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Please Be My Star: A Graphic Novel
A wonderfully fun and unique reimagining of The Phantom of the Opera as a teen rom-com set in high school!
Erika knows that people find her weird and off-putting. Instead of making friends, she finds solace in talking to herself and obsessing over handsome actors and pop stars. When she starts attending a new school, her loneliness takes on a life of its own and she develops a new the cutest boy in her theater class, Christian. For some reason, Christian is kind to her and even agrees to star in the play that she wrote for him, and Erika starts to find a creative voice that might lead to new friendship and romance. But the more time Erika spends with Christian, the more she wonders what he sees in a creep like her. Can Erika somehow write her way into the center of her own heartfelt love story? Or does Christian have an ending of his own in mind?
Erika knows that people find her weird and off-putting. Instead of making friends, she finds solace in talking to herself and obsessing over handsome actors and pop stars. When she starts attending a new school, her loneliness takes on a life of its own and she develops a new the cutest boy in her theater class, Christian. For some reason, Christian is kind to her and even agrees to star in the play that she wrote for him, and Erika starts to find a creative voice that might lead to new friendship and romance. But the more time Erika spends with Christian, the more she wonders what he sees in a creep like her. Can Erika somehow write her way into the center of her own heartfelt love story? Or does Christian have an ending of his own in mind?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 3, 2024
16 people are currently reading
3204 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Grace Elliott
3 books89 followersI’m Victoria Grace Elliott, a queer comic artist living in Austin, Texas. I’ve written, drawn, and colored my middle grade nonfiction graphic novels, Yummy: A History of Desserts and Tasty: A History of Yummy Experiments (Random House Graphic) which feature my love of sharing history and interesting facts — as well as sweets! Please Be My Star is my romantic YA retelling of Phantom of the Opera (Scholastic Graphix/2024). I’m also the creator of the fantasy webcomic balderdash! or, a tale of two witches.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
October 2, 2024
for the sickos
July 10, 2025
*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
I enjoyed this! I loved the illustration style and I liked the plot a lot!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)
I enjoyed this! I loved the illustration style and I liked the plot a lot!
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
November 17, 2024
2.5 - There was more that I didn't like than did. I did like Erika's dark inner voice. I did like the play and the way the friends rallied. I did like the small bits of spanish culture.
I didn't like the shrine and the part it plays in the romance. I found the professions of love a bit ridiculous. I absolutely HATE the hair-over-face art style. I thought the falling out too easily resolved. I found the resolution to be really unrealistic in general.
I didn't like the shrine and the part it plays in the romance. I found the professions of love a bit ridiculous. I absolutely HATE the hair-over-face art style. I thought the falling out too easily resolved. I found the resolution to be really unrealistic in general.
October 30, 2024
Gender-swapped Phantom of the Opera but it's wholesome! I don't know how to feel about it!
If you're a die-hard Phantom fan, you'll have to turn your brain off for this one. I kept worrying that Christian was being emotionally manipulated (he was not), or that Erika's crush would turn out to be one-dimensional (somehow, it did not). The characters are a little weak here. I didn't feel sold on Christian's ridiculous levels of chill, especially when he easily accepted Erika's stalker vibes and secret shrine to him. Because I couldn't suspend my skepticism, I struggled to root for the couple.
If you're a die-hard Phantom fan, you'll have to turn your brain off for this one. I kept worrying that Christian was being emotionally manipulated (he was not), or that Erika's crush would turn out to be one-dimensional (somehow, it did not). The characters are a little weak here. I didn't feel sold on Christian's ridiculous levels of chill, especially when he easily accepted Erika's stalker vibes and secret shrine to him. Because I couldn't suspend my skepticism, I struggled to root for the couple.
October 16, 2024
What a cute story! I mean, parts of it were questionable and seemed very stalkerish (but also in a low key level that I think we all were like in middle school). I LOVED the part where he discovers her shrine and the artwork shifts to show her as more of a monster. It was truly beautifully done - and then how the scene ends with her “dark” side comforting her. Wow. Just amazing. A truly gripping scene.
