A review by kailey_luminouslibro
Everyday Hero Machine Boy by Irma Kniivila, Trí Vương

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-paced

4.0

A mysterious robot boy crash lands in a city, and soon his programming detects a threat. The programming goes into combat mode, attacking bystanders and accidentally destroying a grocery store greenhouse. But when a little bird is hurt, his programming seems to awaken a consciousness and the boy becomes aware of his actions. He looks around and realizes that the devastation is his own fault. He tries to make amends and rebuilds the greenhouse. He is adopted by a sweet lady, who he begins to call his grandmother. Gradually he learns to be human and fit in with society. But there are those who would use his robot programming for their own selfish ends.

This graphic novel is so cool! The characters are very emotional and complex. I love that there is a background for each character which is gradually revealed through the story. Everyone has a secret in their past that has some kind of connection to what Machine Boy is dealing with in the present.

Poor Machine Boy is quite innocent and he has difficulty understanding some of the nuances of human behavior. His heart is generous and kind, but there are people who will never accept him and others who will try to use his powers for their own gain. It was fascinating to see how he tries to navigate these different relationships. While discovering the truth about the people around him, he also discovers the truth about himself.

The plot is really exciting! There is plenty of mystery and action and adventure and funny moments.

The setting on this earth-like planet is so imaginative and wild! I'm not sure if it is futuristic Earth, or some other planet. There are dog-people and bear-people and bird-people and regular human people. Apparently there is some sort of magic energy that can be harnessed to provide power for the city, but individuals can also manipulate it if they have the skills. The whole setting of this city is so weird and cool.

The artwork is amazing! Every page is so colorful and full of energy. I appreciated that the action scenes are clear; you can tell exactly what is happening through each panel. The designs for the characters are really unusual and whimsical. I love it!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.