You Hold Me Up is a lovely picture book that teaches children empathy, compassion, love and the importance of supporting one another. I’ve read this book twice so far and the second read was as sweet and heartwarming as my first time through.
Danielle Daniel’s illustrations are bright, colourful and happy. I loved that the principles outlined in this book are shown clearly relating to children’s interactions with not only their peers, but also adults and family.
I particularly loved the author’s note at the end of the book that provided deeper meaning to this project, that of much needed reconciliation and healing for Canada’s Indigenous population as a result of 150 years of abuse suffered by children in Indian Residential (boarding) Schools.
Thank you very much to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
This vibrant picture book, beautifully illustrated by celebrated artist Danielle Daniel, encourages children to show love and support for each other and to consider each other’s well-being in their everyday actions.
Consultant, international speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote You Hold Me Up to prompt a dialogue among young people, their care providers and educators about reconciliation and the importance of the connections children make with their friends, classmates and families. This is a foundational book about building relationships, fostering empathy and encouraging respect between peers, starting with our littlest citizens.
When orphan Anne (with an e) Shirley is sent to live with siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in place of the boy they had requested to assist them with the farm work, neither could have imagined how this redheaded, freckled spit fire would impact their lives. Spirited, passionate and a chatterbox with a heart of gold who manages to accidentally get herself into trouble quite frequently, Anne transforms Green Gables and Avonlea with her presence. Kindred spirits with best friend Diana and ruthlessly competitive with Gilbert, who she’d swear she despises, Anne is one of those characters that never leaves your heart once she takes up residence.
While I fell in love with Megan Follows’ Anne in the 1985 miniseries of Anne of Green Gables and have watched it, along with its sequels, more times than I can count, and own the most beautiful hardcover 100th anniversary edition of the book, I feel I need to admit my utter failure to ever manage to be able to get into the book. I’m so sorry, L.M. Montgomery! I absolutely adored this graphic novel edition of Anne of Green Gables so much that I’m now determined to move Ms. Montgomery’s novel higher up my TBR pile and attempt it again.
Kindred spirits the world over, those long time friends of Anne and those meeting her for the first time, are going to be entranced by Mariah Marsden’s graphic novel adaptation of this classic. Faithful to the story and characters I know and love, Mariah has made Anne accessible to those who may not have come across her otherwise and reminded those of us who already love her why she will always have a place in our hearts.
Brenna Thummler’s whimsical illustrations match the story perfectly. She brings out the individual quirks and characters of each person she illustrates. Her bright, cheerful images transport you to Avonlea and make you want to take up residence.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. I hope to see Mariah and Brenna team up again in the near future to tackle Anne sequels in the same format.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Schoolyard rivalries. Baking disasters. Puffed sleeves. Explore the violet vales and glorious green of Avonlea in this spirited adaptation.
The magic of L.M. Montgomery’s treasured classic is reimagined in a whimsically-illustrated graphic novel adaptation perfect for newcomers and kindred spirits alike. When Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide to adopt an orphan who can help manage their family farm, they have no idea what delightful trouble awaits them. With flame-red hair and an unstoppable imagination, 11-year-old Anne Shirley takes Green Gables by storm.
Anne’s misadventures bring a little romance to the lives of everyone she meets: her bosom friend, Diana Barry; the town gossip, Mrs. Lynde; and that infuriating tease, Gilbert Blythe. From triumphs and thrills to the depths of despair, Anne turns each everyday moment into something extraordinary.
OK, so on the cover Harry has rockets attached to his shoes and his shirt has a picture of Einstein sticking his tongue out on it. I’m in!!! Harry wants to be a superhero and loves to make superhero inventions to make himself more superhero-ish, although they don’t always work quite the way he plans. Superhero Harry has four stories.
In The Superhero Project Harry’s teacher, Ms. Lane, gives his class an assignment to give a presentation at the end of the week about how they are a superhero in their everyday life. Harry is determined to make his best superhero invention yet. Will Harry win the prize for the best presentation?
