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The Flip Side: A Graphic Novel
This breathtaking, page-turning graphic novel is a supernatural survival story in which a grieving teen finds himself in a haunting alternate reality—the frightening embodiment of his depression.
Theo’s best friend has died, and he can’t pull himself out of his sadness—a sadness that those around him don’t seem to respect or even notice. And then something even more disconcerting His town literally flips upside down and everyone disappears, except for a threatening, shape-shifting monster and a snarky teenage girl who knows her way around this flipped world. Is Theo doomed to spend the rest of his life in this scary state?
Tremendously unique and suspenseful, The Flip Side tackles grief and depression in a fascinating and affecting way.
Theo’s best friend has died, and he can’t pull himself out of his sadness—a sadness that those around him don’t seem to respect or even notice. And then something even more disconcerting His town literally flips upside down and everyone disappears, except for a threatening, shape-shifting monster and a snarky teenage girl who knows her way around this flipped world. Is Theo doomed to spend the rest of his life in this scary state?
Tremendously unique and suspenseful, The Flip Side tackles grief and depression in a fascinating and affecting way.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2025
11 people are currently reading
4522 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
May 13, 2025
The Flip Side was a very emotional read. Even more so for me after the passing of my nana last month. I really connected with Theo and what he was going through after the loss of his best friend, Evan, to cancer. The grief and pain was very well written and I liked the concept of the alternative reality, the flip side being the embodiment of his depression. I especially appreciated that the author depicted Theo, Emma, and Bernard’s monsters/(
depression differently. Because no one has the exact same experience with grief or depression.
On a different note, the artwork itself was stunning. I have several pages bookmarked so I can go back and look at the art again. If you love graphic novels with amazing art and an emotional story I suggest you check out The Flip Side.
3.5 stars
Be sure to check TWs
*I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
depression differently. Because no one has the exact same experience with grief or depression.
On a different note, the artwork itself was stunning. I have several pages bookmarked so I can go back and look at the art again. If you love graphic novels with amazing art and an emotional story I suggest you check out The Flip Side.
3.5 stars
Be sure to check TWs
*I received an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
May 10, 2025
This is a fantastic supernatural survival story that deals with the physical manifestation of grief and depression.
The graphic novel opens at the funeral of Theo’s best friend, Evan after he’s died of cancer. Theo has a hard time finding the will to go on, and he struggles with his place as Theo’s friend during the aftermath of the death.
The resulting spiral sends him into the “flip side” where he meets another teen struggling with grief, Emma. They work together to survive in this upside down world, and there are many tender moments where they. This is such a powerful look at grief and its all-consuming nature. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I love the color palette and how it contributes to the overall moods of the scenes.
I cried multiple times throughout the course of the book - there are some really emotional and powerful scenes. If you’re a fan of YA, don’t miss this one.
The graphic novel opens at the funeral of Theo’s best friend, Evan after he’s died of cancer. Theo has a hard time finding the will to go on, and he struggles with his place as Theo’s friend during the aftermath of the death.
The resulting spiral sends him into the “flip side” where he meets another teen struggling with grief, Emma. They work together to survive in this upside down world, and there are many tender moments where they. This is such a powerful look at grief and its all-consuming nature. The illustrations are gorgeous, and I love the color palette and how it contributes to the overall moods of the scenes.
I cried multiple times throughout the course of the book - there are some really emotional and powerful scenes. If you’re a fan of YA, don’t miss this one.
June 8, 2025
So sad but really good imagery.
September 15, 2025
Lots of triggering topics in this one including death of a friend, depictions of self-harm, and metaphors for suicide.
Amazing depiction of depression that I haven’t really seen done elsewhere. At some points the story felt rushed and visually confusing, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars, but it’s still a great book overall. Before you even get to the author’s note at the end, you can tell he put a lot of care into crafting this story.
Amazing depiction of depression that I haven’t really seen done elsewhere. At some points the story felt rushed and visually confusing, which is why I didn’t give it 5 stars, but it’s still a great book overall. Before you even get to the author’s note at the end, you can tell he put a lot of care into crafting this story.
