Mismatched: A graphic novel inspired by Jane Austen's Emma

by Anne Camlin, Isadora Zeferino (Illustrator)

'A chaotically queer retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. Evan is the perfect modern-day Emma Woodhouse – conniving and headstrong, with a lot to learn, but with a good heart underneath all of the drama' Alice Oseman, creator of Heartstopper

Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing Cupid for the clueless. So when shy new student Natalia shuffles into school, Evan recognises a Project with a capital P! With so many matches to choose from, it’s not long before he sets a plan in motion, much against the better judgement of his level-headed best friend, Davi. When he takes things too far, a web of drama spirals out of his control. Can Evan learn to put his friends before his misguided ambition? Or will he lose them and his own chance at romance, too?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Romance, LGBT, Queer, Comics, Retellings

264 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh….

I liked this; however, this definitely suffered from a rushed plot. While I understood and appreciated the conflict presented to us as readers, but I think we needed a little more to get to that point. The artwork was phenomenal and I think it will resonate with fans of Emma!

[Mr.Rainbow.Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good evening, everyone! I'm Christopher, and tonight we'll be diving into the book Mismatched. I am truly delighted to have had the chance to read this book in its physical form as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by Pride Book Tours for a free honest review. Mismatched debuted on September 3, 2024. The graphic novel consists of 264 pages, and I believe I would have appreciated it even more had it been closer to 300 pages. At times, the narrative felt somewhat congested, and certain plot developments appeared a bit hurried. I felt that the absence of chapters contributed to a somewhat abrupt narrative, resulting in transitions that occasionally shifted from one scene to another, and at times, from one plot point to another. The recommended reading age for this book on Amazon was indicated as 14 years and older. I was delighted to learn that this book will soon be available as an audiobook. I believe that all books should have this option to enhance accessibility for readers. As an autistic individual, I find that listening to the audiobook while following along to the text significantly aids my focus on the story. This approach not only helps me engage more deeply with the story but also enriches my overall reading experience. I appreciated that the narrative took place in a contemporary high school setting in Queens, New York. I have not yet had the opportunity to read Jane Austen’s novel “Emma” or watch its film adaptations. However, I am always enthusiastic about classic literature being reimagined through a queer lens, so I was genuinely excited about this reinterpretation. I found the artwork to be delightful; the illusions in the graphic novel were charming and vibrant, making it visually striking. I appreciated how some artistic elements were layered over the main layout without being excessive. The artwork effectively conveyed the characters’ emotions throughout various scenes in the book. Overall, I discovered that the graphic novel was mostly easy to read, with only a few moments of confusion about what to read first. However, it quickly became a fast-paced read for me.

Summary: Evan Horowitz possesses a captivating blend of charm, intelligence, and an undeniable knack for matchmaking. As a popular Instagram influencer renowned for his makeup artistry and romantic insights, he thrives on helping the love-lorn navigate their relationships. When shy transfer student Natalia arrives at school, Evan is eager to lend his expertise. However, as he devises an elaborate plan to find her the perfect match—much to the dismay of his pragmatic best friend Davi—he unwittingly entangles himself in a whirlwind of drama that quickly spirals out of control.

Review: -I appreciated the way the book began, as it allowed us to meet one of the main characters, Evan. It was engaging to explore what mattered to him, including his hobbies and personality traits, as well as how he interacts with others. Additionally, I enjoyed the introduction of other characters in the subsequent pages, which enriched the narrative and provided a broader context for Evan’s story. I appreciated how the book conveys a compelling message about embracing one’s authentic self while simultaneously honouring the individuality of others. It invites readers to contemplate their own identities and relationships, fostering a sense of community rooted in acceptance and mutual respect. I valued its exploration of themes such as queer gatekeeping and toxic positivity, which adds depth to the discussion. I appreciated the inclusion of one or two flashbacks that depicted past events as recounted by the characters. It was refreshing to see these moments visually represented rather than merely discussed in dialogue, which added depth and richness to the storytelling.

-I enjoyed meeting some of the characters in the book, which featured a strong cast of diverse individuals. As the story progressed, I appreciated how new characters were introduced without becoming overwhelming. The mini character profiles created by Evan significantly aided my memory of the characters presented in the book, and he revisited and edited these profiles as necessary throughout the narrative. Personally, I wasn’t particularly fond of Evan; I found him somewhat mean, arrogant, and pushy with others. I believe his redemption arc could have been developed further, yet I still found myself rooting for him and wishing for his happy ending. It was also interesting to see Evan develop an appreciation for things he previously mocked as the story unfolded. The characters felt realistic in their complexity and messiness, and I appreciated the willingness of individuals to confront each other about their shortcomings, as it fostered better interactions among them. One of my favourite characters in the book was Davi; I found him to be humorous and admired his personality and beliefs. I enjoyed how the story allowed us to meet some of the characters’ families and learn about their backgrounds. However, I would have liked to see more of the families of other characters beyond just the two main ones in the friend group.

