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The Faint of Heart by Kerrilynn Wilson: Review

The Faint of Heart

Kerrilynn Wilson

Greenwillow Books, June 2023

Paperback, £14.99

ISBN 9780063116221

What would you do if you lived in a world where living without sadness, anger, or pain also meant giving up happiness, hope, and love? In this deeply poignant graphic novel, all of June’s family and friends have had their hearts removed in order to get rid of the pain and stress of life. June, the only one left with a heart, is the only person who still sees the colour in life. She is determined to give the gift of happiness back to her sister.

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Review: The Wanderer by Josie Williams

The Wanderer
Josie Williams
Firefly Press, October 2021
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781913102661

Seventeen-year-old Ryder Edmonds died five years ago. Stuck on Earth, he spends his afterlife with his best friend Jade wandering amongst the living as a ghost. When Ryder encounters fifteen-year-old Maggie Nichols, a shy redhead
who enjoys listening to Queen and reading fantasy novels, he falls head over heels in love. After saving Maggie from a dangerous situation, Ryder realises that he will do anything to spend more time with her — including possessing one of her schoolmates.

Josie Williams’ debut presents a nuanced love story that deals with difficult issues such as death and bereavement while also enthralling the reader with a light-hearted teen romance. Despite Ryder’s mistakes, the reader cannot help but sympathise with him and Maggie as they seek out happiness and companionship in a lonely, cruel world.

The Wanderer is a poignant narrative that tackles the impact of death and loss while depicting a moving account of the joy and warmth of first love. Williams presents the reader with a vividly realised setting and a cast of colourful characters as the story of Maggie and Ryder’s growing love for each other unfolds.

A beautiful novel about finding the positives during times of difficulty, this book discusses death and grief with gravitas and sensitivity, while also reminding the reader to enjoy the little things in life.

Joanna Geoghegan

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Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath

Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath
Kirsten Beyer and Mike Johnson
Illustrated by Tony Shasteen and Angel Hernandez
IDW Publishing, April 2020
Paperback, 96 pages, £12.99
ISBN 9781684056507

Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath chronicles the efforts of Captain Pike and Chancellor L’Rell to bring about peace between the United Federation of Planets and the Klingons following the events of Season Two of Star Trek: Discovery. Commander Pike is accompanied by Spock, whose adopted sister has gone missing along with the U.S.S. Discovery. This graphic novel also includes a story featuring Commander Saru, who must rescue the crews of the Discovery and the U.S.S. Dorothy Garrod from interstellar pirates.

Beyer and Johnson’s gripping story is brought to life by atmospheric illustrations from Shasteen and Hernandez, who perfectly capture the visual intricacies of human emotion in difficult situations, such as the hijacking of a ship or the breakdown of political communications. The illustrations within the novel portray the grief and worry experienced by Spock through an empathetic rendering of body language and facial expressions that speak volumes to the reader.

Both of the stories in Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath are highly appealing in terms of plot, but also carry a nuanced discourse on human nature and emotion. The Klingon narrative aptly suggests that peace and equality between races should be a very real and achievable goal, and yet a hopeful future is threatened by those who are dangerously narrow-minded. The stories within this graphic novel comment on the importance of unity in the face of danger from a common enemy. 

The combination of insightful storylines, vivid illustrations and highly emotive colour palettes make for an immersive and compelling reading experience.

Joanna Geoghegan