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Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites
“Wear your heart on your sleeve.” That’s the saying. But in BONDING, people wear their anxiety on their chests – in the form of a parasite that shows everyone just what you’re feeling on the inside … THE HOST meets Lorde's MOOD RING in this sci-fi story heaping with humor and romance.
WEAR YOUR LOVE ON YOUR CHEST
A man, a woman—and their parasites. Marcus has been alone since the loss of his closest friend and has just recently entered into the dating scene, while Laura has drifted in and out of relationships since high school. They meet, they have a great first date, and Marcus almost dies—because the slug-like parasite that everybody carries in this world nearly rejects him, its host. Bonding is a funny, quirky, and honest look at love, in a world where everyone wears their anxiety, not on their sleeves, but on their chest like big ol' leeches.
An original graphic novel
WEAR YOUR LOVE ON YOUR CHEST
A man, a woman—and their parasites. Marcus has been alone since the loss of his closest friend and has just recently entered into the dating scene, while Laura has drifted in and out of relationships since high school. They meet, they have a great first date, and Marcus almost dies—because the slug-like parasite that everybody carries in this world nearly rejects him, its host. Bonding is a funny, quirky, and honest look at love, in a world where everyone wears their anxiety, not on their sleeves, but on their chest like big ol' leeches.
An original graphic novel
Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2022
5 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Erman
63 books61 followersMatthew Erman is a writer from Columbus, Ohio. Erman is known for his unique storytelling style which often blends humor and heart with the surreal and sometimes disturbing. He co-created the critically acclaimed horror series, "Long Lost,” and the roadtrip fantasy "Witchblood" with his wife, Lisa Sterle as well as being the sole creator for the sci-fi coming-of-age graphic novel “Bonding”. Erman also has written for popular properties such as Power Rangers and The Dark Crystal and has upcoming comics with Mad Cave Studios, IDW, and more.
You can find him online at www.matthewerman.com or in-line at your local Arby’s.
You can find him online at www.matthewerman.com or in-line at your local Arby’s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 11, 2023
I remember reading the preview of this comic a couple of years ago - an interesting tidbit that introduces the alien-invaded world and how humans are coupled to aliens in a symbiotic/parasitic bond (I almost typed the title!!). I thought it was an interesting take, and looked forward to the complete book. (It's included as an extra in the book.)
Dear reader, I'm afraid it has been a huge disappointment. The storytelling is all over the place, missing rudimentary logic that is central to sequential art. There are narrative jumps here that I found hard to follow. The art doesn't help, it becomes hard to tell characters apart, and when there are jumps in time, it only becomes harder.
The world is interesting, but underexplained. I don't need lots of exposition, but I'd like a bit more than no exposition at all. In the end the world with its alien parasites isn't that important to the story, which feels a bit too YA-y to my tastes.
Sadface.
(Thanks to Vault Comics for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
Dear reader, I'm afraid it has been a huge disappointment. The storytelling is all over the place, missing rudimentary logic that is central to sequential art. There are narrative jumps here that I found hard to follow. The art doesn't help, it becomes hard to tell characters apart, and when there are jumps in time, it only becomes harder.
The world is interesting, but underexplained. I don't need lots of exposition, but I'd like a bit more than no exposition at all. In the end the world with its alien parasites isn't that important to the story, which feels a bit too YA-y to my tastes.
Sadface.
(Thanks to Vault Comics for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
September 14, 2023
This was a mixed bag for me. Its a strange premise but not because of the dark humor and existential dread. It’s strange because the reader is expected to normalize the pretentious internal conflict that soon overshadows the actual story. Perhaps this would have better translated as satire where there’s little variation in entitled personality types.
February 5, 2023
I liked this well enough, but like the blurb, it leaves a lot to be desired. There is just something important missing.
I liked the art a lot, and I liked the story and characters in the most general sense. But I thought there were large narrative leaps, missing emotional connections, and the whole thing felt erratic and unfocused.
This was especially true in the generational transition between part one and part two. While I liked the characters more here—appreciated how they mellowed and settled with age—it was an abrupt and unexpected shift. While I appreciated the theme that we all struggle to find ourselves in similar ways, I felt the story was half-told.
All in all, I’ll call it a petty, middle-of-the-road read.
I liked the art a lot, and I liked the story and characters in the most general sense. But I thought there were large narrative leaps, missing emotional connections, and the whole thing felt erratic and unfocused.
