This volume shows real progress: we get an idea of WHAT Oliver really is, Zeph confesses, and a mysterious being shows up. The sci-fi aspect has been amped up to 10 here, and I’m excited to see where it goes. The story still has its colorful, slice-of-life innocence intact, but I wouldn’t be surprised if things begin getting darker ( )

This series keeps traipsing along at its own pace, with some minor plot revelations and some little relationship developments doled out like breadcrumbs to keep me tagging along after. This volume is better than last, and I hold out hope that one day something will happen to reward all my patience.

At this point, I'd be happy if some of the main characters just got last names. There were two opportunities this volume that the author awkwardly sidestepped with a giant blurry computer screen and a sports announcer who narrates a football game like this: "An amazing catch at the 25-yard line by South Pines wide receiver, David!" I don't attend a lot of sporting events, but I don't think that's how they do it. ( )