Cover Image: Hide: The Graphic Novel

Hide: The Graphic Novel

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I read Hide around Halloween-time last year, and I remember enjoying it for the most part, but felt that the ending got messy and confusing. I love that it has now been translated into a graphic novel as I think this is the perfect avenue for the story.

The art in this was incredible (and without any spoilers, I want a giant poster of the last page of this graphic novel). The transitions were much better and easier to follow, with character names marking the start of their journey. The story stayed true to heart, and actually having the visual element made it scarier and more heartbreaking.

Overall, a really great read that I will want to read again during spooky season.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy!

Was this review helpful?

This adaptation was a bit of a slow burn with things not really picking up until the last 60 or so pages which left me a bit bored, but overall it was still a fun read. This graphic novel was visually stunning- the art and color palette are gorgeous and I really loved the character design. Stays true to the original novel, so if you enjoyed the novel you should definitely give this one a read!

** Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.**

Was this review helpful?

I was absolutely thrilled to learn that Kiersten White’s move Hide was made into a graphic novel and it did not disappoint! The art work in this was incredible and the artists did a wonderful job portraying the feel of the story. I loved seeing these characters and the setting come to life. If you’re a fan of graphic novels and are looking for one with a spookier twist this is it! I truly hope this team will work together again to bring Kiersten Whites next horror novel, Mister Magic to life as well. Thank you for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Last year I ended up reading the book version of Hide and I didn't like it. The moment I saw it was turned into a graphic novel I was ready to give it another chance. I am so happy that I did. I ended up enjoying this so much more than the book. The visuals just helped bring the story together. I feel it just added so much more to it. It's funny because the story from what I remember is pretty much the same. I think it helps that reading the visual novel you can tell the characters apart a lot more. Learning about them from just reading can be a lot. Here even though there were a lot it was easier. Plus there would be parts in the story you'd see these characters wandering alone and it would tell you who you were reading about. This had a bit of gore but isn't very graphic. Also, I enjoyed the artwork as well. I can 100% say if you didn't like the book that was released last year it's worth retrying as a graphic novel. I don't think you'll be disappointed. It really does the story justice. I'm so happy they did this.

Was this review helpful?

A stunningly illustrated version of one of my all-time favorite horror novels.

I read Hide last year when it was first released, and fell in love immediately with Kiersten White's unmistakable talent for crafting dread and horror in the adult thriller genre. The original book would be impossible to beat, but when I originally read it, all I could hope is that one day someone would pluck the vivid imagery from the pages and turn it into an adaption of some kind.

The graphic novel does the original story so much justice by pulling Kiersten's voice from the page and including it next to stunning full color artwork reminiscent of Batman and Archie comics. Never in my wildest dreams could I have hoped for a graphic novel version as good as this one is - it nails the tone, the horror, and the overall theme of the book so well and doesn't miss a single important pacing or plot point.

I'm SO glad to have had a chance to read a pre-release copy of this. This was a joy to revisit in both story and art and I can't wait to add it to my shelf next to my hardback! I can only hope we continue to get incredible graphic novel versions of White's adult horror moving forward because this deserves to be on shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley, Clarkson Potter, and Ten Speed Graphic for providing me a copy of this book for an honest review!

Content warnings: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicide, War, Transphobia/homophobia

Was this review helpful?

Huge thanks to the publisher for letting me read this title in advance!

I loved Kiersten White's "Hide" and this is an excellent graphic novel adaptation. I love the art. The characters are expressive, the backgrounds are interesting, and it's all as vibrantly colorful as the front cover. I love how the story unfolds, the truth of it all revealing itself to the reader at the same time as the characters. The journal excerpts with newspaper clippings adds a fun element to the storytelling. I really love the characters, their relationships, their backstories, and their family histories. It was a lot of fun for me to see a favorite novel come to life as a graphic novel. Maybe best of all is that this comic is really long, so you absolutely will get your money and time's worth.

