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Evie
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Graphic Novels & Comics (2015)Like anyone who feels as though they just don't fit in, Evie dreams of a place of safety. When times are tough, all she wants is a chance to escape from reality and be herself.
Despite his failing health, Evie's father comes close to creating such a virtual idyll. Passing away before it's finished, he leaves her the key in the form of an app, and Evie finds herself transported to a world where the population is influenced by her personality. Everyone shines in her presence, until her devious cousin, Mallory, discovers the app... and the power to cause trouble in paradise.
Despite his failing health, Evie's father comes close to creating such a virtual idyll. Passing away before it's finished, he leaves her the key in the form of an app, and Evie finds herself transported to a world where the population is influenced by her personality. Everyone shines in her presence, until her devious cousin, Mallory, discovers the app... and the power to cause trouble in paradise.
182 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
About the author
Joe Sugg
5 books586 followersJoseph Graham "Joe" Sugg, known by his YouTube stage name as ThatcherJoe, is a British YouTube Celebrity, blogger, comedian & internet personality with over three million subscribers. His second channel is called ThatcherJoeVlogs, and also has a gaming channel called ThatcherJoeGames. He is well known for being crazy and eccentric; he is also very good at impressions. He refers to his subscribers as Sugglets and is known for his phrase "I didn't choose the Sugg life, the Sugg life chose me."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 681 reviews
September 15, 2015
I usually don't do this. usually I just use this site as a personal blog for the books I read and want to read. I log a review simply to have it marked for the yearly reading challenge. But this is a special case. I picked up the book in my local bookstore, not knowing who the author was. I just decided I liked the look of it and it's rare that a graphic novel has a female lead (with few notable exceptions). A few pages in and I got worried, the art was flat. Each character seemed wooden and unresponsive, the panels on each page seemed to have no real flow and later, once I reached the 'action scenes', the art took on a new level of ugly. Whoever drew this clearly understands basic drawing ability but this must be their first foray into comics. This was bad, a true disaster with uninteresting character designs and action so laughable in their framing and composition that it looked more like the jerky spastic movements of marionettes. Still, as terrible as that was surely the writing could not be so bad? It was worse, far, far worse. The story was quickly paced with no real time for us to get to know anyone, the main character was bland and uninteresting with nothing to her, reduced to a cliche of outcast. No character traits exist within her, none. She is a shell. The antagonist is, again, as simple, a spoiled popular girl trope but again with no actually personality. The plot of the story is a formulaic piece of prose that hits all the key points of a coming of age outcast story like a bullet point list. There is no feeling of artistic expression just of a soulless committee driven tale to have mass appeal but no texture, no identity. The dialogue spews the usual "you are special" message but does it so poorly and bluntly that it feels like the author just repeating that over and over instead of have his characters actually interact. *spoilers; you have been warned* the ending also suffers from this. The action comes to a head with the two main characters fighting each before basically deciding that actually they don't hate each other and all this was silly. They just do this for no reason, there is no character arc or personal growth for either of them. It seems as if the author just couldn't think of a way to end it and just said "meh, I'm bored". Well, I'm bored, bored of this tired and insipid story that fails in every level of story telling and comic structure. Reading the author's note I found that this is his first r and that his real profession is a YouTube star. Fair enough. I know that a large audience of teenagers will read this and if it gets them into graphic novels then I can't complain. Anything that gets people to enjoy reading is not a bad thing but this comic might just be the worst I have ever read. I hope the people who pick this up as their first graphic novel do not judge the genre on this. It would be like judging the entirety of cinema based on Manos: hands of fate. Though, at least that had an identity.
October 13, 2016
Joe Sugg is a YouTuber whose videos I never saw until after reading his utterly craptastic comic, Username: Evie, but it turns out that he makes unwatchable videos as well as unreadable books!
Well, let’s amend that: he came up with the story but other people actually made this. I’ll credit them here because their names aren’t on the cover of the book they created: Artist: Amrit Birdi, Writer: Matt Whyman, Colourist: Joaquin Pereyra, Letterer: Mindy Lopkin. Joe Sugg just watched The Matrix, thought “Me too!”, and these guys brought his “vision” to life.
I’ve never seen a female character literally fridge herself before but that’s one of the first things our main character Evie does! The story is riddled with high school cliches: the mousy wallflower girl, the geek guy, the jock, the mean girl.
Then we get into the garbage story: Evie’s dad somehow creates (for want of a better word) the Matrix on his PC - right, because that’s possible for one seriously ill guy to do something that staggeringly technical! After he dies, he leaves Evie a laptop which is the gateway into the Matrix. All she needs to do is click the desktop app, look into the camera, and she’s PHYSICALLY transported into the Matrix! So idiotic. Mentally would be less stupid but physically?? And time passes far more slowly in the Matrix just because.
Evie’s mean girl cousin gets into the Matrix as well but her mean girliness infects the NPCs (Non-Player Characters), turning them evil so Evie has to battle them all. What are the stakes? No clue. Maybe if you die in the game you die in real life but that’s never established so there’s zero tension in what’s happening. Cheesy, totally uninteresting good vs evil battle ensues.
What was the geek guy doing in the Matrix? Was it him or just another NPC? How does her dad live forever in the computer??
The story is derivative rubbish that’s irredeemably bad all the way through - Username: Evie is like a bad CBBC show for 10 year old dullards. Avoid it like you’re probably already avoiding Joe Suggs’ terrible YouTube videos!
Well, let’s amend that: he came up with the story but other people actually made this. I’ll credit them here because their names aren’t on the cover of the book they created: Artist: Amrit Birdi, Writer: Matt Whyman, Colourist: Joaquin Pereyra, Letterer: Mindy Lopkin. Joe Sugg just watched The Matrix, thought “Me too!”, and these guys brought his “vision” to life.
I’ve never seen a female character literally fridge herself before but that’s one of the first things our main character Evie does! The story is riddled with high school cliches: the mousy wallflower girl, the geek guy, the jock, the mean girl.
