inthebelljar's review against another edition
2.0
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review from NetGalley.
Love Love Love is a romance between a human woman, Elle, and an android man, Karel, taking place in a world where sentient robots are considered objects and are losing more and more of their rights every day. They can only hold certain jobs and need job permits, they cannot have cell phones, they cannot take taxis (only public transportation), they have to jump through hoops to get any replacement parts, etc. Despite the bigotry and oppression robots face, Elle and Karel are trying to make their relationship work as a robots' rights revolution looms over them.
I enjoyed the art and world-building introduced in this volume, but the main characters' resistance to taking a stance, regardless of whether that would be in support of or in opposition of the robot rights movement - despite it being a central topic/theme/plot point - felt very weak. Despite the fact Elle's human friend (and ex? I wasn't sure) is organizing robot rights protests and both Elle and Karel even attend one, neither seem to have any interest in the movement - and in fact, the whole movement and Elle's friend, Poly, are mocked for being too radical despite the fact there is literally a plot point where Karel is in need of spare parts after a bigoted attack on him and Elle, and...can't get approved for any because he doesn't have a legal owner.
It just seems strange and kind of nonsensical that despite how directly life-affecting this oppression is, neither ever seem to want any particular change and even seem to find the robots rights activists to be annoying and too extreme (and even becomes an antagonistic force) Elle and Karel make vague references that they want things to be better, yes, but it's a vague and hazy want that they don't act on because they're too busy being in love, I guess. I get there are people like that in real life even who hate taking sides and prefer to stay neutral (especially when other parts of life are in the way) but as a fictional story...it's boring and frustrating. Why is Karel so angry at being forced to take on more roommates in his undersized apartment but totally okay with losing the use of one of his arms and being unable to replace it? Why are both of them so accepting of the way life is even as they face the direct impacts of a bigoted and oppressive system.
I feel that this story had potential but overall I was disappointed and the main characters' lack of involvement or even care towards such a major plot point really detracted from what was going on. I feel like there are plenty of other speculative fiction titles out there that do similar things but in a more nuanced, interesting way.
Love Love Love is a romance between a human woman, Elle, and an android man, Karel, taking place in a world where sentient robots are considered objects and are losing more and more of their rights every day. They can only hold certain jobs and need job permits, they cannot have cell phones, they cannot take taxis (only public transportation), they have to jump through hoops to get any replacement parts, etc. Despite the bigotry and oppression robots face, Elle and Karel are trying to make their relationship work as a robots' rights revolution looms over them.
I enjoyed the art and world-building introduced in this volume, but the main characters' resistance to taking a stance, regardless of whether that would be in support of or in opposition of the robot rights movement - despite it being a central topic/theme/plot point - felt very weak. Despite the fact Elle's human friend (and ex? I wasn't sure) is organizing robot rights protests and both Elle and Karel even attend one, neither seem to have any interest in the movement - and in fact, the whole movement and Elle's friend, Poly, are mocked for being too radical despite the fact there is literally a plot point where Karel is in need of spare parts after a bigoted attack on him and Elle, and...can't get approved for any because he doesn't have a legal owner.
It just seems strange and kind of nonsensical that despite how directly life-affecting this oppression is, neither ever seem to want any particular change and even seem to find the robots rights activists to be annoying and too extreme (and even becomes an antagonistic force) Elle and Karel make vague references that they want things to be better, yes, but it's a vague and hazy want that they don't act on because they're too busy being in love, I guess. I get there are people like that in real life even who hate taking sides and prefer to stay neutral (especially when other parts of life are in the way) but as a fictional story...it's boring and frustrating. Why is Karel so angry at being forced to take on more roommates in his undersized apartment but totally okay with losing the use of one of his arms and being unable to replace it? Why are both of them so accepting of the way life is even as they face the direct impacts of a bigoted and oppressive system.
I feel that this story had potential but overall I was disappointed and the main characters' lack of involvement or even care towards such a major plot point really detracted from what was going on. I feel like there are plenty of other speculative fiction titles out there that do similar things but in a more nuanced, interesting way.
queenkoko's review against another edition
3.0
A chick falling in love with a robot is a simple plot that was executed well in this graphic novel. The blurry artwork and equally blurry text made me take away two stars. That made the story much more difficult to read.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
charlesiii's review
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
This was a cute and fun read, but it was a little juvenile for my taste. The plot was also very basic and moved a bit too quickly. I loved the art style and romance, though!
This was a cute and fun read, but it was a little juvenile for my taste. The plot was also very basic and moved a bit too quickly. I loved the art style and romance, though!
dame_samara's review
4.0
I love the art style of this book, it gives me Jetsons' / Paperman (Disney Short Film) vibes. But this is the darker cousin that takes on the fact that capitalism just wants mindless drones to do work without complaint and once you can complain and rise up they are going to either put you in your place or find something better.
We also see how human prejudice has just changed targets from other humans to mechs (tho the only hate crime we see done to a mech in this was done by a white guy so this could be incorrect).
This is gorgeous from beginning to end, along with a really deep message. I will for sure be reading the rest of this series.
We also see how human prejudice has just changed targets from other humans to mechs (tho the only hate crime we see done to a mech in this was done by a white guy so this could be incorrect).