- I found certain elements of the story to be somewhat predictable, as I was able to anticipate the twist that unfolded. However, I appreciated the conclusion of the book, which mirrored its beginning while showcasing the character’s growth over the course of a year. I believe this narrative has great potential for adaptation into a graphic novel series and could also translate well into a television show.

I rate each book I watch out of 10 and for this one, I give it a 6 Remember this was what I thought about the story personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.

[Isabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute and quick read. I loved the art style. The story itself was okay. Not bad.

[meggy (readsinbloom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

very adorable!! i love the art style! received in a goodread’s giveaway.

[paris ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

a colorful confusing mess while also being gay

[Isadora Zeferino · Rating 5 out of 5]

i may be biased

[Trish Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I haven't read Emma, and I don't think I need to to know it doesn't translate well to modern day times.

Retelling aside, this was very boring and choppy. Scenes would abruptly end and become something completely different, and without any chapter markers. Each character was flat and stereotypical, so it was hard to care about any of them, and a story like emma really hinges on the characters and their love lines.

Also, I love pride representation in books, but it felt so forced and awkward and, again, stereotypical. This one's a miss for me.

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for a review

[Prinston Hoang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad saying this but I really did not connect with this. I found the main character to be unkind and his “redemption” wasn’t strong enough to justify his behavior. I did think the art was nice though.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5

Thank you to Net Galley for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the illustration style and thought that the LGBTQ+ re-imagining was done well and freshened up the well-known story of Emma.

However, I did think that there was a lot of plot that needed to be covered in the span of this relatively short graphic novel, so at times things felt very rushed. For example, we never really meet the person Natalia ends up with and we just have to trust Evan in the beginning that she’s not a right fit for her. There were SO many characters that we couldn’t spend much time with most of them, and understandably so, but perhaps the retelling didn’t have to include every single plot point or character as the original material.

Overall, this was a fun, light read that I think will appeal to a young adult audience and I will most likely check out more work from this author. :)

[nitya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for the artwork, two and a half stars for the story

I really like the idea of a queer (m/m in this case) retelling of Emma, but... some areas felt rushed or I thought the characters could've been fleshed out more. I also wanted Aryan to have a happy ending too, yet they get stuck with a awful boyfriend and it's fine because they forgive Luca (the boyfriend) and the reader is told that he changed his behavior??? Ehhh it didn't leave me with a good feeling.

Did love Davi and his pining for Evan though! More love interests with glasses, please

Content warning: unwanted kiss (not main pairing), toxic relationship (side characters)

[Alec Costa · Rating 2 out of 5]

eu entendo super o apelo q essas histórias têm e a importância q pode ter pra alguém mais novo, mas acho q tô me tornando uma maricona amargurada e d mal com a vida

gosto demais do traço da Isadora e, confesso, foi o motivo pelo qual eu peguei esse quadrinho pra ler. o elenco eͪ bem diverso e tem umas partes bem divertidas, mas, fora isso, acho q história meio sem propósito; apesar d ter um começo, um meio e um fim, acho q falta sustancia. isso sem contar q o protagonista eͪ um mala, misericórdia

recomendo se gosta d histórias adolescentes sobre sair do armário

[Jenna-booklooksbyjenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

for all the retellings and adaptations of Emma I enjoy i should probably read the original book

[miracle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, gorgeously illustrated modern re-telling of Emma. I hated the main character (but like, in the best way?) but still found myself rooting for him. The social media influencer angle just felt like a really smart angle for this story, and it definitely worked. Davi, though. Davi stole the show for me, 100%. A really fun read!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a queer retelling of Emma.

Even is a high school student who is a social media influencer and he’s also a matchmaker.

I really enjoyed this story and the illustrations were great.

Lots of LGBT rep. This would be a great series.

[Laura AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

o poster de star trek the motion picture no quarto do davi idêntico ao da isa no banheiro (te amo isa)

[Książkomanka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 ⭐️

Jak dla mnie przeciętniaczek - była w porządku, ale nie zostanie ze mną na dłużej :(( może byłabym nią bardziej zafascynowana, gdybym znała Emmę Jane Austen i mogła dostrzec inspiracje hah

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay! But this might be my new obsession!!!! Why does it not have like 10 books that I can read immediately and make it my personality for life?

I have never read or seen Emma, so I know nothing about how close of a retelling this is or is not. So my review is based entirely on this as a wholly original plot, because I know that Emma was not a queer boy with a makeup social media channel and large following. 🤷🏻‍♂️ It just wasn’t her thing! 😝

Evan is 17 and kind of a self proclaimed matchmaker. He creates content about makeup, but also ballet. He’s well-rounded, you could say.

His best friend and next neighbor (the boy next door, if you must) is named Davi and from the first time I saw him on page, I knew they were meant to be together. He likes the nerdier things, like Dungeons & Dragons and Tolkien, so to Evan, he must be straight.

One thing I loved about the book (and the fictional school/GSA) is that no one asked about sexual preferences or orientations. There were people who announced them, but they just let that be something that you could tell or keep to yourself. That is something that the entire world should do, honestly. Who the duck cares who you want to date. That’s between you and the person. 💁🏻‍♂️ The author was serving us ideals and mentalities that I can get behind.