December 2, 2024
Erika has been called creepy in the past for her tendency of liking things Too Much, for getting crushes on people she doesn't even know, for building alters to her obsessions. She starts at a new high school for her senior year without much hope of making friends. Quickly, she falls for a tall, handsome boy, Christian, who is also in the drama club. In an attempt to get closer to him, Erika writes a whole one-act play with the hope he will star in it. What she didn't account for was how much time you end up spending with someone during rehearsals, and what it might be like to get to know your crush for real. I really enjoyed this pop culture-infused teen rom-com, the little kpop easter eggs, the clear aesthetic references of mid-90s and early-2000s manga. Silly and sweet and poignant! Can't wait to see what this author does next.
April 3, 2025
3.75⭐ (book 28/25 - 2025)
April 30, 2025
Nailed the ace on the head. 10/10
January 12, 2025
This hit me in the feels. Everyone has that little voice inside them telling them that they are weird and unlovable. This story lets you know that even though it may take a bit, you will one day find people who will mesh with your weird, that there is always hope.
January 5, 2025
honestly, this book was super endearing. The premise of the book is that Erika is different, she’s a weirdo and has an intrusive alter ego that just spews negativity at her about everything, therefore she believes she’s unlovable. However, she has a HUGE crush on Christian (cute boy in her theatre class) and decided to write a play FOR HIM lol. And as they hang out she even builds him a shrine… yeah💀
Anyway in the end I thought it was so cute because Erika found somebody who matched her freak and i LOVE that for her 😭🫶🏼 because christian was like “oh you thought you were weird? i kept tabs on you too” like OKAY AHAHA in what world do you actually find that 😩 so i wasn’t mad🤣 two weirdos who deserve each other. Also Christian was so fine… he’s Mexican and i loved the bits of culture included in the book! and the artwork is SO good 😍 anyway this was a really good weekend read 🥰
Anyway in the end I thought it was so cute because Erika found somebody who matched her freak and i LOVE that for her 😭🫶🏼 because christian was like “oh you thought you were weird? i kept tabs on you too” like OKAY AHAHA in what world do you actually find that 😩 so i wasn’t mad🤣 two weirdos who deserve each other. Also Christian was so fine… he’s Mexican and i loved the bits of culture included in the book! and the artwork is SO good 😍 anyway this was a really good weekend read 🥰
October 10, 2024
kicking my feet & giggling rn
November 4, 2024
Mieliście jakiś obiekt zainteresowań w czasach szkolnych? Ja miałam taki kompletnie nieromantyczny obiekt, bo chłopak ze starszej klasy wyglądał jak postać z anime i uznawałam, żeby był świetnym modelem do rysowania, więc go obserwowałam i potem rysowałam. Nie przyszło mi nawet do głowy, żeby wchodzić z nim w interakcje, chociaż on pewnie myślał, że jestem jakąś dziwaczką, która czasem na niego patrzy, bo ma crusha 😂. Ale w dzisiejszej historii mamy do czynienia z dziewczyną, która nie tylko uznała pewnego chłopaka za swoją muzę obok swoich idoli k-popowych i Ala Pachino, ale również się w nim zakochała i w tę interakcję weszła przy okazji zajęć teatralnych, na które napisała scenariusz, a jego poprosiła o zostanie gwiazdą spektaklu.
Komiks, o którym wam dziś opowiadam "Zostań moją gwiazdą" w ramach [współpraca reklamowa] z @wydawnictwojaguar jest w całości narysowany i pokolorowany przez autorkę - nie używa ona żadnych gotowców czy nie zatrudnia asystentów, a do tego jej komiks jest mega szczegółowy, co widać na umieszczonych obrazkach na kolejnych kafelkach. Mnie samą najbardziej powaliły chyba takie szczegóły jak powoli spłukujący się rudy z włosów głównych bohaterek, pojawianie się odrostów z mijającym czasem, okładki komiksów, które byłam w stanie rozpoznać czy nawet tłuszcz z czipsów wchłaniany przez kartkę. Dla mnie z tego względu to graficzne mistrzostwo. Absolutnie chciałabym zobaczyć kolejne jej komiksy na polskim rynku!
