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notthatlibrarian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Misogyny
Moderate: Kidnapping
amandamarie793's review against another edition
3.0
There’s something about these very realistic, yet imaginative tales that suck me in!
I really enjoy graphic novels, so this entire Hobbtown Series has been very enjoyable. I never know where the tale is going to lead, these teens lead a very interesting life!
I do feel a touch of nostalgia when reading, I feel like I am back in the early 90’s, when life was simpler.
3/5 stars for this particular story, as I didn’t “love” it as much as I did book #1!
I really enjoy graphic novels, so this entire Hobbtown Series has been very enjoyable. I never know where the tale is going to lead, these teens lead a very interesting life!
I do feel a touch of nostalgia when reading, I feel like I am back in the early 90’s, when life was simpler.
3/5 stars for this particular story, as I didn’t “love” it as much as I did book #1!
tomhill's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this second volume even better than the first. I'm excited to see that there are three more Hobtown Mystery Stories planned, and I hope that those end up being a reality. The Cursed Hermit gets dinged a little for its lack of any truly deep character development, but when it comes to originality, atmosphere, and just plain weirdness, it can't be beat. I liked that this story focused almost entirely on Pauline, who was definitely my favorite character from The Case of the Missing Men. I love surreal comics, and this one has a foot in reality too and in juvenile mystery series and cartoons of the past. It's set in 1996, but might as well be 1966. Very cool.
vita_s_west's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
4.5
fun and so weird. the art is so good.
rhiannatherad's review against another edition
4.0
I actually liked this follow-up better than the first in the series. It felt a little more focused and I liked the story.
abigailgrims's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault
francoisvigneault's review against another edition
5.0
An exceptional, perhaps superior sequel to the already very strong [b:The Case of the Missing Men|34381281|The Case of the Missing Men (Hobtown Mystery Stories #1)|Kris Bertin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489611889l/34381281._SY75_.jpg|55469658], this book takes a deeper dive not only into the authors' convoluted "Hobtown Mythos" but also into the psychology of the first book's most intriguing figure, the under-achieving, sometimes-psychic Pauline Larmier, treasurer of the "Hobtown Junior Detective Club." In this shorter, more focused second installment, Bertin and Forbes delve into the potential for trauma and violence to linger across lifetimes and generations. Pauline and her fellow Junior Detective Brennan find themselves enrolled over winter break at the Knotty Pines, an exclusive and secretive school. As might be expected, all is not as it seems, and the characters soon find themselves involved in a mystery that all somehow connects with the eponymous "Meat Basin Hermit."
But while the set-up might seem familiar to anyone who has read [a:Carolyn Keene|6001|Carolyn Keene|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s "Nancy Drew" books, "The Cursed Hermit" soon reveals itself to be something far more disturbing and serious. Bertin and Forbes are definitely "playing for keeps" here... Characters are wounded, suffer, and die. Past actions, from a character's life-altering injury in the previous book to the malevolent and often invisible forces of colonialism, racism, and sexism all rear their ugly heads here, and what starts off as a loving pastiche of light-hearted adventure fare is quickly transformed into a rather moving and disturbing look at pain and sorrow.
By the time the book wraps up you might be hoping to spare the poor characters any further "adventures," but Bertin and Forbes also manage to expand and deepen their always intriguing and unique universe, and the reader is bound to want to find out more. Looking forward to the next installment!
But while the set-up might seem familiar to anyone who has read [a:Carolyn Keene|6001|Carolyn Keene|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s "Nancy Drew" books, "The Cursed Hermit" soon reveals itself to be something far more disturbing and serious. Bertin and Forbes are definitely "playing for keeps" here... Characters are wounded, suffer, and die. Past actions, from a character's life-altering injury in the previous book to the malevolent and often invisible forces of colonialism, racism, and sexism all rear their ugly heads here, and what starts off as a loving pastiche of light-hearted adventure fare is quickly transformed into a rather moving and disturbing look at pain and sorrow.
By the time the book wraps up you might be hoping to spare the poor characters any further "adventures," but Bertin and Forbes also manage to expand and deepen their always intriguing and unique universe, and the reader is bound to want to find out more. Looking forward to the next installment!
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
2.0
This is 2.5 stars for me. I just don't quite understand the high ratings. There is a lot of good stuff here. Who wouldn't want to read a graphic mystery series described as a cross between Scooby Doo and David Lynch (with covers right out of Nancy Drew). Well those descriptors set my expectations too high. I do love the art work and premise in both books, and I do not mind outrageous plots. I do mind incoherent plots and no character development. I do think this installment in the series is better than the first.