Graphic Novel Mini Reviews

Check, Please!: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu (September 18, 2018)
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This graphic novel is about Bitty, a freshman on Samwell University's hockey team, and it is freaking amazing. It will make you laugh, and sigh with content. Bitty LOVES to bake, but is not a fan of getting checked on the rink. Reading about his freshman year adventures with the entertaining guys on the hockey team brought back my own college memories while enjoying Bitty's new ones. Bitty is wonderfully adorable, and the team captain he has his eyes on, is complex, dark, and brooding. The illustrations are fun, and Bitty's facial expressions are spot on. I can't wait for volume two! VERDICT: READ IT RIGHT NOW.

The Breakaways by Cathy G. Johnson (March 5, 2019)
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The Breakways feature a group of misfit girls on a not-so-good soccer team. The characters were incredibly unlikable at the beginning except for Faith who is sweet and kind and learning to be brave. As the other characters' backstories unfold, you are reminded that you never really know what someone is going through so you should always be kind. However, the kids in this book really aren't kind at all. I obviously have mixed feelings on this one. I did like the diverse cast of characters, and how accepting they turn out to be, not to mention that middle school being difficult is realistic, but I was just very underwhelmed. I also didn't love the artwork, but that is a personal preference. Therefore, my problems with this one may be more personal so please give it a try if it sounds like something you would enjoy! VERDICT: If you are curious, get it from the library.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson (2015)
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I have read this graphic novel before and thoroughly enjoyed it. For my grad school class I had to listen to the audiobook and compare the two, and I was not disappointed. What a fun assignment! The full cast audiobook was a delight. The cast did a fabulous job catching each character's unique traits. However, even though they added a narrator that is not in the book to help describe the scenes the listener is missing due to lack of illustrations, it was still enjoyable. I did still think the story is best with the illustrations. VERDICT: I recommend reading the graphic novel while listening to the audio, but reading it in any format will do just fine as long as you read it! 

Get Graphic! Mini Reviews of Graphic Novels

Here is a new mini review round-up of all the graphic novels I have read recently. Go head, get graphic!

Princess Princess Ever After

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An adorable and fun novel where a Princess saves a Princess trapped in a tower! There are cute animal sidekicks and a feminist message in this one. It was a great read, but I really wish it would have been more. It was a little short.

Wires & Nerve

Goodreads

Lunar Chronicles fans won't be disappointed with this new graphic novel series! It features all of our favorite characters, an interesting plot, and great illustrations. You don't want to miss this!

March Book 3

Goodreads

Talk about a book that everyone should read! Congressman John Lewis tells his story of struggle and courage during the civil rights movement. This man is awesome! The artwork compliments this strong and important story.

Deep Dark Fears
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Although I appreciated the illustrations, this one wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. I wanted a book full of fears that I could relate to, most of them were kind of out there....

CatStronauts: Mission Moon

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A graphic novel for cat lovers! This is a kid's book so it is pretty simple, but I really enjoyed all the small details in the story where cats essentially take place of humans in the world. So many cat puns and adorable cats.

Get Graphic!

Here is a new mini review round-up of all the graphic novels I have read recently. Go head, get graphic!

Five Stars

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier (Sept. 2016)

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Raina Telgemeier never dissapoints. Ghosts is different than her other novels, but just as amazing. Fans of her artwork and story telling will enjoy this graphic novel just as much as all her others. Family, friends, and ghosts oh my! I loved hearing about Day of the Dead celebrations and to learn a little more about it. Cat must move because her sister is sick. It takes her a while to warm up to her new town, it was a realistic story of making friends and the importance of family. I loved it.

Faith (1) by Jody Houser (July 2016)

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A realistic looking female superhero who is AMAZING?! Heck yes! Faith is a pretty hilarious kick-butt superhero. This is a graphic novel for every girl and guy of every age. I loved the plot, setting, and basically everything otherwise I wouldn't have given it five stars. Read this. Do it.

Four Stars

Prison Island: A Graphic Memoir by Colleen Frakes (2015)

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I read this book simply out of curiosity. I wanted to know what it would have been like living on a prison island, and I got my answer! I liked the drawings and the story, but it could have been a little longer. I would have loved to learn even more about prison island. This is a quick read that was very interesting. I recommend it.

Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!, Vol. 1: Hooked On A Feline (July 2016)

Gooreads

I absolutely loved this comic! The illustrations are fun and full of color. They are definitely my favorite type of drawing style. It was cute. I also thought the story was a lot of fun. I knew nothing about Hellcat before this comic, and that didn't matter too much. They gave a quick little backstory at the beginning. I loved meeting Patsy and her friends. I can't wait for the next volume!

Lucky Penny by Hirsh & Ota (March 2016)

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Lucky Penny wasn't quite what I was expecting, but I still enjoyed it a great deal. Penny is a little weird and rather interesting character. I was hesitant at first, but once I got into the story I couldn't put it down. It was a fun and unique read. I know what it feels like to feel unlucky. I just wish it would have been in color.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson (2014)
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I have always been curious about why so many kids at the library love these books. I finally decided to give them a try myself. The verdict, they are a delight! The sassy unicorn and her new bff Phoebe are hilarious.

