When Tony Price is drawn to a quiet guy at school, it feels like something is finally going right. Between his dad failing to pay attention to him and his lifelong best friend becoming more and more vicious, Eli Hirsch is the one good thing happening. At least that’s the case until his best friend bullies Eli, his dad continues to barely pay attention to him, and werewolf starts lurking in the woods. Everything happening at once turns his life upside down, but only one thing is making sense: Eli.

This is an absolutely cute and heartwarming story with a little humor that pulls the heartstrings at times. I received a sampler of the book, but I did read the rest of the book on Jeannette Arroyo’s tumblr. When I first got to the end of the sampler, I was left on a cliffhanger as it ends at a pivotal moment. That’s when I decided to check out the author to see if they have published any other books and discovered the entire novel is posted on their tumblr. Even though they currently have it posted, I fully plan on buying the book because I absolutely love it.

We follow Tony and Eli, who are two teenagers trying to get through their last year of high school. As the story picks up, we learn that Tony’s life may seem to be that of a picture-perfect high school star, but he’s actually a little sad and forever chasing after the approval of his father. Meanwhile, Eli appears to be of the flaky weird kid when he’s actually lonely and living with an autoimmune disease that makes him frequently miss school. The more we get to know them, the more the target audience learns that not everything is as it appears on the surface.

While the overall message of the story is wonderful, the way it is told just brings these characters and the story to life. Other than the beautiful artwork, we’re presented a group of characters who each appear as a stereotype on the surface but are full of depth and not the stereotypes they appeared to be. They each bring a different piece of reality to the table and is mixed with a few paranormal elements. I love the way werewolves and ghosts are presented, though the werewolf lore is lacking.

The more we learn about the characters, the smaller details continue to echo life. Even though Tony and his father don’t have the strongest relationship, I loved both characters along with their family dynamic. We also don’t see much of Eli’s family, but his mom is certainly one of the unkind sides of the world.

Much of the story is hinged on acceptance, rejection, and the fear of rejection. I found this particularly realistic, especially based on the character’s lives and what they are going through. Tony teeters on the edge of accepted and rejected, and then there’s new realizations and circumstances that vastly tip in the direction he hopes it doesn’t go. It made a deep impression on me because it stirred up old feelings from when I was a teenager, so this book definitely touches on some important topics.

All in all, I loved the book and look forward to seeing what the author publishes in the future.

I received an e-ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review from the publisher and NetGalley

Wow?? I finished up the first volume and was left a little in shock! The ending of the e-ARC was on a MAJOR cliffhanger. This story has queer, chronic illness, and POC rep which I absolutely love to see in literature. The illustrations matched the spooky vibe of the story SO SO WELL! I also am a massive enemy to lover trope fan so this was right up my alley. My only disappointment with the story was that I felt it ended so abruptly, the characters stories were unfolding little by little, and then suddenly the story ended. I really wish we would have gotten to see the characters' stories unfold and see the characters built up more before the cliffhanger. Either way, the story did leave me wanting more.

This was an intriguing first look at Blackwater! I enjoyed the art style and sense a lot of opportunity for character growth. It does seem to combine the spookiness of early Riverdale with light horror/paranormal. There seems to be great LGBTQ+ representation and I’m looking forward to exploring that more. The end of the sampler was quite the cliffhanger! I’m very curious about the town of Blackwater and look forward to reading the rest of the graphic novel! Blackwater is available July 19, 2022. Thank you to Jeannette Arroyo, Ren Graham, Henry Holt & Co, and Netgalley for a free sampler in exchange for honest feedback.

I really liked what I read so far in this graphic novel. It's a queer story with a spooky plot, and those are things I've very into. I think I'm a little sad that the sample I got ends on a huge cliffhanger so I'm only able to review the first part of the book, but it does make me interested in picking it up once it's released to get a better sense of the complete story.

Tony and Eli couldn't be more opposites attract, and while they seem like enemies at first, it quickly escalates to some kind of attraction. I do wish there was more character development or backstory told in the beginning, especially because we see that Eli might have some kind of chronic illness but don't really know what's going on with it. And Tony goes from thinking Eli is weird to getting pretty heart eyes really fast. I think I just would've like more build up with their characters before we jump right into the supernatural elements.