Then we get into the garbage story: Evie’s dad somehow creates (for want of a better word) the Matrix on his PC - right, because that’s possible for one seriously ill guy to do something that staggeringly technical! After he dies, he leaves Evie a laptop which is the gateway into the Matrix. All she needs to do is click the desktop app, look into the camera, and she’s PHYSICALLY transported into the Matrix! So idiotic. Mentally would be less stupid but physically?? And time passes far more slowly in the Matrix just because.
Evie’s mean girl cousin gets into the Matrix as well but her mean girliness infects the NPCs (Non-Player Characters), turning them evil so Evie has to battle them all. What are the stakes? No clue. Maybe if you die in the game you die in real life but that’s never established so there’s zero tension in what’s happening. Cheesy, totally uninteresting good vs evil battle ensues.
What was the geek guy doing in the Matrix? Was it him or just another NPC? How does her dad live forever in the computer??
The story is derivative rubbish that’s irredeemably bad all the way through - Username: Evie is like a bad CBBC show for 10 year old dullards. Avoid it like you’re probably already avoiding Joe Suggs’ terrible YouTube videos!
September 22, 2015
I wasn't expecting this graphic novel to be amazing, but I certainly wasn't expecting it to be this bad. It was way too fast paced so there wasn't much time to grow attached to the characters, which were all very bland and one-sided. Everything was confusing. I didn't understand the whole fridge thing and Unity was just really weird. It was never explained why Mallory hated Evie so much. I don't read that many graphic novels so I can't really talk but while the art definitely wasn't bad, it didn't really feel like it was fitting for a graphic novel. The fight scenes were just plain messy and the panels were sometimes weirdly placed.
September 20, 2015
Wow. This book was incredible. The artwork was absolutely stunning and the story was so good. I loved the characters! Especially Evie! She is such a strong and inspirational girl. I am incredibly proud of you Joe and everything you have achieved xxx
March 27, 2017
Nice Story, but I hated that Everything was happening so fast.
April 22, 2016
Evie is an outcast. Her only friend is a nerdy guy with acne and they aren't close. Evie's father is dying from something; probably boredom. Her cousin is an entitled bratty popular girl stereotype. Evie's dad was a programmer and, in order to keep his daughter from spoiling the eggs every day (because she hides in the fridge with her first world problems), he builds The Matrix. When he dies he gives Evie his masterpiece and she goes inside, finally accepted by the seemingly millions of inhabitants. But then her cousin decides to follow her and she ruins everything. Why is she so hateful towards Evie? What made her into such an unrepentant jerk who can set fire to her house and not care what happens? Why are her parents completely different people in two separate scenes? Why is Evie even an outcast? What is really killing her father? Why did he make a world that could be easily corrupted by a stereotype? Why does Evie think that a faux romance in a computer world would lead to a real romance in the real world? All of these questions and many more are definitely not answered in this mishap of a book. The characters are bland, the romance is forced, the art is horrifying, and this book is just one big fat mess. I picked it up on a whim and I'm going to do the unthinkable: I'm going to throw it away. I don't want to give it to anyone because I feel like I would have lost less brain cells if I'd smoked a nug of weed. I don't want it to exist anymore. Obviously it will continue to exist but it won't exist in my personal library. Joe Sugg, if you're reading this, please let your foray into the world of literature stop here. Please. This is one instance in which the meme "still a better love story than Twilight" doesn't apply.
EDIT: I can't throw it away. I just can't. I might as well be burning it. I'm very much against the destruction of books and, while *I* hated this book, someone else may love it. Instead I'm going to donate it to the local book repository, though I will be writing a note of apology for the poor soul who stumbles upon this piece of tripe. Sorry, locals. I'm just... sorry.
EDIT: I ended up returning it. Then, upon visiting a different Barnes & Noble branch, I was horrified to find that not only was it put out on a display table with other graphic novels that "teens are reading", it was also given a GLOWING review by one of the staff at that location. I snapped a photo, turned the book backwards, and left with an arm full of ACTUAL books. Blech.
EDIT: I can't throw it away. I just can't. I might as well be burning it. I'm very much against the destruction of books and, while *I* hated this book, someone else may love it. Instead I'm going to donate it to the local book repository, though I will be writing a note of apology for the poor soul who stumbles upon this piece of tripe. Sorry, locals. I'm just... sorry.
EDIT: I ended up returning it. Then, upon visiting a different Barnes & Noble branch, I was horrified to find that not only was it put out on a display table with other graphic novels that "teens are reading", it was also given a GLOWING review by one of the staff at that location. I snapped a photo, turned the book backwards, and left with an arm full of ACTUAL books. Blech.
July 19, 2016
It was alright.
I felt like the story was poorly developed and wasn't very well planned out, compared with other graphic novels i've read this books didn't really have a chance!
i didn't attach to the characters at all. And i felt that inspirational stuff i.e. be yourself yada yada was just thrown in there to make the book seem more emotional.
This book has only gotten three stars because the artwork was pretty cool and one or two lines did make me chuckle (only a smidge)
I felt like the story was poorly developed and wasn't very well planned out, compared with other graphic novels i've read this books didn't really have a chance!
i didn't attach to the characters at all. And i felt that inspirational stuff i.e. be yourself yada yada was just thrown in there to make the book seem more emotional.
This book has only gotten three stars because the artwork was pretty cool and one or two lines did make me chuckle (only a smidge)
November 18, 2015
ACTUAL RATING: 2.5 STARS.
OK.
< Username > : Brandon
log time: 1101 pac time
< hit enter >
< look into webcam to activate virtual world >
.....rebooting sequence 3...2...1....
and now that didn't do shit but it was worth a try. That was what the main character Evie had to do in order to escape into a virtual world cerated by her father. Now let's go to the beginning......
this graphic novel was created by Joe Sugg. (hella famous youtuber from the UK).
so one day, he announces his new project: A GRAPHIC NOVEL.
and ofc, the world goes into uproar and excitement about this because most other book tubers are creating memoirs and biographies(because its a new thing now - if you're a famous youtuber, specifically vlogger, with more that a million subs, than you write a book.........about your life).
anyways, the excitement is real and then the book comes out.
and it's not what I expected.
well, kinda.
so here's the deal.