Three Stars

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, Jillian Tamaki (2014)

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The two girls in this story were so very annoying! I know they were young and I am sure I acted like them when I was younger, but they were a little to annoying for me, at least the one girl was. Rose wasn't too bad. This is a graphic novel about growing up filled with detailed drawings of a summer town. It was pretty good overall, but could have been better.

Buffy: The High School Years - Freaks and Geeks (#1) by Faith Erin Hicks (June 2016)

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I am and will always be a huge Buffly the Vampire Slayer fan. I own every season on DVD. I watched Angel. I at one point wished I could actually be "the chosen one." (Yes, I know this is a work of fiction.) The one thing I didn't ever do was read the graphic novels so when I heard about this new reboot I knew I had to give it a try. I liked this graphic novel a lot, but it was a very basic/introductory story. I was a little disapointed about that, but I did like the artwork. It was unique. 

Get Graphic!

Here is a new mini review round-up of all the graphic novels I have read recently. Go head, get graphic!

Five Stars

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks (April 2016)

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There wasn't a single thing I didn't like about this graphic novel. There is a rich setting, great character development, and a complex and interesting plot. I also loved the artwork. The way she did the action scenes was perfect. This is a great pick for all ages!

Gotham Academy: Welcome to Gotham Academy (vol. 1) by Becky Cloonan (June 2015)
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I loved this one! A must read for fans of Batman. It has the most wonderful characters and a great mystery surrounding the Gotham Academy. The artwork is also spot on.  I can't wait to read volume 2!

Legend: The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu (April 2015)
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I never did read this book series for one reason or another so when I saw that it is now a graphic novel I figured I would give it a whirl. (It takes a lot less time to read a graphic novel than a full novel.) It turns out that I liked it a lot! I really am not that surprised. It had an interesting plot and I liked the two main characters. I am ready for the next book!

Four Stars

Archie by Mark Waid (March 2016)

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I never read the Archie comics, but I know a little about them. This cover is what truly grabbed my attention. I liked this one a lot. It was fun, and reminded me of high school.

Last Man: The Stranger (Vol. 1) by Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak (2013)

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Last Man was a pretty entertaining read. The kid main character was adorable and sweet. His mom and partner in The Games were mysterious and interesting characters. I plan to read the next books in the series.

Lumberjanes Vol. 3: A Terrible Plan by Noelle Stevenson (April 2016)
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I adore this series. The illustrations are fun and colorful. The stories are always full of adventure and friendship. I love these whacky kids and their whacky adventures. I can't wait for more. This one did have some romance and touched on some more serious topics, but in a good way. I think anyone of any age would enjoy this series.

Human Body Theater by Maris Wicks (October 2015)
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Human Body Theater is a delightful way to tell kids and even adults about the human body. Although I knew a lot of the information in this book, it is always nice to have a refreasher. The skeleton who tells us how the body works is hilarious. This was a fun way to learn.

Three Stars

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan (April 2016)

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I liked the art work, but I wasn't a huge fan of the plot. I wasn't expecting it to be quite so sci-fi. I think a lot of people will like this one even if it wasn't my favorite.

Everything Is Teeth by Evie Wyld (May 2016)
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Graphic memoirs are becoming hugely popular and I am one of many that enjoys reading them. I liked this one, but I couldn't get into it as much as I was hoping I would. I do like hearing about shark facts and how this consumed the author's childhood for a bit. I feel like every kid goes through some sort of obsession. I did like the interesting illustrations. They were very unique. I think this one is good for fans of graphic memoirs.

Camp Midnight by Steven T. Seagle (April 2016)
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I wasn't a big fan of the illustrations in this one. They were not really my style. I did like how snarky the main character was and the overall plot was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed Camp Midnight, but I thought it could have been better.

Get Graphic!

Here is a new mini review round-up of all the graphic novels I have read recently. Go head, get graphic!

5 Stars

Grayson: Agents of Spyral (#1) by  Tim Seeley, Tom King (Jan. 2016)

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I absolutely loved these comics. Grayson is amazing. Did you know that he was originally Robin from Batman & Robin? I didn't, but luckily there is some really nice background information at the beginning of the story so I didn't need to know. I loved this story and illustrations. I may have a new fictional crush. Read it!

4.5 Stars

Giant Days (Vol. 2) by John Allison
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The sequel was just as much fun as the first one! The characters are interesting and unique and even though the stories are out there they are still relatable.

4 Stars

Batgirl, Vol. 1: Batgirl of Burnside (Batgirl Vol. IV #6) by Cameron Stewart (2015)

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I like this Batgirl who wears converse/boot type shoes and sports a leather jacket instead of spandex. I really liked Barbara Gordon. She is smart, strong, and relatable. I liked the story arc in these comics, but at times I did get a little lost. Overall this one was a lot of fun!

