Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for an e-arc !

I loved this graphic novel!!! It was beautifully illustrated and it perfectly described how it is too be human! I loved following Joana and her journey of self discovery, a very real and comforting read!

2.5 rounding up because I could see this working for someone else.

I loved the idea. But the execution was flawed. The first part where we're watching the MC's mental health decline felt very... Rushed? Disjointed? Incomplete? I found myself checking page numbers because I thought I'd skipped pages. By contrast the second half dragged. It was very dialog heavy and felt very stilted in comparison to the first half. Honestly, I found the therapy session in the back half to be a little heavy handed, HOWEVER I am an adult who's been through some stuff so this may just be a matter of me not being the intended audience.

The artwork was gorgeous.

DAMN, that’s some good worldbuilding!

In Joana’s world, magic is nearly mundane. Just about anyone can do it, but Joana…she’s GOOD. Particularly at potions. And she’s just begun work at her DREAM job, developing new potions that will not only help people, but push potion making further from animal testing and use.

But her boss doesn’t believe in those ethics. And her roommate is a NIGHTMARE. And her new beau is just saying all the wrong things. The stress is getting to her, and soon she might not be able to control the literal dragons inside.

Despite the theme of anxiety and depression, this is a really cozy book! The majority of characters are kind enough and the artwork is bright and whimsical enough that readers will be certain all comes out right, even when Joana is feeling her worst. I read this as I was nearly all the way out of an anxiety breakdown of my own, and it was a great comfort.

Okay, but more spoilery, the dragons? The dragons as EMOTIONS? A visual, interactive representation of how people feel in this world? I love it. And the author did a great job with therapy talk, but ALSO with making sure readers don’t try to use this book for therapy, and instead seek out professional help.

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

Rating: 5
Genre: Magical Realism
Thank you Oni Press for providing an e-copy through NetGalley.

Summary: Joana is ready to be an adult with the perfect life she has always imagined: She has just moved to London, her dream city, to start working at WitchCo., her dream job, where she can brew innovative potions, her dream passion! Bubbling with excitement, the young witch is certain that everything is falling into place. But life isn’t so perfect in adulthood. First, finding an affordable yet livable apartment is more than difficult (it’s actually impossible). Her boss demands things done his way and shuts down Joanna’s ideas, causing serious stress. And it’s not easy making meaningful relationships in adulthood, whether through co-workers, outside friends, or romantic relationships, yet being alone is even worse. Slowly, Joanna tries to adjust to her new life, but the stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue slowly build up. Growing bigger and bigger at every negative turn, these emotions fester within Joanna until they are unleashed into powerful, all-consuming dragons. And if Joanna wants to tame them, she must accept help and accept the changes within herself.

What I Liked: I Feel Awful, Thanks is probably the most timely and relatable graphic novel for young adults (20-year-olds) that is out right now. It tackles what all of us in our 20s are facing right now: Uncertainty in our lives and future because getting the basics of adulthood - affordable living, a non-toxic job, work-life balance, and healthy relationships - is not guaranteed. The story handles all of these in a very realistic and captivating manner, using distinct imagery, well-written inner dialogue, and blending of text and pictures to depict a new adult struggling with reality. The world-building is cute and inventive: Joana lives in an alternate world where magic is normal and everyone is a witch, with cute hats and simple spells. This setting does not take away from the story or the real issues Joana faces, but instead gives readers a bit of comfort & fantasy to escape into (so readers don’t think “oh, I’m just reading about my life in the real world”). The art is soft and simple, invoking a “cozy fantasy” vibe with its stylized characters, water-color texture, and natural colors (not too bright, dull, or contrasting). Joana is a fantastic protagonist as readers watch her through three phases of her adjustment: Bright-eyed nativity and confusion, falling down the deep end, and accepting recovery. All three stages are very well-written and thought out, as Joana has to balance a multiple of stresses and cope (badly) with how she feels about it. Her journey is very relatable and hits homes, allowing readers to learn about different mental health problems and solutions along with her. The imagery of the dragons serves as a great allegory to depression/anxiety/stress and all the baggage that comes with it, and the dragon tamer (aka a therapist) at the end is such a needed character, especially as she explains different triggers and responses to Joana. Overall, I Feel Awful, Thanks is a beautiful, relatable, and needed urban-fantasy graphic novel that every young adult would appreciate reading.

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!

