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Everything Amplified
Sometimes everything feels heavy and uncomfortable. My body, my family, my life… And the only thing that releases that weight is music…
Nel is 15 years old and life is a grind. GCSEs are exhausting, social pressures are relentless and parents and teachers are oblivious. Somehow Ludo, Nel’s handsome twin brother, seems untouched by it all, gliding effortlessly through life’s complications with a confidence and arrogance that only illuminates Nel’s insecurities. Her best friend, Kit and her playlist are pretty much the only things she’s got going for her right now.
When Ludo joins a band and Kit starts going out with the guitarist, it feels like even the tiny space Nel has carved out for herself is in peril.
But nothing is forever, and teenage life can turn on a dime. When Nel finds herself taking Ludo’s place in the band, she has to work out whether life outside the shadows is all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes you need to follow the music to find your way back to yourself.
Nel is 15 years old and life is a grind. GCSEs are exhausting, social pressures are relentless and parents and teachers are oblivious. Somehow Ludo, Nel’s handsome twin brother, seems untouched by it all, gliding effortlessly through life’s complications with a confidence and arrogance that only illuminates Nel’s insecurities. Her best friend, Kit and her playlist are pretty much the only things she’s got going for her right now.
When Ludo joins a band and Kit starts going out with the guitarist, it feels like even the tiny space Nel has carved out for herself is in peril.
But nothing is forever, and teenage life can turn on a dime. When Nel finds herself taking Ludo’s place in the band, she has to work out whether life outside the shadows is all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes you need to follow the music to find your way back to yourself.
300 pages, Hardcover
Published September 18, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
April 12, 2026
3.5*
ARC provided by NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight in exchange for an honest review.
Read the synopsis but still went into this a bit blind. Really liked the artwork and the song lyrics floating through the pages. The story itself feels like a teen movie where twin siblings "hate" each other and one feels betrayed but there's also all the other added teenage drama of high school. Was a decent quick read.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight in exchange for an honest review.
Read the synopsis but still went into this a bit blind. Really liked the artwork and the song lyrics floating through the pages. The story itself feels like a teen movie where twin siblings "hate" each other and one feels betrayed but there's also all the other added teenage drama of high school. Was a decent quick read.
April 13, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.
This is a really cool graphic novel. I love how it explored sibling relationships and also friendships along with a solid dollop of teen angst. They song lyrics and artist bios sprinkled throughout added another level to the story.
Overall a great read.
This is a really cool graphic novel. I love how it explored sibling relationships and also friendships along with a solid dollop of teen angst. They song lyrics and artist bios sprinkled throughout added another level to the story.
Overall a great read.
October 26, 2025
“sometimes life is like a song playing in the background, you’re so distracted by everything around you that you don’t even register it”
I thought this was a very cute read with some conversations about important issues, such as: anger issues, parental issues, cheating, bullying, isolation and more. I think this was VERY YA with the writing style and language used, which isn’t bad because I think once it finds its target audience of younger readers they’ll really be able to relate to the story / characters.
I liked the idea of using metaphors of music to speak on isolation, finding yourself, finding a home in art. I think that’s something we can all relate to as readers and as an autistic sapphic girly- the main character was a great representation of this (neurodivergence wasn’t explicitly stated but I personally related to it.)
I thought this was a very cute read with some conversations about important issues, such as: anger issues, parental issues, cheating, bullying, isolation and more. I think this was VERY YA with the writing style and language used, which isn’t bad because I think once it finds its target audience of younger readers they’ll really be able to relate to the story / characters.
I liked the idea of using metaphors of music to speak on isolation, finding yourself, finding a home in art. I think that’s something we can all relate to as readers and as an autistic sapphic girly- the main character was a great representation of this (neurodivergence wasn’t explicitly stated but I personally related to it.)
