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Twelve Percent Dread
A fast-paced, laugh-a-page graphic novel about friendship, capitalism, and never putting your f***ing phone away!
Katie and Nas are best friends, exes, co-dependents. They share everything, including a tiny room in a North London townhouse belonging to their landlord Jeremy, former host of the hit 90s show ‘Football Lads’.
While Katie bounces from job to job and obsesses about falling behind in life, Nas has bigger things in mind—waiting endlessly for their visa to come through, while working on a seismic art project that will revolutionize politics and society as we know it. Their friend Emma, meanwhile, seems to have it all figured out—job, mortgage, engagement—yet the long hours working for tech giant Arko and endless wedding admin prove equally dread-inducing.
But when Katie’s latest job finds her tutoring the daughter of Arko’s formidable CEO, Michelle, and Emma welcomes the eccentric and enigmatic Alicia to her team at Arko, none of the three women are aware that their lives—and possibly the future of society itself—are about to change forever.
Twelve Percent Dread is a fast-paced, laugh-a-page graphic novel about friendship, capitalism, and never putting your f***ing phone away from Emily McGovern, author of Bloodlust & Bonnets and the hugely popular webcomic My Life As A Background Slytherin .
Katie and Nas are best friends, exes, co-dependents. They share everything, including a tiny room in a North London townhouse belonging to their landlord Jeremy, former host of the hit 90s show ‘Football Lads’.
While Katie bounces from job to job and obsesses about falling behind in life, Nas has bigger things in mind—waiting endlessly for their visa to come through, while working on a seismic art project that will revolutionize politics and society as we know it. Their friend Emma, meanwhile, seems to have it all figured out—job, mortgage, engagement—yet the long hours working for tech giant Arko and endless wedding admin prove equally dread-inducing.
But when Katie’s latest job finds her tutoring the daughter of Arko’s formidable CEO, Michelle, and Emma welcomes the eccentric and enigmatic Alicia to her team at Arko, none of the three women are aware that their lives—and possibly the future of society itself—are about to change forever.
Twelve Percent Dread is a fast-paced, laugh-a-page graphic novel about friendship, capitalism, and never putting your f***ing phone away from Emily McGovern, author of Bloodlust & Bonnets and the hugely popular webcomic My Life As A Background Slytherin .
416 pages, Paperback
First published June 26, 2022
20 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
February 7, 2025
I loved this. It takes forever to read, with its endless little panels with tiny mouse-like characters, but boy, did I laugh a lot, and I was continuously intrigued by its satirical story, taking on Big Tech, their social media crap and our old new friend, A.I.
Genuinely great.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
December 26, 2022
I absolutely love McGovern's Background Slytherin webcomics so was excited to read something by her in longform, but unfortunately this massively missed the mark for me.
Firstly it just... wasn't funny? Secondly the minimal artwork and chaotic presentation meant I frequently couldn't work out what was happening from panel to panel (I've read plenty of graphic novels so this was a new experience for me!) Thirdly the premise of "too much social media is bad for you and tech companies have too much influence" is not new to any millennial and this story offered nothing new or insightful to the debate.
I didn't hate it, but felt basically nothing after I finished. Just a big *shrug* of a book.
Firstly it just... wasn't funny? Secondly the minimal artwork and chaotic presentation meant I frequently couldn't work out what was happening from panel to panel (I've read plenty of graphic novels so this was a new experience for me!) Thirdly the premise of "too much social media is bad for you and tech companies have too much influence" is not new to any millennial and this story offered nothing new or insightful to the debate.
I didn't hate it, but felt basically nothing after I finished. Just a big *shrug* of a book.
Read
June 24, 2022This is the British mid-twenties existential crisis-via-Instagram-engagement-announcements graphic novel of my dreams. Witty, relatable and deeply tech-savvy.
November 16, 2022
Oh. Where do I start?
Let’s try it by numbers:
20% Heavy lifting: The author of the brilliantly funny “My Background Life as a Slytherin” has a big graphic novel out (a doorstopper, practically!), let’s check it out! I’m told it is VERY FUNNY!
19% Smart: I have actually finished it weeks ago and my thoughts are still lingering on the wit of this book, so I’m trying to be 1% as clever in the review I have finally decided to write.
