Member Reviews

the book will remain a bittersweet memory to me. i adored dylan as a character and their growth goes far and beyond. leighton, however, wasn't my favorite. i wanted her to take charge of the story, stand up to her parents, and have a better character development. i understand that isn't realistic enough for all teens to experience, but i think part of why i read is to be free of those irl expectations and repeated outcomes. definitely could've gone better for me in that aspect but a good read overall.

Was this review helpful?

This comic/graphic novel is essentially about two kids who are sent to a summer camp for troubled youth because of an incident in the past. They both have to get a good evaluation, or they'll be sent to an alternative high school. The story follows their camp experience and their relationship; past and present.

This one hit close to home regarding the relationship dynamic of Leighton and Dylan, and in retrospect, I feel like this story will stick with me for a long while.

I loved how this story was told. We switched between different times and it all builds up to big events in the story! The tension was strong with this one. The storytelling itself was amazing as well! I was captivated and it had very well-structured sections that held my attention.

Big shoutout to the art style, because that was pure perfection and I adored every slide! I loved the diversity of the characters :) One of our main characters was on the asexual spectrum and the other one was non-binary! The side characters were so freaking cool, btw! Also, first time ever that there was a character that looked exactly like me 😭💜 Plus-size, chin-length dyed hair, and wears shorts all the time. I didn't see much of them, but that's a core reading memory right there!

If you like messy relationship dynamics, tension, great queer rep, mysteries, and camp stories; this one's for you!
I definitely recommend this graphic novel!!

Was this review helpful?

The more I sit with this graphic novel, the less it sits well with me. I didn't enjoy these characters or their resolution. My hopes for this fell flatter than a poorly made paper airplane.

Was this review helpful?

I love how the author explores the complexities of feelings, sexuality and relationships with so much nuance and care. I love the artwork and use of different colour tones to separate past and present timelines and I enjoyed the character growth.

Was this review helpful?

It's Gay and it's meh...

I wanted to like this book so much I tried to get into it. With a queer romance and one of the main characters being queer/non-binary...

But it just ended up falling flat... I couldn't truly find myself rooting for Dylan or Leighton or even excited to truly intrigued to find out what landed them in this place by the time we got there.

I'm not sure if I'm just not the demographic for this book (since these are 8th grade peeps!) Or if it's fully that these peeps are that flat...

Was this review helpful?

This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it! I am giving this book three stars, as I don't want to give it a good or bad rating, since I did not get to it and we have to leave a star rating.

Was this review helpful?

Well, I love graphic novels and this one was great and attractive. Furthermore, it talks about important topics (REALLY WELL WRITEN btw) like queer identities.

I think it is a good book, because it is really easy to read. I love that in graphic novels and the way can talk about different issues in our society in simply and interesting ways, that leave us addicted until the end. This one wasn´t different and because of that was a nice read.

About the plot, I liked it, and the way it shifts between the past and present. Furthermore, I could identify myself in some situations of the stories which made me like it even more.

I cannot not talk about the art style, it’s so pretty and the colours… I loved it so much, it’s so beautiful.

So, as you can tell I recommed it to everyone!!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportuny.

Was this review helpful?

Paper Planes by Jennie Wood is a poignant and moving coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of friendship, self-discovery, and the aftermath of tragedy. The novel follows high schoolers Leighton Worthington and Dylan Render, who are sent to a summer camp for troubled youth after a tragic event. The two have always been inseparable, but the challenges of camp and their personal journeys of self-discovery force them to confront the incident that threatens their futures and explore the type of person they want to be.

The novel is expertly crafted, with well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. The author does an excellent job of exploring the dynamics of friendship and the complexities of the teenage experience. The novel is set against the backdrop of a summer camp for troubled youth, which adds an element of tension and suspense to the story.

One of the strengths of Paper Planes is its exploration of the aftermath of tragedy and the impact it can have on young people. The novel does an excellent job of capturing the confusion, pain, and uncertainty that can arise in the wake of a traumatic event. The author also explores the power of self-discovery and the importance of finding one's own path in life.

Overall, Paper Planes is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that will stay with readers long after they've finished reading it. The novel is a testament to the power of friendship, self-discovery, and the human spirit.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this graphic novel. The narrative and the message was brilliant. Shifting between past and present, it was a great way to tell the story, it was confusing at some points, but I still enjoyed the story. I really enjoyed how the art tied in with the storytelling.

Was this review helpful?

The author's poignant writing style evokes many emotions, from heartache to hope. It is a moving tale that reminds us of the extraordinary strength within each of us, urging us to embrace our dreams and never stop reaching for the skies.

Was this review helpful?

Two teens go to a summer camp for troubled youth after being involved in an incident from their past.

Jennie Wood does an excellent job of meshing past and present day pages in the graphic novel: one has white gutter/margin space, and the other has off white. Not sure if that was just my platform or everyone's, but it worked!!)

Definitely bittersweet for sure! Friendship breakups are the worst, but new friendships that are healthier are the best.

Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the eARC.

Was this review helpful?

For some reason this was hard for me to get into the story. I think it was more the pace of it though. It made me uneasy that Dylan and Leighton was sent to a therapy program aka "summer camp." I think that set the tone for the story for me. I would like to reread this again in the future. Just to make sure I understood all the references that I may have missed.

I love the illustrations! They were great.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Sadly it was difficult for me to follow through with this book and the reason is kind of sad as well.
I hard a very hard time reading the text and that made the enjoyment of the book decrease considerably.
I like the illustrations but the text was too tiny to follow, or maybe it was the quality of the ARC, or my tablet, hard to tell.
Thank you for sending me a copy regardless! I am happy others have enjoyed it more and it has found its audience!

Was this review helpful?

I liked “Paper planes”.
I liked the atmosphere of the story, the main characters and the play of colors that continued throughout the book.

What captivated me the most was reading about queer identities, as the book developed this issue so well!

I confess that it was a little difficult to follow the timeline, it required a lot of concentration.
Still, it was a pleasant read and I recommend it!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Cativante, divertido, contém pautas relevantes. arte inovadora e enredo intrincado. Difícil parar de ler.

Was this review helpful?

Paper Planes is a coming of age, queer graphic novel featuring a number of queer characters (including a non-binary protagonist). The art style is absolutely gorgeous. The author has an amazing grasp on the way teens communicate and work through finding themselves and going through conflict.

Was this review helpful?

Queer coming of age graphic novels are truly the key to my heart, and this one was seriously a treat.
Firstly, the art style was lovely. A big part of my enjoyment of graphic novels, naturally, is my enjoyment of the art, and how strongly it makes me want to stop and stare at each panel just a little longer. Paper Planes achieved that.
Now for the substance of the story. I was truly moved by this book. The nuanced exploration of gender, sexuality, emotions, and relationships was wonderfully executed. I will be recommending this title to customers interested in Heartstopper, The Prince and the Dressmaker, Mooncakes, and other queer YA graphic novels.

Was this review helpful?

I found this book to be a delightful read with its captivating cover and an engaging storyline. It was a fast-paced, enjoyable book that I couldn't put down.

Was this review helpful?

I love love lived the art style. The story was greattt and it is an overall great read. Would recommend <3

Was this review helpful?

Couldn’t stop reading. I loved the evolving relationships and emotional dynamics as well as the representation of different sexualities.

Was this review helpful?