Reviews

Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic, by Wauter Mannaert

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beautifulminutiae's review

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This had the potential to be a decent story, but I was pretty disappointed by it. Most of the images are incredibly tiny and busy, which makes it difficult to fully look at the picture. The story was generic and has been told a million times - evil corporation moves in, buys all the land, does evil things. I fully empathize with Yasmina and her father’s impoverished situation, but it rubbed me the wrong way that Yasmina felt entitled to steal her neighbor’s vegetables.

ljrinaldi's review

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3.0

This book has been published in English before, but in two volumes. Together, as one volume, the story seems to drag a little in the middle, that I didn't notice when reading it separated by a few months.

This is the evil altered potatoes that people are eating, and starting to act funny, and Yasmina, who always prepares the food for her father, and doesn't eat fast food, doesn't notice until the community garden that she gets her veggies from is taken away from her.

A nice enough story. Really wonderful bad guys, but, as I said, it sags a bit in the middle. Good middle grade story, though. Strong heroine.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

twiinklex's review

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2.0

I was just thinking what a silly story this is and then realised it's stated right there in the synopsis

thewordsdevourer's review

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

a short, adventurous, fun and entertaining read, chef yasmina and the potato panic is further elevated by its great art, whose paneling and styles are utterly unique and fitting for the story.

imo the story is passable but nothing remarkable, following the usual formula of the main conflict driven by the evil villain, and there's not too much depth or complexity. i do enjoy the characters' banter, however, and how mannaert explores both sides of the agricultural debate, between whats deemed natural and scientific.

this book's definite highlight, however, is the art. i love how readers arent treated to merely yasmina's story but also how the paneling and art take them on a rollicking visual ride. furthermore, the city scenes and landscapes are simply a treat, w/ the colors utterly fun and vibrant, and the characters are expressive w/o any sense of awkwardness in the movements and motions.

recommended for anyone looking for sth short, lighthearted, or fun art.

Content Warnings

bookiesncookies's review

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

mslibrarynerd's review against another edition

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4.0

Suck it monsanto.

blacksentai's review

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4.0

This is top flight good stuff. The art here is fantastic and the story is good enough to keep you invested past just looking at the great layouts. Highly recommend this book.