Tara O’Conner via Oni Press - ‘The Altered History of Willow Sparks’

Pretty good graphic novel, clocking at 154 artful pages. Doubtful it will rank in your best of all time listicle, but you won’t regret reading it either.

Willow Sparks picks up the well worn concept of rewriting history. Willy, as her friends call her, finds a secret room in the public library where she works. Finding a book with her name on the spine, she realizes that editing the book edits reality. Willy then uses the book to do exactly that, losing friends and succumbing to social pressures in the process.

Stand out artistic concept here is the revenge of the book, making skin take on black inky veins and permanent discoloration when abused.

Big props to the author for including draft art, showing the evolution of her designs. Also, for her authoring soundtrack and a hilarious count of coffee consumption

'The Altered History of Willow Sparks' with story and art by Tara O' Connor is a graphic novel about a girl who finds a way to change her life, and the consequences of doing so.

Willow Sparks is a downtrodden teen who is bullied by the popular kids. When she closes the library she works at one night, she discovers a book with her name on it. By writing in it, she can change things. What will she become and how will that affect her friendship with her best friend Georgia who gets left behind?

It's a pretty typical teen story. It doesn't provide anything much new, and leaves a few questions when it's all done. The art is nice. I just wish the story had been something a bit more.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

This was kind of a difficult one to rate due to the sensitive subject matter. The Altered History of Willow Sparks centers around a girl named Willow and her best friend, Georgia. Outcasts at their high school, both of them face bullying every day. That is until Willow comes across a book that can make things happen with the sweep of a pen. Our main character, Willow, shortly thereafter becomes an unlikeable protagonist but as someone who dealt with forms of bullying growing up, it makes perfect sense. As a reader, I could understand why she chose to make the decisions that she did because though wrong in a lot of ways, she just wanted to fit in and thought that in changing herself, things would be better. The art was simple, yet beautiful at the same time. I really enjoyed the theme of blue tones that the author chose. And Georgia, I liked her right from the start. But all that aside, a few of the scenes were uncomfortable because on more than one occasion, we see physical bullying such as: throwing a dodgeball at someone’s face (which leaves a bruise) and shoving another down the stairs - so if that is a sensitive subject for you, I would suggest either passing on this one or going into it with caution. Overall, it was a quick read, just not for me.

I was able to read half of it before it got expired. Didn’t really like the art that much. The story was interesting though.

Special thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this review copy.

<p>Yup. I disliked high school too. </p>

<p>Yup. I wished I could magically make myself into something wonderful.</p>

<p>Yup. We can take the past tense out of the last paragraph and switch it to a present tense too: I still wish I could magically make myself into something wonderful.</p>

<p>So Willow Sparks can, via what she finds in the super-secret room in her town library, where also the cool kids hang out. <a href="https://imgur.com/gallery/A3lZA">Do cool kids hang out at libraries</a>? Of course, there are consequences because stories with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Monkey%27s_Paw">monkey's paws</a> need consequences, although no one dies (other than of embarrassment), and again, I realize, that I need to start mentally considering most graphic novels as short stories rather than novels because even with all their pages, most of the time they end up being more <i>amuse-bouches</i> for my brain than full meals. And, unlike the monkey's paw, non of the consequences are too severe, because the audience, I assume, is for middle-school/high school kids, and me (<i>What would your high school senior quote be?</i> my ten year old asked me yesterday. <i>Didn't high school end eighteen years ago</i>? I told her. <i>That would be my quote. Didn't high school end eighteen years ago?</i>). </p>

<p>So it's a cute, little morality tale. My middle-school child will like it. I liked it well enough too.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.librarything.com/work/20401892/book/164466848">The Altered History of Willow Sparks</a> by Tara O'Connor went on sale March 6, 2018.</p>

<p>I received a copy free from <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/">Netgalley</a> in exchange for an honest review.</p>

I enjoyed the art and story, but it felt underdeveloped. The concept was interesting, but overall I didn't feel it answered any of the questions it brought up.

"What happens when you can finally get everything you ever wanted?

Willow Sparks and her best friend Georgia Pratt are at the bottom of the social ladder at Twin Pines High School, just trying to get through each day relatively unscathed. But when Willow finds a mysterious book that allows her to literally change her life, it feels like her luck is finally turning. Becoming more and more popular with each entry into the book, her old life, including her friendship with Georgia, seems miles away. Yet as Willow will discover, every action has a reaction, and the future has unusual―even dangerous―ways of protecting itself."

A good high school fable.

The classic idea of a magical transformation, and the lesson of being careful what you wish for, is revisited in this high school-set graphic novel that does a terrific job with individual moments but doesn’t fully assemble them into a coherent whole.

Willow has acne, one good friend, and a part-time job at the local library. Both she and her friend are bullied by the pretty, popular crowd, a situation Willow is able to change when she discovers a secret basement in the library. She finds a book with her name on it, and when she writes in it, her sentences come true. This seems like an easy way to make her life happier, but of course, there’s a cost.

The art is strong and distinctive, with solid black lines, yet reminiscent of other YA graphic novelists, particularly Faith Erin Hicks (Friends With Boys), which should provide comfort to readers looking for a next read. The frequent focus on emotional reactions and facial expressions feels like manga was an influence.

The early scenes do an excellent job of capturing the setting and the many awkward, annoying, and even dangerous encounters Willow has to survive. Unfortunately, once the transformation happens, a third of the way in, events start moving more quickly, with less detail and more surprises to the reader, without previous story grounding. The main “mean girl,” specifically, is more of a plot device than a believable character.