Dużym plusem w przypadku tej powieści graficznej jest też zamknięcie jej w jednym tomie. Mam wrażenie, że ostatnio coraz więcej wydawnictw decyduje się na wydawanie pierwszego tomu komiksu (Fangirl, Lore Olympus) i niekontynuowanie serii, dlatego zakup jednotomowej historii wydaje się w tym przypadku bezpieczną opcją. I chociaż jest to tylko jeden tom, to cała historia jak i charaktery postaci są świetnie zarysowane i nawet z wątków pobocznych coś tam się rozwija.
Erika - główna bohaterka - może jest trochę nawiedzona z tworzeniem ołtarzyka z rzeczy, które jej obiekt westchnień zostawia w jej domu, ale mnie kupuje wyjaśnienie "nie mogę go mieć, więc chociaż na pamiątkę sobie to zostawię", patrząc na jej kompletny brak wiary w siebie, kompleksy, stany lękowo-depresyjne manifestujące się w komiksie jako zły duch otaczający główną bohaterkę. Z resztą to integralna część tej powieści graficznej i cały motyw wątpienia w siebie przemawia nie tylko do nas, jako do czytelników, ale także do osób obcujących ze sztuką teatralną głównej bohaterki.
Komiks, o którym wam dziś opowiadam "Zostań moją gwiazdą" w ramach [współpraca reklamowa] z @wydawnictwojaguar jest w całości narysowany i pokolorowany przez autorkę - nie używa ona żadnych gotowców czy nie zatrudnia asystentów, a do tego jej komiks jest mega szczegółowy, co widać na umieszczonych obrazkach na kolejnych kafelkach. Mnie samą najbardziej powaliły chyba takie szczegóły jak powoli spłukujący się rudy z włosów głównych bohaterek, pojawianie się odrostów z mijającym czasem, okładki komiksów, które byłam w stanie rozpoznać czy nawet tłuszcz z czipsów wchłaniany przez kartkę. Dla mnie z tego względu to graficzne mistrzostwo. Absolutnie chciałabym zobaczyć kolejne jej komiksy na polskim rynku!
Dużym plusem w przypadku tej powieści graficznej jest też zamknięcie jej w jednym tomie. Mam wrażenie, że ostatnio coraz więcej wydawnictw decyduje się na wydawanie pierwszego tomu komiksu (Fangirl, Lore Olympus) i niekontynuowanie serii, dlatego zakup jednotomowej historii wydaje się w tym przypadku bezpieczną opcją. I chociaż jest to tylko jeden tom, to cała historia jak i charaktery postaci są świetnie zarysowane i nawet z wątków pobocznych coś tam się rozwija.
Erika - główna bohaterka - może jest trochę nawiedzona z tworzeniem ołtarzyka z rzeczy, które jej obiekt westchnień zostawia w jej domu, ale mnie kupuje wyjaśnienie "nie mogę go mieć, więc chociaż na pamiątkę sobie to zostawię", patrząc na jej kompletny brak wiary w siebie, kompleksy, stany lękowo-depresyjne manifestujące się w komiksie jako zły duch otaczający główną bohaterkę. Z resztą to integralna część tej powieści graficznej i cały motyw wątpienia w siebie przemawia nie tylko do nas, jako do czytelników, ale także do osób obcujących ze sztuką teatralną głównej bohaterki.
January 17, 2025
'How does it feel being a part of my sick fantasy?'
Weirdos in love is not a trope that I ever thought I'd fuck with but I so do thanks to Victoria Grace Elliott
Please Be My Star was actually so much endearing and entertaining to read. I was actually expecting something much more dark than it turned out to be seeing it's a reimagining of Phantom of the Opera. However, it turned out to be a good thing because Victoria really said let's have them match each other's freaks instead.
Erika's status as a weird loner at her new high school is short lived as she ends up forming a friend group of sorts with her cast and crew when her play gets selected by the school. She naturally ends up getting close with her friends while rehearsing for the play, but it seems things can go wrong any second so there's a constant undercurrent of tension that ups the stakes in interesting ways. I do wish the secondary characters were developed more in a 242-page long graphic novel, but oh well. Still, it's nice to see queer and diverse rep here, some of it with Julie and her girlfriend and Christian being Mexican.