Adulthood Is a Myth: A "Sarah's Scribbles" Collection by Sarah Andersen (March 2016)
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This graphic novel is pretty darn accurate and entertaining. It reminded me of myself quite a bit. The drawings are adorable and I just wish there were even more.

Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge (2013)
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I liked the illustrations, but I loved the story this time around. It is sweet and interesting. I think teens would love this book. I was just a little sad that the illustrations aren't in color. I think color would have really enhanced the story.

The Worrier's Guide to Life by Gemma Correll (2015)
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This one wasn't my favorite. I liked the art a lot. I did not like the content as much. Many people will, but the style of the whole piece just wasn't for me. I did think some of the comics were pretty true and funny, but as a worrier I was kind of disapointed.

3.5 Stars

Emma, Vol. 1 by Kaoru Mori (2015)
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Emma is the first Manga I have ever read. It was a very rough start since you read them backwards than what I am used to, but I did get the hang of it after a while. I liked the story just fine and enjoyed the wonderful drawings with all of it's lines and details. It was a good read.

Wolf Volume 1: Blood and Magic by Ales Kot, Matt Taylor, Lee Loughridge (2015)
Goodreads

Wolf is unique and very interesting. Antoine Wolfe is a complex main character who is just trying to save his brother in a world of creatures, evil, vampires, and magic. I love the cover and the art and how gritty everything is.

Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola (2015)
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I was slightly disapointed by this read, but it may be just because of my age. I liked the story okay and the illustrations just fine. I was just hoping it would be a little more spooky.

2.5 Stars

A Silent Voice, Vol. 1 by Yoshitoki Ooima (2013)
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(Spoilers Ahead) I am really not sure I can recommend A Silent Voice to anyone. It's all about a boy who bullies a deaf girl. He is horrible to her and people either encourage him or turn a blind eye. When he does finally get punished.... everyone then bullies him. What kind of message is that?! Not a fan.

Graphic Novels are the Best!

Five Stars

Giant Days by John Allison & Lissa Treiman (Vol. 1) (2015)
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The Cover: I am liking it. I hope each cover features one of the main women!
The Illustrations: It had the perfect vibe and a great use of colors.
The Story: I couldn't have written a better story about college if I tried. It really did capture the essensce of what it means to be a freshman. I do wish it focused a little more on taking classes and not just the social stuff, although that is a huge part of college. With that ending... I am going to need the next volume ASAP.

Thor Vol. 1 (The Goddess of Thunder) by Jason Aaron (2015)
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I love everything about this. EVERYTHING! Read it!

The Rise of Aurora West (Battling Boy) by Paul Pope (2014)
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The Cover: Kicks butt.
The Illustrations: Also kicks butt. It may be in black and white, but it works perfectly. I loved all the detail too.
The Story: I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see Aurora learn the trade of her monster fighting father.

Y: The Last Man - The Deluxe Edition Book Two by Brian K. Vaughan (2009)
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The Cover: It's not my favorite. It is just so plain to me.
The Illustrations: Just as good as they were the first time around.
The Story: I thought the sequel was just as good as the first volume. I can't wait for more! I really am loving everything about this series.

Lady Killer by Joëlle Jones (2015)
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The Cover: I don't even have enough words to describe how amazing and gross this cover is.
The Illustrations: Do you see the cover? Enough said.
The Story: This one blew me away! A 1960's housewife who is also a trained assassin? Heck yes! This one is gory, hilarious, and brilliant.

Four Stars

Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova (July 2015)
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The Cover: Is awkward, making it perfect.
The Illustrations: They are charming with the perfect amount of detail. The facial expression on these characters are the BEST.
The Story: It is cute and fun (and wonderfully awkward). It reminds me of my awkward younger years in school. I think middle graders are going to love this book! I also enjoyed it since it had me reminiscing.

Study Hall of Justice by Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen (Jan. 2016)
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The Cover: It's adorable and so much fun!
The Illustrations: I was a little disappointed by the lack of color, but other than that the illustrations were cute and fun.
The Story: This graphic novel features a young Bruce Wane, Clark Kent, and Diana Prince. Whats not to love? These kids are funny and full of spirit. If you are a fan of any of these characters, then you will enjoy this book. I had so much fun reading their story!

Three Stars

Spider Gwen by Jason Latour (2015)
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The Cover: The crazy colors are eye-catching!
The Illustrations: They were good. There was nothing wrong with them, but they didn't really stand out to me like they usually do, which is important in a graphic novel.
The Story: Eh. Like with the illustrations, I liked the story just fine, but I wasn't a huge fan.

Oddly Normal by Otis Frampton (2015)
Goodreads

The illustrations were just average (although the use of color was pretty well done, gave off the paranormal vibe), but the story was pretty darn good. It handles bullying in an interesting (not a bad thing) way. I look forward to seeing where the next installment takes us. I think kids will like this one even more than I did.

The Infinite Loop by Pierrick Colinet (2015)
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I am all about time travel, but for whatever reason I was really struggling with this one. I honestly can't even tell you exactly why. I did enjoy reading it, but it wasn't as epic as I was hoping it would be.