January 6, 2026
Content warnings: death of a friend, cancer, self harm, suicidal ideation, grief, mental health
I did NOT expect this to be as sad as it is. It's essentially about slipping into depression after the death of a friend and finding yourself in an upside down world being chased by something that wants to drag you down further. It was beautifully done and while it was perhaps a LITTLE too action-heavy at times, I really liked the way the story played out between the two core characters.
I did NOT expect this to be as sad as it is. It's essentially about slipping into depression after the death of a friend and finding yourself in an upside down world being chased by something that wants to drag you down further. It was beautifully done and while it was perhaps a LITTLE too action-heavy at times, I really liked the way the story played out between the two core characters.
November 13, 2025
A creepy, impossible to put down, look at grief, loneliness, and hurt, and what can be found on the other side.
November 30, 2025
Strange Things
March 24, 2026
This graphic novel stomped on my heart! Such a great description of grief.
September 19, 2025
Exceptional graphic novel with beautiful illustrations that tackles grief. -Julianna
April 16, 2025
Loved, loved, loved this graphic novel! Jason weaves a beautiful story about grief, loss, depression, and the importance of connection, friendship, and belonging. The artwork is distinctive and the colors used reflect the tone and energy of the events that are happening.
In the beginning of Flip Side, main character, Theo, feels alone in this strange new place, although he soon finds out he isn't alone! The neighborhood is familiar yet disturbing. He meets another teen, Emma, who shows him how to survive and escape the monster that's chasing him.
What had me gripped and turning page after page was the suspense of knowing whether or not Theo will make it out of the Flip Side -- alone or will Emma escape, too?
As a native Minnesotan, I also loved the local references to Twin Cities landmarks, malls, and Matt's Bar (hello Juicy Lucy!).
At the end, Jason includes a few pages in honor of his friend, Kris, who inspired the idea of living in an upside-down world. It is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Kris and you can feel the strength of their friendship through the pages.
Thank you, Jason, for sharing an advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In the beginning of Flip Side, main character, Theo, feels alone in this strange new place, although he soon finds out he isn't alone! The neighborhood is familiar yet disturbing. He meets another teen, Emma, who shows him how to survive and escape the monster that's chasing him.
What had me gripped and turning page after page was the suspense of knowing whether or not Theo will make it out of the Flip Side -- alone or will Emma escape, too?
As a native Minnesotan, I also loved the local references to Twin Cities landmarks, malls, and Matt's Bar (hello Juicy Lucy!).
At the end, Jason includes a few pages in honor of his friend, Kris, who inspired the idea of living in an upside-down world. It is a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to Kris and you can feel the strength of their friendship through the pages.
Thank you, Jason, for sharing an advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 18, 2025
This graphic novel deals with young death (from cancer) and the grief of those left behind. Theo's best friend Evan has died and along with a deep friendship (and the movie they were working on together). Fourteen year olds aren't meant to waste away and die before their friends and family's eyes.
Theo is raw from Evan's death especially as well meaning but unaware family members shunting him out of the house before he can grieve the loss of his friend and his own mother doesn't seem to understand either. Theo wakes up in the Flip side where everything is literally upside down and he is alone.
The Flip side is a hell of isolation and loneliness interrupted only by a nebulous monster whispering all your self doubts and fears to you, making them oh so real. The black and white art very much serves the story, making it even more eerie. Before he can realize the danger he's in Theo gets a strange text message telling him to get out of his house.
This is how he meets Emma a young girl who's been here longer than he has and has some working idea of how to survive in the Flip Side. Emma has issues of her own, growing up in a group home with some obvious neurodivergence and mental health issues. She tries to keep him and her safe even though she's pricklier than a hedgehog and not nearly as cuddly.