In The Recess Bully a new boy, Jeremy, joins Harry’s class at Parker Elementary. Jeremy is mean to Harry and his friends at recess each day. Harry tells his parents about Jeremy’s bullying and they suggest Harry try talking to Jeremy again, but Harry thinks he can solve the bullying problem and reclaim recess for himself and his friends with a brand new superhero invention.
In The Runaway Robot Harry is fed up with doing chores. His solution? Super Roby, his latest invention. Super Roby works so well Harry decides to bring him to the class science fair. Can Harry find a solution when something goes wrong?
In The Wild Field Trip Harry’s class is going on a field trip to the zoo. His latest invention will make him a super swinger like monkeys, his favourite animal. You know by now that where Harry is, adventure is sure to follow.
While each story can be read separately, they’re best read in order. Children and parents alike will love Harry and Macy, his best friend, classmate, next door neighbour and superhero sidekick. Amongst other things, Harry is funny, clumsy, adventurous, smart, and a good friend.
Rachel Ruiz has created a superhero whose optimism and determination will endear him to readers, and whose exploits will keep them entertained. Steve May’s illustrations are brilliant! They’re so bright, colourful, full of life and draw you in. Just seeing the cover or flipping through the book, you just know the story has to be fantastic if the illustrations are this good.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read this book. Apprentice superheroes everywhere are going to love Harry. I’m going to be rereading this book and hope to see future books featuring more of Harry and Macy’s adventures. Mission complete! Over and out!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Harry is a bit messy and a lot clumsy. But he truly believes he is a superhero. He constantly leaves messes and chaos in his wake, yet he still manages to make every situation better. So who’s to say he isn’t a superhero? This comical early chapter book series will prove that having a positive attitude and energetic spirit are just as heroic as fighting evil villains.
I feel like I need to start this review with a content warning for the rape scene. If you’ve picked up this book and read the blurb you know it’s coming and if you haven’t read the blurb the first sentence of the book tells you it’s coming. Still, if this is a trigger for you please be safe while reading this book. If you don’t read any further and you’ve experience sexual assault, please know you are not alone and it was not your fault!
This is such an important book. Anne Cassidy has written a book about a serious topic but I enjoyed reading it, except for the rape scene but that’s a no brainer. Of course I wasn’t going to enjoy that bit. Anne made me care about Stacey, her main character, and I felt like I was being let in on Stacey’s private thoughts and experiences. Stacey wasn’t a cardboard cutout character. She had depth. She was real. I could imagine being friends with her if I went to her school.
SPOILER WARNING + maybe just the slightest chance of a therapy session worthy rant to follow
I’m absolutely incensed with the rape in this book, and that’s a good thing. Why? I wouldn’t want to be able to read a book written this well about such a painful subject and not feel, not cry, not want to punch at least one person. It made me want to vomit and I wanted to physically attack both Marty and Harry. Because Anne Cassidy has done a brilliant job with this book and with this subject matter you should have a visceral reaction reading it. Anne’s definitely done something right to get me this riled up.
I don’t know who I hated more, Marty for raping Stacey or Harry for grooming Stacey for his brother. I don’t know. Maybe let’s call it a tie and say they deserve equal amounts of venom.
I appreciated that the set up for this rape wasn’t cut and dry. Stacey had said yes to Harry, but not to Marty. She’d willingly gone alone to a stranger’s apartment with a stranger. She’d been drinking earlier in the day. The reason why I’m glad this was the scenario? So I could say that regardless of every single one of these factors, nothing Stacey did or didn’t do causes any blame to fall on her. She did not give consent so not one of those other details count. She was raped, no ifs, ands or buts. No matter what the circumstance, sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. 100% of the responsibility lies with the perpetrator.
This will sound so weird but hold on; I’ll clarify. I was so glad that Harry’s character was just another school kid, although a rich one, that he had personality plus, he was interested in Stacey’s designs, he offered to help make her dream of being a fashion designer come one step closer … He was a nice guy!
That’s important because despite what the media tells us and what is easier to believe, the majority of sex offenders aren’t dirty old men with trench coats. Sex offenders are peoples’ family, friends, neighbours, workmates, male and female – ordinary people who you would probably like if you had a conversation with them and didn’t know their history. It’s important for young people reading this book to know this!