18% Distracted: Not that I am doing very well, I haven’t yet conveyed how much I loved this book. I have however liked about 20 different posts on Instagram and replied to 4 tweets since I started writing this. I even posted a lovely steaming cup of tea on Stories.
17% Performance anxiety: So. This book was not actually funny as in laugh-out-loud-and escape reality through Mr.Bean comedy sketches. In fact, it was as depressing as Mr. Bean comedy sketches can be, if you think a bit more about them. Or if you are “too sensitive”, or whatever particularly annoying people might say about you. Anyway.
16% Anxiety rising: Oh god, this is a book about the uber-tech-late-stage-capitalist-dystopia we’re currently in. With very rich people very good at hyping up their own egos and ultimately pointless things. (Like legs. If you get this, you get this.) With a hint of A.I. That becomes sentient. And social unrest. And bootleg dentists. And immigration enforcement. And regular people in the middle of all the madness, doing their best at being regular. And I could feel my tension rising while reading it, those perfectly fast-paced panels, the gradual crescendo of my awareness that “Screw it, it’s a book, but we’re living in it, somehow”.
15% Fun: This can be so funny! That 2 panel joke is perfect! So human in this dehumanizing wave. Oh gods, I can’t believe how stressful it is to see the people in this comic writing constantly on their phones, all the time! Oh god, this is me too, addicted to a lit rectangle! All the time!! I have ran out of tweets to read on my timeline for today, for instance.
14% Social Commentary: So, even child neglect is artfully and discreetly addressed here. I see a lot of thematic drift like this and it’s nicely interwoven in the storyline. I can compare this tendency of taking completely serious themes and building them into a story that’s also funny to Terry Pratchett. It’s about imperfect humans trying to be themselves, being idiots, being mediocre, being amazing, being destroyers and loving and deserving of love at the same time. Except the conmen and the overinflated narcissists, they can go out in a helicopter and fall into the sea. *not a spoiler, not what actually happens in the book.
13% Sad: The aftertaste of sadness is here, and here to stay. I could probably even cry, but my smartphone blue light dried up my tears. I can’t keep but wonder if the ONE app that everyone was badmouthing, that was supposed to be the ultimate life coach app, wasn’t actually fit for the purpose. The main character did seem to benefit from it, if only by taking up those pesky healthy habits that actually do work, like running and eating fruit and veggies. I think I might need this in my life too. Too bad the app is fictional and has an untimely fictional demise, because the anecdotal improvement we witness is still, well, anecdotal.
12% Phone Battery: Tech will not make your actual, IRL-life better, after all. Except when you get a pretty sentient AI girlfriend in the package, and unleash anarchy upon the immigration system.
I have to stop now, got a long bathroom break coming. Buh-bye!
.
.
.
1% L.E.: I forgot to talk about the art! So deceptively simple, yet so expressive, so deadpan at times! The pacing of the comic and the drawings all seem very natural and spontaneous. A lot of hard work that lies beneath the covers to make a funny Black Mirror graphic nove
Let’s try it by numbers:
20% Heavy lifting: The author of the brilliantly funny “My Background Life as a Slytherin” has a big graphic novel out (a doorstopper, practically!), let’s check it out! I’m told it is VERY FUNNY!
19% Smart: I have actually finished it weeks ago and my thoughts are still lingering on the wit of this book, so I’m trying to be 1% as clever in the review I have finally decided to write.
18% Distracted: Not that I am doing very well, I haven’t yet conveyed how much I loved this book. I have however liked about 20 different posts on Instagram and replied to 4 tweets since I started writing this. I even posted a lovely steaming cup of tea on Stories.
17% Performance anxiety: So. This book was not actually funny as in laugh-out-loud-and escape reality through Mr.Bean comedy sketches. In fact, it was as depressing as Mr. Bean comedy sketches can be, if you think a bit more about them. Or if you are “too sensitive”, or whatever particularly annoying people might say about you. Anyway.
