Gillman gets to apply their amazing watercolor art style to the West, and also tell a tale of a kid who's starting to figure out they might be trans and an outlaw and their adventures together. Hell of a ride.

This LGBTQ positive historical graphic novel is about a stagecoach bobber and her hostage. Her hostage becomes not only her love interest, but her co-conspirator in a plan to steal from the wealthy and set off in a new life. This is a quick, fun story that anyone’s sure to enjoy it. In the back, the author gives you different info tidbit about events taking place on different pages. They include information about real trans soldiers as well as historical movements, and things that happened. Overall, this is well done. It was a very entertaining and interesting read.

I picked this book up on a whim and was pleasantly surpised.

'Stage Dreams' is a female/female romance set in the wild, wild west, and boy was it fun. We see the development of a trans woman and a POC woman, and it is super wholesome and cute! The art style wasn't really my thing but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story at all.

All in all, this is an adorable, quick read that I think anyone can enjoy.

I really liked the period covered in this graphic novel and the way that approached lgbt+ themes. The style and the colors combined very well, by the way.

I enjoyed this loved the art style and thought it was super cute! love the f/f and LGB representation! would highly recommend

So cute! The art style was perfect, the story was delightful and it was so refreshing to see a trans character treated the way that they were in a historical story. Very well done and I look forward to seeing what the author puts out in the future!

I've never read a Western before but this graphic novel was adorable. The relationship was cute, and it represented a couple that I've barely seen in literature before. Quick, charming, gay, and wholesome :)

I have to start by saying I love the art it is so pretty and works well with a western style story. However I don't know what I really read. There wasn't much plot and the ending was extremely abrupt. Since this doesn't seem like it will have a sequel it felt like an incomplete story to me.

I read a few reviews for this graphic novel across the blogosphere and was interested in it, especially because I’m always on the lookout for new discoveries. And I don’t think I’ve ever read a western, so I decided to give it a try.

As it’s just 100 pages long, I didn’t expect a lot of plot or character development, just something fun - and it totally delivered on that aspect. Grace is a trans southern belle running from her family because she doesn’t wanna fight in the war and has dreams of her own, while Flor is the stylish queer Latinx outlaw who robs stagecoaches and wants to save money for a secure future. Though Flor kidnaps Grace, they eventually settle on a plan to work together and what follows is a cute adventure of their own where they discover some truths about themselves and develop feelings in the process. This story is hella cute and sweet, and so full of acceptance that it made me very happy. The art style is also very unique, and while I didn’t know anything about how colored pencil art would work for a graphic novel, it’s perfect here. The color palette and style feel very appropriate for the dry New Mexico setting, while also giving out a cutesy vibe. And I especially loved the cotillion gowns.

so much fun, too cute. i really love this but it was so much fun & the diversity was great. the ride was great

An incredibly sweet and beautifully queer graphic novel set in the "Old West", featuring a cute romance and wonderful art. Short, but sweet!

actual rating 3.5

This was very cute although I really wish it had been a bit longer because everything seemed to move very fast and was a bit bare bones. Still, the art was the cute and the story was cute and it's nice to have a fun historical romance with lgbtq characters that just allows them to exist instead of focusing the entire story on how miserable they must be because ~historical accuracy~. I would definitely read a volume two if they are planning one.

Lovely graphic novel about an outlaw hoping to steal a Confederate document, and the trans woman who unexpectedly joins her on the adventure. It's great fun watching their attraction slowly grow as they get to know one another, and the illustrations are soft and delightfully coloured.

Definitely one that I would want to promote in the library!

*I received this book as an eARC from Graphic Universe via NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This Old West story is wonderfully queer and diverse. Trans and indigenous characters. Outlaws on an adventure. There's even a fancy ball scene. This graphic novel is very cute and I absolutely love all the intentions behind this story, but it did not keep my attention. I found myself bored while reading this book. It is simple and cute. I think i Just wanted more. I give this book a 3/5. There need to be more books like this, but this particular book just did not keep my attention.

I loved this story. The way it approached sexuality and trans topics was so respectful and beautiful. I ended with tears in my eyes because most of the time trans people stories are treated like a tragedy filler, but this was wholesome and sweet.
The drawing style is very beautiful and I liked the crayon or colored pencil feel of it.

This was so amazing! I can’t wait to pick up a finished copy for my collection. 4.5 stars! I plan on recommending this to everyone that asks for graphic novel recommendations.

This a wonderfully written and touching story about two people finding real friendship and adventure. Softly drawn and absolutely adorable, Stage Dreams is a great graphic novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions are my own.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this through Netgalley.

This was a lot of fun? And I would definitely want more.

I love casual queerness is anything, and this had this. It also had a fun plot. The art style wasn't conventionally super pretty but I really liked it, it fit it, and the colors looked real good together.

I definitely wanted more but also this was a fun (I think one shot?). I'd definitely pick up more by this author, though!

I DNF this title. I didn´t like it, at all.
I can´t really say why that happened, but I found it uninteresting.

Stage Dreams delivers queer historical fiction with a hefty dose of adventure. The narrative of this beautiful graphic novel is brought to life with warm, engaging color pencil illustrations. The back matter annotations enhance the story with historical context as well as the contributions of POC and trans people during the civil war. This fun read is a first purchase for most libraries serving young people.