This was especially true in the generational transition between part one and part two. While I liked the characters more here—appreciated how they mellowed and settled with age—it was an abrupt and unexpected shift. While I appreciated the theme that we all struggle to find ourselves in similar ways, I felt the story was half-told.
All in all, I’ll call it a petty, middle-of-the-road read.
January 23, 2025
Someone take my library card away
July 20, 2023
***I received an ARC of this book, courtesy of the publisher. All ideas expressed are my own.***
Very interesting. I think there's a lot here--some great art, worldbuilding through dialogue, characters dealing with mental illness and complicated relationships, questionable dystopia(/utopia?), progression of society over time....There are also a lot of things never really explained or resolved. So, I have mixed feelings about this. But overall, it was worth the read and I'll be thinking about it for quite some time.
Very interesting. I think there's a lot here--some great art, worldbuilding through dialogue, characters dealing with mental illness and complicated relationships, questionable dystopia(/utopia?), progression of society over time....There are also a lot of things never really explained or resolved. So, I have mixed feelings about this. But overall, it was worth the read and I'll be thinking about it for quite some time.
August 9, 2024
This is one of those comics/graphic novels that the cover and interior art are completely different... for a long time, I was waiting for the people on the cover to show up until I realized that they're supposedly the two leads (their parasites are different, their hair is different, their lips are different, etc.) and the interior art just isn't as good. It is okay, just not great.
I also felt the story wasn't very coherent. It meandered through time and characters, and sometimes it was hard for me to tell whose interior thoughts we were glimpsing.
I know some people aren't a fan of world building, but I thought this could have used more of it.
I read it during a car ride, and it was an okay way to pass the time, but it definitely wasn't a favorite.
I also felt the story wasn't very coherent. It meandered through time and characters, and sometimes it was hard for me to tell whose interior thoughts we were glimpsing.
I know some people aren't a fan of world building, but I thought this could have used more of it.
I read it during a car ride, and it was an okay way to pass the time, but it definitely wasn't a favorite.
December 9, 2022
Bonding is strange, and beautiful.
It's not really a "love story"-love story, and it's not even really about parasites to me.
It doesn't follow a neat structure, but it does follow people. Flawed, real, fucked-up people.
It traces lives, and existences through a hard, often cruel, often disturbing world, but that's not so different from how life is now.
I was left with the feeling of sadness, warmth, struggle, and more than anything else the knowledge that we keep going, even if we can't always justify why.
And people probably will keep going, even in the future, even with slugs attached.
It's not really a "love story"-love story, and it's not even really about parasites to me.
It doesn't follow a neat structure, but it does follow people. Flawed, real, fucked-up people.
It traces lives, and existences through a hard, often cruel, often disturbing world, but that's not so different from how life is now.
I was left with the feeling of sadness, warmth, struggle, and more than anything else the knowledge that we keep going, even if we can't always justify why.
And people probably will keep going, even in the future, even with slugs attached.
March 5, 2023
I don't think the metaphor was entirely successful.
May 8, 2023
This was so good! I love the concept of an alien takeover but it’s symbiotic. I really hope there’s more in this universe. I’m so curious about this world.
May 19, 2023
Not what I was expecting at all. Really pretty depressing actually.
July 18, 2025
While the art style is right up my alley, the content was not. Fairly dark humor and themes. I think I understand what the message was trying to convey, but the story itself felt underbaked. I felt like I was jumping into the third book in a series rather than a standalone.
May 3, 2023
Weird but I liked it
March 30, 2023
*actual rating is 2.5 stars*
This read like it was inspired by the vagueness of The Arrival without any of the execution.
I also wish the art in the novel matched the cover - I preferred the style.
I also didn’t get how anyone’s emotions were shown through their slugs. The person who wrote the flap synopsis obviously didn’t read the book (or ask what to write from someone who did).
This read like it was inspired by the vagueness of The Arrival without any of the execution.
I also wish the art in the novel matched the cover - I preferred the style.
I also didn’t get how anyone’s emotions were shown through their slugs. The person who wrote the flap synopsis obviously didn’t read the book (or ask what to write from someone who did).
October 21, 2022
An interesting sci-fi graphic novel. I liked the premise and the overall theme, but the flow just lacked for me. More adult than YA, and not one I can purchase for high school (just one shower scene).
February 21, 2023
That... was very strange
April 16, 2024
Super wild concept, handled in a really believable way. Made me think.
Don’t feel like the plot description listed on site paints the right picture.
Don’t feel like the plot description listed on site paints the right picture.