16% Anxiety rising: Oh god, this is a book about the uber-tech-late-stage-capitalist-dystopia we’re currently in. With very rich people very good at hyping up their own egos and ultimately pointless things. (Like legs. If you get this, you get this.) With a hint of A.I. That becomes sentient. And social unrest. And bootleg dentists. And immigration enforcement. And regular people in the middle of all the madness, doing their best at being regular. And I could feel my tension rising while reading it, those perfectly fast-paced panels, the gradual crescendo of my awareness that “Screw it, it’s a book, but we’re living in it, somehow”.
15% Fun: This can be so funny! That 2 panel joke is perfect! So human in this dehumanizing wave. Oh gods, I can’t believe how stressful it is to see the people in this comic writing constantly on their phones, all the time! Oh god, this is me too, addicted to a lit rectangle! All the time!! I have ran out of tweets to read on my timeline for today, for instance.
14% Social Commentary: So, even child neglect is artfully and discreetly addressed here. I see a lot of thematic drift like this and it’s nicely interwoven in the storyline. I can compare this tendency of taking completely serious themes and building them into a story that’s also funny to Terry Pratchett. It’s about imperfect humans trying to be themselves, being idiots, being mediocre, being amazing, being destroyers and loving and deserving of love at the same time. Except the conmen and the overinflated narcissists, they can go out in a helicopter and fall into the sea. *not a spoiler, not what actually happens in the book.
13% Sad: The aftertaste of sadness is here, and here to stay. I could probably even cry, but my smartphone blue light dried up my tears. I can’t keep but wonder if the ONE app that everyone was badmouthing, that was supposed to be the ultimate life coach app, wasn’t actually fit for the purpose. The main character did seem to benefit from it, if only by taking up those pesky healthy habits that actually do work, like running and eating fruit and veggies. I think I might need this in my life too. Too bad the app is fictional and has an untimely fictional demise, because the anecdotal improvement we witness is still, well, anecdotal.
12% Phone Battery: Tech will not make your actual, IRL-life better, after all. Except when you get a pretty sentient AI girlfriend in the package, and unleash anarchy upon the immigration system.
I have to stop now, got a long bathroom break coming. Buh-bye!
.
.
.
1% L.E.: I forgot to talk about the art! So deceptively simple, yet so expressive, so deadpan at times! The pacing of the comic and the drawings all seem very natural and spontaneous. A lot of hard work that lies beneath the covers to make a funny Black Mirror graphic nove
December 11, 2023
Despite the fact that I'm actually really liking this as a satire of capitalism, online influencer culture, and AI, I'm pretty close to abandoning this, because it's incredibly, physically, difficult to read.
The framing, as a procession of enclosed, disjointed bubbles, is a visually effective way of translating the invisibly confined spaces of a digital life to print. However, I think this was drawn to be printed at, at MINIMUM, large trade size, and it would really be better in the large format of bandes dessinées albums. The text is just too small to read comfortably! In font equivalent sizes, it's probably 5 point, at best. And blue. And in hand-lettered comic style. And sure I, and my eyes, are not as young as they used to be, but if I have to take off my glasses and use magic myopic magnification to read your comic, IT IS PRINTED TOO FUCKING SMALL.
I was really looking forward to this book — I love McGovern's work — and I'm kind of invested in the story at this point, but it's still a lot more work than I prefer, and I don't know that the juice is worth the squeeze. It's too bad she was failed by her publishers like this.
The framing, as a procession of enclosed, disjointed bubbles, is a visually effective way of translating the invisibly confined spaces of a digital life to print. However, I think this was drawn to be printed at, at MINIMUM, large trade size, and it would really be better in the large format of bandes dessinées albums. The text is just too small to read comfortably! In font equivalent sizes, it's probably 5 point, at best. And blue. And in hand-lettered comic style. And sure I, and my eyes, are not as young as they used to be, but if I have to take off my glasses and use magic myopic magnification to read your comic, IT IS PRINTED TOO FUCKING SMALL.
I was really looking forward to this book — I love McGovern's work — and I'm kind of invested in the story at this point, but it's still a lot more work than I prefer, and I don't know that the juice is worth the squeeze. It's too bad she was failed by her publishers like this.
June 26, 2022
Okay this graphic novel is absolutely AMAZING. I loved it. The beginning was a tiny bit slow but soon picked up pace. The storytelling was absolutely incredible. If you’re looking for a funny graphic novel to read then this is definitely it! The moral of this story? Put your phone away!! Life happens outside of your electronic screens so try to put the technology away and enjoy life!
