The Situation: Time gets weird when you do not go to school...at least that is according to Allison. She has not attended classes since she began living in the attic at Evol House with her boyfriend Samir. After escaping her abusive and overbearing father, Allison is desperate to make this new life work, no matter how chaotic it often is. For Tina, Evol House is really the only option, so she continues to work tirelessly, even if no one else seems to care. And Richard still has not quite cracked the mystery of the bully at school who hates him, seemingly for no reason.
The Problem: While Tina wonders if life at Evol House is the answer she always believed it was, a new friend provides a potential escape, though it would mean giving up on everything she has worked so hard for. Samir grows less sure that life at Evol House is any better than what everyone had before with each passing day. Granted, he is mostly there because of Allison, but now he worries if it was a mistake helping her get here. Sure, she seems happy, but she is also picking up terrible habits. Her latest adventure gains the attention of Richard's bully, who is more determined than ever to get payback...but for what exactly? Richard must follow clues and speak to various people in order to get answers. Hopefully a solution is found before someone gets seriously hurt.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a graphic novel that continues the story from the first installment, following four teenagers who are now living together in Evol House...an unassuming house where lost kids can find a different kind of family. Most of the kids there found it through the latest tech craze, the internet. It is 1994, and teenagers everywhere are discovering a new favorite pastime, allowing for a different kind of connection that was not possible before. Samir may have a solid home life, but Allison has no plans to return the house she lived in with her mother and manipulative father. For her, Evol House means safety. For Richard, it means protection. And for Tina, it is simply home.
My Verdict: I finished volume 1 desperate for answers, and volume 2 has certainly delivered. With the same simple, but beautiful artwork (honestly, it is perfect for the story it represents and for what the characters are going through), Bogart and Holden present these kids who are navigating problems that they are probably too young to be dealing with, but such is the world they live in. Allison's need for belonging and safety can be felt every time she shows up on the page, as can Samir's concern, and Tina's frustration. I believe that anyone who has ever suffered through high school will be able to find something to identify with here, especially if those years were during the 1990s.
Favorite Moment: There is no one moment in particular, but flashbacks and memories are light blue...something I find to be incredibly effective.
Favorite Character: Last time I picked Allison, but this time I will go with Richard. Instead of simply retaliating, he makes serious attempts to understand what is going on with the boy who insists on hating him.
Recommended Reading: I recommend the graphic novel for A Wrinkle in Time. It is a great way to revisit a classic.
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