This book was realistic. Stacey’s dissociation during the rape, her response afterward, her hesitancy at telling anyone, especially the Police … all normal reactions to a horrific experience.
I was so sad that Stacey didn’t feel she could go to her family with this but loved that Stacey had a friend who supported her after she found out about the rape. I love that Patrice recommended Stacey talk to someone at a Rape Crisis Centre. Rape Crisis Centre workers are by and large the most empathetic, understanding, supportive, caring individuals you will ever come across. Nothing you say will shock them as they’ve heard it all before and they will believe you.
I’m a bit ambivalent about Patrice using the “If you don’t report him to the Police, how will you feel if he does it to someone else?” argument, but totally understand why she did it. It’s a difficult thing as a support person to not want to say that sentence because you care about your friend/loved one and you don’t want anyone else to experience what they’re going through. It’s a really tough one, whether to report or not to report, and it’s an individual choice.
The person who has experienced sexual assault often feels more than enough self blame and shame (although they’re not to blame and have done nothing worthy of shame) in the aftermath of their assault without having the guilt of not protecting innumerable other potential victims on their conscience. I’m all for getting offenders off the streets but with such low conviction rates, even reporting a sexual assault to try to protect future victims may not even work because in reality there’s the chance charges may not even be laid. Having said that, if they’ve assaulted you chances are they’ve already done it to at least one other person and they’re likely to continue assaulting more people after you.
Please hear that I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t report to the Police but pressure from other people one way or another adds to an already seemingly unbearable weight. There is no one size fits all answer. I’ve done both (reported to the Police and not reported to the Police) but I still couldn’t begin to tell you what you should do in this situation. I know the benefits and pitfalls of both choices.
I want all young people to read this book. It’s an important educational tool for those who haven’t experience sexual assault. It’s also important for those who have because it says, “You are not alone”, “It was not your fault”, that talking about what happened can help. I loved that this book ends with Stacey taking the first steps toward healing. I was cheering her on the whole time. Well done, Anne! You’ve taken such a difficult topic to talk and write about and left the reader with hope.
So, after this rant, do I want to read the sequel? You bet I do! I can’t wait to read about how Stacey takes her power back and I look forward to seeing those brothers get what’s coming to them. Oh, I hope they get what’s coming to them! I’m emotionally invested in Stacey and I need to travel the next part of her story with her. If I had the sequel with me I’d be starting it immediately but since it hasn’t been released yet (come on, September!!) I think I’ll relax with a nice, calming, sweet children’s book instead.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
My name is Stacey Woods and I was raped.
Stacey is the victim of a terrible sexual attack. She does not feel able to go to the police, or talk about it to anybody other than her best friend, Patrice. Patrice, outraged, when she cannot persuade her to go to the police, encourages Stacey to write everything down. This is Stacey’s story.
Major nerd points to Kristy Acevedo! This book took me such a long time to finish, not because I was bored but because I didn’t want it to be over! I wanted to spend more time with Alex and the crazy lady. My favourite characters in this book were the crazy lady (she was also my favourite from the first book but I admit I was wrong about who I thought she’d turn out to be), the loveable cuddly bear Dr A., and SIDEKICK.
When I received a copy of Contribute from NetGalley I took a closer look and realised it was the second book of a two book series. I was so excited about Contribute but made the decision to take the plunge and buy the first book (Consider) and read that first. I’m so glad I did! While Contribute could be read as a standalone if you really, really wanted to, you gain so much from having experienced Consider first. The first book was a 5 star book for me and this one has to be as well. It’s not often that second books in a series don’t fall flat on their paperback faces.
I won’t wreck either book for you because you need to read them for yourself but during the first book the world is counting down to an apocalypse and individuals are given the choice to stay on earth and hope for the best, even though it’s an extinction level event, or take a chance on the unknown by travelling through a hologram (vertex) to a parallel world. During the second book you follow the final person through the vertex to whatever is on the other side. The blurbs give you more information than this but I’d recommend reading the first book before looking at the blurb for this one.