Theo clings to her at first out of desperation and then out of true friendship as he doggedly pursues an escape that Emma has given up on. And dogged is a good word choice because one of the way Emma wards off the thought-monsters after them is thinking about/talking about Scooby-Doo fan theories and fanfiction (which is so endearing)
It was written out of the author's own pain of losing his friend to cancer (at a later date than Theo did) and it comes across well. Grief and mourning are never straightforward or easy and they can easily become monsters. I thought this was well done.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway which in no way influenced my review.
Theo is raw from Evan's death especially as well meaning but unaware family members shunting him out of the house before he can grieve the loss of his friend and his own mother doesn't seem to understand either. Theo wakes up in the Flip side where everything is literally upside down and he is alone.
The Flip side is a hell of isolation and loneliness interrupted only by a nebulous monster whispering all your self doubts and fears to you, making them oh so real. The black and white art very much serves the story, making it even more eerie. Before he can realize the danger he's in Theo gets a strange text message telling him to get out of his house.
This is how he meets Emma a young girl who's been here longer than he has and has some working idea of how to survive in the Flip Side. Emma has issues of her own, growing up in a group home with some obvious neurodivergence and mental health issues. She tries to keep him and her safe even though she's pricklier than a hedgehog and not nearly as cuddly.
Theo clings to her at first out of desperation and then out of true friendship as he doggedly pursues an escape that Emma has given up on. And dogged is a good word choice because one of the way Emma wards off the thought-monsters after them is thinking about/talking about Scooby-Doo fan theories and fanfiction (which is so endearing)
It was written out of the author's own pain of losing his friend to cancer (at a later date than Theo did) and it comes across well. Grief and mourning are never straightforward or easy and they can easily become monsters. I thought this was well done.
I won this in a goodreads giveaway which in no way influenced my review.
January 6, 2025
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this graphic novel, Theo loses his best friend Evan to suicide. No one seems to understand the way he feels, especially since his last interaction with his friend was problematic, and he doesn't get the help he needs. Obsessing about his friend, he gets sucked into an alternate universe, the Flip Side, where he meets Emma, who had struggled with depression and cut herself. The two try to survive in the post apocalyptic world, reading Evan's journals and trying to make sense of the fantastical world where they are stuck, and also the real world to which they need to return.
I picked this up thinking it would be a middle grade horror book. Instead, this is a YA book about mental health and the aftermath of a friend's suicide. It is very fraught and dark, and while it might be perfect for high school readers, it seems like a bit much for middle school students. Even though this ends on a slightly hopeful note, with Theo returning to the real world feeling a little better and finding Emma and connecting with her, it didn't offer much in the way of guidance in how to deal with the death of a friend.
I'm very sorry that Mr. Walz lost his friend Kris, who had the seed of this story, to cancer, and he has done a nice job crafting a graphic novel about loss, which seems to be the focus of some of his other work, which I have not read. Take a look at this if it sounds like a title your high school library needs.
In this graphic novel, Theo loses his best friend Evan to suicide. No one seems to understand the way he feels, especially since his last interaction with his friend was problematic, and he doesn't get the help he needs. Obsessing about his friend, he gets sucked into an alternate universe, the Flip Side, where he meets Emma, who had struggled with depression and cut herself. The two try to survive in the post apocalyptic world, reading Evan's journals and trying to make sense of the fantastical world where they are stuck, and also the real world to which they need to return.
I picked this up thinking it would be a middle grade horror book. Instead, this is a YA book about mental health and the aftermath of a friend's suicide. It is very fraught and dark, and while it might be perfect for high school readers, it seems like a bit much for middle school students. Even though this ends on a slightly hopeful note, with Theo returning to the real world feeling a little better and finding Emma and connecting with her, it didn't offer much in the way of guidance in how to deal with the death of a friend.
I'm very sorry that Mr. Walz lost his friend Kris, who had the seed of this story, to cancer, and he has done a nice job crafting a graphic novel about loss, which seems to be the focus of some of his other work, which I have not read. Take a look at this if it sounds like a title your high school library needs.
