I grew up watching Teen Titans and it held so many amazing aspects. Raven was my favorite character throughout the series so when I first saw this, I knew it was something I wanted to read. I was so impressed with this background story of Raven. She always was a strong character but you knew there was more to her rough exterior. This graphic novel did a fantastic job to exploit that. The story was intriguing and I was enraptured the entire time. As adaptations come out, it is always a little nervous about how it is going to go. I'm so glad that Kami Garcia was chosen to do this. It seemed like she understood Raven's character so well but still made Raven a different version that Garcia created. I cannot wait to continue this series.

Along with a fantastic story the artwork was phenomenal. It truly brought this story alive and the imagery was perfect. I loved the color combinations used. I don't know if this story would have been as successful in a novel format. The medium used to tell Raven's story with the combination of Garcia's story telling and Picolo's art was exactly what was needed.

This was fantastic!! I really loved Raven and her story. Kami Garcia did a great job with the writing and dialogue. The art style was nice, although I wanted to see a bit more color. However, the color was strategically placed in this comic and I appreciated that. I really can’t wait to see more of Raven’s story!

Rating:
3/5 cool aunts

Format:
eBook. I would like to thank NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What it's like:
The art style, teen angst, and mental abilities brought to mind the new reboot of Sabrina (Netflix) and Jessica Jones.

What I loved:
The art is really cool. I love the water color style, the splashes of purple in particular are really neat. I like the premise of a girl who has lost her memory and is trying to re-discover herself. Add in an interesting ability she didn't know she had, a backdrop of a standard high school experience, and some New Orleans voodoo priestess vibes and I am here for it. I also enjoyed all the SECRETS lol I don't have to know what they all are yet, but they definitely added a suspense to the second half of the story that I enjoyed.

What was meh:
Some of the story board layout felt a little disjoined, it didn't quite always flow in the way I expected, so I had to stop and figure out where we were. In this book I felt like they had some interesting story elements to work with but they were sort of disjointed and awkward in their presentation. Especially the reveal of the cousin and aunt's (secret?) life. I put secret in parentheses because I was a little confused by how far their more magical world extends, who knows about it, etc. I assume that is something we will learn more about with future installments, but I either wanted more now, or actually less would have been fine too, but somehow we got a weird amount of info that I don't really know how to make sense of. For most of the book we know almost nothing, and then BAM they hit us with A LOT of info. Overall I had quite a few questions about the "world" in this story, the most basic one is: Is there a difference between "gifts" and just general witchiness? I'm cool with either or both, but I expected to know the answer by the end of this book and I didn't really.

I was also a little disappointed by the writing. While the premise is pretty neat, and there are some cool elements in the story, the daily problems and drama (the way it was written) in the first 3/4 of the book just didn't hold my interest. There was a lot of random elements that felt thrown in to cater to the audience rather than add to the plot (like girls asking boys to prom with roses? Is this a necessary detail?). Pages in graphic novels are limited, it's one of the reasons why I like this medium, because the author and artist have to be very efficient with the imagery and text to tell their story. Every piece should instill insight into the character or setting. Unfortunately, I felt like too often we were being told something I didn't really care about and not enough about the mystery part of the story, or how magic operates in this world.

Who I'd recommend it to: Fans of witchy New Orleans + X-men vibes!

Favorite line:
Flowers die. Plastic jewelry lasts forever.

I love the graphics on this! It's all grey tones which complements Raven, our main character so well. This is a very easy to follow graphic novel that sets up the premise of Raven. She has suffered a horrible tragedy and she must piece together her memories, while also attending high school and battling normal high school bullies. Are demons bigger than high school? It's a fun set up and I'm interesting in reading more of her journey. It gives you just enough to get to know the characters and their stories but has definite room for more.

eARC provided by DC Ink and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Admittedly, I often don't read DC Comics and went into this knowing nothing about Raven and her story. I was very pleasantly surprised! While this wasn't something that was amazing/life changing for me, it really made me want to dig further into Raven's story in the greater comic universe. I felt like this was a really solid introduction and back story, though I felt like I wanted a little bit more. Though I guess that's what the whole DC universe is for!

