I have never been a comic book lover, not in the past and not now. Graphic novels? Have only ever read one. Animation? Can take it or leave it. So why did I ever pick up, this book? Goodreads, a few strong reviews from friends I trust and it sounded different. Took a chance that turned out to be a big win, win.

Tow friends from art school, a unique partnership, Sharon Kisses and Mel Vaughn, Avant garde, B movies, a graphic animated story of Mel's life. These girls both have difficult back stories, Mel from Florida, Sharon from a small town in Kentucky. Tragedies in their past, issues to overcome the best they can.

Sharon Kisses is our narrator, just love both their names. This book......... it is heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny, sad, drugs, alcohol, creative juices, a unique friendship, obstacles to overcome, in your face, leaving you with nowhere to hide. It turned me inside out and upside down. It is grungy, gritty, brimming with life. It is all the things we read fiction for and more. It is a story with characters you will think about long after you finish.

A first novel? Incredibly hard to believe, the talent of this author is amazing. Can't wait to see what she does next. My first five star read of the New Year. Who knew?

ARC from Netgalley.
Publishes January 31st.

Completely engrossing, heartbreaking, vivid characters that leap off the page. Very emotional yet so fun. Loved it!

Oh my god. Book nerds, get excited. This is the best debut novel I've read in...well, it was so good I felt compelled to tweet at Kayla Rae Whitaker just how much I liked it.

The Animators tells the story of Sharon and Mel, showing their beginnings as two talented young women who meeting in college and then immediately propelling them ten years into the future to pick up the story after they catch their first big break in the world of adult animated indie films. As the story progresses, Mel's and Sharon's flaws are slowly used to shape their journey through heartache, fame, and ambition, adding dimension to the pair in each chapter. I particularly found the writing the most poignant in the middle of the story, adding to what should have been "down-time" in Sharon's Kentucky hometown a certain feeling of comfort and warmth surrounded by clouds of darkness. Most of my criticism is reserved for the ending, but even that couldn't keep me from loving this book.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.