I don’t normally re-read things, but when I saw Squire showing up on lists for Read Palestine, I knew I had to re-read. Today I’m going to be sharing a few re-reads and some new graphic novels on a large spectrum. I’ll be reviewing Heartstopper, Squire, Coven, and Constellations.
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Squire by Nadia Shammas & Sara Alfageeh
Aiza has always dreamt of becoming a Knight. It’s the highest military honor in the once-great Bayt-Sajji Empire, and as a member of the subjugated Ornu people, Knighthood is her only path to full citizenship. Ravaged by famine and mounting tensions, Bayt-Sajji finds itself on the brink of war once again, so Aiza can finally enlist in the competitive Squire training program.
It’s not how she imagined it, though. Aiza must navigate new friendships, rivalries, and rigorous training under the unyielding General Hende, all while hiding her Ornu background. As the pressure mounts, Aiza realizes that the “greater good” that Bayt-Sajji’s military promises might not include her, and that the recruits might be in greater danger than she ever imagined.
Aiza will have to choose, once and for all: loyalty to her heart and heritage, or loyalty to the Empire.
Review
As I mentioned before, Squire is a re-read for me. I first read Squire last year when I wanted to read recommendations for me. Upon first read, I already loved the themes of resistance, of having to question the ‘truths’ and stories around us. But with a second read, I’ve deeply enjoyed the ways fantasy or speculative fiction can be a lens for looking at our world. The quick ‘your people’ versus ‘our people’. For those who grow up without a choice and are only given the options to ‘earn our place’.
Re-reading Squire allowed me to sink further into the themes already present. To witness this war of information and perspective. About all the things we are taught behind barbed fences and in veiled comments. Find Squire on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Constellations by Kate Glasheen
Are you supposed to be a boy or a girl?
It’s a question that follows Claire everywhere. Inescapable on the street, in school, and even at home. A black hole forever trying to pull them in. But as long as they have ride-or-die best friend Greg at their side and a drink in their hand, everything will be okay. Right?
Except, Claire can never have just one drink. And when harassment at school reaches a fever pitch, Claire begins a spiral that ends in court-ordered rehab. Feeling completely lost, Claire is soon surrounded by a group of new friends and, with the help of a patient counselor, finds a space to unpack all the bad they’ve experienced. But as Claire’s release gets closer so does the question: Can Claire stay sober and true in a world seemingly never made for them?
Set in 1980s Troy, New York, Constellations is a portrait of a queer teen living in the margins but determined to find their way ahead. Done in watercolor and ink, debut author-artist Kate Glasheen has created a world where strong lines meet soft color, and raw emotions meet deep thought in this story of hope, humor, and survival.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Constellations is a historical fiction queer graphic novel about figuring out our identity. About the ways it ripples outwards and makes us stuck between and within these parameters of people demanding they found out our identity all the time. It’s about a town stuck in the remnants of where industry has left, a town frozen in a moment in the past. The world is always eager to tell us how to feel, who to be, but who will that cover up?
It underscores our struggles with addiction, with drowning out the hurricane around us, but also how we have to be okay before we try to pull anyone out. We can’t save someone from drowning when we are barely holding on. Constellations is a story about healing, relapse, and all the ways our lives and feelings are connected. The constellations in our life which guide us. Find Constellations on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Heartstopper Vol. 1 by Alice Oseman
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 was convinced I had read Heartstopper and my library holds told me I had, but then when I went to write this review it turned out I hadn’t? So I feel both confused and relieved that the reason I didn’t remember any of it was that I hadn’t read it yet. From the beginning I loved the color palette of this. It feels soft and intentional about the reveals in what we see and what we don’t. I also appreciated the pauses in the panels, the ways we are forced to take a moment and see the setting, the glances, the details.
But one of my first thoughts was “oh wow, I am going to learn a lot about rugby” a sport I know barely anything about. Thankfully it’s not too heavy with rugby, but I really enjoyed Heartstopper. The ways we get glimpses into Nick’s life even though it’s mostly Charlie’s POV. To see the homophobia and toxic masculinity bleeding into the lives. I read Heartstopper in an evening I was so absorbed and also shocked in the abrupt ending. Find Heartstopper on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.
Coven by Jennifer Dugan & illustrated by Kit Seaton
Emsy has always lived in sunny California, and she’d much rather spend her days surfing with her friends or hanging out with her girlfriend than honing her powers as a fire elemental. But when members of her family’s coven back east are murdered under mysterious circumstances that can only be the result of powerful witchcraft, her family must suddenly return to dreary upstate New York. There, Emsy will have to master her neglected craft in order to find the killer . . . before her family becomes their next target.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Coven is this witchy queer graphic novel about family and power. The drawing style and color palette makes me feel like I’m falling into a fall Charmed. With instant witchiness, Coven is full of secrets. It’s about knowing, unlocking, and controlling our power. About realizing that we can never move forward without knowing our history. It can be tempting to always run from our responsibility, but it has a way of chasing us.
It’s a testament to how we can become so convinced there’s only one way forward. Only one way to gain and use power. That we can alienate, radicalize, and lose those around us. When protection doesn’t feel like what we want. Coven is very much a story about being torn between pieces of ourselves and not knowing how to reconcile them. If you love witches and graphic novels, check out Coven. Find Coven on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, & Blackwells.