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Good Game, Well Played
It’s 2005, and Sienna is really not looking forward to flying back into her hometown to say goodbye to one of the people she called family. Though that feels like a lifetime ago. It’s 1999. And Sienna is looking forward to what is shaping up to be the perfect summer in her perfect life. She has a job working in the local video game store, Game Champ, with her four best friends, and that was how it was going to be forever...
Until Jason Silver, the money-hungry landlord threatens to shut the store down. The kids must work together to save it, but with Art’s huge crush on Sienna, Jo’s crippling self-doubt, Sid’s obsession with his band, and Hope’s mysterious living situation getting in the way...how likely are they to succeed? British Comic Award-nominated writer Rachael Smith (The Rabbit) and debut graphic novel artist Katherine Lobo share their tale about looking back at your rose-colored life and finding the family that you thought you lost.
Until Jason Silver, the money-hungry landlord threatens to shut the store down. The kids must work together to save it, but with Art’s huge crush on Sienna, Jo’s crippling self-doubt, Sid’s obsession with his band, and Hope’s mysterious living situation getting in the way...how likely are they to succeed? British Comic Award-nominated writer Rachael Smith (The Rabbit) and debut graphic novel artist Katherine Lobo share their tale about looking back at your rose-colored life and finding the family that you thought you lost.
128 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
2 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 7, 2022
Empire Records set at a video game store in the 90's. The difference being that I didn't care about any of these characters. There's half-hearted attempt to bring in some gender identity issues and other plots to appeal to YA audiences but none of it is fleshed out. There's also a moment where all of the friends cut one of the members out of the group on little more than a whim that doesn't feel earned, especially since one of the characters was in love with that person. I did like the art quite a bit though.
Received a review copy from Maverick and Edelweiss.
Received a review copy from Maverick and Edelweiss.
March 14, 2022
2.75/5
Good Game, Well Played follows five friends who’ll work together at a game shop. When they get the news that they may be shit down, they come together to try to raise money for the store and up their sales. We see them meet again, 10 years later, when they all meet up for a funeral.
I’m a huge graphic novel fan and I’m always looking for new stories. I had a few issues with this book. First being that everything felt a bit rushed when I didn’t need to be. With it being rushed we are quickly introduced to the characters and it was very hard to make connections with any of them, leaving me to not care too much about them which had a negative impact on the reading experience.
Even with the downs there were ups! I loved how colorful the art was, it really helped liven up the story. I loved the potential for each of the characters. They are all so unique and diverse, but I wish this were possibly two books so we could’ve had got to know them more and seen the lives they lived between the time jump. Overall I thought this was a good book. I think it’ll be best for teens and/or people who are trying to get into graphic novels!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
Good Game, Well Played follows five friends who’ll work together at a game shop. When they get the news that they may be shit down, they come together to try to raise money for the store and up their sales. We see them meet again, 10 years later, when they all meet up for a funeral.
I’m a huge graphic novel fan and I’m always looking for new stories. I had a few issues with this book. First being that everything felt a bit rushed when I didn’t need to be. With it being rushed we are quickly introduced to the characters and it was very hard to make connections with any of them, leaving me to not care too much about them which had a negative impact on the reading experience.
Even with the downs there were ups! I loved how colorful the art was, it really helped liven up the story. I loved the potential for each of the characters. They are all so unique and diverse, but I wish this were possibly two books so we could’ve had got to know them more and seen the lives they lived between the time jump. Overall I thought this was a good book. I think it’ll be best for teens and/or people who are trying to get into graphic novels!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
December 18, 2021
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Although the art style was very cute and nice to look at, that's also where my good review for this story ends. These characters were supposed to be best friends, but most of the time it felt like they barely knew eachother and when one of the character made a mistake, they immediatly just cut her out of their lives? I get that she made a mistake but this dude was supposed to be in love with her and she knew all these big secrets about people so it simply didnt make sense for them to not talk for 10 years just for her to come back and suddenly its okay bc she is "the glue of the group" ? I honestly would have been very mad.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, the friendship and relationships didn't make a lot of sense to me and it was very unbelievable that these characters were best friends.
Although the art style was very cute and nice to look at, that's also where my good review for this story ends. These characters were supposed to be best friends, but most of the time it felt like they barely knew eachother and when one of the character made a mistake, they immediatly just cut her out of their lives? I get that she made a mistake but this dude was supposed to be in love with her and she knew all these big secrets about people so it simply didnt make sense for them to not talk for 10 years just for her to come back and suddenly its okay bc she is "the glue of the group" ? I honestly would have been very mad.
Most of the characters were unlikeable, the friendship and relationships didn't make a lot of sense to me and it was very unbelievable that these characters were best friends.
May 16, 2022
A group of teens must work together to raise profits for their beloved game store while navigating individual struggles in their personal lives involving fears of change, gender and sexuality exploration, financial instability, poverty, and a deep-rooted desire to follow their dreams in the arts.
Where unsupportive, absentee, and/or neglectful parents fall flat, this group of best friends remain solid in their love and reliability for one another. The bulk of the story takes place in the late 90s with the rest jumping forward a decade to see how they’ve developed in adulthood.
It’s deeply honest and relatable with lovely illustrations to assist, though I wish we could’ve gotten a more in-depth background on Sid and a deeper resolution for the main conflict that occurs.
CW: toxic family dynamics, sexual harassment, death, grief, references to transphobia
Where unsupportive, absentee, and/or neglectful parents fall flat, this group of best friends remain solid in their love and reliability for one another. The bulk of the story takes place in the late 90s with the rest jumping forward a decade to see how they’ve developed in adulthood.
It’s deeply honest and relatable with lovely illustrations to assist, though I wish we could’ve gotten a more in-depth background on Sid and a deeper resolution for the main conflict that occurs.
CW: toxic family dynamics, sexual harassment, death, grief, references to transphobia
July 19, 2022
“Good game, well played” is a touching graphic novel about friendship, chosen family, and acceptance.
The graphic novel begins in 2009 with a young lady taking a flight from Austin, TX to hometown of Boston. The young lady shares with an older lady plane passenger that she’s worried about returning to hometown of Boston to attend a funeral. The young lady doubts that anyone will be pleased to see her. The young lady reveals to the older lady that the funeral she’s attending is that of a former co-worker from a video game store where they worked years ago.
The graphic novel the flashes back to Summer 1999 in Boston, MA and shows the Game Champ video game store and a group of uninterested teen employees not helping a customer. The video game store owner is named Tim. The main character is a teen girl named Sienna. Sienna’s Game Champ co-workers include Jo, Hope, Sid, and Art.
Each teen is experiencing their own issues including Art having a crush on Sienna. Jo having a domineering father who doesn’t like Jo working at Game Champs and feels she dresses too much like a boy. Art lives with ten family members and multiple pets. Sid lives with mom and little sister. Jo lives with temperamental dad and mom. Hope lives in an apartment of drunken men. Sienna appears to have a stable home life with loving parents.
Video game store owner Tim is told by property owner that he has thirty days to improve sales by 100% or he’ll tear the store down. Sienna convinces co-workers to rally to save the store.
Jo is wrestling with feeling like she’s in the wrong body and confusion about sexuality. Art invites Sienna to his home which is chaotic yet good chance to show support of Art’s sketching to his family. Sienna discovers that Hope planned to sabotage the group’s plan but convinces Hope to change her plan.
When the timeline to get funds is shortened, Sienna has a meltdown and lashes out at everyone. Sienna eventually realizes she panicked and tries to make amends with co-workers but she get no response. Shortly after Sienna’s angry triage at co-workers, she moves away from Boston and hasn’t been in contact with anyone until recently.
Flashes forward back to 2009 with Sienna on airplane to Boston. Sienna arrives in Boston and attends funeral. Has a reunion with Art, Hope, and Jo. Although they’ve gotten older, the bonds of friendship remain strong. Discovered who the funeral is for and Sienna expresses guilt while Art consoles her. Friends catch up on ten years apart, Game Champ lives on, and Sienna gets professional help for her control issues.
The graphic novel ends one year later with an update on former Game Champ co-workers as well as a list of LGBTQIA+ resources. I enjoyed this graphic novel and was impressed by the storyline as well as the way in which the authors handle issues such as sexuality, homelessness, and mental illness.
The graphic novel begins in 2009 with a young lady taking a flight from Austin, TX to hometown of Boston. The young lady shares with an older lady plane passenger that she’s worried about returning to hometown of Boston to attend a funeral. The young lady doubts that anyone will be pleased to see her. The young lady reveals to the older lady that the funeral she’s attending is that of a former co-worker from a video game store where they worked years ago.
The graphic novel the flashes back to Summer 1999 in Boston, MA and shows the Game Champ video game store and a group of uninterested teen employees not helping a customer. The video game store owner is named Tim. The main character is a teen girl named Sienna. Sienna’s Game Champ co-workers include Jo, Hope, Sid, and Art.
Each teen is experiencing their own issues including Art having a crush on Sienna. Jo having a domineering father who doesn’t like Jo working at Game Champs and feels she dresses too much like a boy. Art lives with ten family members and multiple pets. Sid lives with mom and little sister. Jo lives with temperamental dad and mom. Hope lives in an apartment of drunken men. Sienna appears to have a stable home life with loving parents.
Video game store owner Tim is told by property owner that he has thirty days to improve sales by 100% or he’ll tear the store down. Sienna convinces co-workers to rally to save the store.
Jo is wrestling with feeling like she’s in the wrong body and confusion about sexuality. Art invites Sienna to his home which is chaotic yet good chance to show support of Art’s sketching to his family. Sienna discovers that Hope planned to sabotage the group’s plan but convinces Hope to change her plan.
When the timeline to get funds is shortened, Sienna has a meltdown and lashes out at everyone. Sienna eventually realizes she panicked and tries to make amends with co-workers but she get no response. Shortly after Sienna’s angry triage at co-workers, she moves away from Boston and hasn’t been in contact with anyone until recently.
Flashes forward back to 2009 with Sienna on airplane to Boston. Sienna arrives in Boston and attends funeral. Has a reunion with Art, Hope, and Jo. Although they’ve gotten older, the bonds of friendship remain strong. Discovered who the funeral is for and Sienna expresses guilt while Art consoles her. Friends catch up on ten years apart, Game Champ lives on, and Sienna gets professional help for her control issues.
The graphic novel ends one year later with an update on former Game Champ co-workers as well as a list of LGBTQIA+ resources. I enjoyed this graphic novel and was impressed by the storyline as well as the way in which the authors handle issues such as sexuality, homelessness, and mental illness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2023
A generous 3 ⭐️ rating. I think this could’ve been a lot better if it was longer because pretty much everything needed to be fleshed out more. I like the topics that were brought up with gender identity, mental health, grief, etc. but it all felt a bit rushed. The art is beautiful though.
December 17, 2021
This is supposed to be a nostalgic look back at a video game center in the 1990s in Boston, where a bunch of high school friends worked.
I swear, I read the blurb that told me that was what it was supposed to be, but for the first few pages I thought it was a comic book store. It was never clear what all the kids were doing there. It wasn't as though the games had to be played, or anything. It was all very odd.
The plot is the kids are all working together to keep the store going before the landlord breaks the lease and throws them out. They have drawing and art shows, they have musicians playing, they try everything they can to bring customers in.
The story actually starts 10 years later, after they have all drifted apart after those days, and they see what has become of everyone.
My problem was I didn't care about any of them. I did notice that we had a character who was uncomfortable being a girl, but that wasn't explored very much in the main story, until the reunion.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I swear, I read the blurb that told me that was what it was supposed to be, but for the first few pages I thought it was a comic book store. It was never clear what all the kids were doing there. It wasn't as though the games had to be played, or anything. It was all very odd.
The plot is the kids are all working together to keep the store going before the landlord breaks the lease and throws them out. They have drawing and art shows, they have musicians playing, they try everything they can to bring customers in.
The story actually starts 10 years later, after they have all drifted apart after those days, and they see what has become of everyone.
My problem was I didn't care about any of them. I did notice that we had a character who was uncomfortable being a girl, but that wasn't explored very much in the main story, until the reunion.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
April 2, 2022
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Good Game, Well Played is a cute, beautifully drawn graphic novel with characters you will love immediately. The group is diverse, with just enough flaws to make them relatable and real.
It follows a group of friends as they navigate a summer on the edge of adulthood, trying to maintain their friendship while simultaneously attempting to save the shop they work at. It was sweet, if a little cliche/after-school-special at times. I found that it was abrupt at times, and the storyline was a little choppy, but one facet I loved was when moments had “status: _______ bonus info ______” as a quick glimpse into the characters minds.
All in all, a quick, cute read that could be expanded upon, with a likable, diverse cast!
Good Game, Well Played is a cute, beautifully drawn graphic novel with characters you will love immediately. The group is diverse, with just enough flaws to make them relatable and real.
It follows a group of friends as they navigate a summer on the edge of adulthood, trying to maintain their friendship while simultaneously attempting to save the shop they work at. It was sweet, if a little cliche/after-school-special at times. I found that it was abrupt at times, and the storyline was a little choppy, but one facet I loved was when moments had “status: _______ bonus info ______” as a quick glimpse into the characters minds.
All in all, a quick, cute read that could be expanded upon, with a likable, diverse cast!
November 19, 2023
Rating: 3.5
Themes:
Friendship
LGBTQ+ Characters (Trans Rep)
Video Games
Comics
A slice-of-life graphic novel about a group of friends working at a video game store. We each learn about their lives and struggles as they try to save the failing video game store from closing down. They reconnect years later after a fallout and we learn more about each character.
The characters were enjoyable, I appreciated the trans Rep and also the narrative on youth homelessness. There’s great resources at the back of the comic for those struggling with hardships. There’s also a great guide on how to create your own short comics.
The storyline was consistent and easy to follow. The artwork and colouring was lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed this standalone story and would pick up more from these creators.
Themes:
Friendship
LGBTQ+ Characters (Trans Rep)
Video Games
Comics
A slice-of-life graphic novel about a group of friends working at a video game store. We each learn about their lives and struggles as they try to save the failing video game store from closing down. They reconnect years later after a fallout and we learn more about each character.
The characters were enjoyable, I appreciated the trans Rep and also the narrative on youth homelessness. There’s great resources at the back of the comic for those struggling with hardships. There’s also a great guide on how to create your own short comics.
The storyline was consistent and easy to follow. The artwork and colouring was lovely. I thoroughly enjoyed this standalone story and would pick up more from these creators.
December 19, 2021
This was- fine? I liked the flashbacks more than the other/funeral part, which felt quite rushed/disjointed from the rest? Like it would have been better if the whole thing was just set in the 90s, without the weird timejump.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC.
Thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for the eARC.
April 8, 2023
It felt like there was a whole lot that was being said in not a whole lot of time. I wish there had been a little bit more room for things to breathe and flush out. I enjoyed the ending! I loved how everything came together. Minus the tragic reason they were all together in the first place.
May 16, 2022
5/15/2022 Slight but sweet. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.
5/16/2022 As the 20th century draws to a close, Sienna is intent on having one last perfect summer with her friends, who are all her co-workers at the Game Champ video game store. Sienna is a bit of a control freak, but she gets along fine most of the time with Art, the aspiring comic book artist; Hope, the grungy tough girl; Jo, the conflicted kid with controlling parents, and Sid, the wannabe rock god. They all work (or "work" as the case may be) for Tim, a kind-hearted middle-aged dude with an adorable dog.
When their evil landlord insists on hiking up the rent or shutting down Game Champ for good, the employees brainstorm ways to raise the required funds. But each of the teenagers has personal issues that threaten to derail all their plans. Will Sienna be able to keep them all together and on task, or will everything blow up in her face despite all her best efforts?
Six years later, Sienna is coming back to her hometown to attend the funeral of one of her former friends. She worries that no one will want to see her again after everything ended so badly. But the reunion has more than one surprise in store for all the former Game Champ employees.
Give logic the evening off when you're diving into this mostly gentle (by adult standards anyway) coming-of-age tale of five different kids struggling to make the best of their lives. Hope and Jo are easily the most sympathetic characters, having gone through the most. I also really enjoyed spending time with Art's large and subtextually Jewish family. Katherine Lobo's art in the pages showcasing his apartment and its building seem to have a bit more verve than elsewhere, tho it's easy to be charmed regardless by his entire situation (with cute kids and animals galore!)
That said, I feel like Sid got the short end of the stick story-wise, tho his bandmate L-Worm is a total, if inappropriate, hoot. This definitely had "Empire Records but in a game store" vibes, with a more substantial LGBTQ+ subplot. I was absolutely rooting for all these kids, and was glad to be able to spend an hour or so absorbed in their company and story, with above average art and a lovely message of acceptance (tho I do think Sienna was 100% beating herself up way too hard over everything.)
Good Game, Well Played by Rachael Smith, Katherine Lobo & Justin Birch was published May 3 2022 by Mad Cave Studios and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
5/16/2022 As the 20th century draws to a close, Sienna is intent on having one last perfect summer with her friends, who are all her co-workers at the Game Champ video game store. Sienna is a bit of a control freak, but she gets along fine most of the time with Art, the aspiring comic book artist; Hope, the grungy tough girl; Jo, the conflicted kid with controlling parents, and Sid, the wannabe rock god. They all work (or "work" as the case may be) for Tim, a kind-hearted middle-aged dude with an adorable dog.
When their evil landlord insists on hiking up the rent or shutting down Game Champ for good, the employees brainstorm ways to raise the required funds. But each of the teenagers has personal issues that threaten to derail all their plans. Will Sienna be able to keep them all together and on task, or will everything blow up in her face despite all her best efforts?
Six years later, Sienna is coming back to her hometown to attend the funeral of one of her former friends. She worries that no one will want to see her again after everything ended so badly. But the reunion has more than one surprise in store for all the former Game Champ employees.
Give logic the evening off when you're diving into this mostly gentle (by adult standards anyway) coming-of-age tale of five different kids struggling to make the best of their lives. Hope and Jo are easily the most sympathetic characters, having gone through the most. I also really enjoyed spending time with Art's large and subtextually Jewish family. Katherine Lobo's art in the pages showcasing his apartment and its building seem to have a bit more verve than elsewhere, tho it's easy to be charmed regardless by his entire situation (with cute kids and animals galore!)
That said, I feel like Sid got the short end of the stick story-wise, tho his bandmate L-Worm is a total, if inappropriate, hoot. This definitely had "Empire Records but in a game store" vibes, with a more substantial LGBTQ+ subplot. I was absolutely rooting for all these kids, and was glad to be able to spend an hour or so absorbed in their company and story, with above average art and a lovely message of acceptance (tho I do think Sienna was 100% beating herself up way too hard over everything.)
Good Game, Well Played by Rachael Smith, Katherine Lobo & Justin Birch was published May 3 2022 by Mad Cave Studios and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!
February 9, 2022
Good Game, Well Played is a graphic novel that manages to fit ALOT of plot in a medium with a limited text format. The art it beautiful and the look and feel was really enjoyable.
The story follows a set of teens who work in a gaming store that is struggling. They work together to try and save the store while juggling their own challenges. These include the threat of homelessness, body dysphoria, and unsupportive families. It doesn't always go smoothly and they meet back up years later after a falling out. It was beautiful to see how they have grown and changed over the years and it was satisfying to see them achieve their happily ever afters.
It was an enjoyable read, but it did pack ALOT in! I would have been interested in reading this as a series following each character and giving us a chance to really see the full story and development of each character. But as it is, each character has a full arc and I felt that I got resolution on everyone's stories.
Enjoyable read.
The story follows a set of teens who work in a gaming store that is struggling. They work together to try and save the store while juggling their own challenges. These include the threat of homelessness, body dysphoria, and unsupportive families. It doesn't always go smoothly and they meet back up years later after a falling out. It was beautiful to see how they have grown and changed over the years and it was satisfying to see them achieve their happily ever afters.
It was an enjoyable read, but it did pack ALOT in! I would have been interested in reading this as a series following each character and giving us a chance to really see the full story and development of each character. But as it is, each character has a full arc and I felt that I got resolution on everyone's stories.
Enjoyable read.
April 11, 2022
Good Game, Well Played tells the story of a group of friends who work at a game shop in danger of getting shut down and do their best to keep it open, then meet again 10 years later. It has potential if not for the fact that it's so loaded with topics that there's no way to give everything the space it deserves in one volume.
I really wanted to like this one more because I love that it jumps straight into several tough topics, but I was also annoyed that it sets them up then time jumps so we don't get to see the hard work characters put into making their situations better as much more than a couple of panels.
The art is basic. Not great, not terrible, just forgettable. It works in that it's really easy to tell people apart and figure out what they're doing, but there really is nothing much to set it apart or comment on.
Overall, it's not awful, I just really wanted it to be more than it is.
Happy thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Mad Cave for the early read!
I really wanted to like this one more because I love that it jumps straight into several tough topics, but I was also annoyed that it sets them up then time jumps so we don't get to see the hard work characters put into making their situations better as much more than a couple of panels.
The art is basic. Not great, not terrible, just forgettable. It works in that it's really easy to tell people apart and figure out what they're doing, but there really is nothing much to set it apart or comment on.
Overall, it's not awful, I just really wanted it to be more than it is.
Happy thanks to NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Mad Cave for the early read!
September 17, 2022
I loved the art, but the story needs a lot of work. There was a lot going on and the story felt very rushed and jumbled. I ended up not caring for the characters at all. The story takes place in Boston which I was excited about, but with the except of a few panels, you’d never know it. The characters were supposed to be best friends, but it seemed like they hardly knew each other. One of them has a fight with the others… Then they completely cut her out of their lives for 10 years?? Including the guy that was supposed to be in love with her?? The ending felt too neatly and sweetly wrapped and also rushed.
March 8, 2022
I think this book had some good potential, but I just couldn't get into it. The art is good and possibly the best part of this book. I however, did not enjoy the story aspect of this book. The characters didn't really act like they were friends, but instead like they barely knew each other. I also just could not get into the story at all. I couldn't connect with the story being told and felt very distant from the characters.
I would like to thank Maverick Comics for providing me with an ARC.
I would like to thank Maverick Comics for providing me with an ARC.
December 18, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley for sharing this free digital copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
This was an okay read for me. I was a little apprehensive before reading this. I have had a good year in terms of reading and didn't want to be disappointed.
The story had potential but the execution was not good. I couldn't feel any connection to the characters. The plot was a little hard to follow.
The artwork was vivid and beautiful though.
This was an okay read for me. I was a little apprehensive before reading this. I have had a good year in terms of reading and didn't want to be disappointed.
The story had potential but the execution was not good. I couldn't feel any connection to the characters. The plot was a little hard to follow.
The artwork was vivid and beautiful though.
February 12, 2022
I received a galley of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This just didn't really work for me. It isn't really terrible. I quite liked the 1999 storyline. I thought it was really fun and interesting. But the 2009 storyline wasn't great at all. It just didn't really make that much sense with the 1999 storyline and I overall just don't really like the choices made for the 2009 storyline. The art is really great though.
This just didn't really work for me. It isn't really terrible. I quite liked the 1999 storyline. I thought it was really fun and interesting. But the 2009 storyline wasn't great at all. It just didn't really make that much sense with the 1999 storyline and I overall just don't really like the choices made for the 2009 storyline. The art is really great though.
February 16, 2023
A fun story with gorgeous imagery. A period piece twice over, expertly evoking 1999 and 2005 in vivid detail, filled with engaging characters whose relationships and goals feel very real. Thoughtful and emotional.
March 3, 2022
The drawings were cute and it was overall a visually pleasing experience. However, I wasn't invested in the characters or the story.
thank you to netGalley for the arc
thank you to netGalley for the arc
February 2, 2023
Despite the lack of character development for most characters, I really liked this graphic novel.
July 26, 2023
I got bored half way through and just skimmed the pages
Read
March 21, 2022Characters
The characters in this novel were so sweet, and so much fun to read about. They all met while working at a game store, and I just loved the vibes of all these characters. Each character had their own personality and story, which made it easy to follow the story of each character. All the characters had their own demons, and I loved that they could all come together, and they could all help each other. These characters all had a passion for games, and as someone who also enjoys games, I loved reading about characters who enjoy the same thing as I do. The end of the book was so sweet, and I’m so happy with how the story ended.
Plot
Good Game, Well played had an interesting plot and one that I wanted to know where the story was going to go. I loved the fact that all of the characters came together for something they loved, and how they all worked so well together. There are other elements of the story that I loved, such as the character’s love for video games, and the different family dynamics, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Some of the plots come at the end of the book, and I loved how we got to see the characters later in life and see how their stories ended.
Writing
Good Game, Well Played had fantastic writing, and it made you feel like you were a part of the story. The heavy scenes were serious in tone, and the light-hearted scenes were more light-hearted in tone. This graphic novel was a journey, and I believe you can see that in the writing.
Art
I loved the art style in Good Game, Well Played. I don’t read a lot of Graphic Novels, and this art style was not only adorable, but it worked well with the story. Like the writing, the tone of the more serious scenes uses dark colors and tones, and more light-hearted scenes use lighter color pallets and lighter shades.
Enjoyment/ Recommend for
I really enjoyed this book, and I am so glad I took the chance to read the story. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Graphic Novels or wants a YA story that is a little off the beaten path.
The characters in this novel were so sweet, and so much fun to read about. They all met while working at a game store, and I just loved the vibes of all these characters. Each character had their own personality and story, which made it easy to follow the story of each character. All the characters had their own demons, and I loved that they could all come together, and they could all help each other. These characters all had a passion for games, and as someone who also enjoys games, I loved reading about characters who enjoy the same thing as I do. The end of the book was so sweet, and I’m so happy with how the story ended.
Plot
Good Game, Well played had an interesting plot and one that I wanted to know where the story was going to go. I loved the fact that all of the characters came together for something they loved, and how they all worked so well together. There are other elements of the story that I loved, such as the character’s love for video games, and the different family dynamics, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Some of the plots come at the end of the book, and I loved how we got to see the characters later in life and see how their stories ended.
Writing
Good Game, Well Played had fantastic writing, and it made you feel like you were a part of the story. The heavy scenes were serious in tone, and the light-hearted scenes were more light-hearted in tone. This graphic novel was a journey, and I believe you can see that in the writing.
Art
I loved the art style in Good Game, Well Played. I don’t read a lot of Graphic Novels, and this art style was not only adorable, but it worked well with the story. Like the writing, the tone of the more serious scenes uses dark colors and tones, and more light-hearted scenes use lighter color pallets and lighter shades.
Enjoyment/ Recommend for
I really enjoyed this book, and I am so glad I took the chance to read the story. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys Graphic Novels or wants a YA story that is a little off the beaten path.
March 2, 2022
REVIEW:
✨This was such a great coming of age graphic novel about friendship. With deeper themes sprinkled throughout, I think that Good Game, Well Played had a great art style, a diverse set of characters, and I really fun setting and premise.
✨One place where I think the story lacked the most for me was the pacing. Everything felt very rushed. It's harder to explain what's going on in great detail when you are meant to be looking at the details, but sometimes this graphic novel felt like we were just jumping from one hot button issue to the next. And in the same way that the plot was rushed, I felt like the reader was supposed to feel connected to these characters from the beginning, but I did not feel that way. The way these characters were interacting with each other, you could tell that they were close, but on one page someone is kissing on the next they're fighting, and I just didn't feel an emotional impact from anyone until the end. And even then, it still felt rushed.
✨Being that this graphic novel is meant for a YA audience, I understand why things happened in quick succession, but the dialogue at time felt very middle grade most of the time. Especially with some of the characters that had more of a conflict than others. The way that they were speaking felt regurgitated from stereotypes of the types of conversations that they were having.
✨In the end, I loved seeing where the characters ended up. While I would have liked to see more about their journeys I liked were the characters ended in the end and I feel like the last scenes were so sweet and tied together the whole story really nicely. I would recommend this graphic novel, especially with the art style, to anyone who enjoyed the revamped Archie comic graphic novels that came out a few years ago. I think the art feels similar and more realistic to a teen audience.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR ALLOWING ME TO READ THIS BEFORE PUBLICATION DATE
✨This was such a great coming of age graphic novel about friendship. With deeper themes sprinkled throughout, I think that Good Game, Well Played had a great art style, a diverse set of characters, and I really fun setting and premise.
✨One place where I think the story lacked the most for me was the pacing. Everything felt very rushed. It's harder to explain what's going on in great detail when you are meant to be looking at the details, but sometimes this graphic novel felt like we were just jumping from one hot button issue to the next. And in the same way that the plot was rushed, I felt like the reader was supposed to feel connected to these characters from the beginning, but I did not feel that way. The way these characters were interacting with each other, you could tell that they were close, but on one page someone is kissing on the next they're fighting, and I just didn't feel an emotional impact from anyone until the end. And even then, it still felt rushed.
✨Being that this graphic novel is meant for a YA audience, I understand why things happened in quick succession, but the dialogue at time felt very middle grade most of the time. Especially with some of the characters that had more of a conflict than others. The way that they were speaking felt regurgitated from stereotypes of the types of conversations that they were having.
✨In the end, I loved seeing where the characters ended up. While I would have liked to see more about their journeys I liked were the characters ended in the end and I feel like the last scenes were so sweet and tied together the whole story really nicely. I would recommend this graphic novel, especially with the art style, to anyone who enjoyed the revamped Archie comic graphic novels that came out a few years ago. I think the art feels similar and more realistic to a teen audience.
THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND THE PUBLISHER FOR ALLOWING ME TO READ THIS BEFORE PUBLICATION DATE
March 26, 2023
A solid book. I read it in one day (pretty much one sitting), so it obviously wasn't a bad book by any means. The art was solid, and I liked how it explored different crises of growing up, from the more "traditional" (for lack of a better word), such as crushes or being a part of a big family, to the much more intense, such as mental health (in this case, OCD), LTGBTQIA+ issues, and homelessness. It was a surprisingly intense read. That all said... I still felt like this didn't actually give the punch I was expecting. The big reason why Sienna felt like she couldn't go to an old friend's funeral is because she blew up at them once, never heard texts back, and then moved? I mean, I was expecting it to be something like she sided with Silver for some reason (that in her mind was heroic, but turned out to be nothing but a betrayal). I mean, honestly, I know you moved away but... send more than one apology text? Try calling? And keep doing it even after you've moved? I don't know, that part just seemed really lackluster to me, and as that was the big conflict that bridged the past and present parts of the story... well, that kind of matters. Still, this was a well-written story with interesting characters. I just expected more--which is actually kind of a compliment, because the rest was so good. I did find myself feeling genuinely heartbroken at the funeral, so... I can't say this wasn't a book that was well worth the time. So in short: A good book. Probably not a favorite for me personally, but you can definitely tell there was a lot of love and creativity that went into this story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2021
A bunch of kids working – sorry, "working" - at a game store in Boston in the late '90s could not be more diverse in ethnicity, background and way of life, but they do all have one thing in common – a thirty day deadline to get the store actually in the black for once. I mean, they gallivant around eating fast-food, giving each other gifts and on the whole are not poor, but the store is. Perhaps the six people on the books doing nothing are the issue, but they won't see that – they'll engage with a 'hey kids, let's do the show right here!' mindset and go great guns to keep what they love and what keeps them together afloat.
Until they won't, because this doesn't want to be that kind of book. After a scene where the characters are visible as their own really cute Gauntlet avatars the computer game side of things pretty much vanishes, and instead we have a read that has to lose a lot of its pleasantness and subtlety to Talk About Things. And while the way the framing device of the whole book wraps things up in a 'watch out, there's a maximum page count here' manner might have The Feels, or whatever teens want to call it these days, for an older reader it's really too blunt and clunky. Don't get me wrong, there certainly is enough here to make us care for these people, especially so if you're the target age range and can see yourself in them, but this certainly ended up being too direct, curt and unsubtle, especially compared to the more measured opening.
Until they won't, because this doesn't want to be that kind of book. After a scene where the characters are visible as their own really cute Gauntlet avatars the computer game side of things pretty much vanishes, and instead we have a read that has to lose a lot of its pleasantness and subtlety to Talk About Things. And while the way the framing device of the whole book wraps things up in a 'watch out, there's a maximum page count here' manner might have The Feels, or whatever teens want to call it these days, for an older reader it's really too blunt and clunky. Don't get me wrong, there certainly is enough here to make us care for these people, especially so if you're the target age range and can see yourself in them, but this certainly ended up being too direct, curt and unsubtle, especially compared to the more measured opening.
June 17, 2022
Sienna is flying home. It has been six years, and she never really thought she ould be heading back to her hometown.Unfortunately, she was heading home to say the ultimate goodbye to one of her dearest friends.
Back in 1999, Sienna thought she was at her happiest. She worked Game Champ, a local videogaming shop, with four dear friends and a really caring boss int he form of the owner. Unfortunately, their happiness is being crushed by the man who owns the building in which the Game Champ operates. He is threatening to close the shop down if the owner can't get caught up on the rent. As the gang bands together to try and save the shop, readers are treated to their backgrounds and the challenges that each of them faces.
I really found this story both humorous and touching. The backgrounds of each of the kids are unique and interesting, and their talents feed directly into the opportunities they are taking to try and raise the funds the store needs. I loved the illustration style ued to present the tale.
Back in 1999, Sienna thought she was at her happiest. She worked Game Champ, a local videogaming shop, with four dear friends and a really caring boss int he form of the owner. Unfortunately, their happiness is being crushed by the man who owns the building in which the Game Champ operates. He is threatening to close the shop down if the owner can't get caught up on the rent. As the gang bands together to try and save the shop, readers are treated to their backgrounds and the challenges that each of them faces.
I really found this story both humorous and touching. The backgrounds of each of the kids are unique and interesting, and their talents feed directly into the opportunities they are taking to try and raise the funds the store needs. I loved the illustration style ued to present the tale.
April 21, 2023
This was fine, but it was too light and doesn't spend enough time developing any of the plot or characters to really get me invested too strongly in anything.
The story begins with Sienna traveling back home to Boston for the first time in 10 years, to attend the funeral of a friend. She's worried that all the people she left behind there won't want to see her, and ends up telling a stranger on the plane about her past, working at a video game store in the 1990s.
The majority of the story is teenage Sienna and her friends/coworkers trying to save their store from a greedy asshole of a landlord who wants to shut them down mostly just to be a spiteful prick. Many of Sienna's friends have difficult home lives, and they don't seem to really know that much about each other despite being best friends, but otherwise it's kinda charming.
It was a fun read but it won't stick with me for any length of time. I already had to look up the main character's name for this review and I just finished it this morning.
The story begins with Sienna traveling back home to Boston for the first time in 10 years, to attend the funeral of a friend. She's worried that all the people she left behind there won't want to see her, and ends up telling a stranger on the plane about her past, working at a video game store in the 1990s.
The majority of the story is teenage Sienna and her friends/coworkers trying to save their store from a greedy asshole of a landlord who wants to shut them down mostly just to be a spiteful prick. Many of Sienna's friends have difficult home lives, and they don't seem to really know that much about each other despite being best friends, but otherwise it's kinda charming.
It was a fun read but it won't stick with me for any length of time. I already had to look up the main character's name for this review and I just finished it this morning.
December 26, 2021
I was looking forward to reading this as I love old videogames. It was a bit disappointing to see so little of it.
The art is beautiful and captivating but the story leaves me kind of unfulfilled. To be honest I don't get how we get a story about a videogame store with lack of games and also it's on the brink of going out of business but there are 5 kids working there?! Well, work is a big word for what they do. It seems like they just hang out all day and the owner of the store is ok with it or oblivious to it?
Then this big fight happens and somehow Sienna takes the blame for everything? But she did end up working with someone from her past but somehow that persons neglects to inform her that she doesn't need to dwell on things and that it's all water under the bridge? The story was a bit random at times although I did enjoy the ending despite the circumstances.
An arc was provided to me by the publisher in return of an honest review.
The art is beautiful and captivating but the story leaves me kind of unfulfilled. To be honest I don't get how we get a story about a videogame store with lack of games and also it's on the brink of going out of business but there are 5 kids working there?! Well, work is a big word for what they do. It seems like they just hang out all day and the owner of the store is ok with it or oblivious to it?
Then this big fight happens and somehow Sienna takes the blame for everything? But she did end up working with someone from her past but somehow that persons neglects to inform her that she doesn't need to dwell on things and that it's all water under the bridge? The story was a bit random at times although I did enjoy the ending despite the circumstances.
An arc was provided to me by the publisher in return of an honest review.
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