January 29, 2026
Solid graphic novel about some serious stuff. The art really helped you feel Theo and Emma’s desperation and depression and fear and anger. After reading the authors note, everything about this book makes perfect sense and I know this book will offer solace to others going through the loss of a friend. The comment in the book about greeting cards struck me when I read the first time, but when he brought it up in his note at the end- it really makes you stop and think about what it’s like to lose a best friend and how the support systems for losing immediate family are there (parent, sibling, child) but what is there when you’re not blood related? When you shared a soul but not genetics? When the other half of your platonic self is suddenly missing? Not sure, but it’s something to think on for sure.
With books on heavy topics I always waffle - will the reader identify and see the hope? Or only the darkness? This is a well written book about depression, losing someone you care about deeply like a best friend, and coming out the other side- you’re not alone. Lots and lots of people are going through what you are right now.
With books on heavy topics I always waffle - will the reader identify and see the hope? Or only the darkness? This is a well written book about depression, losing someone you care about deeply like a best friend, and coming out the other side- you’re not alone. Lots and lots of people are going through what you are right now.
May 6, 2025
Theo's best friend Evan has died from cancer and this story opens at his funeral. Theo is struggling with his grief that is exacerbated by him having a fight with Evan shortly before his death. Suddenly, Theo finds his world flipped upside down - literally. His grief and depression is manifesting as a monster chasing him through this upside world, where there is nobody left but Theo and a girl named Emma who has been outrunning her own monster in this world for far longer than Theo.
This is a visually interesting examination of grief and depression, especially by someone young and by someone who loses a friend. It is mentioned in the story, and in the backmatter, that there are lots of depictions and support groups for people who lose a parent, child, spouse, sibling, but not a lot for those who lose friends. There are heavy mental health topics covered here, including self-harm behaviors, and while it feels pretty on-the-nose, I still think it's such an interesting and well-executed concept that it's important to pass along to young folks.
This is a visually interesting examination of grief and depression, especially by someone young and by someone who loses a friend. It is mentioned in the story, and in the backmatter, that there are lots of depictions and support groups for people who lose a parent, child, spouse, sibling, but not a lot for those who lose friends. There are heavy mental health topics covered here, including self-harm behaviors, and while it feels pretty on-the-nose, I still think it's such an interesting and well-executed concept that it's important to pass along to young folks.
July 23, 2025
Ended up devouring this book all in one sitting while killing time at my local library.
Absolutely fantastic read that found me in a moment when I really needed it's message.
This book is heavy, heavy, heavy... heavy in the way the burden of mental illness can weigh on you on any time, all the time, but heavy still in the same way as being embraced tightly by someone who loves you and cares about your struggle.
And omg, one of Emma's coping methods being Scooby Doo fanfic?? Girl, saaaaame lol
This book says and portrays a lot of valid messages on grief and mental illness. But as someone who has been riding a roller coaster of depression and suicidal ideation for the last 18 years, this exchange between Theo and Emma after they temporarily lose sight of the eldritch horrors that represent their pain stuck with me the most...
Theo: "Is it gone?"
Emma: "No, it's never really gone."
But it's not so much something to despair over as it is accept. As the book concludes, it's not about winning the fight forever. Sometimes it's victory enough to get through another day ✌️
Absolutely fantastic read that found me in a moment when I really needed it's message.
This book is heavy, heavy, heavy... heavy in the way the burden of mental illness can weigh on you on any time, all the time, but heavy still in the same way as being embraced tightly by someone who loves you and cares about your struggle.
And omg, one of Emma's coping methods being Scooby Doo fanfic?? Girl, saaaaame lol
This book says and portrays a lot of valid messages on grief and mental illness. But as someone who has been riding a roller coaster of depression and suicidal ideation for the last 18 years, this exchange between Theo and Emma after they temporarily lose sight of the eldritch horrors that represent their pain stuck with me the most...
Theo: "Is it gone?"
Emma: "No, it's never really gone."
