deeboop's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
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? Yes
4.75
laurajanekirton's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5
tommaso_siligardi's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
woodsbookclub's review
3.0
Set in the 1980s Troy, New York, this is a portrait of a queer teen living on the margins, struggling with addiction and gender questioning. It has a queer non-binary protagonist, a queer white secondary character, and secondary BIPOC characters.
The book starts off with Claire talking about their town, and I really liked it because the town kinda reflects the small-minded people that live there.
Claire has a best friend, Greg, and I expected there to be a more detailed account of their bond, but that is not the case since most of the story happens in rehab. Claire has to go there because they are so sick of people trying to put them in one box, they start coping with their emotions through drinking and partying. But there they found a space to make genuine friendships in a less judgemental environment, where they can also figure out their identity and learn to stand up for themselves.
Done in watercolour and ink, the artwork is beautiful, but also not my favourite. I didn't love the lighter shades around the eyes of the characters, and most of the characters look the same: I had a hard time distinguishing Claire, the literal main character, from the other male characters.
I found the story touching, but I had general issues with the overall book experience. The pacing could be improved. If it was lengthened, the time in rehab could be expanded upon, as well as the time after. But, overall, I think it sensitively addresses addiction and talks about the importance of friends and family during the process.
Thank you so much to Holiday House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-ARC and the opportunity to read it before it's publish date on the 23rd of May, 2023.
The book starts off with Claire talking about their town, and I really liked it because the town kinda reflects the small-minded people that live there.
Claire has a best friend, Greg, and I expected there to be a more detailed account of their bond, but that is not the case since most of the story happens in rehab. Claire has to go there because they are so sick of people trying to put them in one box, they start coping with their emotions through drinking and partying. But there they found a space to make genuine friendships in a less judgemental environment, where they can also figure out their identity and learn to stand up for themselves.
Done in watercolour and ink, the artwork is beautiful, but also not my favourite. I didn't love the lighter shades around the eyes of the characters, and most of the characters look the same: I had a hard time distinguishing Claire, the literal main character, from the other male characters.
I found the story touching, but I had general issues with the overall book experience. The pacing could be improved. If it was lengthened, the time in rehab could be expanded upon, as well as the time after. But, overall, I think it sensitively addresses addiction and talks about the importance of friends and family during the process.
Thank you so much to Holiday House Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this e-ARC and the opportunity to read it before it's publish date on the 23rd of May, 2023.
cormoth's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kaitlinwarwick's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Transphobia, Alcohol, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual assault
visceralreads's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
TW: homophobia, transphobia, alcohol, addiction, abuse, bullying, death (mentioned)
The story follows Claire, a nonbinary teen who was sent to a rehab center for alcohol addiction. There, they start their journey to self-discovery and recovery, with the help of friends they've found on the way.
I was excited to read a trans story set in the 80s, but this graphic novel fell short of my expectations. I found it quite hard to understand most of the story, especially the beginning. The art style made it difficult to differentiate the characters and figure out the facial expressions, but I loved the notebook-style doodles in the story. The plot was alright once Claire was a few weeks? months? in rehab, but the conclusion was very rushed and I couldn't keep up, but I still liked Claire's character development. I really liked the counsellor and Pete. I also liked the wonderful monologues and great lessons from the counsellor. Claire's journey with their gender identity is rocky and confusing, which I also struggle with (and still do!) and I was very proud of them at the end. However the plot was really lacking overall.
This graphic novel wasn't my cup of tea and it took me a very long time to finish it. :(
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
The story follows Claire, a nonbinary teen who was sent to a rehab center for alcohol addiction. There, they start their journey to self-discovery and recovery, with the help of friends they've found on the way.
I was excited to read a trans story set in the 80s, but this graphic novel fell short of my expectations. I found it quite hard to understand most of the story, especially the beginning. The art style made it difficult to differentiate the characters and figure out the facial expressions, but I loved the notebook-style doodles in the story. The plot was alright once Claire was a few weeks? months? in rehab, but the conclusion was very rushed and I couldn't keep up, but I still liked Claire's character development. I really liked the counsellor and Pete. I also liked the wonderful monologues and great lessons from the counsellor. Claire's journey with their gender identity is rocky and confusing, which I also struggle with (and still do!) and I was very proud of them at the end. However the plot was really lacking overall.
This graphic novel wasn't my cup of tea and it took me a very long time to finish it. :(
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
comradekermie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Bullying, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
eruanna317's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
nightwing's review
3.0
A heavy hitting emotional graphic novel. I had trouble with the pacing and art sometimes but it was still pretty solid.