This was really adorable and perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Netflix’s Glamorous. The art style is GORGEOUS!!! I love love loved this so much!!!

[Wreden · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've never read Emma but I have watched a movie adaptation, so while I'm not the most equipped to compare the original and this material, I have to say that this was more confusing to follow. The families knew each other, how they were related, then the friend group, all of it just felt needlessly complex and shoe-horned into the Emma characters. The art, while cute and minimalist, didn't match with the depth of the story being told. There were moments of real vulnerability and they lasted one or two panels— it felt like the main character didn't go through a big enough change/shift, staying pretty consistent with their behaviors and beliefs without the nuance of "learning to do better by you." Overall I just wish it gave us MORE. I felt like I got a concept rather than a book.

[Esme · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very fun audiobooks to listen to! So many narrators and sound effects! I feel like listening to the audiobook while following along with the graphic novel would be such a fun time!

I have never read Emma so I'm not exactly sure how it stands up in comparison but I enjoyed my time listening! I definitely need to re-read the physical so I can admire the art!

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

[patricia 𖦹 · Rating 2 out of 5]

evan was insufferable and i don’t think he quite redeemed himself - cute art though and i enjoyed the side characters

[Duds Saldanha · Rating 5 out of 5]

ADORÁVEL 🥹

[Sara Kelemit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kul bearbetning av Austens ”Emma”. Inte helt lätt med matchmaking, som är huvudpersonens favoritgrej, när det stundvis är extremt oklart vilken läggning vännerna har. 💔🌈

[Luisa]

que fofuraaaaa

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a lot to squeeze into a graphic novel, but it does a decent job of adapting Emma into the present day. I do wish we got more with Natalia.

[Gigi Ropp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations for a really mediocre story. I understand the idea and think it could've been executed much better, but still enjoyed the format.

[ari ୨♡୧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mismatched is a visually stunning graphic novel with beautiful and colorful artwork that truly makes the story pop. The charming characters and cute setting add to its appeal, making it a delightful read. However, the story feels a bit directionless at times, with moments that seem scattered and lacking in structure and depth.

I'm aware that this is a retelling, maybe if I knew the original story I would've understood some things better but that sadly wasn't the case.

The story is great, it's fun, light-hearted and comes with beautiful artwork! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book! 💌

[Chantaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the art is incredibly cute. Very colorful and sweet, and though I wanted it to do a bit more with setting and backgrounds and movement, it did the job well for the type of story its telling.

As for the story, this falls pretty in line with the major Emma plot beats. Some of the character changes in the modernization make total sense and worked out. However, I think this used the fact that it's an Emma retelling as a bit of a crutch. It didn't flow well as a story, scenes felt like they were written separately and then stitched together. Some plot beats wouldn't make total sense without the Emma context behind them.

I do think this is a very cute graphic novel and perfect for its age range. The queer representation is varied, and it's so vibrant and alive.

[fer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ahhhh gente mt fofo!!!! eu demorei pra entender pra onde o livro e os personagens iam. o personagem principal tem uns momentos que é meio gay regina george, mas ele é um fofo. e tem tanta gente, tanto relacionamento que eu cheguei achar que ele ia acabar com pelo menos 2 pessoas diferentes. mas é fofo perceber o relacionamento que esta se desenvolvendo por tras dele com um outro personagem (que é com quem ele fica no final)

nunca vou parar de falar O QUANTO quadrinhos sao uma tipo de livro super legal de se ler, voce consegue perceber varias coisas durante a leitura. tem personagens que fazem umas expressoes tristes, uma cara de chatiaçao e vc percebo mesmo nao sendo colocado super em evidencia em toda cena. voce meio que ve o personagem la do lado com a cara de chatiado. e nao entende mt bem o pq mas vc percebe. e ai no final tudo é explicado (esse personagem estava meio depressivo, num relacionamento meio toxico). o livro ser um quadrinho e ter componentes visuais deixa possivel tantas coisas na narrativa sem ter que ser falado explicitamente, dá pra passar informaçoes sobre os personagens apenas pela expressao facial deles. é isso gente eu sou uma grande nerd de quadrinhos, amo demais kkkkkk

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this novel. The art is so cute and colorful. And the book has such a lovable cast. The author did a great job of keeping true to Emma while also putting their own flair on things.

Evan (our MMC) was so spot on to Emma! He had matchmaking tendencies and was headstrong and acted a bit judgy but was still oh so lovable. And it was fun that he was a makeup influencer (and that we could see some of his makeup in the illustrations!) I also fell absolutely in love with Davi, our love interest. He teased and criticized Evan, but also had hearts in his eyes every time he looked Evan’s way. It was so stinking adorable.

The story is so fun and the author does a great job of juggling a larger cast of characters and their subplots with the main plot following Evan. Def recommend this one for graphic novel lovers!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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[Laris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essa era exatamente a leitura leve e doce que estava precisando. Fiquei tão feliz e me gabei tanto quanto o Evan quando percebi para onde o livro estava nos levando.

E ainda temos o Brasil sendo mencionado. Perfeito.