Delicates – a review

Delicates is the sequel to Sheets, a cute spoopy graphic novel about sheets coming to life as ghosts in a laundromat. Our main character Marjorie has become close to one of these ghosts, a young boy called Wendell. But when she returns to school she’s finally accepted by the popular girls and is scared of spending too much time with Wendell in case her secret comes out. Everyone would think she was a freak who sees dead people!!

Delicates by Brenna Thummler

Similarly, Delicates is a lovely graphic novel which is aimed at a MG/YA(Middle Grade/Young Adult) audience to talk about difficult topics. Whilst Sheets focuses on grief, Delicates focuses on mental health and bullying.

Sadly, whilst Sheets handled the topic with grace and, ironically, delicacy, Delicates seemed a little too forceful. The message seemed to be pushed so hard that at points it was literally on the page. I’m not sure if it’s just my age not being the target demographic that meant that I found this so blatant and obvious, but it did mean that the beauty of the message was lost for me. I do, however, think that it is of course an incredibly important message for young people to receive and maybe this delivery method would work for more people.

Overall I’ve given this read a low 3 stars (6.43 on CAWPILE to be precise), and I would definitely recommend for people to pick it up. The art style, in my opinion, is gorgeous and the message positive and important. I just don’t feel that it was that well imparted, but as mentioned above I’m not the target audience and this may have paid a part in this.

Publishing tomorrow March 23rd 2021, go check this book out and pick it up if it sounds interesting!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sheets Graphic Novel, a review

This is a lovely and sweet graphic novel that covers grief, and asking for help in times of need, as well as friendship. For such a short plot arc a lot is fitted in and this graphic novel can have quite the impact.

Not only is this a very sweet and unique idea which I quickly fell in love with, with ghosts being real but living in a land apart from ours, but one ghost decides he’s going to help out a girl he’s found, but I can imagine it being very helpful to give to those from around 10/11 years old and up to help them cope with the events happening around them if they experience the loss of a parent. For those who have fortunately not experienced this loss, it is simply a beautifully illustrated graphic novel which will make you think more deeply about how you live your life. Friendship and being kind to those in your community, as well as everyone you come into contact with, are themes within this work.

Thank you to Edelweiss for a free ecopy of this book in return for an unbiased review, I look forward to seeing this on shelves!