On a Sunbeam
Ratings91
Average rating4.1
I wanted to love this so bad but it was incredibly boring. The story took very long to develop and become interesting. The art was beautiful and I do like some of Tillie Walden's graphic novels, just not this one. I feel bad for giving it only 2 stars but if I feel like I have to force my way through the story then the book just isn't for me.. I hope a lot of other people get to enjoy it though! :)
I got about a third of the way in and realized I was still waiting to find out why I would care about any of it, or even whether anything was happening.
Contains spoilers
Beautiful art, I especially love the usage of colors. Though, I can't help but find that the first half was much more engaging and felt unorthodox even with how kind of unique and atmospheric the setting felt while it blends in romance and various interpersonal relationships, hinting at trauma or more. The second half was a bit messy, it turned more into an adventure kind of story which also has you a bit in disbelief when the cast invades the most secure and shut off place in the galaxy without any weapons and a local guide? It also handled various ideas and plot lines without giving them time to breathe but I wasn't really engaged to any of them. Still, I enjoyed it overall because the first half did well making me attached to the characters.
I knew once the story started picking up that Mia and Grace weren't just gonna pick up where they left off but gosh darn it I wanted an unrealistic, easy, guaranteed happy ending for both of them. I'll take Mia's content smile at the end and assume it all works out for the two of them.
Good read, lots of emotions. The parallel storytelling was fun, and I like all the interconnected relationships and dynamics.
I love that the spaceships are big fish. A lot more exciting than the standard affair. Would love to see more in this universe.
Biggest fan of all the color pallets, they’re sooooo pretty. I wish I had a space fish too.
2.5 Stars. I thought this book was really interesting at first, and then I realized I was at page 300 and nothing has really happened so far. I don't understand the point of “love missions” in media, where one member of the crew has Feelings, and everyone else decides to help them on a stupid and no-reason quest to a dangerous place just so that member of the crew can feel better. There was no reason for the crew to go to the Staircase at all, especially since they owed Mia nothing. She has been a liability since she got there, especially since she got Char suspended on her first day there. The fact that they all went to the Staircase for no other purpose than Mia wanted to talk to Grace really annoyed me. When they got there, the plan was clearly “stay together”. And then what did Elliot do? Immediately left Mia alone to complete their own side quest that could easily get them killed, all with no precautions whatsoever. I appreciated the art in this graphic novel but I wish the story was better.
First book of 2023!
Such beautiful artwork and story! Right when I saw it at the bookstore and read the synopsis, I knew that this was going to be a 5-star read!
Tbr also deciding between a four and a five.
I think I hesitated due to a lack of male characters and maybe some other minor wrinkle, but decided that Walden's work here is amazing; both the quality of story and characters as well as the artwork.
Love the bonds forged as chosen family.
What a perfect pick-me-up after finishing The Witcher series.
This book is a sci-fi graphic novel, following a group of people that restore old buildings. One day, a young woman is brought on their ship because she has no where else to go. Throughout the novel, we get flash backs to the life she lived before.
This book was so heartfelt, as well as heart-breaking. The story was beautiful and full of my favorite tropes, one of which is found family. I loved all of the characters. They were all so unique and fun. The messages put forth in this book were powerful and beautiful. And the illustrations?!?!? Perfection. I could frame at least half of the pages of this novel. There is also a lot of LGBTQ+ rep in this book that was well executed. Overall, everyone should read this book. It's cute, sad, and beautiful.
TW: misgendering, poisoning, bullying
Really beautiful drawing and universe.
Loved the journey. I was a little bit too confused at some moments by the narration, that's why I gave only 4 stars. But I will def read more of Tillie Walden.
Just not for me. Dropped in mid plot and the characters are hard to distinguish from one another. Maybe I am not as patient a reader as I used to be. The art is beautiful, I must say.
5 stars This is easily one of the best graphic novels I have ever read. Note to self: non-specific ship/fandom but same feels as when I read a good AU fic.
