Book Review of Mall Goth by Kate Leth

About the Book

Title: Mall Goth

Author: 
• Kate Leth

Published: 2023

Genres: 
• Graphic Novels
• Historical Fiction

Voices: 
• Bisexual
• Canadian
• Cis Girl
• White

Cover Story: Going Up? Down?
BFF Charm: Big Sister
Talky Talk: Straight Up
Arty Art: Very Leth
Bonus Factor: Early Aughts Malls
Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grown-Ups
Relationship Status: Here For You

Content Warning: Mall Goth contains scenes of predatory grooming behavior between a teacher and a young student.

Cover Story: Going Up? Down?

I honestly can’t tell if this escalator is going up or down. But it doesn’t matter. I love how colorful and detailed this cover is; it’s the perfect complement to the story and gives a preview of Leth’s art style for those unfamiliar with it.

The Deal: 

It’s always tough moving high schools, especially for a bisexual teen goth in the early aughts. Liv Holme is just one such teen, and moving to a new town is just one of her problems. Her dad’s MIA, her partnered friend is hitting on her, and her favorite English teacher might belong in a dumpster. Add to that a job as a Build-a-Bear-style mascot and struggles with communicating with her mom; Liv’s struggling, to put it mildly.

BFF Charm: Big Sister

Much to her detriment, Liv is left to her own devices without a lot of guidance. I don’t blame her mom—she’s human with her own problems, after all—but I would have loved to be in a position to help Liv through some of the harder experiences she goes through in this book, or even help her avoid them in the first place.

Swoonworthy Scale: 0

Liv has two semi-relationships in the book, and neither of them are swoony. One because it’s with a teacher who’s a garbage person (nothing physical happens) and the other is with a friend who lies to Liv about his relationship status. I feel for her, but there’s someone out there for her, I just know it!

Talky Talk: Straight Up

Leth doesn’t pull punches when it comes to this story about growing up and making sometimes unfortunate discoveries about the truth of people. There’s a semi-autobiographical bent to the story, too, that makes my heart hurt for Leth, but the end of the book is hopeful with an eye toward Liv’s future. 

I particularly love the conversations between Liv and her mom. Even when they’re not seeing eye-to-eye, it’s clear that they have a strong bond and a relationship that goes beyond the mother-daughter dynamic.

Arty Art: Very Leth

Page via Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

I’ve been a fan of Leth’s for a long while now, and was eager to read this full-length story. Their art is quirky and cute while touching on some heavy subjects, and the color palette is an interesting mix of mostly warm tones that gives an almost sepia effect to the book; great for a historical (god, it hurts to write that) story.

Bonus Factor: Early Aughts Malls

I fondly remember going to the mall in the late 90s/early 2000s. The sheer number of shops all in one place was the ideal way of shopping in that era, and there’s something magical about thinking back on my time spent in malls. Do I spend time in them anymore? Not if I can help it. But as a teenager, going to the mall felt like freedom.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Awful Grown-Ups

I’ve mentioned this a few times in this review already, but Liv’s English teacher really is the worst kind of person. He hypes Liv up, making her feel special and unique and assured that she’s a good student. But his motivations are 100% suspect, and 1000% gross.

Relationship Status: Here For You

I don’t think we had a romantic connection, Book, but I certainly want to know you better. And be a shoulder to cry on/someone to turn to when you need advice. You can come to me whenever, about whatever. You need someone like that in your life, and I’m happy to be it.

FTC Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, but got neither a private dance party with Tom Hiddleston nor money in exchange for this review. Mall Goth is available now.