ellytheskelly's reviews
166 reviews

I've really enjoyed everything else I've read from Mariko Tamaki, so I had high hopes after picking this one up. Obviously, I was left very disappointed.

First off, I'm not a huge comics person. However, I will always make space to read comics with cool female leads, and I was absolutely willing to add Harley Quinn to my short list of comics I read and enjoy.

I am not big into DC or Batman, but I still felt really insulted by the way that Harley is molded into a manic pixie dream girl, thinking of things in absolutes, not caring at all about school, her studies, or even learning anything at all. She also sits on her hands and doesn't care when her friend is clearly being disrespected just because she is black. ( and that thread never gets addressed again? why? why include it at that point?)  I've always had a lingering curiosity about Harley because she was known as super smart and intelligent, and just as powerful as the men surrounding her. But here, she just seems really ditzy? I don't see what it does for her story to make her so oblivious and uncaring about some things but when it comes to gentrification, that's when she cares all of a sudden, for real?

This is an easy skip, if you want to read Mariko Tamaki's work read Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me or This One Summer.

I really enjoyed this story. It definitely read like a middle grade novel, but as an adult it was still very fun to read! I liked how the dynamics between all of the kids felt separate and genuine, and I really related to the experience of having eras of getting along with and disliking an older brother. Being the oldest daughter is tough, and I liked the way this showed that.

A fine story, but it just didn't really click with me. 

I enjoyed it, but it didn't stick out to me as much as other recent reads. The art style and humor were great, though!

Giving it 5 stars, but off the books, it's closer to a 4.95 because I really would like to see Lisa getting some respect around here oh my gosh I feel so bad for her!!! 

It's very authentic, in terms of having their dynamics be unintentionally irritating and being at Lisa's expense, but I wish she got a similar kind of care and handling as Chanda's sister. 

I can really see that the team found their footing and worked as a real unit here! I loved the way that the artist really got to shine with large panels here, Chanda and Beth feel so alive and expressive in this story, and I'm glad that this narrative did not shy away from bringing up real issues that people face. 

I love Becky so much for real <3 what an icon

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I love having it open with Loid's backstory. It hit HARD. 5 stars just for the beginning of this volume. I love it when the series uses Loid for comedy, seeing him freak out in worry over Anya getting a tonitrus bolt made me laugh out loud. 

The special mission with Bond and Scruffy was also great. Poor Bond.

My favorite volume I've seen so far!

It's been a day or two since reading it, and I can't even tell you what happened in this volume. I love this series, so anything I read from it is a minimum 3, but this didn't give me anything to write home about.

(though Anya hissing at Fiona was funny as heck)

wow... just.. wow. I have no words for how healing and honest this graphic novel is, probably in my top 5 books I've read this year so far. Read it, read it, read it!

Trigger warnings for depictions of depression, smoking, drugs, alcohol/alcoholism, self harm and body image issues such as body dysmorphia and eating disorders. 

I think that this is a solid start to the trilogy!