Graphic Novel Review: Heartstopper Volume 1

Author & Illustrator: Alice Osema
Title: Heartstopper

Series: Heartstopper Volume 1
Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBT, YA, Contemporary
Format: ebook

Pages: 288
Published: January 1, 2018
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more...?

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn't been too great, but at least he's not being bullied anymore. Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He's heard a little about Charlie - the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months - but he's never had the opportunity to talk to him.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn't think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner...

Review: 

I watched the TV show a couple years back (I still need to watch season 2 - whoops) and I've been meaning to read the original works. 

Here we follow Charlie and Nick. Charlie is high-strung and an over-thinker. He's been openly gay at his school. Nick is a kind boy who plays rugby. They meet when they are partnered up and a friendship quickly blooms. However....could there be more? 

The story is beautiful and I love these two together. Charlie is adorable and Nick is so dang sweet. 

I also really love the illustrations. So beautiful and impactful. 

Charlie and Nick really need each other and deserve each other. Charlie had a terrible year after coming out and then BEN showed up. Grrrr. Ben is shit. 

This is just so sweet and adorable. 100% recommend. 

5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Adorable

Challenge(s):

-  Library Love #15

Book/Manga Review: Basilisk Vol. 1

Author Masaki Segawa

Title: Basilisk - The Ninja Scrolls Vol. 1
Genre: Manga, fantasy, war, romance, action
Pages: 224

First Published: May 2nd, 2003
Where I Got It: borrowed from Library

"THE BATTLE BEGINS

The Iga clan and the Kouga clan have been sworn enemies for more than four hundred years. Only the Hanzo Hattori truce has kept the two families from all-out war. Now, under the order of Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa, the truce has finally been dissolved. Ten ninja from each clan must fight to the death in order to determine who will be the next Tokugawa Shogun. The surviving clan will rule for the next thousand years.

But not all the clan members are in agreement. Oboro of the Iga clan and Gennosuke of the Kouga clan have fallen deeply in love. Now these star-crossed lovers have been pitted against each other. Can their romance conquer a centuries-old rivalry? Or is their love destined to end in death?"

This is the manga version of the movie 'Shinobi: Heart Under Blade'  which I watched and reviewed a while back. I remember vaguely reading many years ago. It's been a while and I've been craving some manga or anime or something. I have been suppressing my nerdy tendencies for a while now, so it was nice to let go. Hahaha.

Anyways, this is WAAAAAAAY different then the movie. The movie cut so many characters and really simplified the plot. They also switched up the clans. Some of the Iga's were put on team Kouga, whilst some Kouga were put on team Iga. I prefer the original teams. It seemed more evenly matched. I'm also really liking some of the characters that weren't shown in the movie. Except for the spider guy...he creeped me out. I mean having a fear of spiders might be a legit reason for not liking him. Mhmmm....

The graphics are intended for more adult readers....so when I read this at the age of thirteen it was a little too much for me. Now that I'm older and more mature I can handle it better. Some of the pictures are rather gruesome, but hey....its war! What do you expect! ^.^ 

I love Oboro and Gennosuke. I'm really rooting for them even though I know that its bound to end badly. It's loosely based off of 'Romeo and Juliet', so yeah...tragic love. I applaud Masaki Segawa for diving more into their romance and love. For the movie showed just a hint of it. I really could see and feel the love they had. For heaven's sake Gennosuke made fun of Oboro. When you have harmless teasing that means you have a pretty good relationship. Well, in my opinion. 

Anyways....all-in-all I'm so happy I found this! I can't wait to rest of the volumes. So far it is WAY better then the movie. I'm hoping the ending is different. Maybe Oboro and Gennosuke can have their happily ever after. Doubtful, but plausible. 

For this one, I'll stamp four stars. There was so much going on and I felt a little rushed. I wish they had went deeper into some spots and given more information. Perhaps they'll do that with the next. Still really good though.

Favorite Character(s): Oboro (a klutzy ninja....interesting), Gennosuke (^.^), Tenzen (pretty epic, but I fear I may turn to hate him sooner or later), and Hotarubi
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Jingorou (mmmm) and Shougen (spider guy...creepy)

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<3CaroleRae