What's so interesting here character wise is that while everything negative about Erika comes out as her intrusive alter ego that's always trying to bring her down by telling her she's weird and unlovable and generally leaving her an anxious mess, Christian's weirdness is much more understated and is revealed gradually. So while Erika is out here making shrines to K-pop idols and writing a one-act play about her own life hoping that her crush would star in it, Christian instantly clocks Erika and decides to have some fun with it LOL. Some might find it problematic and I did, too but only until Christian was revealed to be an enabler so really, to each other own, I guess.
As for the art, it is so unique and fun to look at since it's inspired by a mix of manga and webcomics. I also love it when you can tell that the art is just an important part as the story itself and that's easily the case here. Erika also has a signature look that incorporates her green blazer, while Christian's color is blue, which incorporating color in such a way is always fun. Also, shout out to Morgan in that suit and a turtleneck with pearls and makeup, such a ~look.
Weirdos in love is not a trope that I ever thought I'd fuck with but I so do thanks to Victoria Grace Elliott
Please Be My Star was actually so much endearing and entertaining to read. I was actually expecting something much more dark than it turned out to be seeing it's a reimagining of Phantom of the Opera. However, it turned out to be a good thing because Victoria really said let's have them match each other's freaks instead.
Erika's status as a weird loner at her new high school is short lived as she ends up forming a friend group of sorts with her cast and crew when her play gets selected by the school. She naturally ends up getting close with her friends while rehearsing for the play, but it seems things can go wrong any second so there's a constant undercurrent of tension that ups the stakes in interesting ways. I do wish the secondary characters were developed more in a 242-page long graphic novel, but oh well. Still, it's nice to see queer and diverse rep here, some of it with Julie and her girlfriend and Christian being Mexican.
What's so interesting here character wise is that while everything negative about Erika comes out as her intrusive alter ego that's always trying to bring her down by telling her she's weird and unlovable and generally leaving her an anxious mess, Christian's weirdness is much more understated and is revealed gradually. So while Erika is out here making shrines to K-pop idols and writing a one-act play about her own life hoping that her crush would star in it, Christian instantly clocks Erika and decides to have some fun with it LOL. Some might find it problematic and I did, too but only until Christian was revealed to be an enabler so really, to each other own, I guess.
As for the art, it is so unique and fun to look at since it's inspired by a mix of manga and webcomics. I also love it when you can tell that the art is just an important part as the story itself and that's easily the case here. Erika also has a signature look that incorporates her green blazer, while Christian's color is blue, which incorporating color in such a way is always fun. Also, shout out to Morgan in that suit and a turtleneck with pearls and makeup, such a ~look.
September 3, 2024
4,5/5
Gdy zobaczyłam w zapowiedziach "Zostań moją gwiazdką" to przykuła moją uwagę swoją kreską oraz tytułem, po których spodziewałam się co prawda czegoś zupełnie innego, ale szczerze? Dostałam coś znacznie lepszego!
Dostałam historię o odnajdywaniu się w nowym środowisku (w tym wypadku zmiana szkoły), nawiązywaniu nowych znajomości, ale przede wszystkim (co też było mi bardzo bliskie) mamy tutaj postać głosu w głowie, który podcina nam skrzydła. Nie wiem, czy też kiedyś coś takiego mieliście, że coś powiedzieliście i niby nikt nie zrobił z tego halo, ale cały czas słyszycie w głowie, że się zbłaźniliście. Albo poznajecie nowe osoby, ale czujecie, że rozmawiają oni z wami z litości. To właśnie tutaj dostaniecie.
Jednocześnie mam wrażenie, że wydarzenia z "Zostań moją gwiazdą" każdy może zinterpretować inaczej, tak jak w sumie zrobili to bohaterowie. Każdy z nich inaczej odebrał sztukę, którą napisała główna bohaterka, czyli Erika, dopasował je do własnych doświadczeń znalazł w niej cząstkę siebie. No właśnie! Bardzo podobało mi się to, że mamy tutaj historię w historii. Prócz obserwowanie tego, co dzieje się w życiu Eriki, patrzymy także na jej sztukę i to co chce przez nią przekazać.
