Mariko Tamaki

Spare and excellent writing paired with eloquent imagery. I don't know what I was expecting, but it blew me away. There was one image in particular that I sort of took in when reading the story. Stopped reading. Thought: that is an image of a woman drawn by someone who is in love with her. That is a first crush on paper. I read it and re-read it. It delighted me.

In a word: fantastic! This was a fun story aimed at younger readers but absolutely worth it for any age. This graphic novel features a much younger Thor and Loki, with lots of mischief but no malice. The artwork perfectly suits the tone, with the cover art beong carried through inside as well. (I have Gurihiru figures of the brothers, adorable!)

Loki is prone to daring Thor into misadventure and Thor is prone to accept - landing both in trouble. After stealing a magic horn from Odin's vault, show more Thor hands it to Loki who promptly blows it, summoning... the Midgard Serpent's little sister?! They cause quite a mess, but Loki lifted something else in the vault that will transport them somewhere unexpected..

Not only is this light-hearted, it's extremely funny. I really hope we get more adventures!! show less

I've been in love with a girl named Laura Dean.

And it's the hardest thing I've ever been.

I'm just amazed. The composition of every frame is unbelievable in this book - each brings such a specific tone that gives the simplest 'Hey' layers and layers of emotion and context and reverberation through the story.

This was like getting constantly punched in the gut. I've been both the Doodle and the Freddy to some degree, and so some parts of this really got to me. It's easy to be a good friend, but show more it's very hard to see when you're failing to do so.

Sad, but hopeful and warm and beautiful too :') show less

A delightful graphic novel, recommended for YA but really perfect for adults who remember their summers in a golden haze of swimming and sun, forgetting what lies beneath.

Two friends, Rose and Windy, see each other once a year at Awago Beach. Rose is a year older, slender and thoughtful; Windy is like a chubby, immature little sister. They exchange what they've learned over the winter about "boobs and boys" and live through difficulties within their families. There's also teenage angst and show more drama all around them, which they are ripe for absorbing.

The drawings and dialogue are blue and purple tinged liveliness and loveliness, capturing all that's contradictory about coming of age. show less