But it's not so much something to despair over as it is accept. As the book concludes, it's not about winning the fight forever. Sometimes it's victory enough to get through another day ✌️
January 20, 2026
After his best friend died from cancer, Theo feels adrift. He misses his friend, but he also feels like no one can see his own grief. As he sinks further into depression, one morning he wakes up to find gravity has reversed and everything is falling to the sky. After a few days, he he hasn’t found anyone else, but there is a shape-shifting monster telling him he’s worthless and trying to eat him. He’s saved by Emma, a snarky teenage girl who’s been living in this flipped world for awhile. She shows him around and talks a little about her own depression and history of cutting. How long can they keep running from the monsters chasing them? Or is there another way out of here?
An engaging YA graphic novel about dealing with grief and depression. It’s full of action/adventure as they are trying to escape from existential monsters that are metaphors for the emotional ones. But it also has good thoughts on grief.
Content warning: depression, self harm, suicidal ideation.
An engaging YA graphic novel about dealing with grief and depression. It’s full of action/adventure as they are trying to escape from existential monsters that are metaphors for the emotional ones. But it also has good thoughts on grief.
Content warning: depression, self harm, suicidal ideation.
November 30, 2025
The Flip Side by Jason Walz was the last novel I read during the month of November 2025.
I received the paperback version of The Flip Side by Jason Walz for FREE through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Below is my honest, unbiased review of this young adult, graphic novel.
First off, I absolutely loved the artwork for The Flip Side. In fact, the artwork was probably my favorite thing about this book. The Flip Side is also a very quick read, which is one of the things I enjoy about graphic novels.
The Flip Side by Jason Walz is a novel geared towards teens. The focus of The Flip Side is on the loss of one’s best friend, loneliness, fear, grief, and how one’s life can feel like it has turned upside down after the loss of one's best friend.
The Flip Side by Jason Walz showcases how to two teens, Theo and Emma, overcome the obstacles of fear, loneliness, and grief together.
I received the paperback version of The Flip Side by Jason Walz for FREE through the Goodreads Giveaway program. Below is my honest, unbiased review of this young adult, graphic novel.
First off, I absolutely loved the artwork for The Flip Side. In fact, the artwork was probably my favorite thing about this book. The Flip Side is also a very quick read, which is one of the things I enjoy about graphic novels.
The Flip Side by Jason Walz is a novel geared towards teens. The focus of The Flip Side is on the loss of one’s best friend, loneliness, fear, grief, and how one’s life can feel like it has turned upside down after the loss of one's best friend.
The Flip Side by Jason Walz showcases how to two teens, Theo and Emma, overcome the obstacles of fear, loneliness, and grief together.
July 18, 2025
I like the idea. And it was pretty good till the ending. I was a bit confused with
Now. My next question... who's the audience? The topics are tough, but that alone doesn't dictate the age range for me. It feels a bit middle school, but the lack of hope and resources makes me feel like this is a bit more high school. It's a weird mix for me. Greif and horror go together so well. But I'm not sure a middle school audience will get this one.
The art is great. It's kinda ugly. But its the right kind of ugly. And we're dealing with ugly thoughts and feelings. The color use is excellent.
Now. My next question... who's the audience? The topics are tough, but that alone doesn't dictate the age range for me. It feels a bit middle school, but the lack of hope and resources makes me feel like this is a bit more high school. It's a weird mix for me. Greif and horror go together so well. But I'm not sure a middle school audience will get this one.
The art is great. It's kinda ugly. But its the right kind of ugly. And we're dealing with ugly thoughts and feelings. The color use is excellent.
March 20, 2026
Sadly enough, the best part of this graphic novel, for me, was the author's note at the very end, really emotional and endearing.
But, the story itself? I can't say I enjoyed it, maybe because I am not a teenager? It certainly felt too gloomy, which is no surprise considering grief is here the main topic, but I guess my main problem with it was that art that didn't make it compelling at all.
The idea is fairly good, as the metaphor of an upside world seems fit to express the pain of a world without your best friend, although even that got a bit muddled by the presence of Emma's character, who struggles with different issues. But this book felt quite repetitive and mainly boring to me.