May 21, 2026
2.75/5*
March 23, 2026
3.5 stars. Being a teenager is basically having every emotion & feeling & filter-free moment turned up to eleven, and this graphic novel nails that. Messy family stuff, twin rivalry, rabid emotions, pressure cooker British school levels and exams (which I have yet to understand,) and most of all, music as escape—it’s all here. Maybe it’s all occasionally a little too loud, but that’s kind of the point (see title). Clean rounded art, effective color usage. And added half a star for the Karen Carpenter nod.
Bonus: there’s a QR code for the Spotify playlist—tucked away in the back on page 137. So go there first.
Bonus: there’s a QR code for the Spotify playlist—tucked away in the back on page 137. So go there first.
September 13, 2025
Great fun! Well crafted story with the push and pulls you expect (and remember!) from just being a teen. The music woven throughout is such a great vehicle for tone and emotion and plays such a great part in solidifying that teenage angst and emotion. The epilogue, playlist and artist biographies is such a nice touch. Shout out Kelis, perhaps her first name check in a YA story!
Review of advance copy received from Publishers Weekly
so cute and relatable!
February 19, 2026
Don't think the amp was plugged in....
March 3, 2026
It had some great lines and good art. The teenage angst and anxiety was quite well captured.
Still as an adult, I searched for more depth.
Still as an adult, I searched for more depth.
May 28, 2026
This lacked character development.
February 26, 2026
Everything Amplified is a book steeped in teen angst and the isolation many adolescents experience. It is also a love letter to music and the way music can help people process and survive intense emotions. In this YA graphic novel, we meet Nel, a high school senior who feels profoundly alone and disconnected. She is frequently mocked by her peers, most notably by her twin brother, Ludo, and his friends Alec and Bea, and she feels that her mother consistently favors Ludo over her.
Although Nel has a close friend in Kit, she still feels deeply misunderstood by nearly everyone except her Aunt Jan. Nel and her aunt share a powerful bond over music, and Nel dreams of being in a band like her aunt someday. Music becomes both an emotional refuge and a form of self-expression for Nel as she struggles to find her place in the world. Throughout the book, we mainly follow Nel as she navigates family conflict, friendships, and relationships. However, one of the strengths of the graphic novel format is that it allows readers to see how the people around Nel are also dealing with their own hardships and feelings of isolation. This view of others highlights the idea of how narrow and self-centered our perspective on life can be, whether we are teenagers or adults.
The illustrations further reinforce this theme. The book is rendered entirely in shades of blue, grey, and black, with occasional pops of red used to emphasize heightened emotions or pivotal moments. This limited color palette underscores the sense of angst and emotional tunnel vision that often accompanies adolescence. We can’t see the full rainbow because we are so focused on our immediate struggles. Some scenes are also framed with thick black borders, visually emphasizing their importance to the characters’ emotional development.
There is a notable amount of representation in the book. While Nel and her family members are white, Kit and Alec are people of color. Nel is queer, and Kit is gender fluid and uses he/they pronouns. This representation feels naturally integrated into the story rather than presented as a focal point, allowing the characters’ identities to exist as part of who they are rather than defining their entire arcs. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Although Nel has a close friend in Kit, she still feels deeply misunderstood by nearly everyone except her Aunt Jan. Nel and her aunt share a powerful bond over music, and Nel dreams of being in a band like her aunt someday. Music becomes both an emotional refuge and a form of self-expression for Nel as she struggles to find her place in the world. Throughout the book, we mainly follow Nel as she navigates family conflict, friendships, and relationships. However, one of the strengths of the graphic novel format is that it allows readers to see how the people around Nel are also dealing with their own hardships and feelings of isolation. This view of others highlights the idea of how narrow and self-centered our perspective on life can be, whether we are teenagers or adults.
The illustrations further reinforce this theme. The book is rendered entirely in shades of blue, grey, and black, with occasional pops of red used to emphasize heightened emotions or pivotal moments. This limited color palette underscores the sense of angst and emotional tunnel vision that often accompanies adolescence. We can’t see the full rainbow because we are so focused on our immediate struggles. Some scenes are also framed with thick black borders, visually emphasizing their importance to the characters’ emotional development.
