The Prince and the Dressmaker

5/5

This gets a solid five stars from me, though I could be biased. It was really well-told and illustrated. Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. Even though it was short, I felt like I had read a well-developed story. When I read graphic novels, I often get the impression that they are rushed toward the middle or end because they are running out of pages. This was a nice palate cleanser after reading some heavier or darker books recently. Although a part of me wished I could have read it sooner, I felt it was worth the wait. Like Loveless (Alice Oseman), I was concerned that it would fall short of my expectations. I am pleased to say that it exceeded them. The characters did not come across as just stereotypes. There were minor details that became important later in the books. The stunning artwork aided in bringing the story together. Although many people argue about whether or not this is a queer book, I believe it is. It provides excellent representation for those who are still unlabeled or prefer to remain unlabeled. It demonstrates that you do not have to tell the world who you are and that it is more important to wear what makes you feel comfortable, even if it defies “gender norms.”


I definitely recommend this book, but I would warn people that there is a forced coming-out scene.