While the first book had a large focus on Alex’s mental health and it’s still explored in this book to a lesser degree, the overall feel of this book felt darker than the first book to me. I loved the darkness and felt it was necessary in this book. There was a war to fight after all.
Reading this book reminded me of one of lines from Powder (love that movie!!!) that Jeff Goldblum’s character says, “It’s become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity.” This quote is generally attributed to Einstein although there’s no evidence he ever said it, but that’s not my point. Contribute offers one possible outcome for society when technology beyond our wildest dreams becomes available and raises so many questions.
Do you trust what the leaders of another society tell you if you never see them in person, only as holographic representations?
If you had the chance to live a life of leisure with free food, free accommodation, free entertainment, free everything, and no work, and all you had to do in exchange was pledge that upon your death your mind minus emotions would be used to power the society for a set period of time, would you do it?
If it sounds too good to be true, is it?
Possibly most importantly, if you had clothes that allowed you to change their holographic design at whim, could you pull off an ocean themed design with sharks swimming across it?
Just like in book one, I spent most of my time reading a few paragraphs, then highlighting either a sentence or a paragraph, then rereading my highlighted passage, then reading a few paragraphs, then highlighting … You get the point. Lots of wonderfully thought out sentences that made me pause and want to think about them and save them for future rereads.
My only real quibble with this book is that the final act felt a bit rushed to me. There was such a lead up to it and yet it felt like, we’re fighting, we’re fighting, we’re winning, we’re losing, we’re … What? It’s over? Although to be fair, maybe I just didn’t want the series to finish.
Ms Acevedo, I really hope you’re hard at work writing your next book. No pressure or anything but I’m sitting here waiting for it!
Oh, and a review of this book wouldn’t be complete without a creepy “May your contribution lead to freedom”.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Flux for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
The holograms lied to everyone on Earth and only Alexandra Lucas knows the truth. Now she’s trapped in the year 2359 without family or friends —worse, without her anxiety medication. Alex attempts to reconcile the marvelous scenery, technological advances, and luxurious living with the knowledge that the holograms weren’t being completely honest — what else are they lying about?
With a secret that could shatter her society, Alex tries to find her place among strangers, convicts, and a rebellion striving to bring the holograms down. Alex struggles to find the best way to reveal the truth and reunite with those she loves. But when surrounded by beauty and every convenience, Alex wonders if truth becomes irrelevant in a perfect world.
Mr. Clutterbuck is reserved and quite boring during the day, consistently turning down offers from people to join them in fun activities. However during his sleepwalking expeditions he becomes a town hero by singlehandedly putting an end to the rivalry between two biker gangs, preventing the impending bankruptcy of the sausage factory and helping a rock band out of a rut, amongst other exciting things. Gus, Mr. Clutterbuck’s faithful guinea pig, tags along to ensure Mr. Clutterbuck remains safe while he wanders around the town asleep.
Translated from Finnish by Jill Timbers, I don’t know if anything was lost in the translation but if it was it didn’t matter. The names of the characters are a hoot! Rip and Roar are leaders of rival biker gangs, Wally Wurst is a hippopotamus that owns a sausage factory and one of the policemen is called Constable Fuzz!
Kids are going to love hearing the jumbled words that come out of Mr. Clutterbuck’s mouth when he’s sleepwalking. I couldn’t tell you why but Mr. Clutterbuck’s voice in my head sounded exactly like Wallace from Wallace & Gromit.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy finding new things in the pictures each time they open the book, like a car on a roof or a snake playing drums in a rock band. Even if you had no interest in this book based on the story I’d still recommend it for the illustrations alone. They’re detailed, quirky, funny and the animals are fantastic!
I’ve already spent a lot of time looking closely at all of the pictures to try and ensure I haven’t missed anything but even so I’m sure I have. There’s just so much to look at! Keep your eye out for the cutest fuzzy little spider with a top hat and cane in the majority of illustrations, adorable bats, and the spoon thief who’s lurking around throughout the book.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Archipelago Books for the opportunity to read this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Mr Clutterbuck is blissfully unaware of his reputation as the fittest and busiest sleepwalker in town.