January 28, 2023
What I think makes reviewing graphic novels a bit harder than books is the fact that the visual aspect is just as important as the story. A graphic novel can have an amazing plotline, but if I don't like the art, I can't read it. Conversely, if the art is gorgeous, but the plot is horrible, I can't read it. Luckily, Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites by Matthew Erman and Emily Pearson has both beautiful art and an engaging plotline.
Erman and Pearson come together to write one weird book, but it is weird in the absolute best possible way. The Earth has been taken over by aliens, little slug-like parasites that have to use human plasma to survive. So every person has a slug, and if the slug dies, you die. Can you imagine your whole survival is reliant on this alien AND you have to move through the anxiety that is being a human being? That is exactly what is explored in Bonding.
The storyline is generational, so we start off two generations after the invasion, where we meet our couple Marcus and Laura. Both are young enough not to remember a time before the slugs, but old enough to know the changes within culture (such as chlorine now being completely illegal due to its' harmful effects on the slugs). We follow their love story, trying to navigate the regular trials of dating/relationships, but within this sci-fi world of slug reliance. We then fast-forward to their son, Ira's, story. He, too, is in the first stages of a relationship when a catastrophe involving the slugs starts to occur. I liked seeing where Marcus and Laura end up, as well as the further development of this Earth living with slugs.
The mix of sci-fi/romance/body horror gives you such creepy vibes. One minute it will be a traditional "does he/she like me?" and then the next will be a race to stop one's slug from killing their host. With each page, you don't quite know what to expect, which kept me glued. I think that this isn't the story for everyone, especially straight romance readers. But if you're a sci-fi reader who likes a little romance, then Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites will be right up your alley.
Erman and Pearson come together to write one weird book, but it is weird in the absolute best possible way. The Earth has been taken over by aliens, little slug-like parasites that have to use human plasma to survive. So every person has a slug, and if the slug dies, you die. Can you imagine your whole survival is reliant on this alien AND you have to move through the anxiety that is being a human being? That is exactly what is explored in Bonding.
The storyline is generational, so we start off two generations after the invasion, where we meet our couple Marcus and Laura. Both are young enough not to remember a time before the slugs, but old enough to know the changes within culture (such as chlorine now being completely illegal due to its' harmful effects on the slugs). We follow their love story, trying to navigate the regular trials of dating/relationships, but within this sci-fi world of slug reliance. We then fast-forward to their son, Ira's, story. He, too, is in the first stages of a relationship when a catastrophe involving the slugs starts to occur. I liked seeing where Marcus and Laura end up, as well as the further development of this Earth living with slugs.
The mix of sci-fi/romance/body horror gives you such creepy vibes. One minute it will be a traditional "does he/she like me?" and then the next will be a race to stop one's slug from killing their host. With each page, you don't quite know what to expect, which kept me glued. I think that this isn't the story for everyone, especially straight romance readers. But if you're a sci-fi reader who likes a little romance, then Bonding: A Love Story About People and Their Parasites will be right up your alley.
January 22, 2023
The tale is old as time but, with a twist. This graphic novel is a love story between a man and a woman but, they have parasites attached to them. Marcus has been alone and is new to the dating scene. He is dealing with the trauma of losing his best friend. Laura has been drifting into life and relationship with no purpose. The pair is on their first date and things are going well until Marcus's parasite rejects him as a host and Marcus almost dies.
I normally love reading graphic novels and this one seemed like it would be a quirky fun read. However, this has been one of the most confusing and frustrating graphic novel I ever read. I didn't even make it to the end as it seemed pointless.
There is no flow and the story jumps back and forth without warning. It's hard understanding what was happening between the characters because they were in the present and then in the past back and forth. Some of the male characters looked alike and it was hard to tell them apart. When Marcus and Laura goes to a club, Laura is confront by a stalker (another story line that went nowhere) that looks exactly like Marcus except that dude had one curl. Then one of the character goes for a drive to think and then finds someone that looks exactly like them but, they are dead. The story then never explains who that dead person was and what the importance was.
The second part of the story is Marcus and Laura's son who is struggling. The story isn't really clear if he is struggling with anxiety or just dealing with teenage drama. He has this crush that he is obsessed with and their story line is even more confusing. He talks about God and stuff that their world is experiencing but, we as readers have no idea as the world building has been so sparse. The only details we know about the world is that everyone has a slug attached to them and if the slug detaches from the host, they both die. This graphic novel had so much potential and failed with it's execution.
