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brookeandbookz's review
3.0
I received a free copy from Net Galley!
Overall I liked it. It had ups and downs - started a bit slow to get into and then I disliked the ending. Since this is just the beginning of a series I felt rather let down at the end. I really liked the coloring style throughout and the world building was interesting. A lot of open endings, would be interested to see where it goes in the next one.
Overall I liked it. It had ups and downs - started a bit slow to get into and then I disliked the ending. Since this is just the beginning of a series I felt rather let down at the end. I really liked the coloring style throughout and the world building was interesting. A lot of open endings, would be interested to see where it goes in the next one.
nicole6559's review
3.0
***ACTUALLY 3.5 STARS***
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an eARC for exchange for an honest review.
Graphic Novels are one of the best forms of books. It is median that can tell a story not just with words, but with images as well. Odessa was a book I really wanted to love, but it was completely underwhelming.
Odessa is the story about Ginny, Wes, and Harry, three sibling's who set off to look for their mother after she left their family after Ginny receives a package from her. The story takes place in California after a huge earthquake hits and basically destroys it and these kids traverse it looking for clues. I honestly was very intrigued from the get-go because I have lived in California, and was so excited to see how this author took the concept of something that could happen, and make it a reality in the novel.
I found the art style to be a bizarre choice for the book, considering it is set in apocalyptic setting. It is black and white with pink as the accent color, which to me suits a more a love story than a story about survival. The art wasn't to my taste at all, but the way the characters were drawn gave it a rustic vibe, which fit into the theme well. Just not the pink...
I think if the story had been more fleshed out and didn't have so many convenient things happen, then it would have been wonderful. But all the characters were didn't develop beyond how they were introduced as, and about a quarter of the way in I just wanted to know if they found their mom, and lost any care I had about them.
I liked the idea of the story. I think this could have been one of the best graphic novels I have read if the dystopian and scfi elements didn't come out of nowhere, and the LGBT representation wasn't executed so poorly. The dystopian and scfi took me completely by surprise because I originally thought it was about kids trying to survive but essentially throwing in things that didn't make sense (aka zombies). The rep for LGBT people was a good idea, but was done badly as well. Like out of nowhere it happened, with no hints of a crush between the characters anytime before that. Honestly, I was happy to see it, but there was no foreshadowing to two of the characters being romantically involved.
Overall, it has a lot of potential to be a great book, but for me it wasn't. But for you it might! So I recommend giving it a try.
Thank you Netgalley for sending me an eARC for exchange for an honest review.
Graphic Novels are one of the best forms of books. It is median that can tell a story not just with words, but with images as well. Odessa was a book I really wanted to love, but it was completely underwhelming.
Odessa is the story about Ginny, Wes, and Harry, three sibling's who set off to look for their mother after she left their family after Ginny receives a package from her. The story takes place in California after a huge earthquake hits and basically destroys it and these kids traverse it looking for clues. I honestly was very intrigued from the get-go because I have lived in California, and was so excited to see how this author took the concept of something that could happen, and make it a reality in the novel.
I found the art style to be a bizarre choice for the book, considering it is set in apocalyptic setting. It is black and white with pink as the accent color, which to me suits a more a love story than a story about survival. The art wasn't to my taste at all, but the way the characters were drawn gave it a rustic vibe, which fit into the theme well. Just not the pink...
I think if the story had been more fleshed out and didn't have so many convenient things happen, then it would have been wonderful. But all the characters were didn't develop beyond how they were introduced as, and about a quarter of the way in I just wanted to know if they found their mom, and lost any care I had about them.
I liked the idea of the story. I think this could have been one of the best graphic novels I have read if the dystopian and scfi elements didn't come out of nowhere, and the LGBT representation wasn't executed so poorly. The dystopian and scfi took me completely by surprise because I originally thought it was about kids trying to survive but essentially throwing in things that didn't make sense (aka zombies). The rep for LGBT people was a good idea, but was done badly as well. Like out of nowhere it happened, with no hints of a crush between the characters anytime before that. Honestly, I was happy to see it, but there was no foreshadowing to two of the characters being romantically involved.
Overall, it has a lot of potential to be a great book, but for me it wasn't. But for you it might! So I recommend giving it a try.
kalin_grace's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
sophie_hirst's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.5
annchmn's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The art was really cool!! It caught my attention with the two toned colour scheme. Though it was a bit chaotic at times (like too much packed into one frame), though it was cool to see all the details.
The premise of the story was interesting, but it could have been developed way more, whether it be the back story of the disaster, or the journey itself. It felt like I jumped straight into the story too fast, yet the plot was quite short (though it’s a series).
I also think the story telling could have been more selective and efficient, as the story felt too linear (don’t know if that’s the right description) and short compared to the book length.
The book was mainly told through dialogue, but I wish it was balanced out by thoughts or something. I also didn’t love the dialogue that much.
One last thing: I didn’t expect that frame of the dead bodies hanging by nooses which was a bit disturbing.
The premise of the story was interesting, but it could have been developed way more, whether it be the back story of the disaster, or the journey itself. It felt like I jumped straight into the story too fast, yet the plot was quite short (though it’s a series).
I also think the story telling could have been more selective and efficient, as the story felt too linear (don’t know if that’s the right description) and short compared to the book length.
The book was mainly told through dialogue, but I wish it was balanced out by thoughts or something. I also didn’t love the dialogue that much.
One last thing: I didn’t expect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcohol and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cannibalism
drjohnbrown's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
A decent, fun post-apocalyptic romp that’s dark enough to keep interest but not so dark to be unlikable. I’ll be reading the sequel for sure.
pich's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.25
i loved the two tone coloring of the book as a whole, especially with the use of a light pink rather than any other color. i liked the apocalyptic setting and the characters. it was a simple comic that i enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Minor: Kidnapping