Review - NewsPrints

NewsPrints (NewsPrints #1)
by Ru Xu
Date: 2017
Publisher: GRAPHIX
Reading level: MG
Book type: graphic novel
Pages: 208
Format: e-book
Source: library

Blue is an orphan who disguises herself as a newsboy. There's a war going on, and girls are expected to help the struggling economy by selling cookies. But Blue loves living and working at the Bugle, the only paper in town that tells the truth. And what's printed in the newspapers now matters more than ever.

But Blue struggles with her secret, and worries that if her friends and adopted family at the Bugle find out that she's a girl, she'll lose everything and everyone she cares about. And when she meets and befriends Crow, a boy who is also not what he seems, together they seek the freedom to be their true selves... and to save each other.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Thank goodness there's going to be a sequel! I was a bit worried there for a moment...

This is one of the better graphic novels I've read. With its sort of steampunk 1920s setting and nicely drawn illustrations, it's a fun book. While it wasn't the most original in terms of some of the themes (i.e., girl pretends to be a boy so she can actually do stuff in a rather sexist world), it had a decent plot (though not what the synopsis led me to expect). Some of the characters were a bit of a miss for me (the mayor was kind of inconsistent, which didn't make him very believable), but others were downright cool. Crow was absolutely precious and had some of the best lines; I'll be picking up the sequel in the hopes that we get some more of his story!

Overall, this was one of the more engaging graphic novels I've read in the last month or so. I read much of it in one sitting, eagerly turning the pages. It's definitely one to check out, if you like this sort of format and are looking for an entertaining experience.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Pace: 4/5
Writing & Editing: 3/5
Illustration: 4/5
Originality: 3/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 ladybugs