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alyssamakesart's reviews
338 reviews
Iranian Love Stories by Jane Deuxard, Deloupy
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Murder
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
These stories range from okay 2.5s and 3s to 5s that I will never EVER forget. It took me a second to get used to the book because I thought this was sci-fi. The last story (the long one named after the title - kinda of is and is a very interesting premise. I honestly would love a collection of short stories that explore this topic more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre by Alverne Ball
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Likes: This was a good overview that emphasized what was lost rather than the moment everything was loss. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it strikes this good tone of emphasizing how historically and culturally important the town was, not just that it was a safe haven and then go straight to the bombing. The art was mostly great, and some stunning panels I lingered on for a while.
Issues: I'm not sure what age is the target demo of the book. Most of the book reads as preteen+, but then the text at the end is written like an advanced college undergrad class. It was kinda a jarring jump. Speaking of which, once I saw we were "going there" (which I'm all in favor of) at the end, the critique and context of Black Capitalism were lacking. There was some wording about a "philosophy of some," but doesn't give the background of why some (Booker) thought that way. Du Bois and Booker were written about as in line when they weren't, and this oversimplification is stark in the face of all the nuance given in the last few pages. Art-wise, some of the kids didn't look like kids. Sometimes it was stylized, and other times I think the artist would have been better off having them turned and then focusing on the proportions. I say this as someone that sucks at drawing men and children. I only took off .5 for this because overall, the art was exceptional in technique, style, and framing with the text.
Issues: I'm not sure what age is the target demo of the book. Most of the book reads as preteen+, but then the text at the end is written like an advanced college undergrad class. It was kinda a jarring jump. Speaking of which, once I saw we were "going there" (which I'm all in favor of) at the end, the critique and context of Black Capitalism were lacking. There was some wording about a "philosophy of some," but doesn't give the background of why some (Booker) thought that way. Du Bois and Booker were written about as in line when they weren't, and this oversimplification is stark in the face of all the nuance given in the last few pages. Art-wise, some of the kids didn't look like kids. Sometimes it was stylized, and other times I think the artist would have been better off having them turned and then focusing on the proportions. I say this as someone that sucks at drawing men and children. I only took off .5 for this because overall, the art was exceptional in technique, style, and framing with the text.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Trafficking, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia
Abbott: 1973 by Saladin Ahmed, Sami Kivelä
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like I was missing something even though I read Abbott. The story went by too fast and I didn’t quite understand one of the subplots. I felt like it needed another issue at least because her coming into her powers felt like it was just matter of fact which is fine for her reporting but not for magic IMO. Art was stunning and creative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
Minor: War
Simon Says: Nazi Hunter Volume 1 by Andre R. Frattino
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Violence, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and War
Minor: War
We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Violence, and War
Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi
funny
hopeful
relaxing
- 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
This balances a lot of the conversations about images and the web in a way that doesn't feel like it's being taught to us. It felt a little like that at first, but soon divies away. The commandments at the end are admirable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Dysphoria
Minor: Fatphobia
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Oseman is really talented at paneling and this vol pushes those limits. Can’t wait for volume 5.
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Homophobia