There is a notable amount of representation in the book. While Nel and her family members are white, Kit and Alec are people of color. Nel is queer, and Kit is gender fluid and uses he/they pronouns. This representation feels naturally integrated into the story rather than presented as a focal point, allowing the characters’ identities to exist as part of who they are rather than defining their entire arcs. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
September 15, 2025
“I want every girl in the world to pick up a guitar and start screaming.” – Courtney Love
From the very first page, I knew this graphic novel by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor was going to be something a little bit special. It’s packed full of little distractions and details that completely pulled me in. Honestly, it might be an unusual point to open with, but I adored the font choice — the handwriting-style text for both narration and dialogue made it feel so raw and personal, as if I was flicking through someone’s private sketchbook rather than just reading a story.
The book follows Nelly, a GCSE student and twin, who feels out of place in her own skin, her family, and even her life. One of the things I loved about her straight away was her brilliant music taste — I caught myself zooming in on her iPad just to check the song and artist names. The music element really made it feel modern and alive, especially with the added extras like the artist biographies and Nelly’s playlist, complete with a QR code (yes, I scanned it, and yes, it’s a great playlist!).
Nelly was such an easy character to empathise with. Her struggles were upsetting at times, especially with how her family treated her, but that made her journey towards something bigger and better all the more satisfying. There’s a moment where she says: “The sound of my own voice was so loud it drowned them all out” — and that line alone stayed with me.
If I had one small frustration, it was that some parts felt unresolved. Bea’s behaviour in particular left me wanting more, and I felt like there was space for the story to go deeper into side characters like Bea and Ludo. Maybe that’s wishful thinking for a sequel, but I’d happily read more from this world.
It’s a quick read — I went through it a couple of times, and like with most graphic novels, each reread let me notice new little details tucked into the panels. It felt very reminiscent of Year 11 — the pressures of exams, the chaos of home life, those internal battles and messy relationships that come with being a teenager.
All in all, it’s a heartfelt, thought-out graphic novel that I really enjoyed. If you love coming-of-age stories with a strong sense of voice, modern touches, and a streak of raw honesty, this is one to pick up.
From the very first page, I knew this graphic novel by Sarah Lippett and Ziggy Hanaor was going to be something a little bit special. It’s packed full of little distractions and details that completely pulled me in. Honestly, it might be an unusual point to open with, but I adored the font choice — the handwriting-style text for both narration and dialogue made it feel so raw and personal, as if I was flicking through someone’s private sketchbook rather than just reading a story.
The book follows Nelly, a GCSE student and twin, who feels out of place in her own skin, her family, and even her life. One of the things I loved about her straight away was her brilliant music taste — I caught myself zooming in on her iPad just to check the song and artist names. The music element really made it feel modern and alive, especially with the added extras like the artist biographies and Nelly’s playlist, complete with a QR code (yes, I scanned it, and yes, it’s a great playlist!).
Nelly was such an easy character to empathise with. Her struggles were upsetting at times, especially with how her family treated her, but that made her journey towards something bigger and better all the more satisfying. There’s a moment where she says: “The sound of my own voice was so loud it drowned them all out” — and that line alone stayed with me.
If I had one small frustration, it was that some parts felt unresolved. Bea’s behaviour in particular left me wanting more, and I felt like there was space for the story to go deeper into side characters like Bea and Ludo. Maybe that’s wishful thinking for a sequel, but I’d happily read more from this world.
It’s a quick read — I went through it a couple of times, and like with most graphic novels, each reread let me notice new little details tucked into the panels. It felt very reminiscent of Year 11 — the pressures of exams, the chaos of home life, those internal battles and messy relationships that come with being a teenager.
All in all, it’s a heartfelt, thought-out graphic novel that I really enjoyed. If you love coming-of-age stories with a strong sense of voice, modern touches, and a streak of raw honesty, this is one to pick up.
October 19, 2025
A YA collaboration between illustrator, Sarah Lippett and writer, Ziggy Hanaor.
