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kylasmv15's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment
spooderman's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Classism
pam_'s review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Abandonment
annoyedhumanoid's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this was the graphic novel that got me into graphic novels, so i have it to thank for that, plus, it's why i'm in fencing club right now, which is why i'm rereading it. unfortunately, it wasn't as good as i remember. let me start with the good: the story is dramatic, some might say overly so, but i'm a fan. i love Bobby and his friendship with Nicholas. it's a pretty accurate depiction of fencing!
now, the not-so-great:
now, the not-so-great:
- i found the art underwhelming.
- i have to talk about the weird gaze this graphic novel takes. the two main characters, roommates, and rivals are both high school freshmen, and this is the start of the school year, so most likely 14 years old, possibly 15 [edit: the book's synopsis says Nicholas is 16. i'm still going to talk about the weird gaze though]. yet they're undeniably sexualized to some extent: Nicholas discovers his roommate is Seiji by walking in on the latter taking his shirt off, with sunlight streaming in through the window casting a gleam on his torso. there's a cell with Nicholas showering, censored by a rubber duck. expository "we're fencing now" cells are often closeups of the bare torsos of people in the midst of changing into their gear. this is arguably a romance/gearing up to be a romance, so i understand perhaps planting seeds of attraction between characters, but this just feels a little icky. also it doesn't help that these high schoolers are all unrealistically slim and muscular.
- there wasn't very much content to it. i first read it digitally and so had access to a few volumes at once. this time around i read it physically and only got the first volume from the library, and it was over very quickly.
to clarify the "it's complicated" diverse cast of characters: it's diverse in all respects except gender—it's an all-boys boarding school, so the only women are the coach and her assistant but they're side characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Abandonment, and Classism
peachmoni's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
pagesofnay's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment
cait's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Abandonment
foreverinastory's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
This was fun. Definitely need to see what happens next!!
Rep: white achillean male MC, Asian male side character, Black male side character, white achillean male side character, Black female side character, white genderqueer side character.
CW: Bullying, abandonment.
Rep: white achillean male MC, Asian male side character, Black male side character, white achillean male side character, Black female side character, white genderqueer side character.
CW: Bullying, abandonment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Abandonment
diana_raquel's review
funny
lighthearted
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
"You may be untouchable, but I'm going to be the one who breaks through your guard."
Published in 2018, Fence, Vol.1 is a graphic novel that combines the first four issues of the comics with the same name. In this first volume, we follow the story of Nicholas Cox, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, as he gets accepted to a prestigious private school. Nicholas is presented to the cut-throat world of fencing as he reencounters the unbeatable Seiji Katayama, an old enemy, and his new roommate.
Even before the publication of these comics, I was already familiar with the works of C. S. Pacat (the author) and Johanna the Mad (the illustrator). Pacat because of her debut trilogy, the Captive Prince series, and Johanna because of her work as a fanart artist. So when I heard Pacat's new project was gonna be a graphic novel about fencing and that she was gonna work with Johanna, I knew that this was gonna be a new favorite. I absolutely love Pacat's writing and Johanna's art.
And I wasn't wrong. I love this story. In the first 4 issues, we're introduced to the main characters and the main plot points of the first volumes. We're introduced to Nicholas and learn about his background and how Nicholas and Seiji first meet. We're also introduced to the rest of the main cast when Nicholas enters the Kings Row Boys School, where he hopes to get a scholarship from making varsity fence. But there's a problem: there are only three available spots on the varsity team and a lot of students are trying to get a spot in the team.
I really loved the cast. We have a very diverse cast of characters from race to social and economic backgrounds and even sexuality and identity. Every single character has a different personality and I really loved them all. I also liked to see the relationship between Nicholas and Seiji. You can tell that this is gonna be an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship and I'm here for it. Finally, I read something with the trope that I love and it isn't a problematic relationship (for now) (what? I read a lot of problematic stuff, sue me). And I also absolutely love the artwork! It's amazing!
However, there are two content warnings that I think that possible readers have to be aware of. There are subtle and direct references to bullying and child abandonment. It's something subtle but they are there.
Overall I loved these four issues and I really want to continue with the series. Pacat and Johanna are a match made in heaven!
Published in 2018, Fence, Vol.1 is a graphic novel that combines the first four issues of the comics with the same name. In this first volume, we follow the story of Nicholas Cox, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, as he gets accepted to a prestigious private school. Nicholas is presented to the cut-throat world of fencing as he reencounters the unbeatable Seiji Katayama, an old enemy, and his new roommate.
Even before the publication of these comics, I was already familiar with the works of C. S. Pacat (the author) and Johanna the Mad (the illustrator). Pacat because of her debut trilogy, the Captive Prince series, and Johanna because of her work as a fanart artist. So when I heard Pacat's new project was gonna be a graphic novel about fencing and that she was gonna work with Johanna, I knew that this was gonna be a new favorite. I absolutely love Pacat's writing and Johanna's art.
And I wasn't wrong. I love this story. In the first 4 issues, we're introduced to the main characters and the main plot points of the first volumes. We're introduced to Nicholas and learn about his background and how Nicholas and Seiji first meet. We're also introduced to the rest of the main cast when Nicholas enters the Kings Row Boys School, where he hopes to get a scholarship from making varsity fence. But there's a problem: there are only three available spots on the varsity team and a lot of students are trying to get a spot in the team.
I really loved the cast. We have a very diverse cast of characters from race to social and economic backgrounds and even sexuality and identity. Every single character has a different personality and I really loved them all. I also liked to see the relationship between Nicholas and Seiji. You can tell that this is gonna be an enemies-to-friends-to-lovers relationship and I'm here for it. Finally, I read something with the trope that I love and it isn't a problematic relationship (for now) (what? I read a lot of problematic stuff, sue me). And I also absolutely love the artwork! It's amazing!
However, there are two content warnings that I think that possible readers have to be aware of. There are subtle and direct references to bullying and child abandonment. It's something subtle but they are there.
Overall I loved these four issues and I really want to continue with the series. Pacat and Johanna are a match made in heaven!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Abandonment
marylinaris's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, I am obsessed. What a great start to my reading year!
We get a lovable cast of characters & a underdog main character, you can’t help but root and feel for.
This also did nothing but fan my existing desire to start fencing 🙈
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Abandonment