The Social Butterfly just broke my cute-meter! It’s such a lovely picture book with a great message and the sweetest illustrations.
Charlotte is a gorgeous purple butterfly who makes new friends everywhere she goes. She loves talking, singing and telling jokes, and she also loves school. When her constant chattering one day results in her friends missing out on eating lunch, not being able to concentrate on reading or their maths worksheet in class, or not hearing something important their teacher Miss Flora says, they each get upset with Charlotte. Charlotte talks to Miss Flora about her fears that her friends don’t like her anymore. Will Charlotte take Miss Flora’s advice?
This book has a great message for all of the young social butterflies out there about learning when it is appropriate to talk, laugh and play with your friends and when you need to be quiet and pay attention.
The writing style was engaging and the illustrations were adorable! The layout has been well thought out and the font choice complements the soft colour palette of the illustrations. The childrens’ expressions leave no room for confusion regarding what they’re feeling and the children themselves are simply the cutest little insects ever! The backgrounds are detailed and I loved the attention to detail. I especially loved Miss Flora’s chipped upside down teacup table.
After reading this book I had convinced myself I wanted to live in a mushroom and be friends with Charlotte. I think I want to be a butterfly as well but since my favourite colour is already taken, I may have to be blue instead.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Capstone for the opportunity to read this book. This book would make a fantastic bedtime story and I’d also love to see it in schools and libraries. I’d enjoy reading this book over and over. Charlotte now has a place in my heart.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Charlotte loves talking, singing, and playing. What Charlotte doesn’t love is sitting still, being quiet, and listening, which is a big problem at school. Charlotte’s overly social ways interfere with her friendships and her learning. Will Charlotte be able to modify her behaviour and learn when to be social and when to be quiet? A sweet and relatable picture book story that shines a light on social behaviours.
Lacy J. Davis has nailed it in this graphic novel memoir of her battle with an eating disorder in Ink in Water. She bravely takes the reader on a journey with her from its inception with thoughts of not being good enough to the beginnings of food restriction and anorexia, to compulsively exercising and finally bulimia. We watch on as her world shrinks along with her body, as she shuts out friends while her obsession with her body takes hold. We’re taken inside her mind as she battles the thoughts telling her she’s too fat and we silently cheer her on from the sidelines as we watch her courageously fight to become healthy again and triumph over her demons.
While everyone fighting an eating disorder is on their own journey, Lacy takes us on an unflinching ride through hers. Not sugarcoating (yeah, I know, weird word to use in a review for a book about eating disorders) her struggles, yet ultimately giving us hope, this book will speak to everyone who has had, has or knows anyone with an eating disorder. People who can’t understand why they just don’t eat more or why they don’t just stop exercising so much will gain much needed insight into what life with an eating disorder looks and feels like.
There are as many stories behind why eating disorders begin as there are people struggling with them and what works for one person may not work for another as they work towards recovery. I applaud Lacy for showing us that recovery from eating disorders isn’t a success only path but that ultimately there is hope.
Jim Kettner’s illustrations are gritty and take us deeper into Lacy’s journey than we could have gone with words alone. We become a part of Lacy’s struggles and her grief, we’re inside her head listening to the voices telling her she’s not enough and we feel the hope that shines through despite her struggle.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and New Harbinger Publications, Inc. for the opportunity to read this graphic novel. If you have an eating disorder I encourage you to keep fighting, don’t stop searching until you find treatment that works for you and hold onto hope. Recovery is possible. Yes, even for you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
At once punk rock and poignant, Ink in Water is the visceral and groundbreaking graphic memoir of a young woman’s devastating struggle with negative body image and eating disorders, and how she rose above her own destructive behaviours and feelings of inadequacy to live a life of strength and empowerment.