I first came across Sarah Lippett when I happened upon Stan and Nan (also reviewed on my page)- a totally gorgeous graphic novel about family and heritage. I had high hopes for this YA offering & it definitely delivered.
A great read. Relatable not only when it comes to relationships but also the intense connection that many teenagers develop with music. That often never leaves. Music is a language we can all understand even when we feel like nobody understands us.
You come across a whole spectrum of high school usual suspects. Representing the diversity of the setting really well too. And I liked the nuance afforded the characters -growing up is hard for almost everybody after all- & we don’t necessarily grow up: we just get more entrenched in the daily grind! Auntie Jan, who seems to have had her own colourful past, possibly continuing into the present, puts it best: “We’re all idiots, darling.”
The relationship between twins, Ludo and Nel is so relatable for siblings who grow up close in age! I don’t have a twin but my brother and I were only one school year apart. Everything was fine UNTIL we went to high school. Our circles overlapped & my brother did not want his geeky little sister anywhere near him (spoiler: he was the knobhead, not me 😆😁). Anyway, we get on much better again now. Mostly. I think the tensions between being siblings and schoolmates are really successfully rendered here especially through the way as reader your view of Ludo, and your sympathies, evolve throughout the story: he’s just trying to make it through too.
There are factual bios for artists throughout the book which blend in a way that is unobtrusive to the storytelling and a great addition. There is also a QR code at the back to access the amazing playlist of songs that are referenced theoughout the book- such a quality little detail.
In terms of the art, I love Lippett’s style and the way the colours on the (gorgeous) front cover are the palette for the entire work. I also particularly like the way the musical escapism is captured.
I first came across Sarah Lippett when I happened upon Stan and Nan (also reviewed on my page)- a totally gorgeous graphic novel about family and heritage. I had high hopes for this YA offering & it definitely delivered.
A great read. Relatable not only when it comes to relationships but also the intense connection that many teenagers develop with music. That often never leaves. Music is a language we can all understand even when we feel like nobody understands us.
You come across a whole spectrum of high school usual suspects. Representing the diversity of the setting really well too. And I liked the nuance afforded the characters -growing up is hard for almost everybody after all- & we don’t necessarily grow up: we just get more entrenched in the daily grind! Auntie Jan, who seems to have had her own colourful past, possibly continuing into the present, puts it best: “We’re all idiots, darling.”
The relationship between twins, Ludo and Nel is so relatable for siblings who grow up close in age! I don’t have a twin but my brother and I were only one school year apart. Everything was fine UNTIL we went to high school. Our circles overlapped & my brother did not want his geeky little sister anywhere near him (spoiler: he was the knobhead, not me 😆😁). Anyway, we get on much better again now. Mostly. I think the tensions between being siblings and schoolmates are really successfully rendered here especially through the way as reader your view of Ludo, and your sympathies, evolve throughout the story: he’s just trying to make it through too.
There are factual bios for artists throughout the book which blend in a way that is unobtrusive to the storytelling and a great addition. There is also a QR code at the back to access the amazing playlist of songs that are referenced theoughout the book- such a quality little detail.
In terms of the art, I love Lippett’s style and the way the colours on the (gorgeous) front cover are the palette for the entire work. I also particularly like the way the musical escapism is captured.
