Member Reviews
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC. All opinions are my own. Onto the review.
I read this a while ago and absolutely adored it. The art had some heavy lifting to do, keeping up with the story itself. Kiersten White is one of my favorite authors and this story did not disappoint. The art uplifted the story and was actually really nice to look at.
In Hide it follows a group of kids who are essentially playing the most intense game of hide and seek ever in an abandoned amusement park. And things get weird quick.
It’s diverse, it’s well written, well paced. I was reading late into the night even though my eyes were dry and I had a headache. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen.
What does happen? Why this game? Well because the people in power want to stay in power at the cost of those they deem beneath them. Now, did they earn this power? No. It was given to them.
Apparently there are themes here that those familiar with Mormonism would notice. As I’m not, I didn’t pick up on those.
What is there though is a story about those in power abusing others because they feel like they should be in power for no reason. They think they’re better and need to be knocked down a peg. Or all the pegs. And when things don’t go their way, they get angry.
I loved this story. I need to buy it. I recommend everyone get it. And the added fun of it being a graphic novel adds to the already amazing story.
5 stars y’all.
"With her spot at a local women’s shelter in jeopardy, Mackenzie Black has nowhere to go. When a mysterious opportunity presents itself, she accepts because there isn’t another option. The Olly Olly Oxen Free Hide-and-Seek Tournament. Fourteen competitors will hide in an abandoned amusement park for seven days, and the last man or woman standing receives $50,000 from the sponsor Ox Extreme Sports. Mack once had to hide to save her life; this time, she only has to do it for money. Let the games begin . . . or is this just a game? As expected, her fellow competitors start disappearing one by one. They were supposed to be eliminated from the competition once found, but there seems to be something more sinister at play, something that leaves behind blood. Mack is used to fending for herself, but in order to survive, she’ll have to abandon her solitude and work together with the remaining contestants before they all disappear for good.”
*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Ten Speed Graphic, imprint of Ten Speed Press, through NetGalley in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve made a mistake, a huge mistake. I started the novel “Hide” on August 3rd, 2023. A few days later, I picked up the graphic novel, thinking it would be cool to experience the story in two different formats at the same time. I was wrong. I hit a brick wall with the novel which held up my progress in the graphic novel. One of the final sections of the book, “Day Five,” lasts almost one hundred pages, and the places to stop are few and far between. I didn’t finish the whole book until late December, and most of that time was spent reading one single chapter at an absolute snail’s pace. By the time I returned to the graphic novel, I’d given its source material Two Stars.
Unlike most readers, I don’t have a problem with the amount of characters. This is a hide-and-seek competition with a $50,000 grand prize; of course there’s going to be a lot of people! That premise is the reason I purchased the book, and though I liked it more in theory than execution, I still appreciate the creativity. Yes, what I expected is probably the boring option, but I didn’t vibe with the twist at all. The first half of the story feels completely different from the second half, and the transition is not seamless. Both formats are laid out in the same way in the same amount of pages, the main difference being the illustrations. I really like the art from Andy and Veronica Fish which kept me going when my interest was hovering above zero. The style is colorful and the right amount of wacky and haunted for an abandoned amusement park, and in my opinion, it elevates the story. My final rating is Three Stars, one whole star better than the novel but only due to the art.
“Hide” didn’t work for me, but that doesn’t mean you won’t like it. I recommend the graphic novel over the novel which has long chapters, much too long in my opinion. The art is colorful and vibrant and easier to consume versus feeling burnt out and quitting the same chapter over and over again. If you’re expecting some kind of true crime-esque thriller with elements of horror, prepare yourself for much more of a supernatural vibe. This is a dark story, and the visuals make it even darker.
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Content Breakdown: Army injury & PTSD, Assault of women (brief mention), Blood, Classism, Cult life & religious ideals, Death, the Devil & Demons/Monsters, Disability from birth, Disappearance of a child, Drugs & Drugging, Gore, Grief, Human sacrifice, Language (cursing & taking God’s name in vain), Living in a shelter (brief), Murder of adults & children, Racism, Sanitarium (brief mention), Scary Imagery (i.e. clowns & monstrous faces), Slurs (at least two derogatory terms for women), Suicide, Violence, Weapons & weapon use (i.e. guns)
"Hide: The Graphic Novel" is a thrilling adaptation that masterfully combines suspense, horror, and stunning visual artistry.