The one critique I had about the novel was the portrayal of the Veteran character, Ava. The book talks a lot about how she cannot afford treatment for a leg she nearly lost during the Gulf War. My complaint was that that didn't make sense, since the Department of Veterans Affairs was established “to care for him who shall have borne the battle," in the words of Abraham Lincoln. Unless someone was dishonorably discharged from service, a combat Veteran with combat injuries would be service-connected for that disability and would never have to pay for its treatment, and would also likely receive disability compensation. Well, the graphic novel amended that discrepancy! I was pleased to see that while Ava mentions that she could use some money and her old war wound acts up, and she does steal some medication to take care of her immediate pain, she does not imply that the government isn't taking care of her as a combat Vet. So that aspect, I felt, was an improvement.

It did bother me initially, though, that Ava is dressed in apparent military uniform, and improperly, off-duty with dog tags hanging out and jacket undone. She also has a stereotypical buzz cut. The same critique I had of the novel is that there are SO many service persons and Veterans that could be interviewed and asked about accurate military portrayal in media to get these details right, and again it seems like nobody bothered to try that. But the look grew on me after a while so I decided I didn't mind so much. She's still my favorite character. And I can see where putting her in a stereotypical "costume" would make her background more obvious to the reader and other characters. It's just something I feel a bit nitpicky about.

My last comment is that for the most part this graphic novel is eerie and terrifying and riveting. You feel anxious and want to know what's happening, and what's going to happen, and the events that unfold are horrifying. But I have to say that the "villain" character is drawn so adorably that I couldn't be afraid of them. And I mean...if the publisher made a stuffed animal version, I would buy it, give it a cutesy name, and cuddle it in bed. I know the very concept of the enemy is terrible and I should be afraid of what they do and what they are, but the drawing is super, super cute. I'm sure that's not what the creators were going for. But it is SO cute. I'm not even mad about it. I'm just saying...it's so. stinking. cute!

I already placed a preorder for this book from my local comic shop because I LOVED it. I had such a great time and will read it again.

Was this review helpful?

I'm just gonna be forthright here and state that I absolutely loved the print version of Hide, and that when I read it last year it ended up in my top five horror books of 2022. so it's not necessarily a surprise that I loved the graphic novel just as much.

in fact, I remember reading Hide and thinking that some illustrations peppered throughout might have been helpful (and/or spookier), particularly for the cryptic journal entries. I love a monster that is difficult to imagine so it kinda surprised me how much fun it was to see the monster as it was intended. I had pictured them pretty significantly differently but it was cool to see the design through a new perspective. (the eyes were absolutely rad.)

the art is top notch, especially for this wild plot. the colors are saturated and washed out somehow simultaneously; blood splatter is outrageously red and glossy, but sunshine and tall grass is soft and gauzy. just an amazing pairing between story and artists imo.

if you read and liked Hide, give this a shot. it was cool to revisit the story and see all the characters physically realized. if Hide is on your TBR but you don't think you'll get around to it for a couple years, pick this up. I don't believe it's any weaker than the print book and might tempt you into coming back for the book anyway. if you've never heard of Hide and were simply drawn here because of that incredible cover (right?!? the colors are phenomenal), pick this up anyway. you might surprise yourself and find a new favorite.

5/5 stars

[but who's gonna be the nicest gas station attendant in Pocatello, Idaho now huh?!?!]

rep - sapphic mcs (2)
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this book.

I loved the written version of <i>Hide</i> so I was excited to learn that it was going to be released as a graphic novel.

I loved the illustration style and how it changes at certain points (a bit spoiler if I told you).

The atmosphere is kind of lost from the original but I loved to see what was described and it actually fit pretty well with what I thought. Though I will say that I wasn’t anticipating that a certain character (once more, a bit spoilery) would be drawn that way but I still enjoyed that.

The pacing is a lot faster than the original novel which made it easier to read.

Was this review helpful?

I did not read the novel, however, this graphic novel was excellent. The art is beautiful and grotesque which adds to the nature of the "game". Who can turn down a "demon gives you what you want, so you owe the demon" plot? Every minute of reading this novel was full of anticipation and interest. What a great graphic that will keep readers interested.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to receive a copy of this. I’d enjoyed the novel earlier in the year and was pleased to discover that it was being adapted into this format. And I have to say, I might actually prefer this from a subjective reading experience. Great illustrations and not overly long. Definitely more directed to YA.

