This is a fun graphic novel that really expressed the love people have for Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop games. I love that this shows the characters dealing with their issues in real life and during the game and how it parallels/mirrors each other.

While some aspects of the plot are a bit stereotypical when it comes to this type of game, I still think it was fun and heartwarming in the end. Definitely recommend to fans of DnD, who will appreciate relating to the characters and enjoying their adventures in game.

The Last Session, vol. 1 was a delight. It mixes everything I love about Dungeons & Dragons - sorry, Dice & Deathtraps - with the realities that come with getting older, finishing college, and moving on to a new phase in your life. All with an inclusive cast of characters who felt both relatable and distinct.

My absolute favorite thing about this book was the way it presented both the characters in the real world and their game play. The graphic novel format was key here - I loved seeing everyone's characters and being able to compare them to the players. The transitions were seamless and importantly, the game helped move the greater plot forward (as well as showing a slice of an intriguing game plot). There were plenty of copyright-safe winks and nods towards D&D, from character classes to dice rolls, but I think it would still be plenty accessible to someone who didn't know the game at all.

The characters also really shined. They're a diverse bunch, from their varied sexualities to gender identities to races to current life paths, but no one ever felt tokenized. They all simply were themselves, both at their best and at their worst. Everyone was given the opportunity to have flaws and to grow beyond them, making the conclusion feel satisfying, if a little predictable and sappy.

Since this is volume 1, I can't wait to see what's in store for this group next, both in their game and in life!

4/5

This as such a cute and heartwarming read! As someone who’s new to D&D and who’s boyfriend is a DM for our group of friends this story was incredibly relatable. It captured both the excitement of being a part of something new and also the anxiety/nervous feelings of coming into an already established group and hoping you make the best impression.

I adored the illustration style of this graphic novel and I really enjoyed the scenes we got of the players and their own characters in the game. It was fun to see how they visualized their own game and environment and gave me a better understanding of what D&D characters could like (a bard, druid, etc.). I feel like sometimes D&D-related content can feel intimidating to someone who doesn’t know too much about the game but this felt really accessible and inclusive and I love the representation within the characters. Definitely buying this when it comes out! :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this arc!

Great inclusive D&D-based story of an LGBTQ+ group of tabletop gamers playing a prolonged final game from high school through college and assorted life changes.

This was such a fun and enjoyable graphic novel. As a lover of D&D, I always love to see graphics of it and see other people enjoying it, fictional or otherwise.

The copy I received was really had to read and in the end it became too uncomfortable to continue on about a quarter way into the book.

However I only made it that far as I was really enjoying the story and the gorgeous art. I'm disappointed I couldn't read more but I look forward to trying again in a different format sometime in the future.

Cute! The art style is great, I'm a sucker for anything D&D related, and am interested in seeing more of this groups dynamic.

My very first Netgalley review and what a story to start out with. This story just felt so real; I've been the jealous friend who didn't want new people and the new person who joined a very well established campaign. I adored every detail from the coloring to the style and even font. I am really hoping that this Vol. 1 turns into Vol. 2, 3, 4. Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

This was such a fun story filled with adventure and diverse characters! I really adored everything about this story and these friends!

The Last Session Vol 1: Roll For Initiative is a fun and adventurous story of a group of old friends playing D&D. When a new person is added to the group, tensions rise as they struggle to not let their real life struggles bleed into the game. Can the group come together before the end of the last session? This was a great introduction to what it’s like to play in a D&D group, with a particularly honest look at the importance of group dynamics. This is a queer inclusive contemporary world, where many of the players identify as LGBTQ+. This was a very enjoyable read and I hope there is another volume! The Last Session Vol 1: Roll For Initiative releases July 12, 2022. Thank you so much to Jasmine Walls, DozerDraws, Diamond Book Distributors, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, the file I downloaded repeatedly crashed and I was unable to finish this novel. The artwork is beautiful and I look forward to getting a copy when it is published!

A new-adult feel-good comic about role-playing and new friendships. I thought this would talk to me because I quite like board games, and I enjoy relaxing with a light-hearted work, but I found the story kind of lacking. The illustrations are lovely, with really good colouring, the characters are varied and could make for something interesting, but I think this was just not for me. I think this is specifically for people who enjoy role-playing and might relate.

I just wasn't able to download this title. I tried several times on my laptop, including making sure all the settings were accurate and I had Adobe, but it just wouldn't download properly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy.