This is gorgeous from beginning to end, along with a really deep message. I will for sure be reading the rest of this series.
bookishactor's review
4.0
I received a free eArc of Love Love Love (Yeah Yeah Yeah 1) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This graphic novel by Kid Toussaint and Andres Garrido from Europe Comics is a sweet and thrilling introduction to a sci-fi romance series. In a world where robots (mechas) are treated as second class citizens, what happens when a human and a bot fall in love? This concept has been explored in other comics, notably Alex+Ada by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn, and while similarities exist between Love Love Love and prior media this title brings a unique take to the concept. Karel (a cherish bot) has a chance encounter with a human named Elle and a relationship begins to grow even while the pressures of the politics and economics of the outside world press in. The art is wonderful and reminiscent of Disney. The story is interesting, although I was a bit confused about the mechanics of certain aspects of the world. For example, cherish bots recharge their batteries by being loved, but there’s never a clear explanation that of how this works. Additionally the plot seemed to move along quickly, perhaps too quickly, making the story seem a bit compressed. This graphic novel is only 56 pages, I think it could have been a bit longer OR taken on less time (a full year passes from beginning to end) in the life of these characters so the pacing seemed more natural and the reader could develop a stronger relationship with the characters and world. Overall, despite these criticisms, I enjoyed Love Love Love. I rate this comic ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and look forward to reading the next installment.
librarypatronus's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the ARC of this in exchange for my honest review.
This was an interesting premise, with cool art, but it just didn’t draw me in as much as I’d hoped.
I’ve been playing Detroit: Become Human and I thought this gave some of the same vibes - robots fighting to be seen as sentient beings worthy of rights.
The romance felt kind of fast-forwarded through, to fit a year in such a small comic, but then I didn’t ever really connect to it and root for it.
I’d definitely try the next one, and I think it’s worth giving a try if you’re into robots.
This was an interesting premise, with cool art, but it just didn’t draw me in as much as I’d hoped.
I’ve been playing Detroit: Become Human and I thought this gave some of the same vibes - robots fighting to be seen as sentient beings worthy of rights.
The romance felt kind of fast-forwarded through, to fit a year in such a small comic, but then I didn’t ever really connect to it and root for it.
I’d definitely try the next one, and I think it’s worth giving a try if you’re into robots.
rigel's review against another edition
4.0
Still experiencing withdrawal three years after Detroit: Become Human? Because same. Luckily for us, this graphic novel offers a little bit of reprieve from that emptiness left inside of you. Think post-revolution DBH world featuring a Connor-like character and his human love interest.
P.S. Kid Toussaint seems to really like the name Elle for his female leads...
P.S. Kid Toussaint seems to really like the name Elle for his female leads...
sarareadstoomuch's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic novels are quickly becoming my favourite things!
This book was so very interesting plus the art style was really unique! It was originally written in French and it's the first of a series. I'm starting to go into sci0-fi and I love anything robots so this was romance and robots all in one and I couldn't be happier! It honestly ended way too quickly, I loved these characters and how they were represented! I'm super excited for the next volumes to come out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the earc in return for an honest review.
This book was so very interesting plus the art style was really unique! It was originally written in French and it's the first of a series. I'm starting to go into sci0-fi and I love anything robots so this was romance and robots all in one and I couldn't be happier! It honestly ended way too quickly, I loved these characters and how they were represented! I'm super excited for the next volumes to come out!
Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the earc in return for an honest review.
eliebooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review :)
In a futuristic Paris, robots have evolved into sentient beings whose rights are being revoked due to the perceived threat they pose to human society. But not everyone has turned their backs on these so-called mechas. When the cherish bot Karel and down-on-her-luck Elle meet in the subway, they soon become friends, and something more… But a robot resistance is forming, and the two of them are dragged unwittingly into the chaos. Not only that, but Karel’s programmed life expectancy is mysteriously decreasing…
The setting is one of my favourite part of this comic. The futuristic aspects are very interesting and I spent a lot of time enjoying the art and how the city was designed. It met my expectations and I really want to see more. I have a lot of questions about how the world evolved like this and what could happen in future instalments.
The characters are great! Karel and Elle are awesome and I love their interaction. Also, side characters (like their flatmates and neighbors) are interesting and perfect for the situation. Nothing felt over the top and I want to find out more about each and every one. My favourite has to be Karel - I really need to know what happens next with him after that ending!
The atmosphere and the plot are working together perfectly. Combined with the art style, this is a great first volume and I would love to read the next one! I cannot recommend this enough! It's great!
In a futuristic Paris, robots have evolved into sentient beings whose rights are being revoked due to the perceived threat they pose to human society. But not everyone has turned their backs on these so-called mechas. When the cherish bot Karel and down-on-her-luck Elle meet in the subway, they soon become friends, and something more… But a robot resistance is forming, and the two of them are dragged unwittingly into the chaos. Not only that, but Karel’s programmed life expectancy is mysteriously decreasing…
The setting is one of my favourite part of this comic. The futuristic aspects are very interesting and I spent a lot of time enjoying the art and how the city was designed. It met my expectations and I really want to see more. I have a lot of questions about how the world evolved like this and what could happen in future instalments.
The characters are great! Karel and Elle are awesome and I love their interaction. Also, side characters (like their flatmates and neighbors) are interesting and perfect for the situation. Nothing felt over the top and I want to find out more about each and every one. My favourite has to be Karel - I really need to know what happens next with him after that ending!
The atmosphere and the plot are working together perfectly. Combined with the art style, this is a great first volume and I would love to read the next one! I cannot recommend this enough! It's great!
chuckslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
This graphic novel is a romance between a human and a robot set in the future. In this future robots don't have any rights, they are treated very badly. This book follows the romance between human and bot as a robot uprising is happening.
The artwork is gorgeous but the story feels rushed. I know this is the first book in a series. The romance just happened too quickly which I feel lacks character development. I will pick up volume 2 to see where the story goes.
Thanks Netgalley and Europe Comics for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
The artwork is gorgeous but the story feels rushed. I know this is the first book in a series. The romance just happened too quickly which I feel lacks character development. I will pick up volume 2 to see where the story goes.
Thanks Netgalley and Europe Comics for this copy in exchange for an honest review.