So, I'm obviously with the minority here, but I wouldn't really widely recommend this.
But, the story itself? I can't say I enjoyed it, maybe because I am not a teenager? It certainly felt too gloomy, which is no surprise considering grief is here the main topic, but I guess my main problem with it was that art that didn't make it compelling at all.
The idea is fairly good, as the metaphor of an upside world seems fit to express the pain of a world without your best friend, although even that got a bit muddled by the presence of Emma's character, who struggles with different issues. But this book felt quite repetitive and mainly boring to me.
So, I'm obviously with the minority here, but I wouldn't really widely recommend this.
May 29, 2025
What do you do when you read a graphic novel you don't love, but it's firmly rooted in someone's grief related to losing a friend?
25 year-old Pete, who was kind of a dick, gives it like 2 stars and talks about its flaws.
Old Man Pete is like, Fuck It, 5 stars, whatever, the artistic expression of the thing is never as perfect as the emotion, and in those imperfections, there's a certain beauty.
Not a 5-star book for me, as a reader, but also not a book that I think I'd feel good about giving a lower rating. And that's what Goodreads is here for, to make me feel good.
Will someone please tell people who review my books about this fact?
25 year-old Pete, who was kind of a dick, gives it like 2 stars and talks about its flaws.
Old Man Pete is like, Fuck It, 5 stars, whatever, the artistic expression of the thing is never as perfect as the emotion, and in those imperfections, there's a certain beauty.
Not a 5-star book for me, as a reader, but also not a book that I think I'd feel good about giving a lower rating. And that's what Goodreads is here for, to make me feel good.
Will someone please tell people who review my books about this fact?
May 29, 2025
Tw: for thoughts of suicide, cutting, cancer death
If you like Infinity Train, you'll like this comic. What an absolutely excellent comic. I had no idea what I was expecting, and it kept my attention throughout. All the characters are super dynamic with unique personalities, the danger felt real and ever present, and I was really rooting for everyone in the end.
It is a bit of a shame that there are several mysteries never explained, or that the covers hinted at other stuff happening but we're never shown that, and the ending is a bit flat and anti-climatic, I still really enjoyed this comic.
If you like Infinity Train, you'll like this comic. What an absolutely excellent comic. I had no idea what I was expecting, and it kept my attention throughout. All the characters are super dynamic with unique personalities, the danger felt real and ever present, and I was really rooting for everyone in the end.
It is a bit of a shame that there are several mysteries never explained, or that the covers hinted at other stuff happening but we're never shown that, and the ending is a bit flat and anti-climatic, I still really enjoyed this comic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
Few graphic novels pulled me in to so many realizations of what is happening around us in today's words. So many people I thought I recognized, I thought I know, as well as what I thought I new of the world, has changed and been turned upside down. It was not lost on me either that the author hails from Minnesota, and can only imagine his thoughts currently on the previously said reflections. Those hat feel graphic novels are not reading, are not gripping, are not intense?
This is one of a many that can reverse that thought process and make you realize the power of graphic novels which can reach inner parts of your thoughts that other books cannot.
This is one of a many that can reverse that thought process and make you realize the power of graphic novels which can reach inner parts of your thoughts that other books cannot.
March 12, 2026
Jason Walz takes his own experiences with loss inside the pages of this powerful graphic novel by blending horror with emotional pain and how it may look like to those who are going through it. This graphic novel is a supernatural horror story of survival and well worth reading. 4.5 stars
Theo, after losing a friend to cancer, finds himself in an upside-down world haunted by grief and depression through the depiction of a shapeless monster. He happens to meet Emma who has been living in this alternate reality for a long time, and they help each other through its haunted rooms & corridors.
Theo, after losing a friend to cancer, finds himself in an upside-down world haunted by grief and depression through the depiction of a shapeless monster. He happens to meet Emma who has been living in this alternate reality for a long time, and they help each other through its haunted rooms & corridors.