One thing I LOVED about this was the art style. Something about it just hit different and I'm really glad I got a chance to experience it. Definitely makes me want to look out for more from this artist!

Rachel "Raven" Roth loses her memory and her mother in a car accident, and gets sent to live with her aunt and cousin in New Orleans. But something isn't right. Raven is hearing voices, and there's something weird going on with her family.

Lemme be the first to say that aside from watching the cartoon a lot in the early 00s, I am not a Teen Titans fan. I haven't kept up with the show and I haven't read any of the comics. So me picking this up was a weird spark of...je ne sais quoi.

Overall, it's not great, but again, I'm not a long-time fan of Teen Titans, so I missed a lot of the subtext of who Raven is and her backstory (admittedly, Raven was my favorite of the Teen Titans because she was goth, mysterious and had a bitchin' jewel belt). I kept trying to figure out if this was her original backstory or a revamp or what, because in my head in the cartoon she was like 15 or ageless or something. I dunno.

However, if you set aside the Teen Titans portion of it (of which I don't know how much seeped into this story? Besides the villains?), it was pretty good. The artwork was good, the dialogue was well done, and I liked the mystery of who Raven was and figuring out what was going on with Max and her mom. I do wish that it had more focus to the plot and was a little longer, but overall it was decent.

Not one of my favorites, but an engaging read.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I haven’t always been a fan of graphic novels but this one sounded very interesting and I figured I’d try it out.

The first thing I want to say is the color usage in this novel is so eye catching. The illustrations done by Picolo are incredible, breathtaking, and really do push the story to that level that a simple book may not have. The visual aid, especially when aimed at the younger generation of readers, is really helpful and takes this book to a new level.

Author Kami Garcia did a wonderful job telling this story filled with action, relationships, and mystery. Raven’s character is so interesting to me and the way she handles her situation, which is filled with tragedy, is so true to the age she is. There were times I found myself wanting to comforter her or be angry for her or whatever she was going through, I wanted to go through with her. I really felt a bond with the character and I think that is in huge part to Garcia and the writing as well as Picolo and the illustrations.

Whether you are a fan of graphic novels or not, this is one to pick up and check out. I am going to be looking for more to check out in my near future and this has made me a fan.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars
I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel. I thought that the artwork was extravagant! I did find Raven to be a bit childish, but she IS a high school student. I thought that this book was an accurate representation of Raven.

I was excited to heard about this book, and am so excited I was able to read an advance copy! I've been a fan of Raven since watching Teen Titans as a kid, and was excited to see this fresh take on her story. I'm not the biggest 'comic fan' so I don't know much about the original stories there characters star in, but I do watch the comic/superhero movies when I can, and have found that like other retellings and adaptations, I tend to either love or hate the 'new' versions when they come out. Thankfully lately I've enjoyed many of the stories DC characters are seeing in teen literature, and I love this introduction to teens and young adult readers to these characters who have inspired so many fans already! In this one, Raven can easily be related to and seen as just another teen, and as we read more about what makes her special, she handles events in a way that many teens might and it reads as realistic and makes it easier to connect with her and see her as definite friend material!

I received an ARC of Kami Garcia’s graphic novel Teen Titans: Raven from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I’ll admit that I was unfamiliar with the character prior to reading the ARC, but it definitely hooked me into the Teen Titans world. Raven is a girl who suffered a tragic accident that left her without her foster mother and her memory. After relocating to New Orleans to live with her estranged aunt, some strange things start occurring when Raven gets emotional, leading her down a path through old, dark magic toward the truth of her past and the question of her future. With beautifully realized art from Gabriel Picolo that perfectly accentuated the dark tone of the backstory, along with just the right amount of romance and teen angst, Teen Titans: Raven is a graphic novel that high school librarians should not pass by. A perfect addition for fans of Maximum Ride and other canonical comic texts.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was sharp and the art is very good. Raven comes across as a very normal teenage girl dealing with a very unusual problem. As the story progresses, her attempts to deal with her issues are very believable. Max, her new 'sister' is a great character that I look forward to seeing more of. I like the mix of realism, fantasy, and spiritualism throughout the story. The book ends at the beginning of a journey for the girls, and I look forward to reading the next one. I will definitely be getting this for my middle school library.

