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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
I think this is an important book in regards to addiction, recovery, and identity, and sometimes how all of those things can be intertwined. Often times, addiction can be a difficult topic to address in YA books, and I appreciated the way that this book brought the reader through the recovery process, especially in the group sessions. Recovery isn't a straight line, and this book really highlights that aspect.
Overall, the writing style and the art style weren't necessarily my favorite. Some of the narration was a bit difficult to follow in some of the layouts, because of the way the pages were organized. This is in part because the art style felt a bit messy, and I wished that some panels could have included more details.
There's a lot about nonbinary identities also packed into this one, and I think one thing to keep in mind is that this is set in 80s. A lot of people didn't have the words that we do now to discuss their identities. So, it doesn't quite meet modern standards in that regard.
All in all, mixed feelings about this one, but I do hope it gets into the hands of the people that need it.
Overall, the writing style and the art style weren't necessarily my favorite. Some of the narration was a bit difficult to follow in some of the layouts, because of the way the pages were organized. This is in part because the art style felt a bit messy, and I wished that some panels could have included more details.
There's a lot about nonbinary identities also packed into this one, and I think one thing to keep in mind is that this is set in 80s. A lot of people didn't have the words that we do now to discuss their identities. So, it doesn't quite meet modern standards in that regard.
All in all, mixed feelings about this one, but I do hope it gets into the hands of the people that need it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death, Death, and Drug use
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death, Death, and Drug use
vaguely_pink's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
Constellations covers a lot of important topics and is clearly a labor of love from the author. The main character Claire, a GNC teen growing up in 80s New York, turns to alcohol when their traumas catch up with them and finds themself in rehab. Filled with unique art, Glasheen crafts a semi-autobiographical narrative about found family and finding yourself.
As a fellow product of adolescent IOP programs (albeit for depression, not addiction), the found family story was familiar to me and I felt that the author did justice in their portrayal of how complicated it can feel to forge friendships at the worst time in your life. However, it was at times hard to understand due to the strange narrative flow of the book. It was also not helped by the art style. Although very cool with its watercolor palette and doodle overlays, the art didn't serve a graphic novel particularly well in my opinion. It was often visually cluttered and the facial expressions mismatched the dialogue making for a difficult reading experience. I also found the middle section to be overly preachy at times. Maybe it's because I've been through similar kinds of therapy and have heard the broken records Charlie imbues in his clients many times before, but it often times felt like the main narrative of Claire's story was being overshadowed by detailed lectures from Charlie that didn't seem to progress the narrative at all. As a reader, I'm far more interested in Claire's journey learning those lessons than actually (re)learning them myself.
Constellations' story is important, and maybe I'm not precisely the right audience for it. If you resonate at all with Claire's story, you may find some comfort and validation here. Definitely check trigger warnings beforehand!
**Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review eARC**
As a fellow product of adolescent IOP programs (albeit for depression, not addiction), the found family story was familiar to me and I felt that the author did justice in their portrayal of how complicated it can feel to forge friendships at the worst time in your life. However, it was at times hard to understand due to the strange narrative flow of the book. It was also not helped by the art style. Although very cool with its watercolor palette and doodle overlays, the art didn't serve a graphic novel particularly well in my opinion. It was often visually cluttered and the facial expressions mismatched the dialogue making for a difficult reading experience. I also found the middle section to be overly preachy at times. Maybe it's because I've been through similar kinds of therapy and have heard the broken records Charlie imbues in his clients many times before, but it often times felt like the main narrative of Claire's story was being overshadowed by detailed lectures from Charlie that didn't seem to progress the narrative at all. As a reader, I'm far more interested in Claire's journey learning those lessons than actually (re)learning them myself.
Constellations' story is important, and maybe I'm not precisely the right audience for it. If you resonate at all with Claire's story, you may find some comfort and validation here. Definitely check trigger warnings beforehand!
**Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review eARC**
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child death, Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Car accident