July 12, 2025
Dark and frightening, disorienting and supernaturally confusing, but this graphic novel is also very emotional and thought provoking in the way(s) it looks into how people (especially teens/young adults) process grief.
Theo's best friend has died and he finds himself alone in a world that has been flipped upside down, until he finds Emma, who is also trying to survive.
If you read this book, even if you don't finish it, flip to the back pages for the author's essay about the friend whose life inspired this story.
Theo's best friend has died and he finds himself alone in a world that has been flipped upside down, until he finds Emma, who is also trying to survive.
If you read this book, even if you don't finish it, flip to the back pages for the author's essay about the friend whose life inspired this story.
August 25, 2025
This book was simple, but had so much depth as well. For youth struggling with loss, feeling unheard by the adults around them, this book can act as comfort and hope. The author dealt with loss as well influencing the nuances feelings of the characters. In a way, the story reminded me of "Wrist Cutters: A Love Story." A movie from 2006 where those who had taken their own lives were sent to an afterlife where things were metaphorically upside down. This book also deals with trauma and loss and how that sends characters to an unfamiliar scary world.
October 6, 2025
The Flip Side was a very emotional read.
I really connected with Theo and what he was going through after the loss of his best friend, Evan, to cancer. The grief and pain was very well written and I liked the concept of the alternative reality, the flip side being the embodiment of his depression. I especially appreciated that the author depicted Theo, Emma, and Bernard’s monsters, highlighting that no one has the exact same experience with grief or depression.
On a different note, the artwork itself was stunning.
Walz is just amazing.
I really connected with Theo and what he was going through after the loss of his best friend, Evan, to cancer. The grief and pain was very well written and I liked the concept of the alternative reality, the flip side being the embodiment of his depression. I especially appreciated that the author depicted Theo, Emma, and Bernard’s monsters, highlighting that no one has the exact same experience with grief or depression.
On a different note, the artwork itself was stunning.
Walz is just amazing.
January 29, 2026
This ya graphic novel was just ok to me. We meet Theo at his best friend’s funeral where he is clearly suffering. He goes home, goes to bed, and wakes up in a where where everything is upside down with monsters that prey on you through your fears. He is rescued by / teams up with a girl who has been there longer than he has and they try to survive as she shows him the ropes of the flip side.
I got what the book was trying to do, but it just didn’t do it for me. It read very young but with heavy topics? 3 ⭐️
I got what the book was trying to do, but it just didn’t do it for me. It read very young but with heavy topics? 3 ⭐️
December 16, 2024
Theo tries to navigate a world flipped upside with grief when his best friend dies. He meets Emma, another person struggling with grief, as they try to flee their monsters. Visually stunning depictions of grief, mental illness, and survival.
I loved the premise for this graphic novel, but the upside down universe didn't work well for me. I recognize the stylistic choices, but I think it keeps the book from having wider appeal with students.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
I loved the premise for this graphic novel, but the upside down universe didn't work well for me. I recognize the stylistic choices, but I think it keeps the book from having wider appeal with students.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
July 1, 2025
"There's something different about losing a friend, though. [...] There are no drugstore sympathy cards for you because nobody understands."
This was weird and amazing. A raw look at mental health and grief. The embodiments of the characters' depressive or suicidal thoughts are eldritch and effective.
Some of the characters aren’t “likable”, but they felt human.
I was intrigued the entire time.
This was weird and amazing. A raw look at mental health and grief. The embodiments of the characters' depressive or suicidal thoughts are eldritch and effective.
Some of the characters aren’t “likable”, but they felt human.
I was intrigued the entire time.
July 19, 2025
The beginning is such a gorgeous and real depiction of grief, especially mourning a friend. It is amazing!! Then the majority of the fantasy element of grief and sadness monsters hunting people in an upside down world just did not hit. It was convoluted and overly dense (plus the monsters triggered my trypophobia 😅) and it lost the beauty of the beginning. Also weird Scooby doo theories included lol
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