Pokochałam tych bohaterów, ale przede wszystkim Erikę, bo w niej oraz postaci, która jej towarzyszy na przestrzeni wydarzeń zobaczyłam siebie, rzeczy, które towarzyszą mi na co dzień. Miło było w końcu poznać aż tak podobną do mnie bohaterkę.
"Zostań moją gwiazdą" to powieść do przeczytania w niecałą godzinę, a przynajmniej mi to tyle zajęło, ale jednocześnie może się ona stać historią, która zostanie z wami na dłuższy czas. Ja wiem, że na pewno będę do niej wracać wielokrotnie. Jak ja się cieszę, że 2024 rok pokazał mi piękno powieści graficznych.
Gdy zobaczyłam w zapowiedziach "Zostań moją gwiazdką" to przykuła moją uwagę swoją kreską oraz tytułem, po których spodziewałam się co prawda czegoś zupełnie innego, ale szczerze? Dostałam coś znacznie lepszego!
Dostałam historię o odnajdywaniu się w nowym środowisku (w tym wypadku zmiana szkoły), nawiązywaniu nowych znajomości, ale przede wszystkim (co też było mi bardzo bliskie) mamy tutaj postać głosu w głowie, który podcina nam skrzydła. Nie wiem, czy też kiedyś coś takiego mieliście, że coś powiedzieliście i niby nikt nie zrobił z tego halo, ale cały czas słyszycie w głowie, że się zbłaźniliście. Albo poznajecie nowe osoby, ale czujecie, że rozmawiają oni z wami z litości. To właśnie tutaj dostaniecie.
Jednocześnie mam wrażenie, że wydarzenia z "Zostań moją gwiazdą" każdy może zinterpretować inaczej, tak jak w sumie zrobili to bohaterowie. Każdy z nich inaczej odebrał sztukę, którą napisała główna bohaterka, czyli Erika, dopasował je do własnych doświadczeń znalazł w niej cząstkę siebie. No właśnie! Bardzo podobało mi się to, że mamy tutaj historię w historii. Prócz obserwowanie tego, co dzieje się w życiu Eriki, patrzymy także na jej sztukę i to co chce przez nią przekazać.
Pokochałam tych bohaterów, ale przede wszystkim Erikę, bo w niej oraz postaci, która jej towarzyszy na przestrzeni wydarzeń zobaczyłam siebie, rzeczy, które towarzyszą mi na co dzień. Miło było w końcu poznać aż tak podobną do mnie bohaterkę.
"Zostań moją gwiazdą" to powieść do przeczytania w niecałą godzinę, a przynajmniej mi to tyle zajęło, ale jednocześnie może się ona stać historią, która zostanie z wami na dłuższy czas. Ja wiem, że na pewno będę do niej wracać wielokrotnie. Jak ja się cieszę, że 2024 rok pokazał mi piękno powieści graficznych.
August 28, 2024
CUDO 😭✨️🫂💕 utożsamiam się bardzo
March 26, 2025
I literally read this in like 30 minutes LOL. I got the arc a million years ago and forgot I had it until I was doing a clean out and well... here we are.
This was cute and simple with some Phantom of the Opera inspiration which I am always here for. Erika is new-ish to this school and other than talking to herself, she doesn't socialize very much. Her school is putting on student-led plays in place of the bigger production they usually put together and she is up for consideration on her play being chosen. While coming up with her concept, she pulls inspo from her crush on Christian with full hopes that he'd be willing to star in it once it's complete.
Enter Julie, a new and unlikely friend in this who sneakily orchestrates her friend group being the entire team to this production. Erika, supplied with a new cast of friends and crew, is thrilled that with Julie's friend group comes Christian, who was excited to join the production when Erika worked up the courage to ask him. The group work, rehearse, and bond over Erika's play all the while Erika's battling her inner thoughts who are not as supportive as her new friends. Her anxiety on this being successful is one thing but she is even more anxious that once this is all over, she'll lose her new friends too. Add in her one-sided love of Christian and the will-he, won't-he of their relationship and Erika might be a little in over her head.
