This story was the cutest thing ever! Not only was the artwork so freaking beautiful but the story itself was so charming and filled with quirky adventures that captivated me from the start. It was such a feel-good read for me that made my heart feel full by the time I was done.

June is the only person she knows who still has a heart. Everyone else had theirs removed, after a Scientist developed a technique to help people avoid emotional pain. The only problem is, everyone who had their heart removed can't feel anything good either, like art, and June loves art. When June discovers a heart in a jar abandoned in an alleyway, she hopes to find a way to give her sister Maya back her heart so they can be artists together like they were.

The artwork in this graphic novel is stunning, especially the use of color. While a part of me struggled to let go of the lack of medical accuracy, it helped that the story itself is very much like a fairy tale, where the hearts are more a symbol of emotion and perhaps an allegory for taking medication that might dull emotions. The cover indicated that this was for ages 13 & up but I think this is appropriate for middle schoolers especially given how simplified some of the worldbuilding was. However, taking it as an allegory, a high schooler might get more out of it.

The premise of this book is absolutely amazing and one that resonates so clearly with our world's insistence that we not feel the heartbreak in our lives and not take adequate time to grieve. Wilson writes of a future where a doctor discovers how to remove people's hearts, thus taking away any feelings of heartbreak. Our main character, June, refuses to give up her heart, affirming that it's worth it to have the heartbreak to have the beauty and art of life. But when her new friend (who's had his heart removed) begins to have feelings again, June decides to find the infamous doctor who removed the world's hearts and ask her to put them back. A great story of friendship, love, and the necessity to take the good with the bad and feel *all* of life's feelings.

I am having a hard time identifying the genre for The Faint of Heart, it is science fiction but has an element of realistic fiction to it and yet it might be dystopian but the world setting did not seem to be in a state of decline. So I guess I would settle on realistic science fiction with a hint of dystopian. This is not your typical teenage graphic novel, it’s definitely not light and fluffy. I would gear this book more towards mature teenagers that don’t mind a bit of darkness with their reading, I think kids that read manga might be more of the target audience. Fans of Stranger Things might really enjoy this book. The story concept is really interesting, removing and numbing the human heart, making each person void of feelings and motions so they can be focused on school, work, and life. And what happens when patients start to experience side effects from this procedure and what happens to those people that chose not to have the procedure? The Faint of Heart seems to lean more towards a young adult audience or very mature middle graders, the back cover does identify the book for Ages 13 and up. The graphics are excellent, pencil-like drawings with color inserted very strategically throughout the story, it gives the book a very artistic feel. I thought the storyline was very intriguing and it kept me wanting to finish to find out what happens.

This forthcoming YA novel by @kerilynnwilson (that’s totally accessible for younger kids ages 9+) BLEW ME AWAY! I loved the premise, the deeper idea behind the plot, the illustrations, and everything this story represents.

I read this in an afternoon. What a beautiful use of color to tell a story - the past in blue, the soft yellow of a numbed heart bringing emotion to the story.

Who amongst us hasn't wished we could just rip our hearts out to avoid feeling the bad feelings?

This is a story about not doing that, because then you miss out on the good feelings.

It is a beautifully illustrated tale about a girl who holds on to her heart and her humanity, despite the pain of life, and who helps others feel again. I liked that the drawings really forced the reader to experience what the characters were feeling - they were mostly gray with some pops of color to highlight important people or things in the narrative.

It felt gothic, and it was lovely.

It's geared for a middle school or high school audience, but I think people of all ages could enjoy it. If you like dystopians with a heartwarming message, or books like the Giver, you'll probably enjoy this. It also reminded me a bit of the children's book The Color of Things.

Wow! is the perfect word to describe everything this book made me feel.

I loved it. I can't stop mentioning the illustrations, but the story is definitely beautiful.

In this dystopian graphic novel we see how a girl fights to keep her heart and feelings safe, in a world where people have chosen not to feel, to live without emotions or affection.

