Reviews

Paper Planes, by Jennie Wood

ley_ley's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

3.5

Thank you NetGalley, Mad Cav Studios and Maverick for early access of Paper Planes by Jennie Wood

Paper Planes by Jennie Wood Is released on May 16th, 2023 

3.5⭐️

Paper Planes is a graphic novel that touches on the struggles of adolescence and the struggles of finding one’s own sexuality. I really liked the side character Cricket, my favorite quote from the entire story came from her, on page 88. 
The art style gave me Kim Possible vibes, which I really enjoyed.

marybeebooks's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

Thank you Net Galley, Mad Cave Studios, Jennie Wood, Dozerdraws, and Micah Meyers for sending me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review! 🫶
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I absolutely loved this one and highly recommend it! It takes place in two different times. The present where the two are at a summer camp. And the past showing how they got there. I thought this was a very interesting way of telling this story and it slowly reveals itself. The ending is a bit bittersweet but still a story I recommend. It has a main theme of friendship and growing up. The illustrations are also gorgeous and the pages are colored different for if its part of the story set in the past vs the present which helps you understand alot! I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait to get a physical copy for my graphic novel collection! 💕
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Dylan is non-binary and I interpreted Leighton as aro-ace however I've seen people just describe her as asexual. 
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Just to note, in the E-ARC I was provided the illustrations were slightly blurry. At times the text would also be blurry but was normally very clear. I’m sure this formatting will be fixed in the final copy, I just wanted to mention it! 😊
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Paper Planes, by Jennie Wood, Dozerdraws, & Micah Meyers releases on May 16th! 

vynexareads's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios/Maverick over at Netgalley for providing me with an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

A friendship that has been a bit wobbly hit rough waters that leads them to go to a summer camp, where neither of them want to be in. Holding on to a thread that is their friendship, we get flashbacks and see what lead them to be where they are today.

The talks about being Ace and also Non-binary was explained in the best way to where anyone would be able to understand and jumpstart their research on both.

While the art was very beautiful and the ending made my heart hurt a bit, it wasn't my favorite thing to read. It was entertaining and a quick read, I also know that this graphic novel could help young adults going through similar situations, whether it be sexuality, gender, being bullied or experiencing anti-Blackness/parental trauma from their childhood.

This comes out in May and I think it's the perfect time to read it, especially outside while the mosquitos are buzzing, the sun in beaming and all you smell is sunscreen.

sarahreads2222's review against another edition

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slow-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

2.75

sarahleyyc's review

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sad slow-paced

3.75

liralen's review

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4.0

Review to come closer to the publication date.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a free review copy through NetGalley.

sophiei's review

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emotional hopeful medium-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

5.0

I got this book from NetGalley and devoured it in one sitting. I absolutely loved the characters and their development as the story progressed. Both Leighton and Dylan felt realistic thanks to their flaws and character motivations. The art style was stunning, and I adore the repeating image motif of the paper planes in this very transitionary point in their young life. I wish I had a book like this growing up because of its high stakes and amazing representation of both an ace character and a nonbinary character. Can’t recommend this book enough!!!!

panic_at_the_bookshelf's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Many books and graphic novels use flashbacks and I often find it unclear when something happens in the present or in the past. However Paper Planes used many indications to make sure the reader knew a scene had happened in the past. I am so thankful for this! It made the story less chaotic for me.

I feel like Jennie Wood tried to make the characters unique, each in their own way. The way youth and any of the possible backstories were portrayed sometimes hit me close. I too often felt as if people expect me to act in certain ways simply because of my background. Yet some aspects weren't that obvious to me and this story helped me reflect about those. Sometimes I could feel a little ache in my heart because a part of the story hit me closely. 

Also, the growth of the characters in this story is amazing! There was one character that I disliked so much but somehow throughout the story my heart melted, credits to the author! The character was simply dislikable because the personality would be something I wouldn't get along with in real life. If anything it was written in such a realistic way I practically saw this character as a real person. Near the end things changed but it didn't feel forced. It felt like a natural arc of growth one would or could go through. 

I absolutely love how paper planes were a reoccuring theme throughout the graphic novel. It somehow helped with the closure of the story. Never thouhgt I would like paper planes this much (as in the objects)! 

Special thanks to NetGalley and Jennie Wood for giving me a change to read such an inspiring and somehow hopeful story in exchange for an honest review.

char_reads_'s review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

smittanybrith's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.0