May 7, 2026
Nel and her twin brother Ludo could not be more different: Nel lives life on the fringes of their high school society while Ludo is surrounded by popularity. The only solace Nel can find is in music, a love she shares with her best friend Kit. But when Ludo ventures into the world of music and begins to cast off his educational obligations, the two twins begin to exchange places, balancing out like the yin and yang they have always been. Luckily, music has a way of repairing hearts in many circumstances, and it just might be the thing that connects the two siblings as they move forward in their lives. This edgy, powerful graphic novel explores the life of a teen who struggles with acceptance both at school and at home. Told from Nel’s perspective, the story frequently features thoughts appearing inside her head alongside musical lyrics that assist her in navigating the complications she faces on a daily basis. Though the length of the text itself is brief, it recounts a robust journey to self-acceptance in the face of emotional adversity. Profanity, self harm, underage drinking, and LGBTQ identities all appear within the narrative, showcasing the many sides of teen life that are often underrepresented in young adult literature. This, coupled with illustrations that feature dark outlines and a limited color palette reflect the rock music that defines Nel’s life. Beginning with a quote from Courtney Love and ending with concise biographies of famous rock performers, this graphic novel is an homage to all those who have ever felt ostracized from their high school communities and sought refuge in music. This intense and emotionally resonant graphic novel is a strong addition to collections for mature teen readers and up.
March 26, 2026
4.25
If this book had come out when I was a teen, I would have been obsessed with the music aspect of it. I was an alternative music loving band geek, so the music facts interwoven throughout would have really appealed to me. And I love that a band list index and playlist are included at the end of this book. It makes this more than a graphic novel, but also a starter text in music history for a new generation of music nerds out there.
For me, the music was the strongest part of this graphic novel. Ziggy Hanaor does a great job at writing how vital music can be when you're a teenager; from listening to it, to seeing it performed live, to making it yourself. Sarah Lippett's illustrations of the various ways to listen to and create music are also wonderful. I always find it fascinating when one artform interprets another.
I also appreciated how real the writing in this book felt. Lippett's illustrations are often a bit whimsical and flowy, which makes for an interesting juxtaposition against the often disappointing realities of Nel's life. The adults in your life are human and flawed, sometimes you're the asshole, and knowing which friends are worth keeping are all important lessons for teens to learn. Hanaor teaches them all to Nel and the reader, but without losing hope that you can make it through to the other side of hard times.
I really liked Lippett's use of color throughout the book. Mostly shades of blue and grey with pops of orange. It gives the book a sense of melancholy throughout, with little pops of danger or whimsy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight/Cicada Books for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
If this book had come out when I was a teen, I would have been obsessed with the music aspect of it. I was an alternative music loving band geek, so the music facts interwoven throughout would have really appealed to me. And I love that a band list index and playlist are included at the end of this book. It makes this more than a graphic novel, but also a starter text in music history for a new generation of music nerds out there.
For me, the music was the strongest part of this graphic novel. Ziggy Hanaor does a great job at writing how vital music can be when you're a teenager; from listening to it, to seeing it performed live, to making it yourself. Sarah Lippett's illustrations of the various ways to listen to and create music are also wonderful. I always find it fascinating when one artform interprets another.
I also appreciated how real the writing in this book felt. Lippett's illustrations are often a bit whimsical and flowy, which makes for an interesting juxtaposition against the often disappointing realities of Nel's life. The adults in your life are human and flawed, sometimes you're the asshole, and knowing which friends are worth keeping are all important lessons for teens to learn. Hanaor teaches them all to Nel and the reader, but without losing hope that you can make it through to the other side of hard times.
I really liked Lippett's use of color throughout the book. Mostly shades of blue and grey with pops of orange. It gives the book a sense of melancholy throughout, with little pops of danger or whimsy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher Spotlight/Cicada Books for access to this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2025
I absolutely love graphic novels. I have always loved them and always will, but I have really gone down the young adult, teen graphic genre as it is lighter or approaches life problems more and I just find a pull toward reading a graphic that gives a few thoughts on life.
This book is absolutely stunning, just to get that out at the start. The cover is beautiful and matches the stunning illustrative details within. I love the actual illustrations and the vibe and style they chose for the overall layout. I also like the colour palette chosen for the book.
The book itself is glorious. I was and still am that person who needed to, and still has to, turn to music for everything. It calms me, centres me, makes me happy, everything. This gave me such a connection to our main character. Then to know they were a bit different and the like made me connect even more.
I loved that the author really committed to making the book real. We have a brother who gave her a hard time, things at school causing issues and just life in general which is true to how life is. The book was also written to really give a teen perspective and the flow of both the illustrations and the writing really gives you the angsty, faster feel.