I normally love reading graphic novels and this one seemed like it would be a quirky fun read. However, this has been one of the most confusing and frustrating graphic novel I ever read. I didn't even make it to the end as it seemed pointless.
There is no flow and the story jumps back and forth without warning. It's hard understanding what was happening between the characters because they were in the present and then in the past back and forth. Some of the male characters looked alike and it was hard to tell them apart. When Marcus and Laura goes to a club, Laura is confront by a stalker (another story line that went nowhere) that looks exactly like Marcus except that dude had one curl. Then one of the character goes for a drive to think and then finds someone that looks exactly like them but, they are dead. The story then never explains who that dead person was and what the importance was.
The second part of the story is Marcus and Laura's son who is struggling. The story isn't really clear if he is struggling with anxiety or just dealing with teenage drama. He has this crush that he is obsessed with and their story line is even more confusing. He talks about God and stuff that their world is experiencing but, we as readers have no idea as the world building has been so sparse. The only details we know about the world is that everyone has a slug attached to them and if the slug detaches from the host, they both die. This graphic novel had so much potential and failed with it's execution.
February 13, 2023
There was a good story waiting to be told here, but I think what we actually got missed the mark.
The story takes place in a future where all of humanity has little slug-like creatures attached to their chest over their hearts. Apparently there was a war and humanity didn't win, and now they have to accept these parasites that hang off them and drink their plasma. But apparently they also get to name the creatures and can make them wear funny clothing like pets, so it's... not all bad, I guess?
Anyway, I'm sure there's a metaphor in there somewhere that I missed.
The story begins with a man and a woman who are interested in each other romantically. Both of them have some problems they're going through, but the story skips ahead too much too quickly for me to form any kind of bond with them. We jump from these two characters barely knowing each other, to them being seriously involved but emotionally troubled, and then to them as well-adjusted adults and now their son is the main character for the remaining 2/3 of the book. And he's already got an attachment to some girl who lives far away that he's never met, because they have some sort of bond because their slug creatures are twins or whatever.
Long story short, there are interesting ideas in this book, but it doesn't spend anywhere near enough time developing any of them for it to actually work. Thus, the emotional bond (ha ha) between the characters and me as a reader never forms, and so I found myself unable to care what was happening.
Art's nice, though.
The story takes place in a future where all of humanity has little slug-like creatures attached to their chest over their hearts. Apparently there was a war and humanity didn't win, and now they have to accept these parasites that hang off them and drink their plasma. But apparently they also get to name the creatures and can make them wear funny clothing like pets, so it's... not all bad, I guess?
Anyway, I'm sure there's a metaphor in there somewhere that I missed.
The story begins with a man and a woman who are interested in each other romantically. Both of them have some problems they're going through, but the story skips ahead too much too quickly for me to form any kind of bond with them. We jump from these two characters barely knowing each other, to them being seriously involved but emotionally troubled, and then to them as well-adjusted adults and now their son is the main character for the remaining 2/3 of the book. And he's already got an attachment to some girl who lives far away that he's never met, because they have some sort of bond because their slug creatures are twins or whatever.
Long story short, there are interesting ideas in this book, but it doesn't spend anywhere near enough time developing any of them for it to actually work. Thus, the emotional bond (ha ha) between the characters and me as a reader never forms, and so I found myself unable to care what was happening.
Art's nice, though.
December 11, 2022
Thank you to Matthew Erman for providing a copy for an honest review.
The positives of the book: I love the idea of the book, it's pretty wacky and original. The awkwardness of early romance is conveyed very well at the beginning of the book, with the art doing wonders to get that across. The second story is my favourite of the two, I enjoyed the family dynamic and it felt real in a crazy world of bonded slugs.
The negatives: despite the art showing the awkwardness very well, I found myself in the first story really not liking it. When time passes, visually, the couple still seem awkward despite the dialogue saying otherwise, the awkwardness comes from how the eyes are drawn. Whilst I enjoyed the second story, the slug terrorist attack thing sort of came out of the blue and felt the characters reaction to that event kind of non-existent? I felt there should've been way more PTSD involved with the son!
The prequel is a nice touch and probably my favourite part of the book, not so much for the exposition, but the lightheartedness of it. The mum does a really good job in bringing the mood up for a pretty awful situation.
I went into this book completely blind, loved the concept, just wish it was a bit more light-hearted, it's a weird idea, have fun with it!
