Hello and welcome to my stop on the TBR & Beyond blog tour for Other Ever Afters by Melanie Gillman. Thank you to TBR & Beyond and Random House for an E-ARC of the book. Having a free copy of the book does not affect my opinions or my review.
About the Book
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel
Publishing date: September 20th, 2022
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indigo | IndieBound
Rep: Multiple Queer Representation
Synopsis
Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected. In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.
What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom?
Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another “ever after” for the characters who are most worthy of it.
Favorite Quotes
“I’ve Been Sick for a long time. The Flowers help me feel a little better.”- The King’s Forest
Some things are worth a little risk.”- The King’s Forest
“Goose Girl. Through your station is low and your family poor, I have watched you sell your geese at the market, and your beauty has bewitched me.” -Goose Girl
“Only complete my happiness, and I swear I will complete yours.” -Goose Girl
“And I’m afraid, no love in a wife who would ask her beloved to live in such a way.”- Goose Girl
“When you laugh it will ring so beautifully, he will have no choice but to look.”-Hesthete
“I have one gift left. Take my candle. Use it to light your way home and trust me.” -Hesthete
“If I am lucky, I may live to do so many, many times more.” Hesthete
Review
Rating -5 stars
Characters
Even when I read graphic novels or comics, I love when stories have interesting characters. All the characters in Other Ever Afters were amazing, and they each had their own backstory and personalities. In the same story, a character would go from fun and light-hearted to heavy, and this shows Melaine Gillman’s style, and how they can bring the reader into the stories through their characters.
Stories
Other Ever Afters was a collection of stories featuring LGBTQ+ characters, and I enjoyed all of them. I had three favorites, which were: The King’s Forest, Goose Girl, and Hesthete. The King’s Forest was a cute story about two girls and the flower that brought them together. I love flowers, and forest vibes, so this story spoke to me on a personal level. Goose Girl followed a princess who wanted to marry a peasant girl, and the story talked about class dividers. As a fan of mythology, Hesthehe was my favorite in this collection. T could feel the main character’s anxiety and Hesthehe’s love for the bride was so sweet, and I loved them as a couple.
Art
The art style is something I love seeing in Graphic Novels, and the art style Melanie Gillman uses in Other Ever Afters is adorable, and so sweet. I love the use of light and dark colors in all the panels. A graphic novel relies on the art style to tell the story and Other Ever Afters works in tandem with the writing to tell the story.
Romance
Other Ever Afters was filled with sweet romances with LGBTQ+ characters a the helm. I love seeing queer characters in stories, and the romances found in these stories were so interesting.
Recommended for/ Enjoyment
I enjoyed Other Ever Afters so much! Other Ever Afters would be recommended for fans of Graphic Novels, especially with LGTBQ+ characters.
About the Auhtor
Melanie Gillman is the cartoonist behind this story. They hold an MFA in comics from the Center for Cartoon Studies, and currently live in Columbus, OH. Melanie is also the author of Stage Dreams, a lesbian western graphic novel, available from Lerner/Graphic Universe. They are represented by Jen Linnan, of Linnan Literary Management.
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Follow the Tour
September 19th
Kait Plus Books – Interview
Never Hollowed By The Stare – Promotional Post
Paiges of Novels – Review & Favorite Quotes
September 20th
Twirling Book Princess – Top 5 Reasons to Read Other Ever Afters
Jenerally Reading – Review
September 21st
Kappa Reads Books – Top 5 Reasons to Read Other Ever Afters
Midsummer Night’s Read – Review
Forever In A Story – Review & Mood Board
September 22nd
Melancholic Blithe – Interview
PopTheButterfly Reads – Review
September 23rd
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post
Reading Stewardess – Review
Library of Becca – Review & Mood Board
September 24th
Althea Is Reading – Review
Stuck in Fiction – Promotional Post
September 25th
Nine Bookish Lives – Interview
Thought Scribbler’s Blog – Review & Favorite Quotes
The Nutty Bookworm Reads Alot – Review
September 19th
tbrandbeyond – Promotional Post
kaitplusbooks – Blogger’s Choice
paiges_of_novels – Blogger’s Choice
September 20th
writingrosereads – Promotional Post
September 21st
booking.with.janelle – Review
foreverinastory – Blogger’s Choice
September 22nd
libraryofretellingsandstars – Review
popthebutterfly – Blogger’s Choice
September 23rd
books_and_dice – Review & Favorite Quotes
library.of.becca – Blogger’s Choice
September 24th
luna_reads_ – Journal Spread
September 25th
mulberryreads – Review
ninebookishlives – Blogger’s Choice
lunatonks_777 – Blogger’s Choice
Paiges of Novels 