger audience. I should try it out, but I can never tell how these things go with Natalya (newly 11). If I can coax her away from her Hardy Boys mysteries before the book is due back, I will let you know how it went.
L @ omphaloskepsis
amyjoy's review against another edition
3.0
I really like the art in this, and I like the story, but I really was left with a feeling of wanting more. This story is good, but short and simple, and I would have liked more about how Jesse decides to use his abilities. Plus, the book is left on a possible-cliffhanger, and I can't find a sequel in the works.
peyton_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
3.0
A simple ghost story based on Filipino legends.