The positives of the book: I love the idea of the book, it's pretty wacky and original. The awkwardness of early romance is conveyed very well at the beginning of the book, with the art doing wonders to get that across. The second story is my favourite of the two, I enjoyed the family dynamic and it felt real in a crazy world of bonded slugs.
The negatives: despite the art showing the awkwardness very well, I found myself in the first story really not liking it. When time passes, visually, the couple still seem awkward despite the dialogue saying otherwise, the awkwardness comes from how the eyes are drawn. Whilst I enjoyed the second story, the slug terrorist attack thing sort of came out of the blue and felt the characters reaction to that event kind of non-existent? I felt there should've been way more PTSD involved with the son!
The prequel is a nice touch and probably my favourite part of the book, not so much for the exposition, but the lightheartedness of it. The mum does a really good job in bringing the mood up for a pretty awful situation.
I went into this book completely blind, loved the concept, just wish it was a bit more light-hearted, it's a weird idea, have fun with it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2023
There's something about Erman's BONDING that defies definition. It's difficult to describe. In some ways, the story is about people struggling for identity, for love, for meaning after a traumatic parasite invasion. But the trauma, the dramatic invasion which would center most sci-fi works, isn't what BONDING focuses on... that happened long ago. This story is about how to deal with the consequences of things we have no control over. Can we survive the anxiety? Will it overwhelm us, drown us?
Just as you're beginning to get a sense of what this whole thing is about, BONDING shifts forward. What you lose in intimacy with the characters, you gain in perspective. They've aged, they've lived lives, they've learned how to survive, how to thrive in challenging circumstances.
You're reminded that the world is still a dark place, and so is the human soul. We don't really figure anything out, at least not in ways we can easily pass on to the next generation. But there is something powerful in enduring.
Not your average graphic novel. BONDING isn't for the faint of heart, or the reader who wants flashy action. It's a story that slowly finds its way into your chest and takes hold...
Just as you're beginning to get a sense of what this whole thing is about, BONDING shifts forward. What you lose in intimacy with the characters, you gain in perspective. They've aged, they've lived lives, they've learned how to survive, how to thrive in challenging circumstances.
You're reminded that the world is still a dark place, and so is the human soul. We don't really figure anything out, at least not in ways we can easily pass on to the next generation. But there is something powerful in enduring.
Not your average graphic novel. BONDING isn't for the faint of heart, or the reader who wants flashy action. It's a story that slowly finds its way into your chest and takes hold...
January 14, 2024
It's weird that a comic would fail the "show don't tell" standard so completely. It never lets the premise or story or characters speak for itself. It constantly tells us what to think or feel, usually in pretty cliched ways.
I also felt the mix of scifi world and lots of dream sequences didn't work. The book's world was never established well enough for me to be able to make much sense of what was and wasn't real. (Maybe that was the point? Also I hate dreams playing an important role in stories, so I may just be biased.)
This is probably harsher than I need to be, but what a waste of a great premise.
I truly don't understand why this was done as a comic instead just a short story or novella.
Example:
"I used to hurt myself fin weird ways."
And then they narrate and show the same thing. Why not just show the guy squeezing a lightbulb til it breaks and he bleeds to explain the weird ways? Instead of "Id hold a light bulb in my hand" (panel of light bulb in a hand). Then "I'd shatter them in my hand" (panel of shattering of one on his hand).
I also felt the mix of scifi world and lots of dream sequences didn't work. The book's world was never established well enough for me to be able to make much sense of what was and wasn't real. (Maybe that was the point? Also I hate dreams playing an important role in stories, so I may just be biased.)
This is probably harsher than I need to be, but what a waste of a great premise.
I truly don't understand why this was done as a comic instead just a short story or novella.
Example:
"I used to hurt myself fin weird ways."
And then they narrate and show the same thing. Why not just show the guy squeezing a lightbulb til it breaks and he bleeds to explain the weird ways? Instead of "Id hold a light bulb in my hand" (panel of light bulb in a hand). Then "I'd shatter them in my hand" (panel of shattering of one on his hand).
January 23, 2024
Not the best, but not terrible. I was really excited about the cover, which is just amazing.
Some of the imagery in the book was a bit much. There are two parts of the book. I didn't expect the two love stories, because I thought it would focus on the two characters on the front and their love story. The second part is about their child. Also, there was a lot of depiction of blood. I didn't expect that, and it was extremely triggering for me. However, it turned out to be okay.
