shellroch285's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
While I wish there was a little more of a resolution, I absolutely adored this book’s heart and message. There are so many people out there who are trying to profit off of past pain and misery, but there are also people out there who are trying to stop it. The art style is charming, and I was rooting for Celeste and everyone on her team. <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Medical trauma
Moderate: Suicide and Death
catterwaul's review
5.0
I’m not going to give away any of the fun, but if you like research, ghost stories, and stories that feature casts that are unique and varied, you should pick up this graphic novella.
mseyre13's review against another edition
5.0
I couldn't put this down. I had meant to parse it out, to savor it, but that is what I get for underestimating a ghost story set in a haunted museum/library. It was the right amount of spooky, without being overly dramatic or trying to really hard to scare you. The characters were awesome, and I could relate in a lot of ways. What I really appreciated was the accuracy concerning the library bits, especially the archival bit. I am a clerk at the moment, but when I got started, it was in my university's archives, for a project concerning the schools newsletter. I'd spend hours at that scanner, hoping that the image went through, that the computer didn't black out on me. Celeste and her coming to terms with depression and anger, after having a mental break down at work that had cost her a job she had enjoyed doing, was really struck home for me. Her relationships were well rounded, and I really liked how romance wasn't a top priority in her life or the arc she was facing. Especially her relationship with Kyle; I really liked how they worked together but still had issues. It wasn't due to a lack of support or true resentment, like it could have been, but because of two issues that seem, rather natural. I also liked the friendship between Celeste, Holly, and Aba. The differing viewpoints, and the healthy skepticism. Cel's mental health wasn't the red herring for the haunting, which I also appreciated, because a lot of the time, that can be really lazy story telling, depending on how it is done.
The art was awesome. It was very simple, fluid, colorful, but worked well with the setting of the ghost story. The artist didn't try to be gothic or edgy, but it still fit, and could come off as creepy at times.
All in all, great read, please get this book, you can get it anywhere.
The art was awesome. It was very simple, fluid, colorful, but worked well with the setting of the ghost story. The artist didn't try to be gothic or edgy, but it still fit, and could come off as creepy at times.
All in all, great read, please get this book, you can get it anywhere.
magikorbert's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
the plot gets p thin by the end, i think if it was longer they could have fleshed it out more and not left so many loose threads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Torture, and Blood
bibliothecaris's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
ash_ton's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
i liked it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
cami19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
elenavarg's review against another edition
2.0
Hm. For me, this was really nothing of a book. Which is sad, because I’m a big fan of Steenz’s work and waited a long time to get my hands on this book (oh, the woes of living im Finland!). Sadly, the art wasn’t as good as I hoped, the color scheme was bleak and the story confusing...it’s definitely a book for someone else.
missmeganmann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I thought it was really interesting in the way it discusses mental health and certainly the treatment of mental health many years ago, particularly in women, but I don’t know. It had really good momentum and then I feel like it just straight fizzled out. It ended really abruptly.