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A review by david_slack110507
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.5
I feel like this is more of a 3.5 star book for me as I do feel like watching the Netflix show ahead of reading the actual source material really amped up my expectations in a way that has sort of affected my enjoyment of the book as seeing how the show expanded on and gave so much time to characters beyond Nick and Charlie really makes those same characters feel lackluster here because I know that they can be really interesting and fleshed out but aren't. I understand that the story is mainly focused on Charlie and Nick and that's not a bad thing by any means but I just wish that it also allowed some of its other characters time to grow and develop too. I really hope that the later Volumes allow for this and allow for some of the background characters like Tara, Darcy, Elle, and Tao to grow, though the Tara and Darcy story at the end was cute and good for the few pages it got.
That being said, the amount of time dedicated to Nick and Charlie's relationship and the difficulties that come with it due to Nick figuring out his sexuality are very well done and the book manages to balance both serious and important topics as well as its lighthearted and charming tone which makes these books really easy to get through but still detailed and in-depth. I really liked that we got to see Nick figuring out that he was bisexual as far too often are bisexual characters non-existent in many forms of media or if they are present, their bisexuality is often erased or 'villainised' to make them seem promiscuous. Luckily, here, we get to see Nick's journey at figuring out who he is and stating it multiple times and I really liked how he didn't fall into the tropes typically given to bisexual characters.
I think the graphic novel nature of these books is starting to grow on me much more now as initially, Heartstopper Volume 1, was my first graphic novel and so the way that it was designed sort of took some getting used to but now I actually quite the style of it as not only does it make it easier to read/get through the book but it allows the reading experience to feel unique and different to a regular one as there is often many different things happening on a single page without feeling overwhelming. I am most likely going to continue with this series as it is a really easy series to read due to it being so quick and fast-paced as well as being really wholesome with some good and important representation.
That being said, the amount of time dedicated to Nick and Charlie's relationship and the difficulties that come with it due to Nick figuring out his sexuality are very well done and the book manages to balance both serious and important topics as well as its lighthearted and charming tone which makes these books really easy to get through but still detailed and in-depth. I really liked that we got to see Nick figuring out that he was bisexual as far too often are bisexual characters non-existent in many forms of media or if they are present, their bisexuality is often erased or 'villainised' to make them seem promiscuous. Luckily, here, we get to see Nick's journey at figuring out who he is and stating it multiple times and I really liked how he didn't fall into the tropes typically given to bisexual characters.
I think the graphic novel nature of these books is starting to grow on me much more now as initially, Heartstopper Volume 1, was my first graphic novel and so the way that it was designed sort of took some getting used to but now I actually quite the style of it as not only does it make it easier to read/get through the book but it allows the reading experience to feel unique and different to a regular one as there is often many different things happening on a single page without feeling overwhelming. I am most likely going to continue with this series as it is a really easy series to read due to it being so quick and fast-paced as well as being really wholesome with some good and important representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, and Outing
Minor: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail