Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I do not have the time to read this at the current time. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. I do plan on purchasing this title in the future and will publish my review on Goodreads at a later date. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience and I appreciate the opportunity.

Very interesting story set in post-apocalyptic France. Definitely something new and refreshing, especially that I feel not that many sci-fi works focus on Europe.

This graphic novel was really fun and it surprised me in a lot of ways. I've never read anything like it which may have been why it boosted my enjoyment. Dystopian French environment. It's got a fast paced and addictive plot, an easy to follow but no less engaging world. I feel like the ending was left open to allow a return to the world in the future, which I generally enjoy and hope for. Now talking about the actual artwork, it's great! Isn't distracting in any way. Calming almost even. It's a muted sort of look and it fit well with the story I think.
Full review to come on YouTube.

I'm not sure why but this gave me strong Tank Girl impressions. Maybe it's the artwork, maybe it's the overall story, but I found this a very enjoyable romp of a read.

It's 2068 and the world is very different. It's a post-apocalyptical world where a certain sport has become a ritual ceremony. I'd say this story is The Hunger Games meets dodgeball. The artwork is great with plenty of fun colors. This is a wacky cool concept, but I found myself bored while reading. The combination of military and sports just don't vibe with me well.

I could absolutely see this graphic novel adapted into an action packed film. I give this book a 3/5.

Set in a post-apocalyptic France, Aster of Pan follows a young outcast who becomes her civilization's only hope against a terribly powerful federation.

I really enjoyed the art style in this graphic novel. The muted colors match the narrative, adding to the bleak and desolate setting.

The story itself was interesting, but it was a little hard to get into. The relationship between Aster and Wallis was well done and it was nice to see these two different personalities interact.

The Celestial Mechanics game was something that I was not expecting, but it added a unique aspect that set this graphic novel apart from the other post-apocalyptic tales that I have read.

This was a solid first volume in a series. I'm interested to see where the story goes from here.

The artwork was really awesome and the look of the post apocalyptical world was more than I could have imagined. I felt the plot moved a bit quickly and a few things didn't make the most sense, but I don't always expect perfection in every graphic novel. I was unprepared for post apocalyptic dodge (paint?) ball, but it was a delight to read the strange and fun edge to a world where so much has been destroyed. Overall, I liked it and will be hand selling this graphic novel in the future.

This was so nice and so much fun and someone needs to turn it into an animated TV show because it would be sensational.

It was hard at first to get into the story or care about the characters, as you have no context or idea what's going on, but soon you learn bits and pieces about the state of the world. My favourite part was the sport competition, of course! It was brilliant and I did not expect it to be so invested in a sport game in a comic book format. Brilliant!

That's was fun!

What can I say? I loved the drawing of this graphic novel.

The year is 2068, and Pan is a postapocaliptic zone near Paris, a few barely surviving scavenging among the radiactived ruins and cultivating some rice. Aster is an orphan girl, strange to the knit community so Aster is "Un-Pan", and she is unhappy with it. Her best friend is Wallis, and they go around together, despite looking very different. Aster is outgoing and athletic, and he's quiet, and you see him reading a book (Thoreau - really?)

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What's up with that dangling fox tail? In fact, at first I thought she had a tail, like an anime girl, but no, seems like just an accessory. Like the tattoos that the characters have, I don't know what they mean.

The vignettes show a story of postwar, with stacked gas masks, and tanks with skeletons inside, and the submerged city. But while Pan is a very basic and isolated community with a committee and tendency to superstitions, with a bit a problem with pirates, is when drones appear and strangers from The Republic of Fortuna, another sector with more technology that are looking for "adding productive force" (cheap laborers), is when bigger problems starts.

But wait. There is way to be let alone. They had to win the game. Er I mean they ask for 'Arbitration by Celestial Mechanics' aka Dodgeball. If they lost, they have to give up 50% of their harvest.

Fortuna has a team of professionals, and Pan has no idea where they are standing. They are saved only thanks to Aster.

3z

But then the game of revenge gets more and more complicated, with wild scenarios and opponents changing rules and cheating.

(I don't know you, but when I was a child, I was frightened to be hit by a ball. Especially the fingers! Auch.)

In addition there are other stories that are happening, of a divided family, love relationships, and something about the origin of Aster.

Meanwhile there is a political scenario almost behind the scenes, which unfortunately is barely shown and hinted at with those who are not satisfied with the government.

Well, despite having many cliches from other dystopian stories, I really enjoyed this story. I don't know if there will be a continuation, but I would read it.

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{Esta vez en castellano:}

¡Eso fue divertido!

¿Qué puedo decir? Me encantó el dibujo de esta novela gráfica.

Es el año 2068, y Pan es una zona postapocalíptica cerca de París, unos pocos que apenas sobreviven hurgando entre las ruinas radiactivas y cultivando algo de arroz. Aster es una niña huérfana, extraña a la comunidad, por lo que Aster es "Un-Pan", y no está contenta con eso. Su mejor amigo es Wallis, a pesar de parecer muy diferentes. Aster es extrovertida y atlética, y él es tranquilo, y lo ves leyendo un libro (de Thoreau, ¿en serio?)

¿Qué pasa con esa cola de zorro que cuelga? De hecho, al principio pensé que ella tenía cola, como una chica de anime, pero no, parece solo un accesorio. Como los tatuajes que tienen los personajes, no sé a qué significan.

Las viñetas van mostrando una historia de postguerra, con máscaras de gas apiladas y tanques con esqueletos en el interior, y la ciudad sumergida. Pero si bien Pan es una comunidad muy básica y aislada con un comité y tendencia a las supersticiones, con un poco de problema con los piratas, es cuando aparecen drones y desconocidos de La República de Fortuna , otro sector con mayor tecnología que buscan "agregar fuerza productiva" (mano de obra barata), es cuando comienzan los problemas más grandes.

Pero espera. Hay una manera de que les dejen en paz. Tenían que ganar el juego. Esto, me refiero a que piden 'Arbitraje por Mecánica Celestial' también conocido como Pelota Envenenada por mi tierra. Si pierden, tienen que ceder el 50% de su cosecha.

Fortuna tiene un equipo de profesionales y Pan no tiene idea de dónde empezar. Se salvan apenas sólo gracias a Aster.

Pero luego el juego de la venganza se vuelve cada vez más complicado, con escenarios salvajes y oponentes que cambian las reglas y hacen trampa.

(No sé uds, pero cuando era niño, tenía miedo de que me golpeara una pelota. ¡Especialmente los dedos! Auch).

Además hay otras historias que están sucediendo, de una familia dividida, relaciones amorosas y algo sobre el origen de Aster.

Mientras tanto hay un escenario político casi entre bastidores, que lamentablemente apenas se muestra y se insinúa con quienes no están satisfechos con el gobierno.

Bueno, a pesar de tener muchos clichés de otras historias distópicas, realmente disfruté esta historia. No sé si habrá continuación, pero la leería.




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Ok, kids, I really liked this one! The art is gobsmackingly gorgeous, and has a Moebius vibe to it. The landscapes of post-apocalyptic France are just stunning, and the characters look great. I enjoyed the story too- I liked that it didn't give us a full explanation of how the world got to the point it's at, rather it gave us what the current inhabitants know of their world, while hinting at things for the reader. This method is satisfying to me; I don't like to know too much, I feel more "in the world" if I only know what the characters know. Here we have the small nation of Pan fighting back against the more powerful nation of Fortuna to avoid getting colonized, and to win their freedom, Pan must win a Celestial Mechanics tournament, which is basically amped up dodgeball. Of course, a hero rises up, someone who can be the symbol of the revolution. Is the story terribly original? No, but it's a good story nonetheless. The world building is well done (by my above standards), the characters fairly fleshed out, though more explanation of the game and its rules would've been nice. I'd give the story 4 stars, but this book gets 5 stars overall because of that sweet, sweet art! Just beautiful.

#AsterofPan #NetGalley

Aster of Pan isn't your typical post-apocalyptic story. Sure, its world is a harsh one where survival is hard-fought and communities fiercely protect their own with strict rules and a heavy distrust for outsiders. But it's also full of humanity, hope, and its fair share of humour; where the common thrust of dystopian fiction is to look at how desperation brings out the worst of us, Aster of Pan makes the argument that hope can never truly be extinguished, no matter how bad things get.

In 2068, a handful of makeshift nation-states exist among the ruins of a destroyed civilization that was once France. They all have their own beliefs and rituals, their own ways of life, their own laws and protocols for surviving in a deadly (if beautiful) wasteland. Pan is such a society, one that scrapes by with modest rice production and the scavenging of ruins. It's an impoverished but mostly happy place—so long as you're a citizen.

If you're "un-Pan", things are a little different. Those not born in Pan can live there and contribute to its survival, but you get no food allowance and limited protection. In Pan, citizens come first. But that doesn't stop Aster from more or less enjoying her life, after being taken in as a young child who suddenly showed up at the village gates. She dreams of one day being a citizen and gets frustrated with the laws saying she never can be, but for her, Pan is still home.

When the powerful, technologically advanced nation Fortuna sets its imperialist eyes on Pan, all seems doomed. But they're given a choice: if Pan can best Fortuna in a game known as "Celestial Mechanics"—it's basically dodgeball, with a ritualistic flair—it'll be left alone, but lose, and Pan will be just another victim of Fortuna's expansion. And guess who has an uncanny natural ability when it comes to this game? Aster, that "un-Pan" girl who the future of the nation suddenly depends on.

"Colonialism by way of dodgeball" is certainly a fresh concept, and Aster of Pan really leans into that. It's a source of plenty of excitement and humour, especially as Fortuna continuously tries to bend the rules—rules of their own creation, it's worth noting—to give themselves the upper hand, while Aster and the rest of her team keep finding creative ways to keep themselves in a game with ever-moving goalposts. What starts as a pretty standard game of dodgeball winds up becoming something more like paintball, leaving plenty of opportunity for thrilling moments, heroic comebacks, and cheeky quips.

But even with this frivolity, the threat and impact of colonialism is a more sobering them that's ever present. Fortuna is a power that could easily eradicate any of its neighbours through sheer military might. But it would rather subjugate and assimilate, using cultural and religious prongs to bring other nations under its thumb, with the threat of force always there to encourage compliance. Aster of Pan touches on the consequence of that in the glimpses we get of other colonised nations, their cultures all but wiped out and their resources plundered for Fortuna's benefit.

But it's not just the superpower that's guilty. Pan may have no imperialist ambitions on its neighbours, but its absolute rule against granting citizenship to anyone who isn't born in Pan to Pan parents shows a different side of the same coin: an insular, nationalist ideology that's blind to the humanity of all peoples, Pan and un-Pan alike. Aster is an example of how flawed that thinking is, and—fantastical elements notwithstanding—hers is a story echoed the world over.

The excitement of Celestial Mechanics and the thoughtful explorations of colonialism play out against a backdrop of watercolour art and a world that's more interested in the beauty of nature than the desolation of an apocalyptic event. Aster of Pan takes place long after whatever destroyed the world, where the ruins of modern-day France are just old relics that nobody in Pan really understands. Coupled with the colourful artwork, this vision of a post-apocalypse is one of beauty and mystery.

Aster of Pan is a breath of fresh air in the crowded space of dystopian fiction. It's bright, colourful, and driven by an inalienable belief in hope for a better future—whether that's through a high-energy, high-stakes game of dodgeball, or by standing up to colonialist ideals.

This was a fun dystopia graphic novel. I loved the artwork and the humor. It also had a unique sports element to it.

Estava com problemas em meus aplicativos para leitura de quadrinhos e não consegui fazer o download dessa publicação dentro do prazo disponibilizado pelo NetGalley para poder fazer a leitura.

I love graphic novels. I love dystopians. So this was a highly anticipated read for me. In the end the book was alright. The story was decent and the ideas were okay. I loved the art.

I was intrigued by the post-apocalyptic setting of this graphic novel, and I loved exploring the ways in which this society is structured, acting in tribes trying to control land and resources. The buildings, wildlife and character design was stunning, and the art style was enjoyable from the slowest scenes to the most fast-paced futuristic dodgeball battles! I wasn't expecting the sport content, which if I'm honest isn't one of my personal interests, but was entertaining to read. I wish we had seen more training of the teams, and had chance to get to know the characters in greater depth - my main criticism is that it was far too short for us to settle in with the characters and setting. But overall a really enjoyable read, that I would recommend to anyone with a love of scifi and/or sports.

An enjoyable sci-fi romp with sublime art. I read this in one sitting. In terms of tone and art style, it is somewhere between Moebius and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. This French comic wears its manga influences on its sleeve and is all the better for it. The book's pacing is impeccable. The layout composition, especially in the action sequences, lends frenetic energy to the pages. There is a dynamic nature to the draftsmanship that I enjoyed. The character and world designs are funky and inventive. It feels like a lived-in world where people are salvaging what they can, including clothes. Our main protagonists are likeable if someone cliche, Aster a gutsy heroine who is a bit of an outsider in her adopted community, and, Wallis the bookish son of a village elder, are charming. The dialogue, on the whole, was witty, and There is a great supporting cast of diverse characters. Merwan is excellent at facial expressions, and there are some neat visual gags. The story itself doesn't break any new ground, but it seems churlish to criticise Aster of Pan in that regard. It goes to some ridiculous places like Rocky 4 levels of silliness. It is like watching a good action film. You kind of know how it will probably end, but you want to see how they get there. It says a great deal that I am eager to read more stories set in the world of Pan. Lovely stuff.

Aster of Pan is about an outcast in post-Apocalyptic France. Then Pan is threatened by a technologically superior society, they need Aster's help in a game of high stakes dodge ball. It's a bit odd when this changes from a dystopian future comic to a sports manga, but it's fun. The art's great.

4/5

Aster of Pan by Merwan was a beautifully illustrated, delightful and fun read. I was caught off guard when I realized what was going on, and honestly I loved that surprise.

This panelling and flow is really well done. I love the short and sweet aside parts that really help building characters and the world. It reads like a television show and I loved it (this is a compliment of how well paced it is).

I was satisfied with a lot but it also left me with so many questions. I liked that Merwan left a lot to the reader’s imagination.

Again, really fun and interesting read with a lot of action and heart. I would love to read the physical copy and I think you should too.

We all need more post-apocalyptic dodgeball in our lives.

Gorgeous and expressive art and there is lots going on in the plot (imperialisms, belonging, survival, athleticism, personal and/vs political, environmental destruction, family, independence, and sports tactics). There's a bit of "chosen one" silliness in the plot, and the resolution is a bit too sports movie pat but this is a book with great worldbuilding and fun characters. Well worth reading.