4 stars
After reading this, I already want to spend another summer at Camp Whatever.
Complete with mysterious fog, horrific garden gnomes, a camp director with ulterior motives, shadowy figures, and odd happenings, this book has got it all. It’s packed with adventure, mystery, magic, and suspense.
There are plenty of twists and turns in this one and nothing is quite as it seems. I absolutely loved the dark aesthetic and the concept of a summer camp on a mysterious island. The story is so interesting and engaging. The artwork is fantastic. Overall, a wonderful story.
I also loved how Grine handled Willow being hard of hearing. Most of the characters in the book don’t treat her differently or adapt accordingly like using sign language. When someone has a stereotypical response (like speaking very loudly to her or suggesting she can’t do something because she wears hearing aids), it is treated with disdain.
Willow acts as her own person with a distinct personality that isn’t defined by her hearing aids. She isn’t just treated as a hard of hearing character. She’s a strong-willed, adventurous girl who also is hard of hearing. At the same time, certain drawback are still highlighted, such as when her hearing aids run out of battery. Sign language being an important part of the story was also cool to see and featuring so many characters that know at least a little sign language could inspire an interest in sign language for readers.
Loved the universe created in this graphic novel. I already want to dive back in. Not sure if a series is planned for this, but if there is a second book in the future, I am all for it.