I don't read alot of graphic novels tbh. I like them, but I don't find or know alot of good ones.
what I expected from Joe was a cool kick ass virtual graphic novel but instead, I got something mediocre and disappointing.
PROS:
VISUAL ART - is pretty cool. It suited the book. Bright colors. Nice nice...
CONCEPT - i liked it. the aspect of escaping one's reality through a virtual world. has it been done before. yes. check out Ready Player One. but still, for a graphic novel, the idea is really interesting because it's in GRAPHIC NOVEL FORMAT.
CONS:
STORY/PACING - ok. if you want spectacular story and pacing - read THE SAGA SERIES. (reference) I found the pacing to be way too fast and lame. too fast. not enough character development. AT. ALL. actually, if there was even a remotely any character development at all.
WRITING/DIALOGUE - so like if you want easy chill lax dialogue, WELL HERE YOU GO! YOU HAVE IT. the dialogue, writing was so simple I felt it was cheating in way............if you even know what I mean.
prolly not, but just roll with it ;)
other than that......USERNAME: EVIE isn't something spectacular and kick ass to read. More like entreating and nice to look at......ooooohhh.....ahhhh..
you get the picture.
< hit esc to exit >
< Y / N >
< YES PLEASE >
BYEEEEEEEEEEE
< Username > : Brandon
.....signing off bitches. buh bye.
OK.
< Username > : Brandon
log time: 1101 pac time
< hit enter >
< look into webcam to activate virtual world >
.....rebooting sequence 3...2...1....
and now that didn't do shit but it was worth a try. That was what the main character Evie had to do in order to escape into a virtual world cerated by her father. Now let's go to the beginning......
this graphic novel was created by Joe Sugg. (hella famous youtuber from the UK).
so one day, he announces his new project: A GRAPHIC NOVEL.
and ofc, the world goes into uproar and excitement about this because most other book tubers are creating memoirs and biographies(because its a new thing now - if you're a famous youtuber, specifically vlogger, with more that a million subs, than you write a book.........about your life).
anyways, the excitement is real and then the book comes out.
and it's not what I expected.
well, kinda.
so here's the deal.
I don't read alot of graphic novels tbh. I like them, but I don't find or know alot of good ones.
what I expected from Joe was a cool kick ass virtual graphic novel but instead, I got something mediocre and disappointing.
PROS:
VISUAL ART - is pretty cool. It suited the book. Bright colors. Nice nice...
CONCEPT - i liked it. the aspect of escaping one's reality through a virtual world. has it been done before. yes. check out Ready Player One. but still, for a graphic novel, the idea is really interesting because it's in GRAPHIC NOVEL FORMAT.
CONS:
STORY/PACING - ok. if you want spectacular story and pacing - read THE SAGA SERIES. (reference) I found the pacing to be way too fast and lame. too fast. not enough character development. AT. ALL. actually, if there was even a remotely any character development at all.
WRITING/DIALOGUE - so like if you want easy chill lax dialogue, WELL HERE YOU GO! YOU HAVE IT. the dialogue, writing was so simple I felt it was cheating in way............if you even know what I mean.
prolly not, but just roll with it ;)
other than that......USERNAME: EVIE isn't something spectacular and kick ass to read. More like entreating and nice to look at......ooooohhh.....ahhhh..
you get the picture.
< hit esc to exit >
< Y / N >
< YES PLEASE >
BYEEEEEEEEEEE
< Username > : Brandon
.....signing off bitches. buh bye.
December 3, 2016
No this graphic novel was beautiful. Not only was the story emotionally gripping but the graphics were beautiful. Just stunning. I can't remember how this graphic novel was brought to my attention and I had no idea what it was about but I was willing to give it a try and I'm so glad I did.
This book had a great message about learning to be OK with yourself and understanding what your influence does to those around you whether it be positive or negative. It talked about loving yourself and becoming aware of love coming from other places. It was such a great positive read. Evie was a great main character. Once she learned to trust herself more and recognize the love that was alway around her she just blossomed and so did the people around her. Mallory was Evie's psycho cousin and she was a piece of work. It would have been interesting to see where her negativity stemmed from and maybe that will come in another volume. I hope there will be more. I also loved the character Unity who was designed to represent every man and woman in the world. I loved this concept of just embodying humanity. It was beautiful to behold.
If you are looking for a great uplifting read then take a walk through this book. It's truly awe inspiring. Just breathtaking.
This book had a great message about learning to be OK with yourself and understanding what your influence does to those around you whether it be positive or negative. It talked about loving yourself and becoming aware of love coming from other places. It was such a great positive read. Evie was a great main character. Once she learned to trust herself more and recognize the love that was alway around her she just blossomed and so did the people around her. Mallory was Evie's psycho cousin and she was a piece of work. It would have been interesting to see where her negativity stemmed from and maybe that will come in another volume. I hope there will be more. I also loved the character Unity who was designed to represent every man and woman in the world. I loved this concept of just embodying humanity. It was beautiful to behold.
If you are looking for a great uplifting read then take a walk through this book. It's truly awe inspiring. Just breathtaking.
March 17, 2016
Wow this book was mind blowing!!!
I really loved it!
I never thought in a million years a YouTuber would make a comic but that's so unique because these days YouTubers write books but not comics!
I thought Joe Sugg made an amazing work and you can see when you read the comic he put a lot of effort and hard work on it.
The illustrations and the colors of the book were tremendous because they truly go with the story. About the story it was really interesting and engaging but I thought the story developed very fast and I think that if it went a little slower and get more introduced to the characters it would be perfect!
It was a truly an amazing experience reading this comic I really had a lot of fun reading it!
I really loved it!
I never thought in a million years a YouTuber would make a comic but that's so unique because these days YouTubers write books but not comics!
I thought Joe Sugg made an amazing work and you can see when you read the comic he put a lot of effort and hard work on it.
The illustrations and the colors of the book were tremendous because they truly go with the story. About the story it was really interesting and engaging but I thought the story developed very fast and I think that if it went a little slower and get more introduced to the characters it would be perfect!
It was a truly an amazing experience reading this comic I really had a lot of fun reading it!
September 20, 2015
Joe Sugg's debut into the graphic novel world has arrived... And it is, by all means, spectacular! The art was absolutely captivating, the story well-executed. Watching Evie develop into a better character was so enjoyable as was the cute little romance going on.;) This novel was so creative and modern, with a huge technological twist making this book super unique. I can't wait until Joe Sugg's next book!
December 25, 2015
Nonononono. That was just not good. Will possibly write a full review soon.
May 17, 2016
Wow, this was just terrible...
I was really looking forward to this one, when I spotted it in my library I just knew I had to get this one. Then I started reading, and in the beginning it was pretty decent, but it quickly fell apart. Really quickly even.
Evie was just highly unlikeable, and I found her behaviour weird and awkward. I mean really? Hiding yourself in the freezer/refrigerator because your life is so bad? Yes, that is really healthy right there. I can imagine crawling in bed, or hiding somewhere, but a refrigerator? What the hell!
And yes, her life wasn't the easiest, or the most fun, but instead of taking a stand, or trying to find help, she just cropped it all up, finding refuge in a game her dad made for her.
Then we have the game world, and how she acts in that one. I do have to say I liked her more when she finally took a stand against what was happening in the game. She did try her best to save it, she did her best to do things. But sorry, I still didn't like her.
Then we have Mallory, or the bitch of the book. Dear Lord, what a terrible character that was. I can go on an on for hours why, but I think those that read the book will know. The things she did to Evie, the things she did to others because they might steal her precious spotlight, it was just disgusting.
I also hated how she treated the game, and how she poisoned things in there. That shows right there that this girl has even more issues than we might know at this moment.
I will put this one under spoilers, but I have to rant a bit.
The bullying parts were just bleh and I hated them, it was a struggle to read them. :|
The world her dad made was fun, but sorry, how stupid can you be not to up your security for it, and make sure only your daughter can get in. Make a special sentence only she will know. Or something different. This was just ridiculous. How did he not anticipate this. I mean, his daughter already was having big problems, her life wasn't easy, and you didn't think that something would happen? Wow. :|
The art was so-so. The characters changed so much throughout the book that I at times had a hard time differentiating between them. Really. Characters who lost their glasses suddenly looked like a totally different character.
I couldn't believe the dad was the same guy from the picture. Yes, some time passed, and he was ill, but sorry, it is that she said it was her dad in that picture, otherwise I wouldn't have believed it.
There were still a few other things that I found unbelievable or weird. Like with that glasses guy, or some of the game mechanics.
All in all, this was a huge disappointment. Unlikeable characters, questions all over, bullying, weird actions, and not that good art. :(
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was really looking forward to this one, when I spotted it in my library I just knew I had to get this one. Then I started reading, and in the beginning it was pretty decent, but it quickly fell apart. Really quickly even.
Evie was just highly unlikeable, and I found her behaviour weird and awkward. I mean really? Hiding yourself in the freezer/refrigerator because your life is so bad? Yes, that is really healthy right there. I can imagine crawling in bed, or hiding somewhere, but a refrigerator? What the hell!
And yes, her life wasn't the easiest, or the most fun, but instead of taking a stand, or trying to find help, she just cropped it all up, finding refuge in a game her dad made for her.
Then we have the game world, and how she acts in that one. I do have to say I liked her more when she finally took a stand against what was happening in the game. She did try her best to save it, she did her best to do things. But sorry, I still didn't like her.
Then we have Mallory, or the bitch of the book. Dear Lord, what a terrible character that was. I can go on an on for hours why, but I think those that read the book will know. The things she did to Evie, the things she did to others because they might steal her precious spotlight, it was just disgusting.
I also hated how she treated the game, and how she poisoned things in there. That shows right there that this girl has even more issues than we might know at this moment.
I will put this one under spoilers, but I have to rant a bit.
The bullying parts were just bleh and I hated them, it was a struggle to read them. :|
The world her dad made was fun, but sorry, how stupid can you be not to up your security for it, and make sure only your daughter can get in. Make a special sentence only she will know. Or something different. This was just ridiculous. How did he not anticipate this. I mean, his daughter already was having big problems, her life wasn't easy, and you didn't think that something would happen? Wow. :|
The art was so-so. The characters changed so much throughout the book that I at times had a hard time differentiating between them. Really. Characters who lost their glasses suddenly looked like a totally different character.
I couldn't believe the dad was the same guy from the picture. Yes, some time passed, and he was ill, but sorry, it is that she said it was her dad in that picture, otherwise I wouldn't have believed it.
There were still a few other things that I found unbelievable or weird. Like with that glasses guy, or some of the game mechanics.
All in all, this was a huge disappointment. Unlikeable characters, questions all over, bullying, weird actions, and not that good art. :(
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 30, 2017
It's the story of a girl that doesn't fit in, that finds her escape in the online world, along with the vibrant illustrations that reeled me into this book. However, with stereotypical characters, a predictable plot and an easy resolution, I found myself disappointed with Username: Evie.
If you weren't exactly popular at school, you'd easily relate with Evie wanting to wish her life was different. While I didn't really connect with her character, I found her evil, popular cousin Mallory to be a cardboard cutout villain. She has absolutely no depth to her at all, and why does being popular automatically mean you're a mean girl? I thought the more interesting narrative was about her character and why she felt the need to be like that.
I also felt Evie's bond with her family was important, but it was skipped over too quickly. He favours staring at the computer screen over spending time with his daughter or having any meaningful interaction with there, so it was something that we were told rather than seen. Although the alternate world was something that he built for his daughter to fit in, there was pretty much no emotion when it came to this, another thing that was simply taken for granted.
While I liked the virtual world, I found it to be completely cheesy and over the top, especially when it gears towards a "life changing romance". Puh-leeze, finding self worth doesn't need to be tied to finding a partner. I just wish the plot went down a different part instead of Evie finding the guy of her dreams in the virtual reality land.
With a cheesy, predictable plot and bland characters, I had high hopes for Username: Evie. Unfortunately, it didn't amount to much and I found it disappointing.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
If you weren't exactly popular at school, you'd easily relate with Evie wanting to wish her life was different. While I didn't really connect with her character, I found her evil, popular cousin Mallory to be a cardboard cutout villain. She has absolutely no depth to her at all, and why does being popular automatically mean you're a mean girl? I thought the more interesting narrative was about her character and why she felt the need to be like that.
I also felt Evie's bond with her family was important, but it was skipped over too quickly. He favours staring at the computer screen over spending time with his daughter or having any meaningful interaction with there, so it was something that we were told rather than seen. Although the alternate world was something that he built for his daughter to fit in, there was pretty much no emotion when it came to this, another thing that was simply taken for granted.
While I liked the virtual world, I found it to be completely cheesy and over the top, especially when it gears towards a "life changing romance". Puh-leeze, finding self worth doesn't need to be tied to finding a partner. I just wish the plot went down a different part instead of Evie finding the guy of her dreams in the virtual reality land.
With a cheesy, predictable plot and bland characters, I had high hopes for Username: Evie. Unfortunately, it didn't amount to much and I found it disappointing.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
December 16, 2016
(RATING UPDATED 17/12/16)
Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Now, I'm not the type for "Youtuber books" at all, but I find that if they are written in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, then there would be a chance I'd pick it up. That was my case for Username: Evie.
I quite enjoyed this. There were elements that could have been improved in terms of plot and world building, but when it came to characters there was a good emotional depth there compared to our graphic novels I've read in the past.
PROs:
- I love Evie as a character. Her struggle really hit home and made me connect with the story in a great way.
- I love her dad <3 Dang it, this makes me want to cry
- <3 Lionel <3
- The art style was amazing, you could see that a lot of effort was put into it
- The concept of the alternate world was so interesting
CONs:
- I bloody hate Mallory. Even after the end. I feel like a lot was done with her as an antagonist, but barely any resolution later.
- Again, I think may world building and Evie adjusting more in the world before Mallory came along would have been better, but I understand that graphic novel art does take up lots of time
- I think some of the dialogue could have also slightly been improved to not sound too cheesy.
Overall, this was a decent graphic novel. I enjoyed my read experience. I will probably pick up the sequel in the future.
Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Now, I'm not the type for "Youtuber books" at all, but I find that if they are written in the fantasy/sci-fi genre, then there would be a chance I'd pick it up. That was my case for Username: Evie.
I quite enjoyed this. There were elements that could have been improved in terms of plot and world building, but when it came to characters there was a good emotional depth there compared to our graphic novels I've read in the past.
PROs:
- I love Evie as a character. Her struggle really hit home and made me connect with the story in a great way.
- I love her dad <3 Dang it, this makes me want to cry
- <3 Lionel <3
- The art style was amazing, you could see that a lot of effort was put into it
- The concept of the alternate world was so interesting
CONs:
- I bloody hate Mallory. Even after the end. I feel like a lot was done with her as an antagonist, but barely any resolution later.
- Again, I think may world building and Evie adjusting more in the world before Mallory came along would have been better, but I understand that graphic novel art does take up lots of time
- I think some of the dialogue could have also slightly been improved to not sound too cheesy.
Overall, this was a decent graphic novel. I enjoyed my read experience. I will probably pick up the sequel in the future.
March 14, 2016
Ohhhhh this was painful. The only possible reason for such a high rating on this graphic novel is that these people watch the youtuber who created it and are trying to support him. I also found many reviews stating this was the first graphic novel many had read. Let me tell ya folks, it can only get BETTER from here.
I went into this with no knowledge of the author or this comic. First of all, the main characters in this are female, but clearly written from a male perspective. The author shows a gigantic lack of understanding when it comes to teenage girls. Flat and cliché is the best I can describe Evie and Mallory. It lost the effect it could have had if written from a male point of view.
The constant action does not leave room for character development or conversation leaving the characters flat with confusing or unknown motives. In the end, I really just DIDN'T CARE about them.
The art was decent for a first comic. The characters needed a bit more expression but overall a nice style.
The storyline had potential, but the poor execution makes this comic disappointing.
Edit: Just adjusted this down to 1 star from 2...because the more I think about it, the more I realize it just doesn't deserve 2.
I went into this with no knowledge of the author or this comic. First of all, the main characters in this are female, but clearly written from a male perspective. The author shows a gigantic lack of understanding when it comes to teenage girls. Flat and cliché is the best I can describe Evie and Mallory. It lost the effect it could have had if written from a male point of view.
The constant action does not leave room for character development or conversation leaving the characters flat with confusing or unknown motives. In the end, I really just DIDN'T CARE about them.
The art was decent for a first comic. The characters needed a bit more expression but overall a nice style.
The storyline had potential, but the poor execution makes this comic disappointing.
Edit: Just adjusted this down to 1 star from 2...because the more I think about it, the more I realize it just doesn't deserve 2.
April 28, 2017
I've not read a graphic novel that was THIS BAD!! It's not just the awful story and dead af characters, it's also the terrible flow of artwork in each panel and just WOW!
My eyes were bleeding the whole 30 minutes that it took me to finish this. So glad I borrowed it instead of making the mistake of buying it.
My eyes were bleeding the whole 30 minutes that it took me to finish this. So glad I borrowed it instead of making the mistake of buying it.