Please Be My Star is a graphic novel filled with your classic YA contemporary themes and topics - unrequited love, loads of anxiety and self-loathing a bit, isolation and just overall finding your place in somewhere new. I thought that the Phantom tones were not so phantom-y when we got into it but I liked the small nods to the musical at the end of the book. The illustrations were great and this just felt kinda nostalgic even though it's a newer book and seemingly takes place pretty close to present day. I liked the vibe... what can I say LOL.
I felt like our main characters were cute but we really jumped the gun to the love professions in the end. I also lived for Morgan's character in the play and how freaking awesome they looked? Big fan. Erika and Christian were cute too - I liked the sharing of interests a lot and it just reminded me of what it felt like having a crush in high school.
CUTE READ.
This was cute and simple with some Phantom of the Opera inspiration which I am always here for. Erika is new-ish to this school and other than talking to herself, she doesn't socialize very much. Her school is putting on student-led plays in place of the bigger production they usually put together and she is up for consideration on her play being chosen. While coming up with her concept, she pulls inspo from her crush on Christian with full hopes that he'd be willing to star in it once it's complete.
Enter Julie, a new and unlikely friend in this who sneakily orchestrates her friend group being the entire team to this production. Erika, supplied with a new cast of friends and crew, is thrilled that with Julie's friend group comes Christian, who was excited to join the production when Erika worked up the courage to ask him. The group work, rehearse, and bond over Erika's play all the while Erika's battling her inner thoughts who are not as supportive as her new friends. Her anxiety on this being successful is one thing but she is even more anxious that once this is all over, she'll lose her new friends too. Add in her one-sided love of Christian and the will-he, won't-he of their relationship and Erika might be a little in over her head.
Please Be My Star is a graphic novel filled with your classic YA contemporary themes and topics - unrequited love, loads of anxiety and self-loathing a bit, isolation and just overall finding your place in somewhere new. I thought that the Phantom tones were not so phantom-y when we got into it but I liked the small nods to the musical at the end of the book. The illustrations were great and this just felt kinda nostalgic even though it's a newer book and seemingly takes place pretty close to present day. I liked the vibe... what can I say LOL.
I felt like our main characters were cute but we really jumped the gun to the love professions in the end. I also lived for Morgan's character in the play and how freaking awesome they looked? Big fan. Erika and Christian were cute too - I liked the sharing of interests a lot and it just reminded me of what it felt like having a crush in high school.
CUTE READ.
October 17, 2024
Wrapping my thoughts around this one is such a challenge, because my first instinct was to agree with the main character's dark side--she is creepy! But then I sat and thought and the more I thought about it, the more I thought, this is just fine, and it's not hurting anyone, and it's even a little sweet, and everyone involved is ok with it, and I like how it ended happily. It was also a very uniquely told love story.
I can't help but think back to Helga Pataki from Hey Arnold. That show set me up to believe that things like shrines to an object of devotion are super creepy and not ok, but it was framed to make me feel that way and created a bias in me.
The art was beautiful. I can't speak to it's ability to retell the Phantom of the Opera because I'm not super familiar with the story, but it makes me want to watch the movie and make comparisons.
Any book that makes me spend this much time thinking about it deserves to be more widely read. I hope more people pick it up and give it a chance.
I can't help but think back to Helga Pataki from Hey Arnold. That show set me up to believe that things like shrines to an object of devotion are super creepy and not ok, but it was framed to make me feel that way and created a bias in me.
The art was beautiful. I can't speak to it's ability to retell the Phantom of the Opera because I'm not super familiar with the story, but it makes me want to watch the movie and make comparisons.
Any book that makes me spend this much time thinking about it deserves to be more widely read. I hope more people pick it up and give it a chance.
January 23, 2025
This was a fun time! I mean, fun with the addition of crushingly low self esteem and a depression demon (which is fun!). I loved the theatre moments in this, it felt true to the experience of being a theatre student, and I really enjoyed seeing Eria's play come together, and of course seeing the friend group open up too. I alwAys like a weird girl protagonist, and Erika definitely fits that! She is a creep she is a weirdo, and we may not know what she's doing here but we LOVE HER FOR JT! Honestly, I thought the romance was going to feel flimsy and be a low point for me, but by the end I genuinely loved it. It turned out so silly and cute, while keeping a needed air of hope
I wish we'd gotten a little more of the friend group as a whole, particularly Julie, and it would have been nice to see her past more, but what we do get is great.
