Molly Ostertag

High drama, angst and emotions, lovely art, very real characters, and a deadly dangerous dystopia of a world post-conquering. . .

The story drops the reader into the middle and you pick up history and context along the way, done very smoothly. As are the changing allegiances and relationships between the characters. Consequences lurk around every corner, but as the characters themselves voice repeatedly, everything is dangerous in this world. The ending is open, but hopeful and not unsatisfying.… (altro)

Jess (who is half Diné, living alone with her father after her mother left them) has a tough time making friends. She and Olivia, her best (and only) friend, bonded over their mutual love of roleplaying. Jess has created a lone-wolf D&D character named Sir Corius, who goes on solo adventures while Olivia acts as Dungeon Master.

Jess is happy with the way things are, but Olivia seems intent on shaking things up, going so far as to create a D&D club where anyone could join her and Jess's game. She's also considering running for student council, which would make it tough for her to find the time to continue acting as Jess's DM. Jealousy and hurt feelings abound.

This reminded me very much of Jasmine Walls' The Last Session, except that one starred college students instead of middle schoolers, and this one was maybe higher on the "hurt feelings" percentage. In both works, D&D offered the characters a way to work through their issues with each other and learn to appreciate newcomers to their established groups.

I loved the artwork and thought Olivia's plans and ideas were pretty clever. All in all, this was a good read.

Extras:

Some character designs and concept art (all squeezed onto one page, so super tiny), and a page showing how the graphic novel went from script to final art.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)… (altro)