Recommend to: Teens and adults who are struggling with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, who are struggling with work-life balance, and who are having trouble finding happiness in this crazy world.

Review Date: March 5, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and Oni Press for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 🥰🫶
I loved this one so much! The illustrations and coloring are absolutely gorgeous. This book seems to be marketed for older teens/ young adults with its premise, but I think anyone could read it.
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This book focuses a lot on mental health and controlling your “dragons” as the book refers to feelings. I actually learned a new technique for managing your emotions through this book. Which is strange because I've been in therapy alot and thought I knew all the tricks by now. The technique is given to our MC by a therapist and basically has you setting a certain amount of time to feel any given emotion, such as anger. You only allow yourself a set amount of time to be angry then move on. When Joana went to do this, she found she didn’t even want to feel angry and just enjoyed her time instead. 😊
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Oh I forgot to mention this book has magic! ✨ It’s very similar to our reality, but with a magical touch, which I just love! I think this is a really good book for anyone starting a new time and dealing with all the stress and emotions that come with that. I really loved this one and will definitely be rereading and buying it (eventually)! This is also a translated work, and I think it was translated wonderfully! ☺️

<i>***I thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in return for an honest review*** </i>

<i>I Feel Awful, Thanks</i> is a cute, touching graphic novel, reminiscent of the animated movie, <i>Inside Out</i>. It handles the subject of mental health realistically and helps unwrap the concept of emotions very well. Since it's targeted towards children and young adults, Lara Pickle did a good job at it.

Welllll, if I'm being honest I didn't like the first half of the book for some reason..? As a studious adult, I'm a sour grape for a lot of things lmao. And it's one of my many flaws, sadly.

Regardless, it was *good* :')

I would recommend it for people suffering or struggling with anxiety.

⊹ . ⋆ ☽ ⋆ . ➶

I loved I Feel Awful, Thanks. Great illustrations and good themes of standing up for yourself and going after what you want. I also appreciated the minor "cruelty free" testing theme.

Lara Pickle's comic is excellent in detail and as a whole. She infuses the world of the multinational companies with magic and takes you to magical London. Our protagonist, Joana, arrives in the city of her dreams from the security of a loving family, but soon has to face the difficulties of adulthood. Her roommate is a constant tease, she doesn't feel good enough to her friends, and her boss takes advantage of her ideas. It uses cracked imagery to depict anxiety, and I also liked the symbolism of repressed emotions. All these mental ordeals, however, are somewhat taxing as a reader, but the book cleverly suggests coping techniques. I find it very important that it asks the question of why we should always be happy. The events take place over quite a long period of time, which is entirely consistent with the fact that it takes time to solve problems. We also get a cute romantic interest, and there is a strong emphasis on the non-animal testing of the potions company, but the focus remains on the importance of mental health. And that's what makes this book so valuable.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free graphic novel.*

"I Feel Awful, Thanks" is a very very cute and touching graphic novel about a young witch trying to make her way in the world (London). A strong focus is put on mental health and how to tackle emotions. It was very much over the top but I kinda loved it for it. A quick read but especially the parts with her therapy were well done!

4 stars

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review)

I loved the art style and the colour palette used, it was unique and gave a cosy vibe which I liked. The plot was great and it was really heartwarming to see the main character develop, grow and learn. There were lots of side characters too with cute friendships and a romance and whilst all the relationships were good, I felt the romance was a little rushed. Though I did love seeing all her friendships too and how they were all there for each other. Overall, it was a very good graphic novel that is beautifully illustrated.

This was an amazing read! I have been in a bit of a reading slump lately so I felt bad that I was going into this with a mentality where I wasn't ready to be reading but when I say this graphic novel revived my enjoyment of reading, I mean it! I enjoyed the self-care and mental health care themes presented in the story through magic. Also, the colors and art style were so visually pleasing and the story arc was so relatable as someone in their 20s just trying to figure things out and grow in a new environment.

Joana is a young witch who secured her dream job with a coven in London, her favorite city, where she can dedicate herself to creating potions, her favorite activity! However, she will soon discover the reality of city life is not so idyllic. Finding a flat is an ordeal, her “dream job” is stressful, and she’s totally alone. Little by little, she makes her place, but fatigue, sadness, and doubts threaten to topple her hard-earned success . . . until she starts talking to a professional who helps her realize in order to take care of herself, she must know herself.

