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dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Grief, Murder, Classism
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
This outstanding, raw graphic adaptation of a novel originally written in verse was very quick to make me cry. The poetry and the story are deeply emotional and rooted in so much pain, anger, and sadness. The watercolor art direction was a perfect choice for this work, and I was breathless when big moments in the verse were paired with a full two page spread. The concept of the main parts of the story taking place all in a 60 second elevator ride alone is genius, but the execution went above and beyond with layers of complexity that I know I will be thinking about for days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail