Nimona in Around the Year in 52 Books

May 28, 2020 Jacqie rated it it was ok

Shelves: sirens-2020

I read this book by itself instead of as a webcomic, and therefore missed the commentary that apparently was a big part of the fun of it. Standing on its own:

I liked the juxtaposition of fantasy tropes and science fiction tropes. Mad scientists, dragons and knights, evil corporations and village market fairs all managed to coexist, be charming, and even make some sense. I also enjoyed Lord Ballister Blackheart, a villain who is really more of a hero. Blackheart is utterly bamboozled by Nimona, w I read this book by itself instead of as a webcomic, and therefore missed the commentary that apparently was a big part of the fun of it. Standing on its own:

I liked the juxtaposition of fantasy tropes and science fiction tropes. Mad scientists, dragons and knights, evil corporations and village market fairs all managed to coexist, be charming, and even make some sense. I also enjoyed Lord Ballister Blackheart, a villain who is really more of a hero. Blackheart is utterly bamboozled by Nimona, who shows up out of nowhere to be his sidekick (he never asked for a sidekick) and who ends up being more helpful than he anticipated.

Nimona herself, though. She was the weak point of the book for me. Blackheart, as I've said, isn't much of a villain at heart, but Nimona has absolutely no problem with killing people and wreaking havoc. Although Blackheart does appear to have morals, he is hapless to prevent Nimona murdering people and he just seems to chalk it up to her being whimsical. If this was a totally silly comic I could go along with that, but there seem to be actual moral stakes here, and just tut-tutting sadly at your sidekick's sociopathic side isn't a good look if you're trying to be an antihero.

In the end, Nimona's personality problems stem from her past. She's had a truly rough one. But she's also an annoying brat who seems totally self-centered and will violently destroy people's houses and lives if she throws a temper tantrum, because she's really powerful. Nimona doesn't ever seem to take any steps toward growth. She kinda cares about Blackheart, but never sees the bigger picture other than humoring him.

For myself, I'd need a sidekick to do something other than be sassy, disobedient and destructive if I'm going to want to keep them around. I'd want some evidence that they can work in a team, that they are trustworthy, that they understand the value of human life if I value human life myself. The weird combination of happy mayhem and Blackheart's humaneness just didn't work for me. ...more

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May 22, 2017 Wendy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novel-manga, 2017

Lovely!

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2017 Penny rated it liked it

Ehhhh the plot is more like 2*, but I really liked the art work

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Dec 16, 2020 Marta rated it it was amazing

Shelves: humor, fantasy, young-adult, graphic-novel, female-author, library

Nimona has an attitude, an appetite for evil deeds, and a hunger for love and a relationship with a responsible adult she can trust. And so it happens that she becomes the sidekick of famous evil genius Ballister Blackheart and utterly upends his and the entire kingdom’s life. After a while, no one knows any more who is the hero and who is the villain, who is the monster and who is the child, who is the friend and who is the enemy...

This graphic novel is original, humorous, touching, murderous, ...more

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Nov 08, 2016 Paula S rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this fun story that turns the normal story about monsters and villains on its head. Nimona is a wonderful character.

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Oct 17, 2016 Ginger (Sproutygamer) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I have had bad luck with graphic novels and comics in the past. I start them and since you have to read so many others to understand what is going on in the one you are reading even though it is a new story. Well I tried lumberjanes and loved it so I figured I would give Noelle Stevenson another try. I picked up Nimona. It is about a girl/shapeshifter that starts working for a villian. This was more than I was expecting it to be. I laughed out loud a bunch of times. It was heartwarming and sad a ...more

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Nov 17, 2015 Tweller83 rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, graphic-novel-manga, non-fiction, district-book-committee

I really enjoyed this graphic novel and I think my students will as well. Even at the end of this novel, we aren't quite sure what/who Nimona is. Telling the story from the perspective of the "villian" was quite good. Very fun.

6/9/22: Reread as the group book for Queer Lit Readathon. I liked it just as much the second time around. My students are liking this too, just like I thought they would. ...more

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Jun 15, 2015 Hitzuji rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I read the webcomic page by page when it was being made (such turture to wait for the next) and really loved it. Then it came to my knowledge the fact that it was going to be published. I enjoyed so much reading it in one sitting and just flipping pages. I laughed out loud some times, cried a little and loved it as much as the first time.

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May 13, 2019 Amanda rated it really liked it

Cute and fiesty heroine. It was such a fun book to read and the art was an interesting new style for me. I loved the backstory for Ballister and Goldenloin! It would be nice to see where everyone ends up in another volume. Looking forward to the big screen adaptation.

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