I wish we'd gotten a little more of the friend group as a whole, particularly Julie, and it would have been nice to see her past more, but what we do get is great.
November 2, 2024
An homage to Gaston Leroux’s “Phantom of the Opera” that is reworked as clumsy, rushed rom-com. There are aspects that I liked about this graphic novel: using Erika’s inner, critical voice as the Phantom, clever use of theatre instead of music, the manga-style of art, the inclusion of a diverse cast, and the respectful nod to Christian’s Mexican culture.
What really turned me off is Erika’s shrine of Christian that she keeps hidden, which is played off as romantic and cute. It’s not, it’s super creepy. What’s worse is Christian knowing about it and enabling it. The ending was too quick and rushed.
What really turned me off is Erika’s shrine of Christian that she keeps hidden, which is played off as romantic and cute. It’s not, it’s super creepy. What’s worse is Christian knowing about it and enabling it. The ending was too quick and rushed.
February 16, 2025
This was a cute and fun read. I loved the physical manifestation of Erika's self hatred. And when Christian discovers her shrine and she's drawn so desperate and haggard. It was excellent art. And then when Christian hugs her later and it's her self hating form, that was really sweet.
My one complaint was that Erika had to apologize for snapping at her friends. They weren't taking the play seriously (besides Christian) and she had every right to get mad at them. They should have apologized, not her.
My one complaint was that Erika had to apologize for snapping at her friends. They weren't taking the play seriously (besides Christian) and she had every right to get mad at them. They should have apologized, not her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2025
Okay let me start this by saying that the art style and especially the colouring of this are beautiful.
I really liked Christian. Actually the friend group in general was all great. I didn’t care much for Erika though, and it’s tough to not like the main character.
The story itself was fine, but did feel a little rushed at times. So, middle of the road dating. Cute, would recommend for a beautiful and quick read, but I probably wouldn’t read it again.
I really liked Christian. Actually the friend group in general was all great. I didn’t care much for Erika though, and it’s tough to not like the main character.
The story itself was fine, but did feel a little rushed at times. So, middle of the road dating. Cute, would recommend for a beautiful and quick read, but I probably wouldn’t read it again.
July 1, 2025
i think i liked this? erika is a relatable character especially when her inner voice comes through with the self judgment (we have all been there), but the ending seemed very rushed? maybe this is just an across the board problem with me and graphic novels, but the relationships lacked depth & the story just overall moved sooooo fast. cute story though!!
December 5, 2024
IM A CREEP
IM A WEIRDOOOOO
Came for the Phantom of the Opera genderswap and stayed for kinning Erika
was NOT expecting Creep by Radiohead to appear LOL
I loved this so much this was so fun
IM A WEIRDOOOOO
Came for the Phantom of the Opera genderswap and stayed for kinning Erika
was NOT expecting Creep by Radiohead to appear LOL
I loved this so much this was so fun
December 16, 2024
Fajne ciekawe polecam, utożsamiam się z główną bohaterka. Happy ending, essa
January 11, 2025
This is an adorable manga style reworking of the Phantom of the Opera! The graphic novel does a great job of incorporating the theme of loneliness and authenticity throughout the book.
Defiantly more for younger young adult readers, or those that enjoy the manga art style. Overall great message to be yourself.
Defiantly more for younger young adult readers, or those that enjoy the manga art style. Overall great message to be yourself.
September 5, 2024
Please Be My Star by Victoria Grace Elliot captures the uncertainty of first love and the awkwardness of being a teenager in a beautifully illustrated graphic novel.
Erika’s status as a new student at school is awkward enough without her awareness that she is a ‘creep.’ Erika is aware that her tendency to draw cute boys she doesn’t know and to fantasize about boys that she does makes her more than a little weird. Something that is constantly being told to her by her imaginary inner self who looks like a vampiric alter ego. This alter ego is Erika’s most opinionated critic, verbalizing all of the negative things that Erika thinks.Through it it’s easy to gauge Erika’s worst case scenarios and how difficult she finds it to be charitable towards herself.
