_kairhone_'s review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Fantastic disability, trans, pan representation!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Transphobia, and Violence
micaelacccc's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
It felt a bit rushed at the end but I loved it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, Gun violence, Ableism, and Chronic illness
wends_nblw's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
I'm unsure how to review this.
I only picked this up because I saw : two guys that I thought could be lovers, one of them nerdy, the other a poc. And my poc gay ass thought "perfect!!!" so I knew absolutely nothing else about this book. I didn't go in looking for good rep or anything so luckily, I wasn't disappointed like the reviewers I've seen.
I can't speak to the autoimmune rep, as I am not and I would recommend reading reviews from those who are.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the story. I liked the whole two troubled guys falling in love because they're both kind of idiots. I was very pleasantly surprised to see Eli was trans since I hadn't known that going in. [unlike some reviews, i found this to be quite endearing, as i enjoy when characters are just trans for the sake of being trans.]
I did not like Biff or Marcia; and I honestly just really, really hate how Biff was handled. The ending was rushed. It's discouraging that Eli really got the short end of the stick even at the ending.
All in all, it was good. Just don't go looking for good rep.
I only picked this up because I saw : two guys that I thought could be lovers, one of them nerdy, the other a poc. And my poc gay ass thought "perfect!!!" so I knew absolutely nothing else about this book. I didn't go in looking for good rep or anything so luckily, I wasn't disappointed like the reviewers I've seen.
I can't speak to the autoimmune rep, as I am not and I would recommend reading reviews from those who are.
Aside from that, I enjoyed the story. I liked the whole two troubled guys falling in love because they're both kind of idiots. I was very pleasantly surprised to see Eli was trans since I hadn't known that going in. [unlike some reviews, i found this to be quite endearing, as i enjoy when characters are just trans for the sake of being trans.]
I did not like Biff or Marcia; and I honestly just really, really hate how Biff was handled. The ending was rushed. It's discouraging that Eli really got the short end of the stick even at the ending.
Spoiler
[like tony gets a mini dad moment but eli can't have his mini mom moment??? why????]All in all, it was good. Just don't go looking for good rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Animal death, Chronic illness, Body horror, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Homophobia
oliviapincin's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Physical abuse
melanie_reads_books's review
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Blackwater is utterly adorable… as much as a horror can be adorable. I loved the story and the very real feelings of the characters. The art was perfect and I loved how the action was drawn. I particularly enjoyed the diverse representation in this novel, which was done really well. The father and son relationship was a little weak though, but not enough to spoil the rest of the story. A re-read for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Bullying, and Chronic illness
inkyinsanity's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a cute, heartwarming little story. (I guess it counts as horror to people who don’t routinely read or watch horror stuff, otherwise it’s just paranormal.)
I enjoyed it, and both art styles are very cool. I found the story itself to be very simple and cliche, which wasn’t what I was hoping for. The only things to make it stand out was the artwork, the gay romance, an FTM trans protagonist, and an unnamed but apparently debilitating autoimmune disorder in one of the main characters. (I really don’t like it when medical conditions aren’t named, especially when it’s a relevant part of the story! But then, I have one of those invisible autoimmune diseases, so I suppose it’s a personal subject.)
Overall, enjoyable but probably forgettable.
I enjoyed it, and both art styles are very cool. I found the story itself to be very simple and cliche, which wasn’t what I was hoping for. The only things to make it stand out was the artwork, the gay romance, an FTM trans protagonist, and an unnamed but apparently debilitating autoimmune disorder in one of the main characters. (I really don’t like it when medical conditions aren’t named, especially when it’s a relevant part of the story! But then, I have one of those invisible autoimmune diseases, so I suppose it’s a personal subject.)
Overall, enjoyable but probably forgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Body horror, and Bullying
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
meecespieces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Bullying
Moderate: Alcoholism
itsthedreamon's review
dark
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
Blackwater is one of those books that tends to be messy but you can't bring yourself to put down. While there is plot development it is definitely a character-driven story at it's core, which I appreciate.
There are likable characters, but certain choices some make do not sit right and it leads to a haunting throughout the book that is not supernatural; just an ugly, frustrated feeling in your chest. I did ponder over the artwork too, sometimes scenes would be portrayed a little awkwardly (intense scenes were sometimes very "quiet," is the only way I can describe it) and art styles seem to go back and forth between chapters.
But there are such gems in the story that I appreciate, the goth character really carried the book on her shoulders, and every line that came from her was such a treat. The jock's character development is something I was super pleased with as well. It's really easy to write a cocky character as unlikable at first, but I didn't mind him from the start at all. Despite what I said before, the artwork itself is really good. It's the kind of work that inspires me to create and I'll definitely be going back to see how this book pulled off some genuinely creepy stuff. The werewolf work can genuinely run a shiver up your spine at times.
Overall, there are some things I couldn't seem to get over, but it was an addicting read with good representation of LGBTQ people. I am not disabled or a POC, so I will allow those who are to speak their thoughts on how the authors did on that front. Blackwater is a solid story in my book, and I'm glad I found it.
There are likable characters, but certain choices some make do not sit right and it leads to a haunting throughout the book that is not supernatural; just an ugly, frustrated feeling in your chest. I did ponder over the artwork too, sometimes scenes would be portrayed a little awkwardly (intense scenes were sometimes very "quiet," is the only way I can describe it) and art styles seem to go back and forth between chapters.
But there are such gems in the story that I appreciate, the goth character really carried the book on her shoulders, and every line that came from her was such a treat. The jock's character development is something I was super pleased with as well. It's really easy to write a cocky character as unlikable at first, but I didn't mind him from the start at all. Despite what I said before, the artwork itself is really good. It's the kind of work that inspires me to create and I'll definitely be going back to see how this book pulled off some genuinely creepy stuff. The werewolf work can genuinely run a shiver up your spine at times.
Overall, there are some things I couldn't seem to get over, but it was an addicting read with good representation of LGBTQ people. I am not disabled or a POC, so I will allow those who are to speak their thoughts on how the authors did on that front. Blackwater is a solid story in my book, and I'm glad I found it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Bullying
Moderate: Body horror, Chronic illness, Ableism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Medical content