Katie McNamara Comic Reviews

The minimalist line art and soft color palette serve as powerful compliments to the intense emotions conveyed throughout this story. Each spread offers a poignant reminder of the importance of self-preservation and the courage it takes to prioritize our own well-being. Sometimes, choosing ourselves can be the most challenging dance to learn. This is a strong addition to young adult spaces where Sapphic reads are celebrated and enjoyed.

This body swap story reminds readers that everyone has challenges, and not to assume what other people are going through. Ukazu develops deep characters who are navigating the difficulties of high school, and through them reveal the issues of privilege, equity, and overall lessons in loving ourselves. The line art is clean and minimalist, keeping the focus on the events. Even with few facial details, Ukazu conveys much of the story with a wide range of emotions.

As an outsider in need of a fresh start away from the accusations of what happened to her friend at her previous school, Abby is easy to empathize with. Abby's frustration mounts when this begins to be another situation where girls are just supposed to be quiet and not upset institutional powers. The remote setting of the school intensifies the trope of youth naïveté. Readers will enjoy uncovering the harrowing truth hidden by the seemingly elite student theater group alongside Abby and Claire, revealing that some secrets are deadly to keep, and making This Place Kills Me a strong addition for social justice and activism units.

This is an adorable story, and I appreciate the spotlight on a “nerdy” skill. If you get sucked into the excitement of the battles, you may be able to forgive the lack of character development. While the backstory drives the present action, we don’t know much of the backstory. Perhaps a follow up volume could tell us what really happened to Webster’s parents and why Merriam has a secret identity.

This begins as a wholesome story full of intrigue that explores family dynamics. A phone for tracking. A release arsonist. A sneeze. A postcard discovered by Ao. Secrets of the past. Secrets of the present. Traumatic events are discussed broadly, making this suitable for younger readers while also serving as an access point for deeper conversations. There is a scene where a child plans to jump off the roof, but a postcard prevents this from happening. Art style has a lightheartedness that helps balance the seriousness of keeping Ao healthy and the dangers depicted on the mysterious postcards and a fire of the past.