becandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was a gorgeous story featuring two army-base kids making a connection in a lifestyle that means constantly moving around. But when Ludo finds out his ex- and best friend, Arlo, has gone missing things his life starts to change.
The artwork in this graphic novel was a style that I love - simplistic but colourful and just aesthetically pleasing when paired with storytelling. Reminding me of illustrations by Fiona Staples in the Saga series, they were just enjoyable and wove the story-line together well.
While I adored our main characters, Ludo and Arlo, in their own way, the overall character development was a bit flat for me.
Without spoiling too much, this does have a little bit of time/dimension travel involved. A lot of other reviewers have stated that this wasn't clear and ended up causing some confusion. I don't disagree. While I don't think it was downright confusing, there was something missing to just make it clear to the reader.
But overall, I love the concept of the story that is weaved together by these fantastical elements. I enjoyed the novel and am interested in keeping an eye out for Adam Smith in the future - maybe a baby Vaughan on the horizon?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
This was a gorgeous story featuring two army-base kids making a connection in a lifestyle that means constantly moving around. But when Ludo finds out his ex- and best friend, Arlo, has gone missing things his life starts to change.
The artwork in this graphic novel was a style that I love - simplistic but colourful and just aesthetically pleasing when paired with storytelling. Reminding me of illustrations by Fiona Staples in the Saga series, they were just enjoyable and wove the story-line together well.
While I adored our main characters, Ludo and Arlo, in their own way, the overall character development was a bit flat for me.
Without spoiling too much, this does have a little bit of time/dimension travel involved. A lot of other reviewers have stated that this wasn't clear and ended up causing some confusion. I don't disagree. While I don't think it was downright confusing, there was something missing to just make it clear to the reader.
But overall, I love the concept of the story that is weaved together by these fantastical elements. I enjoyed the novel and am interested in keeping an eye out for Adam Smith in the future - maybe a baby Vaughan on the horizon?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
illbefinealone's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the story this graphic novel has. I think the idea behind it was really interesting. It was a bit twisty and confusing up until the very end, which I have some mixed feelings about. It started off better, but overall it was intriguing enough to me to finish it and untangle it for myself.
The best part of it however, was the art. It was beautiful, and I loved the feeling they went for with the color scheme as well.
I don't think this graphic novel is for everyone. But if you are interested in this, give it a shot.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating: 3/5 stars
The best part of it however, was the art. It was beautiful, and I loved the feeling they went for with the color scheme as well.
I don't think this graphic novel is for everyone. But if you are interested in this, give it a shot.
*Copy received through NetGalley
*Rating: 3/5 stars
lonelyfangirlirl's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
2.0
syren96's review against another edition
3.0
While I generally enjoyed the story, it was at times confusing and I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. I feel that there needed to be more development of the different personalities in the story in order to have more empathy with their struggles.
carroq's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free ecopy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I found this book to be rather interesting. It follows two military brats and looks at their relationship in a very non-linear fashion. I can understand the way the story plays with time not working for a lot of readers because it can be confusing at times. I thought it heightened the uncertainty of the their relationship in general, especially with the way the families can be moved around at any point. I also liked that music was a major connecting point for the characters and that Arlo communicates to Ludo through mixtapes. The art is good. The characters look very grounded in reality, so the moments that are unusual really stand out.
I found this book to be rather interesting. It follows two military brats and looks at their relationship in a very non-linear fashion. I can understand the way the story plays with time not working for a lot of readers because it can be confusing at times. I thought it heightened the uncertainty of the their relationship in general, especially with the way the families can be moved around at any point. I also liked that music was a major connecting point for the characters and that Arlo communicates to Ludo through mixtapes. The art is good. The characters look very grounded in reality, so the moments that are unusual really stand out.
theawkwardbookw's review against another edition
2.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q
*I received a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
Ludo was 15 when he met his ex-girlfriend, Arlo. Years later, after his army mom moved bases, Ludo is hoping to reunite with Arlo. He calls her and they agree to meet the next day. When Ludo arrives on her doorstep, he discovers that she has been missing for the past week. When he believes local police are doing nothing to find her, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
I was initially drawn to this graphic novel because of the gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the story. It felt as though you were dropped into the middle of a series, rather than a standalone story. The plot was not very clear, and for the most part I was confused for the majority of the story, but by the end it did come together.
