Gravity's Pull

Life on Earth #2

by MariNaomi

Claudia Jones has returned to Blithedale High School, but rumors about her possible alien abduction persist as everyone begins to feel the strange effects of her presence.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Comics, Fiction, Science Fiction, LGBT

224 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2019

About the author

MariNaomi (they/them) is the SPACE award-winning, Eisner-nominated author and illustrator of Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume, Ages 0 to 22 (Harper Perennial, 2011), Dragon’s Breath and Other True Stories (2dcloud/Uncivilized Books, 2014), Turning Japanese (2dcloud, 2016, Oni Press 2023), I Thought YOU Hated ME (Retrofit Comics, 2016), the Life on Earth trilogy (Graphic Universe, 2018-2020), Dirty Produce (Workman Publishing, 2021), and the collage-comics memoir I Thought You Loved Me (Fieldmouse Press, 2023). Their work has appeared in over a hundred print publications and has been featured on websites such as The New Yorker’s Daily Shouts, The Washington Post, LA Times, The Rumpus, LA Review of Books, Midnight Breakfast and BuzzFeed. Their comics have been translated into French (Devenir Japonaise, Editions IMHO, 2021), German, and Russian.

MariNaomi’s comics and paintings have been featured in the Smithsonian, the de Young Museum, the Cartoon Art Museum, the Asian Art Museum, and the Japanese American Museum.

In 2011 and 2018, Mari toured with the literary roadshow Sister Spit. They are the founder and administrator of the Cartoonists of Color Database, the Queer Cartoonists Database, and the Disabled Cartoonists Database. They have taught classes for the California College of the Arts Comics MFA program, and was guest editor for PEN Illustrated. They were cohost of the Ask Bi Grlz podcast with author Myriam Gurba, and the California Leader of Authors Against Book Bans.

MariNaomi lives in Northern California with their spouse and a menagerie of beloved rescue animals.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second volume in comics memoirist Marinaomi's first YA book series, and it is a typical second volume where the answers to most of the central questions get kicked down the road a bit. Which is not to say it is uninteresting. Claudia Jones was missing for months (was it an alien abduction, which is the most popular theory?) and returns, and so her fellow students are discouraged from asking her about what happened (I bet we will find out in volume three; what do you think?).

When Claudia returns she seems to have some aura, some ability to attract others (Wait: is Claudia somehow inhabited by an alien?!). Or is that just normal adolescent hormones and the novelty of her return? To fill the volume we have typical teen turmoil over relationships and gender identity, so there are multiple stories about Emily, her ex Brett, Nigel, Paula.

The story isn't particularly unique or compelling to me, though we do get to know a range of kids, and I suspect the YA audience might really like this world, but what makes this series really a cut above is the artwork, accomplished by a master, a veteran, who works with strong lines and lots of space. Each chapter focuses on the perspective of a different central character, and the artwork is slightly different in all of them. . . though the artwork is very very different in Claudia's chapter, which might be described as surreal or highlighting the supernatural. this chapter is what made me reread it, as I realized very specific stylistic choices were (of course) being made in every chapter to help us understand each kid. Impressive, visually.

[MariNaomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my book, #2 in a trilogy. I loved making it, and I hope you love reading it.

[Etienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting something weirder with that premise, but in the end this book revolve mostly around love and teenage life. The visual work is intriguing and original so that's a good point, but the story just wasn't captivating enough for my taste!

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second entry in Mari's teen angst trilogy is really great - I wanted to read it slowly to make it last but the story was so involving I plowed through the bulk of it in one sitting. The cartooning works beautifully in tandem with the character's emotions - check out the way the fragmented line work in Paula's Navarro's chapter matches her inchoate emotions, and the wonderfully imaginative way Mari captures the feeling of what-the-hell dissonance in Claudia Jones's chapter. This is very creative, economical and inspiring work. I eagerly await the final entry in the series!

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gravity's Pull is charming and continues to show MariNoami's style and work. The artist/author takes this book in interesting and thought-provoking directions with a variety of styles and imaginative use of color. MariNaomi pushes boundaries and playfully entertaining. A read well worth your time, and an enthusiastic rating of five stars.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting, same as the first book. It flew by so quickly, and I was sad when it was over. This author has a way with storytelling that keeps you hooked. The mystery surrounding a possible alien abduction continues to add a supernatural note to the story. I'm excited to see what happens to these characters next. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book without reading the first and I think that was a mistake. The story felt very incomplete and the characters lacking development. These issues may be resolved by reading the first book.