I'm curious to see where this goes but wish I could have given a more in-depth review.

There is a lot of positives in this graphic novel, we have a diverse cast of characters, including LGBTQ and chronic illness/disability rep, in a visually driven story. Blackwater is billed as Riverdale meets Stranger Things. but for me this felt like Heartstopper meets Teen Wolf but if Heartstopper was a British TV show rebooted for an American audience and unlikely to make it out of the first season. For me, the relationships and a few of the ancillary characters (Biff) just rang a little hollow.

Visually, I really enjoyed the conversation between the two artists and art styles along with the more visual elements of their storytelling. I don't know if this is intended to be a series or a stand-alone, but so much about Blackwater is yet to be answered and the story ends on a cliff hanger so I am hopeful that it does.

Will I pick up a vol. 2? Yes, but I'm not giddy with anticipation and rushing to pre-order it.

Tony is a popular track star at Blackwater High School. Elijah is the outcast, constantly bullied by the popular crowd. But Blackwater isn’t like normal towns, and both Tony and Elijah have to deal with their supernatural challenges.

This is my first time reading a graphic novel like this and I very much enjoyed it! This is obviously the first part of a series since it was basically just the inciting incident of the series, but it was entertaining! I definitely want to see what the rest of the story holds for them, especially since there was a cliffhanger. The art style was very cool, and even though the artist switches each chapter there was still continuity between them. I can’t say much more since it was so short, but I liked it and will keep my eye out for the rest of the series!

What the!!!! What's with that ending?? Where's the rest of it?? I am completely lost!!

This is a super interesting premise and the art perfectly lends itself to a creepy-crawly tone. I am super interested in seeing more development between Tony and Eli, and I utterly detest Biff. I have theories, but I feel like I only got half the story and that is so frustrating!! Like, is this an incomplete arc? I want to know more! That ending was so sudden and wild and I need more!

This is the cutest rom-com-mystery book every. I loved every page! If you have not checked out a graphic novel this would be the first one to try! It will have you hooked!

I want to thank Netgalley and Publishers for this ARC, but I was mildly confused by what I received. Nowhere is this listed as a sample or preview on Netgalley. Samples that I've gotten in the past have been explicitly stated on Netgalley to not be the whole novel. Nonetheless, I'm not going to damage my rating of this preview due to this misstep.

The preview is about a third into the graphic novel. We quickly learn of the two leading characters. One who is a jock and the other who is apparently diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I'm hoping we learn more of these characters through the rest of the novel because of how minor their development is in this first third.

Now to discuss the alternative artistic styles. I thoroughly enjoyed this technique. I don't think it would work for all sorts of graphic novels, but the alternating styles added to the creepy theme of this paranormal novel.

The sample cuts off like a cliffhanger but I'm excited to pick up the full version later this year to see how the story evolves. The sample really was like an exposition, a great exposition, but not enough for me to know if this novel would turn out as a five-star story.

I am not the target audience, as I don't really like horror. And although the horror here is subtle, for the most part, it is still monsters and werewolves, and such, although not right way. At first it appears to be two boys who don't want to admit they are in love.

Typical teen angst, and such, plus there is something out there, stalking them.

Apparently this was done as a web cartoon first, and now it has been collected. I tried to find the story on-line, but is is only the first chapter.

This appears, however to be the first in several volumes, so I can't say what will happen with the cliff-hanger ending.

<em>Thanks to Netgalle¥ for making this book available for an honest review.</em>

Thank you to NetGalley for early access to this title in exchange for a honest review!

I know graphic novels are typically shorter than novels, but the pacing in my opinion seemed to be going on the fast side. Maybe I just wanted to get to know the characters better before jumping into the main storyline, but I found how you go from one event to the next to be a bit off. The ending has me curious what the next installment holds and I’ll be keeping an eye out if its release for sure!!

Edit: the arc I received is a sampler of the graphic novel! So maybe reading this as a whole book could include more character development that I was hoping for.

This was so interesting, but I can't deal with that ending! I have so many questions, and I don't know if this is supposed to be a series or not, but I definitely need a sequel. Tony and Eli were both really interesting characters, and they both had secrets, which it was really frustrating not to know by the end. I need to know more about both of them and what's going to happen next!