As a young artist living in Portland, Lacy Davis’ eating disorder began with the germ of an idea: a seed of a thought that told her she just wasn’t good enough. And like ink in water, that idea spread until it reached every corner of her being. This is the true story of Lacy’s journey into the self-destructive world of multiple eating disorders. It starts with a young and positive Lacy, trying to grapple with our culture’s body-image obsession and stay true to her riot grrrl roots. And while she initially succeeds in overcoming a nagging rumination about her body, a break up with a recovering addict starts her on a collision course with anorexia, health food obsession, and compulsive exercise addiction. At the request of her last real friend, she starts going to a twelve-step Overeaters Anonymous course, only to find that it conflicts with her punk feminist ideology.
Blending bold humor, a healthy dose of self-deprecation, vulnerability, literary storytelling, and dynamic and provocative artwork by illustrator Jim Kettner, Ink in Water is an unflinching, brutally honest look into the author’s mind: how she learned to take control of her damaging thoughts, redirect her perfectionism from self-destructive behaviours into writing and art, and how she committed herself to a life of health, strength, and nourishment.
Now, this is my kind of book! I expect that the level of childlike joy I experienced while reading A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies and examining the gory illustrations shows just how much of a sick, sick puppy I am.
I inherited my warped sense of humour from my beloved Nan (the coolest person I’ve ever met) who, despite her adoration of cats and adoption of too many to count throughout her life, owned a well worn copy of 101 Uses for a Dead Cat by Simon Bond. This was one of my favourite books growing up. I would page through it every time I visited Nan and ended up buying my own copy as an adult. The humour in this book reminds me of Simon Bond’s.
My Nan would have loved A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies just as much as I do. Taking on some serious contenders for our impending doom, then adding verse that rhymes and lulls you into a false sense of security with the feel of a children’s bedtime story, Paul Lewis has done a fantastic job with this book.
The illustrations, mostly black and white with the appropriate splashes of red, bring the words to life (or should that be death…). Ken Lamug has captured the tale perfectly with simple yet detailed, devastating yet hilarious, scenes of destruction. I loved watching the father’s expression change throughout his reading of Aunt Dorcas’ thoughtful gift for Tim, her nephew.
I expect this book could be polarising but if you aren’t my kind of person I doubt you’d pick it up in the first place. For those who do pick it up, you’re in for a treat that I’m certain you’ll be compelled to read more than once.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. This has just become one of my favourite reads of the year.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
A darkly comic fable that offers visions of the apocalypse for every letter of the alphabet.
Starting with a father whose son has been asking questions about global dangers, A is for Asteroids, Z is for Zombies takes us inside our worst fears, laughing at some and taking others seriously. With macabre verse and fantastically gory illustrations, it provides gallows humour for our doom-haunted times.
When Alchemisto, an old-school villain, turns all water into blood and the world doesn’t go back to normal after the elaborately choreographed fight sequence, it’s up to Technicality Man to save the world. I don’t know if anyone is more surprised than Technicality Man when he actually does save the world.
After this unlikely triumph, Technicality Man decides he can’t go back to mediocrity so he interviews potential sidekicks to put together his own team, Contractually Obliged Multi-Powered Superentities Combating Imperativeness, or COMPSCI.
Can superheroes and supervillains unite against a common enemy set to destroy the Laws of Narrative Practice? Who’s catnapping all of the cats? Who’s playing that ominous background music? Oh, and what time is my interview for a place on a super team?
What Scream did for horror movies, The Adventures of Technicality Man does for superheroes and supervillains. I loved this book! Jessica Meats has taken the Mickey out of every superhero/villain cliché you can think of and more! It’s a quick and easy read, but it’s so funny and clever. I just wish I’d thought of the concept first as this book would have been just as much fun to write as it was to read.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book. This is a super spoof and should be in the hands of super fans, young and not so young, everywhere. Just don’t mention Superm…!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Once Upon a Blurb
Everyone knows how the stories are supposed to go. The good guys win in the end, the hero ends up with the designated love interest, and the plucky band of misfits pulls together to save the world.
But what happens when a villain targets the nature of stories themselves? All the tropes that the heroes have come to rely on are under threat.
Technicality Man and his trusty companion Continuity Leopard must join forces with a group of minor heroes to save the day. They won’t let any barrier stop them. Not even the fourth wall.
Schizanthus Nerd 