After a car accident that killed her mother, Raven is living with her her new mom (her aunt) and foster sister Max, in New Orleans. In addition to losing her mother in the accident, Raven lost all of her memories. Adding to that, she can hear the thoughts and feelings of those around her. As she tries to remember who she was, Raven is making new friends and learning that what matters is who she is, and who she chooses to be going forward. That is, until her past catches up with her...

I'm not at all familiar with the Teen Titans but know enough to know that Raven's a popular character from that series. And I can see why! In this iteration, she immediately (albeit accidentally) puts mean girls in their place, and stands up for those being bullied, which I like. Memory loss may not be the most original way to begin an origin story, but its certainly an effective way to slowly introduce the audience to the character, and it was used to good effect here. The high school bits were just right - prom, foiled romance, mean girls - Garcia nails those elements. I just wish there had been a bit more to the story. I liked it, but it all felt a bit trite. Its a perfectly good origin story, but there's nothing new here. Just when it starts to get really interesting, it ends. I do hope there is a sequel planned.

For me, the thing that can really make-or-break a graphic novel is art, and the art in this is wonderful. The coloring was just right - its mostly purples, blacks, light blues and beige, and the muted palatte really sets and fit in with the overall tone. When a red character emerges, he really pops. Also, sometimes I find artwork to be confusing (especially in action sequences), but that was not at all the case here. In fact, this would be excellent graphic novel for those who are just trying the medium.

TLDR: A run of the mill but nonetheless entertaining origin story that will delight teenagers (and adults) who aren't sick of superheroes.

Overall, this is a really solid graphic novel for teens that I'll probably end up booktalking. Goodreasd - 3 stars - I liked it. Netgalley - 5 stars - Strongly recommend.

Thanks to DC Ink and Netgalley for the advance copy which I received in exchange for an unbiased review.

I have not followed the Teen Titans comics in the past, and I know there have been a few iterations, but I was very excited to see this new series with Kami Garcia. I have watched the cartoons, and I like Raven's dreary, emotional presence, even in the kids cartoons, and I wanted to learn more about her past before Teen Titans.



Kami Garcia does a great job telling Raven's story and Gabrial Picolo does a wonderful job depicting her angst and anger about life. What made this story great was the mystery in it. I am kind of aware of Raven and her powers and background, but not really so it was really a great read to learn about her.

Both the artist and the writer worked well together to tell Raven's story without too much writing and text, which I appreciate. I like some but really like a graphic novel to be told through the images, because when an artist can do that I think it shows a lot of skill.

Raven, if you don't know, is pretty dark. There is a lot of mystery about her past and a lot of death in her life right now and she is just trying to figure it all out and it is difficult. Now she is dreaming weird things too and she is trying to re-learn who she is. I think this a great starting point for anyone looking to get into the Teen Titan series. I hope that they have these for all the characters and build them and the world together... we will see.

Review will go live closer to release date.

This year I have ventured into the world of Graphic Novels. BOY AM I GLAD I DID!!! I've always been a fan of Kami's books so, even though I had never heard of Teen Titans, I knew I had to read her first Teen Titan Graphic novel.

I sat down on Friday afternoon to start it and the next thing I knew I was done. I flew through and was completely taken by the story. When I finished I wasn't ready. I wanted more. More words, more pictures, more of this story. I'm so excited to see that this is the start to a new series. But OMG 2020 for book 2?!? UGH. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, so that was nice but I'll definitely have to read through this one again.

Now, I'm new to reading graphic novels, so I don't have a ton of exposure to different artists but I LOVE Gabriel Picolo's illustration style, Since I read an ARC copy, I'm very curious to see what the art inside my finished copy looks like. If you're like me and new to reading these, I definitely recommend picking TEEN TITANS: RAVEN up. If you're a seasoned graphic novel reader, I hope you check this one out and enjoy it as much as I did.