Willow’s desire to distract attention from her sudden changes causes a rift with her friend, who mostly exists to both sound a warning about not trusting magic changes and listen to another friend’s coming out, which isn’t connected to the rest of the story. The resolution similarly feels dropped in, with Willow regretting her actions not because of what they mean or how they affect others but only because of magical side effects.

Willow’s transformation brings her positive attention from a popular boy, but she begins seeing her veins turn to ink. That’s a nicely visual metaphor for the creeping corruption her power brings. It’s distracting, however, that readers don’t know what, if any, changes anyone else will make. Willow herself is tricked into a necessary apology instead of realizing the need for a change of heart. There’s no recompense to anyone’s bad (and sometimes near-criminal) behavior, either, which is unsatisfying.

There’s a great deal of potential in this fantasy, but it doesn’t come together as cleanly as hoped, with things happening too fast without enough space to have true emotional effect.

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel with a nice lesson and unique plot. I loved it!
Rating: 5 Stars!
FTC DISCLAIMER: I received this book in exchange for an honest review

I was pretty into this book for the first 3/4. The plot is clear and well supported by the illustrations. Not particularly complex, but not every book has to be a head scratcher. The problem is, the plot sort of falls apart in the final act. What had been centered on a clear progression falls into loose conjecture and a sudden ending.

Held off as long as possible to leave this - review file impossible to read, due to bug with Adobe that netgalley allege doesn't exist and blame entirely on me.

This was such a cool concept - a library full of books on every person in town, and when Willow gets her hands on hers she can change her story! But, like, nothing really happened? Willow had the whole world of opportunity in her hands (literally!) and all she chose to change was her looks and clothes? How superficial can you get? It was such a boring, stereotypical nerd-turned-popular high school drama story. I was enjoying the characters and the art but then it was over and I just felt, "that was it?"

Willow Sparks is a high school outcast with only a couple of friends. When she comes across the book of her life, she decides to write in some changes.

This book seemed to superficially touch on every trope of the high school nerd suddenly becoming popular. It didn't bring anything new to the story nor did much actually happen. We didn't even get much of an explanation on the books themselves. Besides some nice blue-line art, their just isn't much of substance here.

The Altered History of Willow Sparks is one of those young adult books that feels timeless. The main character and her best friend work at a library after school, but only one of them finds the literal story of her life and starts making little edits.
The changes she makes, with clear skin and new clothes, lead to popularity, in that irrational yet predictable way of high school social scenes. Willow all but abandons her best friend and surprise, surprise, finds that there are magical consequences to changing the course of fate.
One of my favorite things about the book is that things aren't wrapped up in a neat bow at the end. Willow learns a lesson, but she isn't suddenly happier as a high school student with her socioeconomic status and acne. She's still got to deal with everything like a normal person. It's refreshing and, honestly, what makes this book stand out among a sea of graphic novels about friendship and self-acceptance.

An interesting story about two high school girls and their coming of age journey - aided by a magic journal that increases popularity, and changes the main character, Willow's life, and not always for the better. Her old life changes are her future is affected, so much, that it tries very hard to protect itself, that may endanger Willow's life, and the lives of those around her.

Willow (also Willy) and Georgia are best friends and they are both being bullied by the popular people. One day Willy stumbles upon a book that contains her life and she finds out she can write in it to make small changes. Next morning she has no pimples and after that she wears more fashionable clothes. She becomes friends with the popular crowd and in the progress of becoming happier, she leaves Georgia behind.

I disliked Willy and her fast friendship with the popular people. I just can't deal with characters who leave their friends behind the moment they become popular. I was a bigger fan of nerdy Georgia, who still manages to forgive her friend when she comes back to her. Willy doesn't realize what she is doing until she gets more marks on her body; I just wish she realized that her actions on its own were bad. And how come she loses those marks while the librarian still wears his?

This book was such a disappointment. It was relatable yet cliché in the start and exuded a sense of mystery, inculcating certain typical high school experiences, including bullying, cliques, gym class disasters and the insensitivity of teachers when it comes to girl problems. I liked the artwork, especially the pages where there are different pictures for different times in the library, which is why this is getting 2 stars.

However, despite having an admittedly interesting yet bland concept i.e. changing your fate by writing in your life book, this was inconsequential and anti-climatic. As the comic went on it turned very typical and used banal tropes like high school friends abandoning their old friends for new popular ones once they get noticed and so on. All the characters were very simple and lacked distinct personalities. I think I would've enjoyed this more if it included the dark past of Mr. Ages.

I honestly liked the author notes more than the story. The author explained how she went about to write the book, the creative changes made over the years, the playlist she heard the most while working, which made me realize that despite this comic not being the best, we should never fail to acknowledge the amount of work which goes into making a comic/book.

Overall, this was a quick read with good artwork, however failed to reach its potential and have an impressive narrative!

3.5 stars

This was a fun graphic novel that pleased visually as well as story wise. The illustrations were beautifully conceived which keeps the readers attention solidly on the story. Only complaint, it would have been longer.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the review copy.

I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading books talking about books, that's the reason why I've been actracted by this graphic novel. On top of this, I've been actracted by the graphic design. I know that it can sounds weird, but I like the nose of Georgia, it looks realistic.
Let's talk about the story.
Two girls, two best friends, against the world of the high school, where all are cooler (at least they looks like that) but sure they're evil and bully.
I had the impression that the story was too fast, I would like to have more deepenings.
What would you do if you have the possibility to change your life?
How can you change?
A history about friendship, chances and responsability.

A majority of this book went as expected, but that didn't take away from the enjoyment. While O'Connor's major idea wasn't original, there were a few twists (or developments) that did diverge from the typical path. The drawings were simple and clean, which I appreciated. I wish there was more world building towards the end, because once the book because unique, I wanted to know more. Overall, it was a good story.