I Feel Awful , Thanks is a beautiful graphic novel which follows our protagonist Joana as she navigates a whole new set of challenges after moving to London. New job, new friends and an overbearing boss are just some of the things which begin to set Joana unraveling.

The book deals with the emotions we experience when things are new and stressful and demonstrates how it's completely normal to have a little overwhelmed meltdown moment every now and again. Through the use of the concept of training your dragons aka emotions, the book also gives some great self-care and self-regulation tips.

The graphics are beautiful and the switching from an occasionally muted palette to one which bursts with colour compliments the theme perfectly. Also, the addition of the magic yet realistic undertone adds a great sense of warmth and fun.

A gorgeous, fun yet helpful read for both adults and teens alike, which will have a little something to take away for everyone.

I feel awful, thanks is a beautifully crafted graphic novel and its strong themes are explored brilliantly using absolutely gorgeous illustrations. Adding a magic twist to such a hard hitting topic was a great touch to help explore the trials and tribulations of mental illness.

I also like the use of therapy throughout this book, and would recommend it to anyone who may be in or considering therapy as it opens the topic up for discussion in a less daunting manner.

A beautifully illustrated graphic novel, that deals with mental health very well, and friendships and relationships and the turmoils of those in a magical way. Also deals with workplace issues and standing up for yourself, and recognizing and letting yourself feel all your emotions. I really appreciated how this novel had a lot of text as well, which made it easy to get into, and kept me engaged throughout!

Loved the art and the story in this book. It's about a young witch who gets to live in the magic realm of London. She finds that life in the big city isn't as easy as it seems. Ultimately she has to decide what she wants and who she can trust to help her commit to her goals.

I loved this a lot. It really is a good way to talk about feelings and how it's just okay to feel not fine for a while.

This graphic novel was not what I expected but in a good way! The cover made me think this would be a light romp through a witchy world and some minor social catastrophes sprinkled within the plot. Though I do love a light read and they are important too, what it ended up being was a deep and thoughtful look into adulting and mental health.
Jo is a witch who is excited to land her dream job at a potion-making company. While she quickly meets friends and a love interest, she soon encounters an ethical problem and some bad power dynamics. She tries to ignore the hard stuff and focus on the positives. On the outside, she feels she has everything she wants. But she questions why it doesn't feel good.
The themes in this book hit home for me as someone who also struggles with mental health issues and they manifest in similar ways to the main character. This made it hard to read at some points, but that will of course vary by personal experience. I appreciated the imagery of her mental health in the artwork, as well as the journey she went on throughout the book. It reflected the journey (and sometimes cycle) of caring for yourself.
I recommend this book to people who are teens and older, especially those who struggle with their mental health or love someone who does. The only thing I would change about this book would be that I would have liked to see more of the magic in the book. Although she is a witch, the magic is a very minor part of the book and is more of a backdrop. The author does have several pages of notes in the back of the book that details more about the world (as well as notes on mental health and her art) but I would have loved to see it more on page.
(Thank you to the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.)

I love books about witches and the different perspectives that authors take. This one was unique. It reminded me a little like the movie Inside Out, in the sense that the protagonist is learning to manage her emotions.
The dialogue at times felt a bit disconnected but if I’m correct it was translated to English from Spanish so that may be it.
Overall I thought it was entertaining and all the characters were great.

Cute story! I liked the theme of magic throughout and the potion making was a nice touch! Would be good for a certain group of readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The enchanting fantasy world of witches and magic - this cozy graphic novel centers around Joana navigating a new chapter of her life when she moves to London to pursue her dream job in potion making! I love Pickle's art style where it immediately put a smile on your face along with the magical elements of the fantasy world! I wasn't expecting this comic to also be centered around mental health which I loved! As Joana starts her dream job, she encounters a few problems along the way such a micromanaging roommate and difficult work leader. As Joana tries to stay positive and remain grateful for her opportunities, her emotional stresses start to affect her personal relationships. So, this comic portrays not just Joana's navigating a big life change but also her navigating through her emotions and mental distresses. I love the comic's message of the importance of acknowledging your feelings and listen to you emotions instead of suppressing them.

“happiness is made of both positive and negative emotions”

Overall, I love the magical world of this comic! I wish we saw more of it! I appreciate that this comic is promoting the importance of not just mental health but also therapy! It is okay to not be okay!