caughtbetweenpages's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What an absolute romp. I came to Starstruck after watching the Dimension 20 liveplay set in the same world (and DMed by the author Elaine Lee's son, Brennan Lee Mulligan) so I thought I was prepared for the zany technicolor universe of this story but I absolutely was not. The universe of Starstruck is simply too big to have a complete grasp on, and the cast of characters within the universe are each so batshit insane and deeply realized that every person's storyline is also too big to allow a wider focus on the world when you're following a given gal. The multi-generational sagas of the Medeas, the Bajars, the Tis, etc. all come together into a story I can't really condense down into a review, so I'll go for vibes instead:
This book feels like what getting just a little past comfortably high and staring at the flashing billboard lights of times square feels like, if while you're staring you're also starring in a one-man slam poetry thing, getting robbed by girl scouts, and avenging the crimes done to your ancestors. This book feels like an EDM remix of That Funny Feeling by Bo Burnham played at 1.25 speed in your car on an inexplicably empty road at 3am. This book feels like shutting your eyes while taking a bath and letting your head fall under water and thinking of everything and nothing at the same time, and it feels like the second you emerge, a half second too late for it to be comfortable, and slosh bathwater all over your floor and debate whether to leave it or clean it up for simply way too long. I laughed. I pondered. I had a great time. I can't wait to pick up the sequel.
This book feels like what getting just a little past comfortably high and staring at the flashing billboard lights of times square feels like, if while you're staring you're also starring in a one-man slam poetry thing, getting robbed by girl scouts, and avenging the crimes done to your ancestors. This book feels like an EDM remix of That Funny Feeling by Bo Burnham played at 1.25 speed in your car on an inexplicably empty road at 3am. This book feels like shutting your eyes while taking a bath and letting your head fall under water and thinking of everything and nothing at the same time, and it feels like the second you emerge, a half second too late for it to be comfortable, and slosh bathwater all over your floor and debate whether to leave it or clean it up for simply way too long. I laughed. I pondered. I had a great time. I can't wait to pick up the sequel.
lyriclorelei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wouldn't have read this without Dimension 20, and it's not really my thing, but I did enjoy seeing what elements were used and expanded on from this.
mmkn_99's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
5.0
AMAZING! SPECTACULAR! I love this story, the world, the depth!! The graphic novel has beautiful art and the story is phenomenally well done. I can’t recommend this enough, I can’t wait to read the next one.
Entertaining, great art, and beautiful story and characters. Galatia 9 and Brucilla are AWESOME!
Entertaining, great art, and beautiful story and characters. Galatia 9 and Brucilla are AWESOME!
ohkmurr's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
An anarchist icon is something that can be so personal.
absolutely's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
clarrry's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
fast-paced
1.75
No idea what was happening ever but it was fun I guess? Just reading it before I start to watch d20. Maybe I will give the playbook a go after the campaign since I liked the ~vibe~ but found it difficult to follow.
erinoco's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
niche's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed
Pulpy, somewhat surreal, space opera. Each chapter feels like a unrelated vignettes that still manages to advance the plot. There's a casualness to the revealing clothing that leaves it feeling immodest futurist rather than risqué cheesecake coupled with some diversity of bodies. I felt the beginning concerning the sex robot/gynoid was the weakest stoyline but it picked up once the heroines finally met up.
Pulpy, somewhat surreal, space opera. Each chapter feels like a unrelated vignettes that still manages to advance the plot. There's a casualness to the revealing clothing that leaves it feeling immodest futurist rather than risqué cheesecake coupled with some diversity of bodies. I felt the beginning concerning the sex robot/gynoid was the weakest stoyline but it picked up once the heroines finally met up.
mattait's review
4.0
Dense, free-wheeling, absurdist space opera which requires close reading, not just because of the coherently incoherent plot, but to enjoy the intricate artwork and multiple visual asides, many of which prefigure plot elements to come and are an essential part of the narrative.
I have vague memories of reading some of this back in the eighties and being largely mystified, although entranced by Kaluta's beautiful art-nouveau-by-way-of-Moebius inflected artwork, and I have to say it makes only slightly more sense now, but that's definitely part of its charm. This is a book that's going to reward multiple re-readings - a rare enough thing.
If I have any complaints they'd be that Lee Moyer's colouring at times overpowers Kaluta's delicate linework, and that the next edition in the (never-ending?) series is likely a long way off...
I have vague memories of reading some of this back in the eighties and being largely mystified, although entranced by Kaluta's beautiful art-nouveau-by-way-of-Moebius inflected artwork, and I have to say it makes only slightly more sense now, but that's definitely part of its charm. This is a book that's going to reward multiple re-readings - a rare enough thing.
If I have any complaints they'd be that Lee Moyer's colouring at times overpowers Kaluta's delicate linework, and that the next edition in the (never-ending?) series is likely a long way off...