I was very excited to read this graphic novel. While I have yet to get into playing Dungeons and Dragons, I am a big fan of some of the shows, podcasts, and comics. This was a really cute graphic novel that I think fans of DnD or those interested in getting into it will enjoy. This comic was also very diverse in terms of gender, sexuality, race, and body size, which I always appreciate seeing. The overall plot/“moral” of the story wasn’t really anything new, but I liked the characters and the flow of moving from real world to fantasy world. I also really enjoyed the art style and thought it fit the story really well. I hope there are more volumes in the future, because I think this could be a great set up for a series.

So I was able to read the first few pages but my copy refused to load. From what I read this looked like an amazing book and I would love to finish it sometime if given the chance!

I think this novel is really unique to the fantasy genre. The characters are incredibly well written/drawn, and their characters didn't fall into tropes. I loved the amount of representation in this book, and I think it was incredibly well done. I admit I have never played D&D or any games like it, but I think this novel did a good job of making the game accessible. I also loved the art style - something I'm quite picky about.

A big thank you to Netgalley and Diamond Book Distributors for giving me an e-ARC of "The Last Session Vol 1: Roll for Initiative" by Jasmine Walls and Dozerdraws, in exchange for a honest review!

This graphic novel about a group of queer friends coming together to play "Dice and Deathtraps" and combatting life changes all while they continue to meet up every week is absolutely fantastic! I loved the relationship dynamics between each and every friend, and how they all varied from each other. In addition, the casual queer representation gives me life, ranging from asexual to nonbinary to queer and straight main characters. Add to that the bright and crisp illustrations done by Dozerdraws, and you have a gorgeous story that will strike the fancy of any queer Dungeons and Dragons fan.

I seem to be reading more and more dungeons and dragons inspired books lately! I devoured a manga that was D&D themed and then came across this gem of a graphic novel. I feel like anything D&D related just lends itself to a more visual storytelling format, so I admired the beauty in this graphic novel because it tells a great story, but also has wonderful depictions of the characters and their own characters (the tail of dragonkin did bother me slightly, but I LOVED the lich and his skeleton minions!)

This is a tale of some kids who met in high school during a "gsa" club meeting. The president of the gsa never showed up, so the club kinda morphed into a D&D club. School ended before they could finish their campaign. Time passes and they all get busy with their lives, but decide to wrap up the campaign before they all move away. The only hiccup - the DM is dating Cass and she wants to play. What started as a super supportive and welcoming group in high school becomes strangely catty toward a new player in the campaign. Will they be able to finish the campaign? Will they all still be friends by the end it it? Will the group accept the DM's girlfriend? Read on to find out!

Recommended for anyone who loves D&D, loves cosplay and fantasy art

As an avid TTRPG player and fan, I'm always curious to see how others like me share their experiences. It's those experiences, in formats such as this book, that not only spread our love of the game, but also aids in establishing connections with those that haven't played or experienced TTRPGs. Although the era where TTRPG players are viewed as social outcasts and geeks to the extreme are mostly behind us with the rising popularity of TTRPGs, there is still a gap, and having experienced how bad such a gap can be, I wouldn't wish it upon anyone else. Thus, I think it's important for books like The Last Session to exist, to show the reality of what we do, which is hang out and have fun with our friends. We choose to tell stories together.

Overall, The Last Session does a good job of portraying everything that is loved about TTRPGs, and it ties in real life in a way that it feels relatable. It did feel a bit rushed in parts, but that wasn't terribly glaring. The art is cute and the overall tone is a bright and cheerful one, which I enjoyed. Having experienced a lot of fantasy and a lot of gaming, there are a fair amount of what I'd personally consider popularized tropes, but those tropes are popular for a reason, and serve as good connectors to those not as familiar with TTRPGs. Someone who's playing many hours of TTRPGs per week might not get as much out of this book as someone who barely/never plays, and I think the latter is the intended audience for this work. It would make a good gift from TTRPG players who used to play (together or not) but no longer do, from a TTRPG player to a family member or friend that they wish to connect with more, or as an enticement to someone to get into TTRPGs.

This was a great graphic novel! I really loved the charming and aesthetically appealing art style, and the story itself was very creative for how it alternated between the real world and the characters' game. This story will be relatable to a lot of people for how it shows a group of young adults struggling with growing up and moving away while trying to hold on to their friendships. I appreciated the casual diversity of the characters in "The Last Session" and I think it's great that the backstory was that they met in GSA in high school. This story was incredibly believable both for its realistic plot and it's characters, so like I said, I think many people will identify with it. Lastly, I liked the themes about accepting change and working through insecurities in relationships.

My one critique is that I wish a volume about the group's high school origins came first. As much as I liked the flashbacks to high school, I feel it needs its own book and plot, as this felt like a sequel already. A prequel to this volume would help readers see the importance of the game to each of the friends, show the progression of their relationships, and help us to understand Lana better.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!