When Erika is caught role playing alone in her school’s prop room by her crush, Christian, and his friend, Julie, Erika is sure that everything is over before it’s even begun. Surprisingly, this awkward moment becomes a point of connection between her and Julie and before she knows it, Julie has brought her into their friend group. As Erika and the group practice lines for a school play that Erika wrote, Erika finds herself growing closer to Christian and Julie, and is constantly surprised by the fact that they accept her for who she is. As the day of the play grows near, Erika has to confront the fact that maybe, the person who most shames her is herself.
The artwork in the graphic novel is reminiscent of the artwork in webcomics with bright, popping colors and use of white spaces. The line work and character designs feel like an homage to japanese manga. Elliot moves the novel along with perfect pacing and with a careful balance between serious moments and moments of comedic relief. Although the topic of this graphic novel can be a little dark with issues of depression and low self esteem, overall the novel guides Erika towards a place of hope and shows the reader that sometimes the worst situations are the ones we create in our heads.
I loved the insights Elliot provides into Christian’s life. While Christian may seem to Erika as her “perfect” star, he also has his own problems. Although presenting a personality of bright confidence that doesn’t at first seem to match with Erika’s gloominess, Christian is slowly revealed to have a bit of a ‘weird’ factor himself. Through this discovery a lesson that can be taken away is that everyone is weird in their own way and that although certain things may seem creepy to some people, other people might find them otherwise. In the end, the only way to know if you’ll be accepted is if you put yourself out there.
Review created from a galley copy.
Erika’s status as a new student at school is awkward enough without her awareness that she is a ‘creep.’ Erika is aware that her tendency to draw cute boys she doesn’t know and to fantasize about boys that she does makes her more than a little weird. Something that is constantly being told to her by her imaginary inner self who looks like a vampiric alter ego. This alter ego is Erika’s most opinionated critic, verbalizing all of the negative things that Erika thinks.Through it it’s easy to gauge Erika’s worst case scenarios and how difficult she finds it to be charitable towards herself.
When Erika is caught role playing alone in her school’s prop room by her crush, Christian, and his friend, Julie, Erika is sure that everything is over before it’s even begun. Surprisingly, this awkward moment becomes a point of connection between her and Julie and before she knows it, Julie has brought her into their friend group. As Erika and the group practice lines for a school play that Erika wrote, Erika finds herself growing closer to Christian and Julie, and is constantly surprised by the fact that they accept her for who she is. As the day of the play grows near, Erika has to confront the fact that maybe, the person who most shames her is herself.
The artwork in the graphic novel is reminiscent of the artwork in webcomics with bright, popping colors and use of white spaces. The line work and character designs feel like an homage to japanese manga. Elliot moves the novel along with perfect pacing and with a careful balance between serious moments and moments of comedic relief. Although the topic of this graphic novel can be a little dark with issues of depression and low self esteem, overall the novel guides Erika towards a place of hope and shows the reader that sometimes the worst situations are the ones we create in our heads.
I loved the insights Elliot provides into Christian’s life. While Christian may seem to Erika as her “perfect” star, he also has his own problems. Although presenting a personality of bright confidence that doesn’t at first seem to match with Erika’s gloominess, Christian is slowly revealed to have a bit of a ‘weird’ factor himself. Through this discovery a lesson that can be taken away is that everyone is weird in their own way and that although certain things may seem creepy to some people, other people might find them otherwise. In the end, the only way to know if you’ll be accepted is if you put yourself out there.
Review created from a galley copy.
January 20, 2025
Note to self: Have a shrine of your crush, invite them over, let them see it, and love will blossom. This is some Miraculous Ladybug type of creeper drama @_@
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this one. The art was cuter in the book than on the cover imo. Her shrine kind of stressed me out a little though, but the boy collage was definitely me in middle school and technically me with my bujo now so I can't judge too hard.
September 9, 2024
I'M IN LOVEE
June 11, 2024
A little darker than I was expecting but fully enjoyable retelling of Phantom of the Opera. Perfect for older teens who cut their teeth on Drama or Friends with Boys.
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