Anna Tschetter

I wanted to like more because I really enjoyed the author's first book, The Deep Sky but this one just didn't really work for me. The premise was solid but the worldbuilding was a bit a mess and the characters felt a little flat. It also doesn't help that I've been rereading the Expanse series and that series does many of the same elements - interstellar gate travel, mysterious builders, a badass former solider - better in every way.

This was a sweet graphic novel about grief, accepting yourself and others, and the importance of vulnerability. I think this will resonate with a lot of tweens and teens, though I did think that sometimes it was hard to figure out via context clues/images what was happening when characters spoke Indonesian. But, it's great for Indonesian people to see that representation!

Bro, this was good!

This was a great comic about two people from two very different worlds: a Star Wars-esque situation where rebels are fighting against an oppressive empire and a peaceful, socialist commune where everyone is accepted and cared for. I loved the message and the art was great!

I think this is a great graphic novel for tweens and teens with climate anxiety (OK, and adults too) that doesn't give into easy answers but emphasizes community. I also really like how Wang portrayed Ash's deadname in text, with a black bar over the entire thing. It was an interesting way to both respect the character but also show their lived experience of hearing their previous name.