Veronica Fish's full-color illustrations breathe life into the eerie setting of the abandoned Amazement Park, making the reader feel the chilling atmosphere with every turn of the page. The detailed artwork captures the tension and fear that permeates the park, enhancing the narrative's urgency and suspense. Fish's ability to convey emotion through her characters' expressions and body language adds depth to the story, making the reader empathize with Mack's plight and root for her survival.
The graphic novel's pacing is impeccable, with each panel propelling the story forward and keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The mysterious disappearances and the growing realization that the competitors must work together to survive add layers of complexity and intrigue. "Hide: The Graphic Novel" is not just a tale of survival but also a commentary on trust, teamwork, and the lengths to which people will go when faced with dire circumstances. This gripping adaptation is a must-read for fans of horror and graphic novels alike, offering a hauntingly immersive experience that lingers long after the final page is turned.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC on Hide: The Graphic Novel. Unfortunately this one is a DNF for me. I got about halfway through this and decided to give up. It's good and the illustrations are great but it just wasn't for me. It was a little darker and harder to get through than I thought it would. I personally just found it taxing to get through and with all the books I have on my to read shelf, this one I finally decided to just move on from.
I don’t think the art is bad or anything, but I think you should stick with the book. The graphic novel cuts some very meaningful and important parts out.
Such a fun way to feel the tension and dread of this story. I was so intrigued to see how the monster would compare to the one I visualized in my head when I read the novel, and it was cool to see it actually on paper. If you've read and enjoyed the book then this is a must, or if you're looking for a quick bite of horror then this will also satisfy!
It's another great adaptation of a book. So well done. Art is wonderful. The story is still there. Stay very true to it. Well Done.
The graphic novel adaptation of the narrative was much more enjoyable to me than the novel Hide, which was published the previous year. The pictures, in my opinion, were excellent, and it helped clarify more of what was happening.
When Hide was published as a novel I remember being interested, but I had heard varying reviews on the plot. After reading the graphic novel version, I think this is the perfect medium for the story. The art was beautiful, and because there were so many characters (a couple with the same name for some reason) being able to see them made it easier to keep track of who was who. The plot was sinister. A reality show with fame and money on the line is enough for me but the twist added that extra something that made it unique enough to stand out.
I’m very happy the first time I read this story was via the graphic novel version! It was a lot of fun.
This was a very cool premise that took a twist I didn't expect. Very creepy idea to basically make people think they are competing in a reality show when something much more sinister is at play. I really liked how the story was laid out and that we got into each characters head with it. Would love to know more about this universe. Another great book from Kiersten White (also can we get the And I darken series as graphic novels? because they'd be so good)
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
What could have been a sprightly teen horror comic turns into a plod, as fourteen random-seeming kids get invited to a sketchy-and-then-some abandoned theme park, to get involved in what seems a test run of a hide-and-seek reality game show. It's not of course, and they're nothing like as random as first appears. Initial focus is strongly on Mack, who has a darkness in her past (of course) but when some of the characters are found and eliminated, and the cast list turned into something more manageable, we can just about empathise with some of the other characters – nowhere near enough of them, mind. Presented quite well, it just seems to have been slavishly reverential to the prose novel source – ultimately it's not bad but never once justifies its running length.
I mean, how could I give the comic adaptation a worse rating than the original novel, when the artist illustrated the entire cast <i>and</i> an amusement park setting on top of ererything? This was highly impressive (reading Scott McClouds "Understanding Comics" right around the same time seriously changed my perspective on the craft). I respect comic creators more than I respect my own parents.
Thank you, Netgalley and Ten Speed Press, for a review copy of this book! The opinions in this review are entirely my own.