January 31, 2020
Noice, wonderful first effort from Joe Sugg and I really liked it, art was wonderful too and the story though moved little too quickly in some places but otherwise it was fine. Evie's loneliness and shyness is shown nicely and the way she overcomes that. I would try to buy the next two parts soon but till then may be I will re-read this one few more times. Story I generally don't discuss as you can find that anywhere, just my thoughts about the entire thing and it was a nice, interesting and quick read.
So do get it and read and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
So do get it and read and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
September 24, 2015
I'll do a proper review of this for my blog, but for now:
The art didn't really connect to the story. It didn't flow together. There were some panels where the characters looked completely wrong compared to how they'd be drawn earlier, or how they were being portrayed through the narrative.
The writing was flat and didn't really allow the reader to get to know the characters.
It was too short. This is a standalone and I think that was a mistake as they tried to cram too much into such a short work.
The "author" didn't really write it, as the credits page says that he came up with the storyline and provided guidance. A whole other person wrote the narrative and you wouldn't know it from the cover where NO ONE ELSE is credited other than Joe Sugg (who, oddly enough, is the younger brother of Zoe Sugg of Youtube fame/Girl Online infamy).
The art didn't really connect to the story. It didn't flow together. There were some panels where the characters looked completely wrong compared to how they'd be drawn earlier, or how they were being portrayed through the narrative.
The writing was flat and didn't really allow the reader to get to know the characters.
It was too short. This is a standalone and I think that was a mistake as they tried to cram too much into such a short work.
The "author" didn't really write it, as the credits page says that he came up with the storyline and provided guidance. A whole other person wrote the narrative and you wouldn't know it from the cover where NO ONE ELSE is credited other than Joe Sugg (who, oddly enough, is the younger brother of Zoe Sugg of Youtube fame/Girl Online infamy).
May 29, 2021
i feel like making a list so here are my main points:
- very "not like other girls" main character (bro why you climbing in the fridge and making a mess of all the food, you could have eaten that!! but now its covered in floor juice!!!)
- cry laughing emojis are the spawn of satan
- oh no parents ded
- why that teenage boy so ripped
- why everything suddenly happen so fast
- Unity in that coat tho 😏
- where is the motivation?????
- why is any of this happening?????
- take off those glasses baby you sexy when you cant see
- this was awful and i hate it
- very "not like other girls" main character (bro why you climbing in the fridge and making a mess of all the food, you could have eaten that!! but now its covered in floor juice!!!)
- cry laughing emojis are the spawn of satan
- oh no parents ded
- why that teenage boy so ripped
- why everything suddenly happen so fast
- Unity in that coat tho 😏
- where is the motivation?????
- why is any of this happening?????
- take off those glasses baby you sexy when you cant see
- this was awful and i hate it
December 11, 2015
I give this a 2.5 stars.
I really liked the general idea of this story, but I'm not sure it was done as well as it could have been done. I'm not saying it's dreadful, it's just not wonderful.
I only started to get into the story after the virtual world was introduced, but that didn't last long~ Only for fleeting moments, when interactions between some characters got me emotional and whenever I took a moment to appreciate some of the stunning scenery the artist provided.
I didn't give this any higher a rating for a few reasons:
-There were quite a few moments of predictability for me, especially when it came to who the virtual characters were in relation to their counterparts in reality. This also had me unsettled because when we were back in the real world and Evie was communicating with certain characters, after dramatic events, as they were in the virtual world I got confused because... They aren't REALLY that person...
-I didn't understand Mallory's motive for why she acted the way she did... It was just so drastic and I didn't like the easy let off she had for situations that were a really big, messed up, deal. It bugged me!
-When there was fighting scenes they didn't last very long. They only covered about 2 pages, which, in relation to a graphic novel, isn't very much considering it's a lot of art, rather than text. So one minute people were brutally fighting, then the next they were having a heart to heart! And the fact that time didn't pass as long in reality was a little pet peeve of mine as I felt like if this was prolonged over the course of at least a few days in the virtual reality and reality it would have had so much hold for me and so much more could have happened, including the circumstances of Evie being missing for so long in the real world.
As well as this, I just felt like the story was rushed and the text didn't flow very well, which grieves me as it really does have potential!
Maybe a story like this is better suited for a novel rather than a graphic novel, or to be done by someone who has a little more experience in this field.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy!
Gén
I really liked the general idea of this story, but I'm not sure it was done as well as it could have been done. I'm not saying it's dreadful, it's just not wonderful.
I only started to get into the story after the virtual world was introduced, but that didn't last long~ Only for fleeting moments, when interactions between some characters got me emotional and whenever I took a moment to appreciate some of the stunning scenery the artist provided.
I didn't give this any higher a rating for a few reasons:
-There were quite a few moments of predictability for me, especially when it came to who the virtual characters were in relation to their counterparts in reality. This also had me unsettled because when we were back in the real world and Evie was communicating with certain characters, after dramatic events, as they were in the virtual world I got confused because... They aren't REALLY that person...
-I didn't understand Mallory's motive for why she acted the way she did... It was just so drastic and I didn't like the easy let off she had for situations that were a really big, messed up, deal. It bugged me!
-When there was fighting scenes they didn't last very long. They only covered about 2 pages, which, in relation to a graphic novel, isn't very much considering it's a lot of art, rather than text. So one minute people were brutally fighting, then the next they were having a heart to heart! And the fact that time didn't pass as long in reality was a little pet peeve of mine as I felt like if this was prolonged over the course of at least a few days in the virtual reality and reality it would have had so much hold for me and so much more could have happened, including the circumstances of Evie being missing for so long in the real world.
As well as this, I just felt like the story was rushed and the text didn't flow very well, which grieves me as it really does have potential!
Maybe a story like this is better suited for a novel rather than a graphic novel, or to be done by someone who has a little more experience in this field.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy!
Gén
June 23, 2016
Martha Oakiss | Secret Books
przedstawia...
Username: Evie
Kiedy Twoje życie nie jest idealne pomyśl, że gdzieś indziej możesz być szczęśliwy.