Part of this is about people living in terrible situations and learning to live with it rather than run away from it. I did like the art, which was very three-dimensional. I also liked the dialogue very much. Plus, the emotion shown in the story is for the most part very realistic and understandable. Besides that intended stuff, I also saw a bit of queerness in this book which made me happy.
Content Warnings
Blood
Attempted suicide
Talk about sex
Implied sex having happened
- Echo (they/them) ⚧️
Some of the imagery in the book was a bit much. There are two parts of the book. I didn't expect the two love stories, because I thought it would focus on the two characters on the front and their love story. The second part is about their child. Also, there was a lot of depiction of blood. I didn't expect that, and it was extremely triggering for me. However, it turned out to be okay.
Part of this is about people living in terrible situations and learning to live with it rather than run away from it. I did like the art, which was very three-dimensional. I also liked the dialogue very much. Plus, the emotion shown in the story is for the most part very realistic and understandable. Besides that intended stuff, I also saw a bit of queerness in this book which made me happy.
Content Warnings
Blood
Attempted suicide
Talk about sex
Implied sex having happened
- Echo (they/them) ⚧️
February 17, 2023
Hmm, a story of two people dating in a world that's been taken over by aliens. Everyone is forced to bond with a big slug that hangs from their chest. Other than that, Earth is pretty much the same. It's an odd story of two parts. The first half is about this couple meeting and then time-jumping to other times in their life. The 2nd half is about a teenager dealing with trauma after half the parasites in his school bloom and kill their people for some reason. This book lacked direction and often felt like unrelated interludes.
The art was fine, although Pearson is only able to draw one body type. All of the men looked exactly the same and I had a difficult time telling them apart. The women I could at least identify by a hair style. Otherwise it was serviceable.
The art was fine, although Pearson is only able to draw one body type. All of the men looked exactly the same and I had a difficult time telling them apart. The women I could at least identify by a hair style. Otherwise it was serviceable.
June 13, 2025
Interesting premise but the interest stops there. I kept reading, hoping it would get better, but buhhhhh it drags onnnnn and onnnnn. Goes nowhere and borders on pretentious thinkpiece, not enough worldbuilding, and ultimately is just an exercise in characters oscillating between ennui and “welp just keep swimming!” with no discernable reasons. I like meditative character studies, but when the characters are all as deep as a puddle and indistinguishable, then there is nothing to meditate on. Does not deliver on the quirk, humor, or charm promised, and the best part was the short story at the end of the book.
December 2, 2022
Matthew provided me with a way to read this a while ago and I'm so thankful. This book is a brilliant concept that lasts way past the first page. It's a complex idea, a world where people are forcibly connected to a parasite but Erman plays it perfectly. The love feels real and deep, not a Hallmark movie but something with layers. It feels like the parasites could be a stand-in for so many different things and that is a great way to connect to the reader. Plus Emily Pearson's art is stellar and enhanced the story to a new level.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2022
Bonding is a wonderfully intriguing story that explores the nuances of human relationships, beautiful and ugly. Through Marc, Laura, and Ira, we see a spectrum of love and struggle as they each contend with the realities of loving another, being alone, and the sometimes unbearable weight of life itself. The symbiotic alien hosts amplify these already complicated feelings, culminating in a curiously charming story that will leave you thoughtful about the inevitable, the bizarre, and the sometimes confounding yet beautiful nature of existence.
December 15, 2022
I loved the art in this story and the concept of wearing your "slug" out as a signal of mental and physical health. I also really liked the cute design of the wings on shirts - it was a great world-building touch. I found myself more curious about the wider world in story, so in that sense I was left wanting more. The second half felt oddly anticlimactic - I wanted to see the two main characters meet. I did enjoy the emphasis on the theme of enjoying the time one has and making the most of it. I struggled to identify the main themes in this work however.
August 20, 2022
Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the DRC of this title.
I thought the concept of this story sounded super interesting, however in reality I just found the storyline weird.
Also I liked the art of the cover and chapter title pages much better than the actual art of the story pages.
Just didn't do it for me.
I thought the concept of this story sounded super interesting, however in reality I just found the storyline weird.
Also I liked the art of the cover and chapter title pages much better than the actual art of the story pages.
Just didn't do it for me.
March 19, 2023
This was okay. I was kind of confused while reading it and it just wasn’t what I expected. I felt like there were a lot of things that could’ve been further explored and I just didn’t feel that bond with any of the characters. I think the art style was cool but that’s about it. Alsooo where was the love story?
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