About the Book
-
Author:
- Faith Erin Hicks
- Genres:
- Contemporary
- Graphic Novels
Cover Story: To the Point
BFF Charms: Yay x2
Talky Talk: Short and Sweet
Arty Art: Emo(tive)
Bonus Factors: Opposites Attract, Sexual Identity
Anti-Bonus Factor: Abuse
Relationship Status: Permission to Hug?
Content Warning: Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy features a flashback scene in which a man abuses his wife and his child is forced to take action. These images, while not graphic, might be triggering for some readers. Additionally, there are instances of bullying and homophobia.
Cover Story: To the Point
I appreciate how this cover is pretty on the nose—these characters, clearly, are the titular Hockey Girl and Drama Boy, and their hand-holding indicates that they might be more than friends. It also gives perspective readers an idea about Hicks’s art style before they dive in.
The Deal:
Alix loves playing hockey, but she hates her team captain, who is out to make her life miserable. When the taunting forces Alix to take drastic measures, she must figure out how to keep her cool under pressure, or she’ll lose the things he loves most. Enter Ezra, a drama kid who keeps a level head in the worst circumstances, and perhaps someone Alix can enlist to help her learn some zen.
BFF Charms: Yay x2
Both Alix and Ezra are people I would have totally hung out with in high school. Ezra more than Alix, as my social circles were the music/drama variety, but I went to a small school and so also often hung out with the jocks. I’d be envious of Alix’s skills and Ezra’s confidence, but I think I’d have things to offer them as well. Either that or I’d just be a groupie. I’d be fine either way.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Alix and Ezra fall in like quickly, and while it makes sense for this shortened format, it does seem a little like instalove, given that they barely know each other at the start of the book. Is it still cute? Yes. Am I still rooting for them? 100%.
Talky Talk: Short and Sweet
Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is shorter than I both expected and also would have liked, even for a graphic novel. That said, it’s still a sweet story, punctuated by Hicks’ flair for the emotional (more on that below) and characters who feel wholly real. When Alix struggles to understand her mother’s lack of support, you feel it. And when Ezra has to come to terms with the fact that he hurt a friend, you hurt right along with him.
Arty Art: Emo(tive)
Although Hicks does a great job with the written part of this book, where she really excels is the art. I’ve long loved her style, which really gets to the heart of the matter. The panels aren’t overly detailed, and she uses a striking mix of scenic backgrounds and white space (i.e., panels that focus solely on the character+dialogue and have solid color backgrounds). Her character’s emotions practically leap off the page.
I liked the limited color palette used in the book as well. For a book that’s in part about hockey with many panels that show an ice rink, using an icy blue as pretty much the only color other than black, white, and grey is a clever choice.
Bonus Factor: Opposites Attract
I adore a story in which two seemingly incompatible people find feelings for each other. On the surface, Alix and Ezra are very different people, and folks outside of their duo don’t get their attraction at all. But all that matters is what they feel! (And, really, they’re not all that different when you get under the surface.)
Bonus Factor: Sexual Identity
Most people think that Ezra is gay, as he’s dated boys most recently. But he’s actually open to dating folks of all gender expressions/identities. He doesn’t know what to label himself, but he doesn’t see that as an issue. He likes who he likes, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Anti-Bonus Factor: Abuse
Ezra reminisces about his terrible, abusive father and a specific, super traumatic event from his youth. I was glad to read that, after this event, his father is out of the picture, but it’s hard to read/see nonetheless. As any sort of abuse always is.
Relationship Status: Permission to Hug?
You’re very sweet, Book, and more nuanced than one might expect. Our time together felt rushed, but there’s something about you that makes me feel like we’d be good friends. I hope you feel the same, ’cause if you don’t, this is gonna get real awkward.
Literary Matchmaking
Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please! adorable graphic novels are also about hockey players and drama.
Although it’s a separate story, Prudence Shen and Hicks’ Nothing Can Possibly Go Wrong seems like it’s set in the same (sports-related, opposites-attract) universe.
And Rainbow Rowell and Hicks’s Pumpkinheads is another super cute, even swoonier read.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from First: Second, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is available now.