Kiedyś recenzowałam dla Was Girl Online autorstwa Zoelli, czyli jednej z najbardziej znanych vlogerek brytyjskich. I o ile za jej osobą nie przepadam, uwielbiam oglądać jej brata, Joego. Kocham jego poczucie humoru i wszystkie filmy, które tworzy potrafią mnie niezwykle rozśmieszyć i odstresować. Ucieszyłam się więc, gdy usłyszałam, że Joe Sugg wydaje swoją własną książkę. A dokładniej - komiks.
Username: Evie to opowieść o dziewczynie, odrzutku. Evie nie ma przyjaciół, jest ośmieszana i szykanowana. Aż nagle, po rozmowie z ojcem dowiaduje się, że gdzieś tam istnieją światy fantasy, w których mogłaby być szczęśliwa. Oprócz ciekawej może nieco przewidywalnej historii, kryje się tu życie wielu z nas, tych niedocenianych i odsuniętych od grupy i tych, którzy nieco pogubili się w swoim życiu i na tym świecie. To historia tych, którzy wciąż szukają gdzieś swojej tożsamości. Opowieść ta niesie także przesłanie, że zawsze jesteśmy przez kogoś kochani, tylko musimy te osobę znaleźć, a wtedy już zawsze będziemy mogli chodzić z podniesioną głową.
Ciąg dalszy:
http://secret-books.blogspot.com/2016...
Wersja video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04_vJ...
przedstawia...
Username: Evie
Kiedy Twoje życie nie jest idealne pomyśl, że gdzieś indziej możesz być szczęśliwy.
Kiedyś recenzowałam dla Was Girl Online autorstwa Zoelli, czyli jednej z najbardziej znanych vlogerek brytyjskich. I o ile za jej osobą nie przepadam, uwielbiam oglądać jej brata, Joego. Kocham jego poczucie humoru i wszystkie filmy, które tworzy potrafią mnie niezwykle rozśmieszyć i odstresować. Ucieszyłam się więc, gdy usłyszałam, że Joe Sugg wydaje swoją własną książkę. A dokładniej - komiks.
Username: Evie to opowieść o dziewczynie, odrzutku. Evie nie ma przyjaciół, jest ośmieszana i szykanowana. Aż nagle, po rozmowie z ojcem dowiaduje się, że gdzieś tam istnieją światy fantasy, w których mogłaby być szczęśliwa. Oprócz ciekawej może nieco przewidywalnej historii, kryje się tu życie wielu z nas, tych niedocenianych i odsuniętych od grupy i tych, którzy nieco pogubili się w swoim życiu i na tym świecie. To historia tych, którzy wciąż szukają gdzieś swojej tożsamości. Opowieść ta niesie także przesłanie, że zawsze jesteśmy przez kogoś kochani, tylko musimy te osobę znaleźć, a wtedy już zawsze będziemy mogli chodzić z podniesioną głową.
Ciąg dalszy:
http://secret-books.blogspot.com/2016...
Wersja video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04_vJ...
May 1, 2016
Oyyy... I just recently found out about Youtube authors, and did not realise that this book was one of them. I saw Username: Evie get promoted at Chapters, so I borrowed it from the library to see if it would be a good one to put on my list of books featuring female protagonists. Unfortunately, it most definitely is not. Evie is a young teen girl who lives with her dying father. She gets bullied a lot and hides in the fridge. Her father ends up programming her a digital world that she can enter that she finds after her death. Unfortunately, her "evil" cousin follows her and acts evil. This throws the world out of balance and then adventure ho or something. The story line is inane, the characters are cardboard cutouts of people, and the art is inconsistent at best. The book is nicely packaged, probably owing to the publisher's hopes that fans of Joe Sugg would swarm to buy a copy, but it's definitely okay to miss this one.
July 21, 2016
A very accessible graphic novel for teenagers, while I'm clearly not the target audience I thought it was pretty good. There are a couple of plot holes in a story with a great concept but if you embrace the teen feel you can forgive that. The production is really slick, the pages feel lovely and the art is great. I liked reading about the team who made the book and feel like I really should sort my lack of knowledge of the phenomenon that is Joe Sugg and go check out his YouTube channel.
May 29, 2021
Eeeeargh
July 6, 2020
3
please be aware that :
• english is not my first language
• this review was written on nov 19th, 2015 by my 17-year-old self
—
I was so excited about this book because Joe Sugg was one of my all time favorite Youtuber, and I got it as a birthday present from my cousin! How cool is that? :D but then after I read it, I didn’t like it that much.
THE COVER
The cover was absolutely stunning. I really liked Evie on it, she looked so cool. Also, I loved the selection of colors as well. And actually, I got the collector’s edition and believe me, it was so gorgeous.
The difference between the original edition and the collector’s edition was just the dust jacket. You’ll get the dust jacket if you buy the collector’s edition nut you won’t get it if you just buy the original one. And I got mine! There were illustrations of the crew who made the book. They looked amazing! As for the other side, there was a short biography of Mr. Joe Sugg!
THE STORY
The story was pretty good actually. It’s about Evie who was struggling with her school life. Her friends didn’t like her. Sometimes she got bullied, even with her own cousin. And so, her father tried to make a safe place for her before he died. And when she realized that, she was so amazed. She loved being in that place but then her cousin, Mallory, followed her and caused a chaos there.
I loved the story idea so much and actually, I feel connected with Evie because her case was just like mine. I’ve been struggling with this school life thingy in these past 2 years now. I just feel like everyone don’t want to accept me for who I really am, like Evie. So I’m just trying to find my own safe place, like Evie. :D So yeah, I feel connected with her.
Also, I almost loved all of the characters here. They were all so lovely except for Mallory. Even though she wasn’t that bad, but I just didn’t like her. Besides her, there was this one character who made me laugh because of his name. Guess who his name is? It’s Jaspar (if you watched Joe’s videos, you’ll know what I’m talking about). I mean, what in the world? Lol :D
THE ILLUSTRATION
I wasn’t a big fan of the illustrations. I mean, I thought I was because I loved the illustration on the cover so much. But then, after I read it, I realized that the illustrations inside the book, weren’t as good as the one on the cover. I didn’t know why but I thought the illustrator wasn’t trying his best with the “inside” illustrations.