Honestly, I absolutely love this book. I cannot wait to see more graphic novels from this author.
This book is absolutely stunning, just to get that out at the start. The cover is beautiful and matches the stunning illustrative details within. I love the actual illustrations and the vibe and style they chose for the overall layout. I also like the colour palette chosen for the book.
The book itself is glorious. I was and still am that person who needed to, and still has to, turn to music for everything. It calms me, centres me, makes me happy, everything. This gave me such a connection to our main character. Then to know they were a bit different and the like made me connect even more.
I loved that the author really committed to making the book real. We have a brother who gave her a hard time, things at school causing issues and just life in general which is true to how life is. The book was also written to really give a teen perspective and the flow of both the illustrations and the writing really gives you the angsty, faster feel.
Honestly, I absolutely love this book. I cannot wait to see more graphic novels from this author.
September 7, 2025
In this graphic novel we follow Nel, a 15 year old twin who is struggling at school and falls to music as her comfort. On the other hand, Nel's twin brother Ludo is the popular boy at school and seems to be giving Nel a hard time throughout! Although saying this, I think everyone has their deep rooted issues for their actions and they could be more similar than they ever think. I tell you what, I don't envy school goers at all! From my own experience, school can either make or break people and it's always a really hard period where you're trying to find out the type of person you are too. I think Nel falls off her journey a bit throughout this book and sort of slips from her values a little? It's so easy in school to get side tracked from your true friends when other kids are peer pressuring you to follow in their (not so good) footsteps.
I loved the illustrations in this book too! I've read quite a few graphic novels now and these illustrations fit the narrative of the book so well and was a really unique style. I also think a message we pick up from this is that school is not everything. Of course it can act as a stepping stone but you should never let exams etc. consume you because there is so much more out in there in life than that
I loved the illustrations in this book too! I've read quite a few graphic novels now and these illustrations fit the narrative of the book so well and was a really unique style. I also think a message we pick up from this is that school is not everything. Of course it can act as a stepping stone but you should never let exams etc. consume you because there is so much more out in there in life than that
November 20, 2025
At the start, I found it quite heartbreaking to see how Nelly's family and the other schoolkids treat her. Thank goodness for the kindred spirit in her aunt, it was great to see their relationship giving her a bit of a lifeline.
I couldn't really see why they all gave her so much of a hard time just because she tried to do something with her life and though it was ultimately positive and hopeful, Nelly let her brother off far too easily!
I liked the simple style of the illustrations, with just a couple of colours so it wasn't too extreme. The characters expressions were spot on, particularly Nelly's frustration!
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
I couldn't really see why they all gave her so much of a hard time just because she tried to do something with her life and though it was ultimately positive and hopeful, Nelly let her brother off far too easily!
I liked the simple style of the illustrations, with just a couple of colours so it wasn't too extreme. The characters expressions were spot on, particularly Nelly's frustration!
https://sabrinasbooktails.blogspot.co...
March 10, 2026
Nel is going through it! Her twin is popular and beloved by their mom and makes her life rough at high school, she and her friend have a falling out, and just when things are looking up everything crashes down.
But through it all there's music. It comforts, inspires, and gets her through it.
I'm not a huge fan of the art style, but it works for the story and it's tone. I do like the color choices for the pops of color throughout. I also loved the inclusions of real artists, songs, and their bios at the end. The only thing I could wish for was a little note on the pages where songs appear noting the song title and artist (I didn't know all of them!).
Anyone who's felt like they don't quite fit would likely enjoy this one.
But through it all there's music. It comforts, inspires, and gets her through it.
I'm not a huge fan of the art style, but it works for the story and it's tone. I do like the color choices for the pops of color throughout. I also loved the inclusions of real artists, songs, and their bios at the end. The only thing I could wish for was a little note on the pages where songs appear noting the song title and artist (I didn't know all of them!).
Anyone who's felt like they don't quite fit would likely enjoy this one.