Thank you to Black Crow PR for having me on the blog tour and sending me a copy!
Thank you to Black Crow PR for having me on the blog tour and sending me a copy!
May 9, 2022
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Trigger warning for allusions to sexual assault.)
At twenty-five years old, Londoner Katie is the veritable Meryl Streep of crappy jobs. Directionless and perpetually anxious, she just wants to earn enough money to pay her rent, put food on the table, and maybe buy the latest gadget from tech conglomerate Arko.
Oh, and to earn enough points to score her ex-partner and best friend Nasim a permanent visa in the country.
Nas is tortured artist struggling to find their next big - nay, revolutionary! - project. To pass the time (and help pay the rent), Nas is helping their landlord Jeremy (semi-washed up actor/comedian) organize his archives.
Emma is by far the most "successful" of Katie's friends, with a stable job as a programmer at Arko and a steady (if boring) fiance named Oliver. Her future is upended when her ambitious boss Michelle - founder and CEO of Arko - comes under fire for corruption. However, buying the current PM's seat in exchange for favorable government contracts might pale in comparison to some of Arko's other transgressions.
TWELVE PERCENT DREAD is a really interesting blend of SARAH'S SCRIBBLES and science fiction (think: nefarious megacorporations monopolizing tech and exploiting sentient AI). While most of the story follows Katie and Nas's day-to-day struggles to pay the rent, get to where they need to be on time (and with a limited budget), prioritize their mental and physical health, and nurture personal relationships, this is kind of overshadowed by Arko and the outsized role it plays in their lives. From buying political power to micromanaging peoples' lives through its ONE app, Arko is omnipresent; inescapable. (I love how McGovern underscores this by having the characters accidentally run into each other at unexpected times: Katie is unknowingly hired to tutor Michelle's daughter, Skye; Katie and Nas's side hustle as lab rats dovetails with a secret project at Arko; etc.)
Arko itself feels like a skewering of Facebook or Twitter (although Michelle was giving me some strong Elon vibes), as well as the culty, New Age tendencies of certain tech companies.
The ending felt a little too neat and tidy (a multi-billion dollar company succumbing to a scandal? as if!), but the ride is a somewhat enjoyable one (Nas and Alicia, come the fuck on!). From immigration to universal health care, rape culture to transphobia, TWELVE PERCENT DREAD address a breadth of current topics in a way that's empathetic, progressive, humanistic - and *funny*.
At twenty-five years old, Londoner Katie is the veritable Meryl Streep of crappy jobs. Directionless and perpetually anxious, she just wants to earn enough money to pay her rent, put food on the table, and maybe buy the latest gadget from tech conglomerate Arko.
Oh, and to earn enough points to score her ex-partner and best friend Nasim a permanent visa in the country.
Nas is tortured artist struggling to find their next big - nay, revolutionary! - project. To pass the time (and help pay the rent), Nas is helping their landlord Jeremy (semi-washed up actor/comedian) organize his archives.
Emma is by far the most "successful" of Katie's friends, with a stable job as a programmer at Arko and a steady (if boring) fiance named Oliver. Her future is upended when her ambitious boss Michelle - founder and CEO of Arko - comes under fire for corruption. However, buying the current PM's seat in exchange for favorable government contracts might pale in comparison to some of Arko's other transgressions.
TWELVE PERCENT DREAD is a really interesting blend of SARAH'S SCRIBBLES and science fiction (think: nefarious megacorporations monopolizing tech and exploiting sentient AI). While most of the story follows Katie and Nas's day-to-day struggles to pay the rent, get to where they need to be on time (and with a limited budget), prioritize their mental and physical health, and nurture personal relationships, this is kind of overshadowed by Arko and the outsized role it plays in their lives. From buying political power to micromanaging peoples' lives through its ONE app, Arko is omnipresent; inescapable. (I love how McGovern underscores this by having the characters accidentally run into each other at unexpected times: Katie is unknowingly hired to tutor Michelle's daughter, Skye; Katie and Nas's side hustle as lab rats dovetails with a secret project at Arko; etc.)