DRC provided by Henry Holt and Co. BYR via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: queer biromantic Black Puerto Rican protagonist, queer trans chronically ill protagonist, Black secondary character.

Content Warning: bullying, violence, animal carcass, gore, homophobia, parental neglect, mentions of death.

Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham is a spell-binding contemporary fantasy graphic novel which finds front and centre two beautifully illustrated supernatural boys, a werewolf running amok in the woods, problematic parents and a pinch of high school drama.

The digital review copy I was sent was only a sampler, although it was not specified in the title’s page when I requested it. This review will be for the whole graphic novel though which I finished reading via the authors’ Tumblr’s page.

I really loved both co-creators’ illustration styles and the way they alternated for each chapter was unusual, but quite original and splendid (and I dare say really smart!). The story itself was not exceptionally fresh, but I still really liked it. With graphic novels, as well as with manga, I am always pulled in first by how the visuals look and Blackwater does not only give you one art style, but two. Yes, I already mentioned it above, but it bears repeating because it really is a brilliant technique and it managed to give more oomph to the story.

I think that what acted as a disservice to the narration was how quick the plot proceeded. I am usually all-in with fast paced adventures, but I would have preferred exploring the backstory of both boys and the town a tad more. I felt unresolved issues with Tony’s and Biff’s friendship (and this could be all in my head, but I also felt some veiled transphobia coming from Eli’s mother).

While Eli’s and Tony’s story starts and ends with Blackwater though, I would say that Arroyo and Graham could easily serialise the mysterious and thrilling adventures of the people in the little town of Blackwater and perhaps even continue the boys’ narrative arc. They definitely deserve it.

Blackwater was a quick and engaging reading experience I wholeheartedly recommend, especially if you are feeling very tired and unfocused (like I am at this ongoing moment), but still want to read something intriguing and with great illustrations.

In the haunted town of Blackwater, Maine two boys will face ghosts and monsters... and falling for each other. A paranormal mystery is afoot and two unlikely boys will have to come together and solve whats happening in their town before its too late. Tony Price is a popular high school track star and occasional delinquent... with a giant crush on the quiet boy named Eli. Eli Hirsch is an outcast, he’s shy and quiet and has a chronic autoimmune disorder that destroys his health and social life. When Tony and Eli start spending more time together they start to become unlikely friends.. and if Tony has anything to do with it.. maybe something more. However there is a werewolf curse afoot and a monster in the woods! Filled with cute awkward crush interactions, a fun paranormal mystery, and tons of high-school drama this was an adorable read! It is based on the popular hit webcomic!

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I love a graphic novel, especially if it's spooky. I'm definitely invested in Tony and Eli's story and can't wait to read more! It's not even out yet and I'm already screaming for a sequel! My only qualm is that the plot feels just a little rushed and I wish there was more time spent on Tony and Eli's interactions with each other before the big plot event.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this to our YA/TEEN specialist for consideration!

Blackwater is a fine comics work — maybe aimed at youth, but enjoyable for adults, as well. I liked the blend of realism and lore, and the artwork was appealing.

I'm already hooked! Only 130 pages available to read and I am already invested in the mystery behind what Eli is seeing, his blooming relationship with Tony... oh yeah and then there's that werewolf problem.

Diverse characters, easy to read, and great illustration style, I can't wait to read even more! Fans of high school fantasy and romance stories like Teen Wolf will be more than pleased with Blackwater!

Spooky and unique, this debut graphic novel from Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham sunk its teeth into me from the very first page!

Blackwater follows Tony, a high school jock, and Eli, a quiet boy with health issues, as they find themselves swept up in the paranormal activity stalking the town of Blackwater.

The art styles are immaculate, expressive, and sharp. And while I love how the authors are taking the time to build everything up, it's making me eager for the second volume already!

Classification: Teen Wolf, but it's gay and spooky and fantastically well-executed.

I was really excited to read this, however the file type is not a PDF as indicated, but is an ACSM. In order to download that you need Adobe, which I do not pay for. So unfortunately I cannot review! Leaving a 4 star so as to not mess up the average star rating; I'm sure this is greta and am looking forward to being able to read it in the future :(

So so so good! I got really invested. Only drawback is that it’s not out which means I’m going to have to WAIT to READ THE SEQUEL???? AHHHH! So good!