September 25, 2025
Everything Amplified definitely brings back all the awkward, angst,, teenage vulnerability!
This was well written and absolutely perfect as a graphic novel! The colours and art style set the perfect tone as we follow the ups and downs of Nel’s life as she figures out who she is.
I enjoyed the twin dynamic and the almost role reversal between them, but like that it brings them back together.
The friendships felt really realistic and believable. I also really liked the playlist as well as the random facts about musicians and songs scattered throughout the book!
Very heartfelt, very real, very easy to read, and very easy to share about!
This was well written and absolutely perfect as a graphic novel! The colours and art style set the perfect tone as we follow the ups and downs of Nel’s life as she figures out who she is.
I enjoyed the twin dynamic and the almost role reversal between them, but like that it brings them back together.
The friendships felt really realistic and believable. I also really liked the playlist as well as the random facts about musicians and songs scattered throughout the book!
Very heartfelt, very real, very easy to read, and very easy to share about!
May 19, 2026
This was a thoughtful coming of age story that explored sibling rivalry in a very realistic way. The relationship between the siblings felt messy, emotional, and believable, which made the story easy to connect with. I appreciated how the book captured the confusion and growing pains that come with family dynamics and figuring out who you are. Some moments were heartfelt and relatable. The pacing was steady, though I wanted a bit more emotional depth in certain parts. It did a good job showing how complicated sibling relationships can be while still keeping the story emotional and engaging.
*Netgally ARC
*Netgally ARC
April 12, 2026
2.5 stars. I struggled with EVERYTHING AMPLIFIED—while I loved the art and the music tie-ins, the characters were all so unpleasant to spend time with. The relationships felt very one-dimensional—the mother always favored the brother, the potential love interest treated everyone badly, etc. I know it’s a brief, YA story, but I think the characters still could have had more depth.
May 29, 2026
High school graphic novel. Not just in the sense that it's intended for a YA audience, but because everything about this is so very high school: the characters, the conficts, the angst. That's not really a criticism, just a summary of what this book is. Pretty good, but this level of high school-ness doesn't really speak to me anymore, because I am An Old.
June 24, 2026
Probably a 2.5 star read rounded down. The pacing was very fast and the characters were unrealistic and lacked development.
It didn't make sense that all of the sudden, after bullying Nel for a long time, Bea wanted to be her best friend? And then Nel just replaced her twin brother entirely? The story was kind of interesting but a little pointless.
It didn't make sense that all of the sudden, after bullying Nel for a long time, Bea wanted to be her best friend? And then Nel just replaced her twin brother entirely? The story was kind of interesting but a little pointless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2025
Stylish, immersive, #YA graphic novel with music at its heart. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
Review of advance copy
so first review of the year and somehow a pre-published review? I just picked this up from the library. extremely cute book about music and teenage dilemmas. quick, fun read that would be great for soon to be young adults.
March 17, 2026
thanks netgalley and the publisher for the arc! this was a fun ya graphic novel about music and teens. i liked the story and the characters. the art style was unique. the drama made it interesting. it also made good convo about important topics. it ended in a good way. i’d recommend reading!
May 2, 2026
Probably a 3.5
I'll always read a YA graphic novel centered around music and this one displayed sound and artists in a pleasing/compelling way. The characters were all a bit too caricatured for me, but it hit the emotional chaos of being 15.
I'll always read a YA graphic novel centered around music and this one displayed sound and artists in a pleasing/compelling way. The characters were all a bit too caricatured for me, but it hit the emotional chaos of being 15.
April 13, 2026
This is alright. It's about this teenage girl that gets picked on all the time. They call her Smelly Nelly. Even her twin brother (which I thought was odd.) She joins a band and gets into it. The story doesn't really go much of anywhere. The only thing it seems to say is that some people are just truly awful.
May 13, 2026
Music fans will appreciate the biographical information shared throughout the story by the protagonist as she learns about them too. Additionally, Nel’s playlist is included after the story
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