pam_'s review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This graphic novel was super cute and heartwarming. It kept me engaged the whole way through (except for the tweets at the end). The romance was a very slow burn and was not really the main focus of this graphic novel. Sometimes the plot jumped ahead too quickly for me (stuff got left out that I wanted to read). I look forward to reading the sequel!
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcohol, and Mental illness
evelynyle_88's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Bullying
Minor: Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, and Drug abuse
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Cursing
Minor: Drug abuse
tsar's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Crushes are stressful. Dating is disappointing. Every relationship, you either break up or get married & then divorced. Pies can't hurt you.”
I stumbled upon this graphic novel on Tumblr years ago when it was still only a free-to-read webcomic, and honestly, it's one of the best introductions to LGBTQ+ graphic novels I've discovered that year.
Ukazu has poured her heart and soul to write an authentic story about young adult boys in a college hockey team, which I prefer to call them as the "sports idiots" akin to those characters in the sports anime genre. It presents her extensive knowledge of the sports, giving tidbits of trivia through Bitty or occasional dialog boxes so the readers could understand and further engage with the story.
Moreover, the way it sets up to challenge the stigma that all hockey boys are stupid jocks with only offensive nature in their bones; in here, we meet Bitty, the former talented figure skater who turns to college hockey as the only option and starts out with no prospect of respect or even acknowledgment that he could be a formidable asset for the team due to his more pretty boy atmosphere and homemaking skills. Especially with the fact that he's hiding his sexuality from the eyes of his new teammates.
Writing this as a semi-personal vlog gives Ukazu a way to worm the story to the readers' hearts—it shapes the story as an intimate piece as if we are reading a true story from someone else's journey. It transposes as a reflection for the reality as well; that there are people who share the similar sentiment as Bitty, placing a mask in the public while hiding their true identities for the fear of rejection because they are different than social norms.
And adding the adorable and bright red-while-blue color-centric illustration? Ukazu has written a winning story for those who love to read romantic comedies in a college setting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
calbykoop's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A great read for hockey fans! Really cute queer read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit and Outing
bryelle's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Such a cute starting college graphic novel. It follows Bitty and his hockey team through this first two years of college. It is gay and comes out to his friends and gets better at hockey. The group of friends are so lovable and cute. It’s cool how the author had it play out much of the book from vlog posts and tweets.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Homophobia
alliemikennareads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
This graphic novel was a fun, quick read. It’s one that I think was super overhyped by people in my reading sphere which impacted my reading experience a little. But I loved that it’s a sporty theme which I don’t typically read, with really strong characters and a sweet romance sub plot. It slogged a little in the middle but the end really made up for it, I felt! The tweets part at the end was a great addition, one of my favorite sections. I actually wish these had been weaved throughout somehow rather than at the end.
Overall - glad I read it, and I would recommend to other graphic novel fans, but not sure this is a “read over and over again” for me.
TW suicide joke, drinking, overdose
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Overdose, suicide joke as well.thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rating bumped up from the first read...this book's just so damn fun, ridiculously hilarious, and heartwarming. just a bundle of pure fun and joy all around.
while the narrative can feel disparate and disjointed at times + im not at all fond of bros or bro-dom, the samwell hockey team's just rly accepting and funny. all the different personalities can create some conflicts but also a whole lot of loveable moments as well. and i love bitty's earnest self; shitty's colorful persona; and enjoy the ups and down of bitty's first two yrs in uni. reading this book makes me rly miss my college days, though it was nowhere near as fun as this lmao.
also im amazed at how ukazu is able to so masterfully write abt ppl wholly different from herself; it's a marvel tbh. it's great that i so thoroughly enjoy this book despite being a reread!
while the narrative can feel disparate and disjointed at times + im not at all fond of bros or bro-dom, the samwell hockey team's just rly accepting and funny. all the different personalities can create some conflicts but also a whole lot of loveable moments as well. and i love bitty's earnest self; shitty's colorful persona; and enjoy the ups and down of bitty's first two yrs in uni. reading this book makes me rly miss my college days, though it was nowhere near as fun as this lmao.
also im amazed at how ukazu is able to so masterfully write abt ppl wholly different from herself; it's a marvel tbh. it's great that i so thoroughly enjoy this book despite being a reread!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
sofiefarmer's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I thought this was super cute. I really liked the art and the characters. The hockey world was just perfect and fun. Great, fast read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction
kylasmv15's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Vomit