SIDE EFFECTS is a queer graphic novel about mental health and struggling with it mental health issues.

It's Hannas first year at the college. It's also the first time that she's away from home. The first month is way harder than expected and she breaks down. She starts going to therapy and also starts taking meds after her roommate found her and brought her to the campus mental health. Hannah tries different medications and each one brings new side effects with them. She wants to get better but struggles with the side effect.

I find it very difficult to write this review because I just can't find the right words. It's not that I didn't like the story, it's the complete opposite. I really enjoyed the story and the issues raised are very important.

Many students struggle with mental health issues, but asking for help is not always easy. I can't find the right words because I am scared to spoil the whole story.

I can only recommend everyone to read this book, because it not only deals with mental health, but is also a queer story!

Thank you to Ted Anderson and Tara O'Connor, NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for this EARC!

Side Effects is a graphic novel about a freshman in college who is dealing with Anxiety and Depression. She gets out on medication for it and it has some…interesting side effects.

I really wish this book had been around when I was younger, maybe it would have helped me talk to my doctor about being put on medication sooner.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book to review!

1 Sentence Summary: The beginning of Hannah’s first year of college goes terribly; she’s so overwhelmed that she can’t get out of bed, but when she starts going to therapy things begin improving, except the medication she’s prescribed has some unusually supernatural side effects.

My Thoughts: This was a really great quick and heartwarming read. I loved Hannah’s journey and the focus on mental health.

My biggest complaints were that it could’ve been fleshed out/developed more, and there were some weird time skips that made me really confused.

Overall, it was an interesting idea that could’ve been executed better, but I’d still recommend it!

Recommend to: People interested in graphic novels exploring themes of mental health.

A gorgeously illustrated, dynamic and emotive story about showing support to oneself and others struggling with their mental health.

I absolutely sped through this short mix of sci-fi and magical realism, exploring mental health and college life. It's very sweet (perhaps too much so for some), and this allows some heavy topics to be dealt with whilst maintaining an overall hopeful and light tone.
If I have one nitpick, it would be that the pacing felt a little off - I would have appreciated a longer book if it meant the different powers could be explored more, and the relationships had more time to develop.
That said, the characters are a real high point of this for me - it took me maybe 3 pages to absolutely adore Ella in particular. I also enjoyed the romance subplot.
An enjoyable and insightful read.

Mental health and magical realism! This graphic novel gets a little intense at times but overall it’s a very sweet story about a girl starting out at college who feels overwhelmed. We get to see her grow as she begins the journey of working on her mental health and gaining confidence along the way. A charming read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

✨5/5✨

I've been reading a lot of graphic novels lately, and this one deserves all the praise. This should honestly be available to every young person dealing with mental health issues because the telling of this story was amazing! I loved the fact that this graphic novel took the path of normalizing mental illness and the need to get help instead of villainizing it. Medications are okay, and even sometimes might give you super powers (if only!). Also, the therapist in this, can we all find someone so special?! There are some spreads of art that I just wish I could frame!

Thank you to Aftershock Comics and NetGalley for providing a copy for an honest review.

This was so much fun to read to be honest. thank you netgalley for the arc.
what caught my eye? Was the cover first because i judge books by their covers, definitely. But then i got into the story and???? Wow<3
This was well thought actually.
would totally recommend.

I really liked the representation in this graphic novel. And the effects of needing to go on medication and the feelings surrounding that choice were very accurate.

Side Effects feels like a work that should be read in school, it’s educational while being enjoyable and fun.

The black and white art is outstanding and I love the way the illustrator plays with dimensions and conventions.

The concept is also amazing, side effects of different medicine giving the main character powers that help her navigate her life but without changing her. Because medicine alone can’t cure depression or eliminate anxiety, it’s just a way to help you cope.

Beautiful story and beautiful message. Definitely recommend this graphic novel!

Thank you Diamond books, Aftershock comics and Netgalley for the digital copy in exchange of an honest review.

This was a cute comic that had some very important messages to say. I also absolutely loved that the main character is an art history major (I might be biased) - although who has sexy dreams about Emile Durkheim??

I thought the superpowers were a bit... Too much. They changed too quickly and weren't explored enough for it to have a big effect. It made the story a bit lighter than it would've been if it was only about therapy and medication, but it didn't really work for me, I'm afriad.

I would like to thank this book for reminding me that 'bodacious ' is a word that I should be using

This graphic novel deals with mental health and medication (with some super powers too), and I loved every second of it.

Hannah's journey throughout this book is wonderful and very important read about, especially for anyone who is in the same place Hannah was at the beginning of this story. I saw myself in Hannah and watching everything she accomplished was inspiring!

Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review

This was a really cool book that took a blunt look at taking medication for depression and anxiety. The start of the book was very straight-forward, and approached therapy and meds as a totally normal and OK thing to do, which I appreciated. Then, Hannah started having some fantastical side effects from the meds- it was pretty fun.

I love books about mental health, and this one did a wonderful job capturing what it's like to start medication and how hard it can be to find one that works. Not only that, the counseling Hannah undergoes is super accurate.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Side Effects was a fun graphic novel dealing with mental health and discovering who you are. Hannah is in her freshman year in college and now needs to take medication to help with her mental health. Only those medications have some surprising side effects, like telepathy and astral projection. Hannah now has to deal with new friends, new relationships, and the challenges that come with being a college student while staying on top of her health. I found many parts of this book to be extremely relatable and really enjoyed its positive take on therapy and medication. Ted Anderson wrote a fun and enjoyable slice of life story that shows the reader what it is like to grow through working on ourselves and helping the people around us. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical realism or who wants a positive perspective on mental health issues.

Thank you to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Aftershock Comics for providing a copy for review.

really liked this graphic novel. It deals with mental health, therapy, meds, changing your meds, superpowers and of course LOVE!! Taking care of yourself so you can help take care of those you love who might also be struggling with mental health. Also loved the queer rep!!

<i>SIDE EFFECTS</i> is a graphic novel about Hannah, a college student struggling with anxiety and depression. When she starts seeing a therapist and gets a prescription for medication, she realizes she's having some unusual side effects...like telepathy and electrocution.

There is so much to like here - the message, the story, the characters, the art style. It's a fun read that isn't just good on a surface level. While the plot is fairly expected once you get going, that's not a detriment to the story; instead, it proves the importance of growth and getting better. I'd recommend this read to anyone who enjoys a graphic novel with heart.

Thank you to Aftershock Comics and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.