#TheFaintifHeart #Netgalley

What would you do if you were the only person left with a heart? Delirium by Lauren Oliver meets The Giver by Lois Lowry; The Faint of Heart follows High Schooler June. June is the only one left with a heart. Once upon a time, a Scientist discovered how eradicate pain and sadness by numbing someone's heart. It improved focus, free from distractions. And everyone has had the procedure done. Except for June. June is a lonely artist who has lost all of her friends and family to the numbness. But when people start having complications because of it, it's up to June to find the Scientist and come up with a solution. Even if it breaks her own heart.

The Faint of Heart is a bit depressing, as most Dystopians are. But it ends on a hopeful note. And the illustrations are so beautifully done, they could tell the story all on their on. Even without words.


Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books, Greenwillow Book for providing me with a review copy.

Thank you for the ARC.
What an amazing Debut. This graphic novel is set for teenagers and older. An incredible read. Each page had me turning to the next. Simple and direct sentences. Each picture having its impact. In a way, we live in this type of world. Very heartfelt and heavily recommend this read.
I just reviewed The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson. #TheFaintofHeart #NetGalley
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A creative and romantic story.
The color really carried the story out.
And I love the story board.
The ending is full of hope.
It is a complete and up-lifting story.

Heartwarming, pun fully intended. The Faint of Heart has beautiful illustrations that perfectly couple with an entrancing story. Kerilynn Wilson is able to capture the feeling of being on the outside looking in, and has created a world not too unlike our own, where apathy rules. Absolutely beautiful storytelling.

Full of heart, both literally and metaphorically, The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson is a tender fairytale. The graphite images with only a few colors bring the reader through the story through the eyes of the main character. In a world where almost everyone has chosen to remove their heart to dull their own emotions, one girl has yet to take that step and she makes a friend in her quest to return feeling to her older sister.

If you like soft, tender feelings with gutsy kids at the heart of change I'd give this one a go.

A really beautiful graphic novel where the line work and pen movement really moved the story along with it. It was quick, and short, but I feel like that made space for introspection while reading the story. A real mood of a story.

A beautifully drawn story about the power of emotions and who we give our hearts to. The tremendous line and color work are in perfect concert with the dialogue to tell such a moving story. Readers will be deeply touched by this magical graphic novel.

Objectively, I believe this is a good story that many will enjoy. Wilson shares an interesting take on the importance of "keeping your heart" and having emotions. I know many, myself included, sometimes wish that we didn't have to experience pain, but if eliminating emotional turmoil meant also eliminating all of the good feelings - I couldn't do it either, much like our main character. Personally, this wasn't my favorite story. I wanted to enjoy it more than I did. I think I just wanted it to go a little deeper. I didn't feel emotionally connected, though I can see what the author was trying to express. It just didn't go far enough for me to fully enjoy it. I do think those who enjoy dystopian novels like The Giver might enjoy this book though.

This was an excellent story, and the graphics were some of the best I've seen in a graphic novel. I adored the art style

The story was simple but creative and heartwarming. Highly recommend. I'll definitely be looking into more of the author's/illustrator's work

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

The Faint of Heart by Kerilynn Wilson was a beautifully emotional read. We follow June who lives in a society where a scientist has discovered a way to remove emotions that make people sad or stressed by removing the heart from the body and placing it in a numbing substance. Every one around June begins this process, including her own family, and she finds herself the only person left with a heart. A chain events including a thief stealing jarred hearts as well as people regaining emotions lead June and a new friend on a mission to find answers. Why are emotions suddenly returning for some and is there any way to restore a heart after it has been removed? The story was unique and also very relatable as I can see the reasoning behind removing ones heart. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous and I loved the use of color to enhance the story!

June lives in a society that has started removing their hearts and putting them in numbing solution. This procedure leaves the person unfeeling. June is an artist that loves her family and she isn't so sure about removing her heart. I loved this graphic novel. I found the story very moving and the art was beautiful. I really got a lot out of this graphic novel. I hate to go into too much detail because it is a graphic novel but I would definitely recommend!

This was REALLY interesting. I thought this was such a clever idea to flush out since it’s something that’s discussed in absolute theory and zero probability, but this actually has science behind it. I love that. And it had such a good ending!