Also, sometimes, I found them really weird, especially their expressions. In my opinion, the illustrator maybe found it hard to deliver the message through his artwork. Because sometimes, I found that their expressions didn’t match with what they were talking about. Like when it was actually a sad thing, well, the character cried, but she didn’t look like that it was actually a sad thing. I mean, what I’m trying to say here is just sometimes the characters can’t express their feelings really well. Does that makes? And I’m actually not an art-type person, so maybe it was just me, maybe I was even wrong. ;) But hey, it was just my opinion.
Overall, I quite like the story. Like I said before, I feel connected with Evie because that was actually what I’ve been struggling with in these past 2 (almost 3) years. It was a good read.
please be aware that :
• english is not my first language
• this review was written on nov 19th, 2015 by my 17-year-old self
—
I was so excited about this book because Joe Sugg was one of my all time favorite Youtuber, and I got it as a birthday present from my cousin! How cool is that? :D but then after I read it, I didn’t like it that much.
THE COVER
The cover was absolutely stunning. I really liked Evie on it, she looked so cool. Also, I loved the selection of colors as well. And actually, I got the collector’s edition and believe me, it was so gorgeous.
The difference between the original edition and the collector’s edition was just the dust jacket. You’ll get the dust jacket if you buy the collector’s edition nut you won’t get it if you just buy the original one. And I got mine! There were illustrations of the crew who made the book. They looked amazing! As for the other side, there was a short biography of Mr. Joe Sugg!
THE STORY
The story was pretty good actually. It’s about Evie who was struggling with her school life. Her friends didn’t like her. Sometimes she got bullied, even with her own cousin. And so, her father tried to make a safe place for her before he died. And when she realized that, she was so amazed. She loved being in that place but then her cousin, Mallory, followed her and caused a chaos there.
I loved the story idea so much and actually, I feel connected with Evie because her case was just like mine. I’ve been struggling with this school life thingy in these past 2 years now. I just feel like everyone don’t want to accept me for who I really am, like Evie. So I’m just trying to find my own safe place, like Evie. :D So yeah, I feel connected with her.
Also, I almost loved all of the characters here. They were all so lovely except for Mallory. Even though she wasn’t that bad, but I just didn’t like her. Besides her, there was this one character who made me laugh because of his name. Guess who his name is? It’s Jaspar (if you watched Joe’s videos, you’ll know what I’m talking about). I mean, what in the world? Lol :D
THE ILLUSTRATION
I wasn’t a big fan of the illustrations. I mean, I thought I was because I loved the illustration on the cover so much. But then, after I read it, I realized that the illustrations inside the book, weren’t as good as the one on the cover. I didn’t know why but I thought the illustrator wasn’t trying his best with the “inside” illustrations.
Also, sometimes, I found them really weird, especially their expressions. In my opinion, the illustrator maybe found it hard to deliver the message through his artwork. Because sometimes, I found that their expressions didn’t match with what they were talking about. Like when it was actually a sad thing, well, the character cried, but she didn’t look like that it was actually a sad thing. I mean, what I’m trying to say here is just sometimes the characters can’t express their feelings really well. Does that makes? And I’m actually not an art-type person, so maybe it was just me, maybe I was even wrong. ;) But hey, it was just my opinion.
Overall, I quite like the story. Like I said before, I feel connected with Evie because that was actually what I’ve been struggling with in these past 2 (almost 3) years. It was a good read.
October 24, 2015
Most of my graphic novel knowledge is Manga based so prior to reading this I gave myself a bit of a crash-course; El Deafo by Cece Bell, The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman, Wytches by Scott Snyder and The Sandman by Neil Gaiman. It’s not complete by any means but what reading all the other graphic novels gave me is how varied this storytelling art form this, how amazing each story can be.
So what of Username Evie?
There are some really amazing panel and full page pictures. Sometimes the artwork isn’t quite as excellent. There was one image where Evie is holding her arms up which looks odd (on an anatomical proportional level). The fact that Evie and her cousin look so alike is confusing. It’s pretty much only the highlighted hair that tells you the difference.
When it comes to the story Username Evie has a lot of potential but I feel like the book is hurried. Evie as a character is endearing but not developed as much as she could be and her cousin Mallory is just a ‘mean girl’ and we have no context as to why (which makes the ending more confusing).
I feel like Username Evie was this good idea but was rushed through production without having been given the time to develop. As a debut it’s ok but given additional story and character development it could have been much more.
So what of Username Evie?
There are some really amazing panel and full page pictures. Sometimes the artwork isn’t quite as excellent. There was one image where Evie is holding her arms up which looks odd (on an anatomical proportional level). The fact that Evie and her cousin look so alike is confusing. It’s pretty much only the highlighted hair that tells you the difference.
When it comes to the story Username Evie has a lot of potential but I feel like the book is hurried. Evie as a character is endearing but not developed as much as she could be and her cousin Mallory is just a ‘mean girl’ and we have no context as to why (which makes the ending more confusing).
I feel like Username Evie was this good idea but was rushed through production without having been given the time to develop. As a debut it’s ok but given additional story and character development it could have been much more.
Read
August 31, 2015I am really excited to read this graphic novel by one of my favorite youtubers, and I don't mind the idea of them writing books(which lately has gone crazy) but I'd be nicer to give credits to the other author,who has helped a lot with the work.I am not judging anyone here because I know they put time and effort into their books but for example I honestly can not comprehend the idea of the Jenner Sisters writing a book...that is ridiculous:))))) But anyways,I am going to order that book because I am both happy and excited
January 5, 2021
Actually pretty good. It had a super understandable narrative, unique story and really relatable characters. Although I felt it did wrap up too easily, overall I did really enjoy it. Super quick to read as well which is always great.
April 1, 2016
Review to come soon
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