Let's start with a disclaimer: I have not read the actual novel. I have only read The Genevieve Deception by the author. This graphic novel version caught my eye because of the theme and the description. I also didn't read other reviews.
With that being said, I have to say I loved the illustrations and the overall idea of the book. However, the ending was a bit disappointing. While horror is not always realistic, the way this story progressed at the end didn't make much sense to me. It was just an OK graphic novel for me. My favorite part were the illustrations.
I've read a few others from Kiersten White and really enjoyed them.
I had been wanting to read this novel, but didn't really have the brain space so a graphic novel version was perfect. Unfortunately, I can't comment on how well it follows the OG.
I loved this concept. It was a little slow to get into at first with all the getting to know you and different characters.
However, once it gets going, it's hard to put down.
Highly recommend.
**Digital review copy provided by NetGalley and the publisher**
The artwork was gorgeous and I was compelled enough by the quick pacing of the latter half of the book to finish it. However, the overwhelming amount of characters at the beginning and the convoluted back story (that was relayed via long diary pages) was annoying enough to knock it down a few stars for me.
Thanks so much to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Before the Hide graphic novel, I was already a devout fan of Kiersten White's adult horror novels. Hide was a favorite read of mine for 2022, and Mister Magic was a massive favorite for last year, 2023. So I knew going in that I was already in love with the story and was so, so excited to see the art style and how this story I love so much translated into a visual medium. And as far as the art is concerned, it was *incredible*. The characters were all so well depicted and most of them looked exactly the way that I pictured them when I was first reading the book. And most of the story came through perfectly, but I will say that switching from Kiersten White's beautiful, hauntingly descriptive prose to a story mainly told through visuals lost a bit of the more horror-centric feel of the story for me. So much of the internal struggles of the characters didn't end up coming through because there was so little room in the art to get it across, and this led to the deaths of characters not hitting in the same way that they do in the full novel. However, I was still stunned by the story even in this format and loved every second of getting back into the action with some of my favorite characters. I'm now desperately hoping that Mister Magic ends up getting the same treatment!
When you are reading a thrilling book you can create your own images in your head,
The advantage with this book is you get to have amazing illustrations along with the terror. I had a lot of fun with this. Its my first book by Kiersten and it makes me want to explore more of her stories.
I first read Hide in its original novel format when it was first released. I liked it well enough but found some of the story lacking - perhaps this was because of the original format. I definitely could envision Instead its potential in a visual medium, such as a film, mini-series, or, as it turns out, a graphic novel.
The graphic novel format enhances the storytelling in ways that the traditional book did not. The diverse array of characters, which may have felt somewhat indistinguishable in the written version, now comes to life with vivid clarity through the artistic renderings. Credit to the artist for skillfully differentiating even the most similar characters, making the narrative more accessible and engaging.
The theme park setting and its concealed secrets, which may have been challenging to fully appreciate in the original novel (though the end pages in the original were amazing), take on a whole new level of fun in this graphic novel adaptation. The visual elements amplify the enjoyment of exploring the mysterious park and its hidden intricacies.
Revisiting this story in graphic novel form was an absolute delight, and I wholeheartedly recommend grabbing a copy for your summer horror reading. Whether you've read the initial novel or not, this adaptation proves to be a brilliantly executed, enjoyable, and faithful rendition. I liked it a lot, and it's a fantastic addition to your graphic novel collection.
I never read Hide the novel, and so I didn't know exactly what I was in for. It took me a minute to become oriented, the third person omniscient narrator was a little distracting, but once I did I was able to read this book quickly. This is a story that feels really nicely suited for visual media - the art brings the setting to life. The story reminded me of Cabin in the Woods in a good way, and was filled with a sense of dread. For adult or teen horror readers, this is a lot of fun.
I haven't read the novel this is adapted from yet, but I think this stands well on it's own. It follows some tropes but is done well. It's part Hunger Games, part And Then There Were None. It's about 14 twenty somethings invited to a defunct amusement park. They are playing Hide and Seek and then the winner collects 50 grand. Of course, that's not the real story at all. The Fish's artwork works very well.