[Megan Sanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved MariNaomi's use of different art styles for each of the characters. I can't wait for the next book!

[Pop Bop · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing to See Here

There was nothing particularly "wrong" with this book. It's just that there was nothing especially engaging or appealing or interesting going on.

The drawing is just a bit beyond stick figures. The characters are hard to tell apart and in any event their look changes from panel to panel. None are drawn with any expressiveness or personality. The "edgy" graphics were unimaginative.

Dialogue is bland. The issues touched upon - crushes, date rape, sexual identity confusion - are just given glancing and shallow attention.

I understand that this series is supposed to be raw, and authentic, and realistic, and transgressive, but it left me underwhelmed and disappointed.

(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

[This is for the first two books in the series]
I read these right after the other, so it would be hard to talk about one without talking about the other. So far, this is a masterpiece. I love the different art styles used for the different characters, I love the very realistic relationship drama, I love that we are getting an incomplete picture with each individual narrator that becomes more complete when they perspectives are combined (hmm, something worth noting for real life, perhaps). I love that there's a sci-fi/fantasy element that is oh-so-gradually woven in to the story and I'm VERY curious to see how it all plays out in the final book (which is out now but NOT available in my library system! Boo hoo!)- Marinaomi's gambling a bit given her setup so far. How is she possibly going to bring this to a resolution?

[Kira Boonyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in this series but found the art, even with the character-driven shifts, kind of flat. The creator really stepped it up with this volume, both in terms of story and art. I LOVE the colored pencil and overall colorwork in this book. The story (no spoilers) is also stronger and more compelling.

[Kelly Teen Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

For no reason other than it's just turning out this way: I'm reading this series backwards, it's very interesting, and when I'm all done, I'll reread it properly. I'm the meantime, it's very interesting and the artwork is stellar. Gorgeous panels.

This title hasn't circulated much in our branch and can't figure out why, it's a great story.

[Kelly Jahng · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed book 2. There are lots of loose ends, and I definitely wanted more detail on each storyline. There will be lots to address in the conclusion to the trilogy, or will things still be left hanging? Time will tell...

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5
This was not as good as the first one, the story is more convoluted and all the high school drama stuff is kinda a sleeper moment, we don't get any explanation to anything either and frankly, its just a mess.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I said I would give the second book a try, and I was right to do so. As everyone keeps doing their thing, the cons from the first book fall away. And though it's not a book that grabs you and pulls you in, the subtle way it takes your hand is really impressive.

[Chelsea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t feel like this one was any better than the first. Annoying characters with no one to root for, sometimes confusing artwork, and a developing science fiction element that was more confusing than intriguing.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

the art is fun to look at but the story was lacking something

[Becca Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. same review as first book; have some reservations with some abrupt character developments or lack thereof. still enjoyable.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, it was really interesting!
looking forward to reading book #3!

[LaShana Claude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life on Earth Trilogy - segundo

Eisner nominated cartoonist MariNaomi continues to explore the mysteries of teenage life, the human heart, and visitors who may be more than human

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in June 2023

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these poor, dumb kids.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, beautiful illustrations and excellent visual flow of content.

[Aryanna Tunstall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again this one was strange but now that I get the gist of the plot line I’m starting to enjoy the story

[HoneyBakedAmbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

More multiple POV tales of a friends group and how they navigate high school together.

[Hello Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extra star just for Claudia’s section. That was gorgeous!

Also gay people!

[Katlyn Minard · Rating 4 out of 5]

The singularly talented MariNaomi delivers a solid sophomore installment in the Life on Earth trilogy with "Gravity's Pull," a sequel that conjures the same wacky whimsy, artistic minimalism, and emotional sensitivity of the first book, but also adds new depths to its endearing cast of characters -- and surprising twists in their personal lives.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The junior class returning to Blithedale High in fall is surprised to learn that their classmate Claudia Jones, who's been missing since May, is back! Rumors run rampant as everyone recognizes that Claudia has changed. Strange things are happening and it may be that Claudia has a supernatural effect on everyone. But ordinary things are happening too. Is it just teen angst or is something really different?
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