Overall, interesting concept, but I think it could have been executed more effectively.
*I received a copy of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
Ludo was 15 when he met his ex-girlfriend, Arlo. Years later, after his army mom moved bases, Ludo is hoping to reunite with Arlo. He calls her and they agree to meet the next day. When Ludo arrives on her doorstep, he discovers that she has been missing for the past week. When he believes local police are doing nothing to find her, he decides to take matters into his own hands.
I was initially drawn to this graphic novel because of the gorgeous cover. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the story. It felt as though you were dropped into the middle of a series, rather than a standalone story. The plot was not very clear, and for the most part I was confused for the majority of the story, but by the end it did come together.
Overall, interesting concept, but I think it could have been executed more effectively.
polythenegirl's review against another edition
3.0
This was the first ever graphic novel that I got approved for on NetGalley. As you know I've not delved *too* much into the world of graphic novels, just dipping my toes in now and again so this was a bit of a nice change of pace for me. I've been struggling a little bit with reading so this was a welcome change - less pages, still as much story but a lot less time to be put into it.
This was the story of a young guy who tried to find his missing ex girlfriend. He's returning to his old hometown after being away for a few years and he hasn't spoken to her since he left. Turns out she's been missing for the last week. Ludo (our young guy) sets out to find her and whats happened with a lot of bumps and ghosts along the way. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil it.
I really enjoyed this. The story was compelling and twisty with surprises along the way. You do have to bear with it and follow through though, there are things that might not make much sense until further through the story arc. The characters were likeable and well fleshed out considering its all in grapic storyboard format. I really liked Ludo and Arlo and felt a strange connection with them. Even the parents are well represented in this. The artwork itself is stunning and so well done. I really liked this style and I think its testament to how well its done that the story is so well rounded, with depth and fleshed out. My one criticism is the same as a lot of others and that is the concept explored in it isn't always clear. I did sometimes had to read the same couple of pages 3 or 4 times to get where I was in the world that had been built. That being said, I didn't mind that as much as lot of other people because I was so intrigued by it.
3* out of 5* for me on this one!
https://readinglife342128355.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/catching-up-some-reviews/
This was the story of a young guy who tried to find his missing ex girlfriend. He's returning to his old hometown after being away for a few years and he hasn't spoken to her since he left. Turns out she's been missing for the last week. Ludo (our young guy) sets out to find her and whats happened with a lot of bumps and ghosts along the way. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil it.
I really enjoyed this. The story was compelling and twisty with surprises along the way. You do have to bear with it and follow through though, there are things that might not make much sense until further through the story arc. The characters were likeable and well fleshed out considering its all in grapic storyboard format. I really liked Ludo and Arlo and felt a strange connection with them. Even the parents are well represented in this. The artwork itself is stunning and so well done. I really liked this style and I think its testament to how well its done that the story is so well rounded, with depth and fleshed out. My one criticism is the same as a lot of others and that is the concept explored in it isn't always clear. I did sometimes had to read the same couple of pages 3 or 4 times to get where I was in the world that had been built. That being said, I didn't mind that as much as lot of other people because I was so intrigued by it.
3* out of 5* for me on this one!
https://readinglife342128355.wordpress.com/2020/04/20/catching-up-some-reviews/
briface's review against another edition
3.0
Fun premise but it was a little confusing. The kind of book where when you finish you should just start the whole thing over again.
kittykult's review against another edition
4.0
At the End of Your Tether is a short graphic novel focusing on a teenager named Ludo who discovers his childhood sweetheart has gone missing. What follows is an absolutely bizarre sequence of events that are all out order, and someone is withholding a very dark secret. It was very confusing at points but that sort of thing is definitely my cup of tea - I would go back and reread some things and it would eventually make sense, but if you don't like weird, confusing plot lines this may not be for you. I feel like this would fit right in being adapted as a movie or Netflix mini-series.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.