Was this review helpful?

I am such a huge fan of Kiersten White stories. I hadn't read Hide yet and the graphic novel version does not disappoint. I really enjoyed the illustrations. It's a perfect creepfest of a horror graphic novel

Was this review helpful?

This is the PERFECT companion to get a visual representation of the suspense hide and seek game. I could actually put a face to characters, which gave my mind a break from deciphering who each character is. It still gave me the chills and I only recommend you do not read it at night like I did to avoid paranoia.

Was this review helpful?

Great story and graphics. Easy to follow and kept me gripped enough that I read it in one sitting. The back stories, constant change of character perspectives and twists throughout kept it interesting. Would have liked it to have a little more horror but never the less I enjoyed it,

Was this review helpful?

*ARC provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review*

What happens when you join a game of hide and seek for money and it turns deadly? Slowly, players go missing, and the question remains... will you survive the night? Or will you find death's door?

Let me tell you! This graphic novel held me captive in the edge of my seat desperate to know what would happen next. Who would survive and who would be crowned victorious? Would anyone? The characters are fun and realistic, their empathy and reactions feel honest and true. I seriously could spend hours raving about how much I loved this. Not to mention the art? Wonderful and astounding. Totally worth the purchase if you ask me, and I am excited to pick up a copy of it myself when it drops in September!

Was this review helpful?

review:This graphic novel was adapted from White's book Hide. Although I had heard pretty good things and had it on my TBR, when I saw this graphic novel of the book I jumped at the chance to read it. The illustrations in the book are delightful with a classic gritty comic book vibe and some seriously vivd colors that render the story in a neon colored hell scape. The story itself is very good. It's obviously not a regular game of hide and seek, but when people end up murdered by something and strange occult-y books and renderings are found throughout the abandoned amusement park that makes up the setting, it's very clear that something more than just a weird child's game with a huge prize at the end. The overall lore was well thought out, the plot and pace was great for a graphic novel, and there was very little left to question at the end. Often with books turned graphic, there's something lost in translation in the story. Although I didn't read the original, I felt very satisfied with where this book went and the loose ends were minimal if not nil by the end. Thanks to Netgalley, White, and Ten Speed Press for the advanced copy in exchange for this honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This was such a creepy horror graphic novel. Quite a bit of gore, so fair warning going into it.

I really enjoyed this story. There were definitely a lot of twists that I wasn't expecting! I was on the edge of my seat for most of it.

The art was amazing and really set the eerie tone of the park while still being so vibrant and eye catching.

Was this review helpful?

As a graphic novel this was extremely detailed and the illustrations amazingly done. I’ve been a fan of the author for a while and read most of her books. I enjoyed this one also but maybe not as much as previous works. I was hoping for more scare factor and more detail as at times I felt like I’d missed something as it moved so quickly.
Overall I enjoyed it and the graphics were outstanding.

Was this review helpful?

I honestly do not know which version I enjoyed more: the novel or the graphic novel. I like having more background/expanded info in the novel, but I like seeing the story visually. I feel like after seeing the graphic novel it would make a fun horror movie.

I was really excited to see how the illustrator would depict the "Seeker" and was not disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an advanced copy to review.

Was this review helpful?

This graphic novel of Hide is, visually, a vibrant contrast to the actual novel (which is a fun read). I love the illustrations and how the colors elevate the creepy fun of an amusement park and help to distort the true and evil intentions of the "game" and towns people involved. This adaptation streamlines the reader to all the good, juicy parts.
Its always fun to have a visual representation of characters and scenery, however I definitely had a more menacing monster rattling around in my brain when I first read Hide.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

Was this review helpful?

I think my opinion of Hide is colored a bit by the fact that I've already read the novel by Kierstin White. While I liked the illustration style, overall the graphic novel felt a little unnecessary to me. I liked it better when I was imagining the monster, the theme park, etc. I do see the appeal for readers who aren't already familiar with the story so I'll still recommend it for folks looking for thriller or horror graphic novels.

Was this review helpful?