I have to admit that I'm not that well versed in the Teen Titans universe, so I don't know a lot about Raven's origin story. So I think this was a good place to start, because we are starting over with Raven having lost her memory. I think it's a good place where you can just jump into the story and learn about her.

In this graphic novel, Raven has lost her mother and her memory, so she doesn't know she has powers or that she should be shielding herself. Being a teen is hard enough, but being one with powers that they don't understand is even worse! I did love the first love that happens in this story. It was so cute, and it really felt authentic.

The artstyle in this comic was really dark and done in various cool color shades. I liked it a lot since it felt like Raven's aesthetic. It really suited her and the overall tone of the book. It's dark, but has the shades of lights that shines on it.

I expect there will be another book because this one ends with not everything wrapped up. There seems to be some secret organization that is hunting Raven, but we really don't get to the core of that at all in this book. It's left very open-ended, but I think that is on purpose.

If you like Teen Titans, or you are looking for a place to start with this franchise, I think this is a great place to start.

*I received an eARC copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Many thanks to DC Ink & DC Entertainment for sending me an eARC via Netgalley for my honest review! Quotes are taken from an unfinished ARC and may not match final publication.

As an avid fan of anything Teen Titans-related, I was pumped to see this cover hit my laptop screen. With the rise of superhero movies and television shows, the rise in comics and comic-centered books are the next-best things. Anyone familiar with Raven's backstory and storylines will know just how dark her world can get--and moody depending on when--and this storyline, in particular, does a wonderful job of navigating that darkness in the midst of high school. Raven came to life for me on the page, from her attitude to her dialogue and all the wonderful characters around her, the color schemes and designs added just the right touch to bring this all together.

I'm always looking for great graphic novels, and with the Teen Titans Go! cartoon so popular at the moment, trying this one out seemed like a no-brainer.

While I enjoy the cartoon, I know very little about the original Teen Titans...so it was really cool to see Raven as a real person and learn a little about her life and backstory. The artwork is fantastic, and we watch Raven struggle with typical teenage issues along side her "I have superpowers and also my dad is a demon" issues.

I know that the Beast Boy (MY FAVORITE!) book is next in the series...and I am here for it.

The art is AMAZING. I feel so lucky to have gotten an arc and it’s not fully colored but the effect is actually really cool. However, I definitely want to check out the published version later on to see all the completed artwork. As for the plot, I am SUPER intrigued and I would like the second book (now, please)!! I read through this so fast because I couldn’t slow down (even though I really wanted to so I could better enjoy the experience).

The teen titans are a total throwback and I’m living for it! I just can’t wait for the next book (Beast Boy) to come out!

3.5

Thanks to DC Entertainment and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

I have been a fan of Teen Titans since I was a young teen and Raven has always been my favorite. So, I was beyond thrilled to receive an advanced copy. This is a great start to hopefully a full blown series starting with all their beginnings and from the reading and the news of Beast Boy being next; it looks like I might get my wish.

This begins with a fatal accident taking the life of Raven’s adopted mom and through this accident she loses her memories. Raven ends up at her aunt and cousin’s house in New Orleans. Beginnings are hard to rate because we’re only allowed a small kernel of what’s to come.

Natalia and Max (Maxine) were fantastic characters that deserve their own stories being told. They were interesting and incredible and the world would benefit from knowing more about them. More often than not they did carry the story. As Raven is navigating this new life with virtually no memories and weird things happening to her and she would respond by running away, literally every time. Meanwhile, her aunt is out every night trying to get answers.

I have loved Gabriel Picolo’s art for a long time and it makes me wistful for the old show to come back with this art style. This is the next best thing, and it’s just as glorious as I expected. Art in graphic novels can make or break the experience and Picolo’s art really makes this story.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my time and I am definitely intrigued and excited for more.

I highly recommend if you are a Raven fan.

A very amazing page-turner that I couldn't put down. I have always loved raven and reading this story was such a great opportunity. I highly recommend this to everyone and this book definitely deserves some hype.