Arko itself feels like a skewering of Facebook or Twitter (although Michelle was giving me some strong Elon vibes), as well as the culty, New Age tendencies of certain tech companies.
The ending felt a little too neat and tidy (a multi-billion dollar company succumbing to a scandal? as if!), but the ride is a somewhat enjoyable one (Nas and Alicia, come the fuck on!). From immigration to universal health care, rape culture to transphobia, TWELVE PERCENT DREAD address a breadth of current topics in a way that's empathetic, progressive, humanistic - and *funny*.
dnf
July 17, 2022Why I picked the book: I have known and liked Emily McGovern’s webcomics for years. This new book by her sounds fun and right up my alley.
Conclusion: Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I heard it described as slow, at least in the beginning and that was definitely one problem for me. However, my biggest problem was that I had big trouble telling the different protagonists and storylines apart. It took me quite some time to realise that I was following a different character and who was speaking to whom. This left me so confused that I finally gave up. I am really sorry because I wanted to like this graphic novel so much.
Thank you for Netgalley and PanMcmillan for the eARC
Conclusion: Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I heard it described as slow, at least in the beginning and that was definitely one problem for me. However, my biggest problem was that I had big trouble telling the different protagonists and storylines apart. It took me quite some time to realise that I was following a different character and who was speaking to whom. This left me so confused that I finally gave up. I am really sorry because I wanted to like this graphic novel so much.
Thank you for Netgalley and PanMcmillan for the eARC
September 8, 2024
I've had enough 'Delusional CEO' for one lifetime.
June 17, 2022
Devoured this sarcastic, funny graphic novel with themes that hit strikingly close to home. Emily is a genius at her work!
June 19, 2024
I woke up at 6 am to finish reading this book. What a fantastic read!
July 11, 2022
I’m pretty sure Emily has some kind of weird paranormal powers or something , because I think she can see into my brain and to be honest it’s a bit scary (in a very good way obviously) how much I connected with this graphic novel. Emily McGovern has a very pure and beautiful gift, the art is so gorgeous, simplistic in style but that is what makes it so much better to me, I think Emily is able to portray so much more emotion, I loved how talented she was in making you understand characters feelings, even with limited features, that’s a real skill.
12 per cent Dread is a graphic novel that will appeal to so many different readers, due to the wide range of issues and thought-provoking discussions covered. I think the idea of using technology or rather it dominating our lives really does make you think and consider how attached we are to our phones, tablets, watches etc. As well as invasive technology, Emily also gives the reader so much insight into the cost of living in a big city, political divides, immigration and the visa system. Arko is definitely an amalgamation of several well know tech companies or probably just the one, we all know constantly developing tech we have to have now and we get addicted to, concerning and enough about the last decade, where we are headed if we don’t change is very 1984 and this book is definitely not light reading or something you want to read if you’re not in the right frame of mind.
Although I should definitely add in case you think it’s a depressing read, it’s not, I just wanted to make it clear it’s not lighthearted and fluffy. However, it’s full of humour, I laughed out loud quite a lot and got a few strange looks on the bus and on my lunch breaks. I thoroughly recommend this honest, hilarious and thought provoking graphic novel, although it’s on chunky size, it’s quickly read because of how absorbing it is. You definitely need to add this to your list.
Thanks to Blackcrow PR, picador books and Emily McGovern for the opportunity to read and take part in the blog tour. For full disclosure I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
12 per cent Dread is a graphic novel that will appeal to so many different readers, due to the wide range of issues and thought-provoking discussions covered. I think the idea of using technology or rather it dominating our lives really does make you think and consider how attached we are to our phones, tablets, watches etc. As well as invasive technology, Emily also gives the reader so much insight into the cost of living in a big city, political divides, immigration and the visa system. Arko is definitely an amalgamation of several well know tech companies or probably just the one, we all know constantly developing tech we have to have now and we get addicted to, concerning and enough about the last decade, where we are headed if we don’t change is very 1984 and this book is definitely not light reading or something you want to read if you’re not in the right frame of mind.
Although I should definitely add in case you think it’s a depressing read, it’s not, I just wanted to make it clear it’s not lighthearted and fluffy. However, it’s full of humour, I laughed out loud quite a lot and got a few strange looks on the bus and on my lunch breaks. I thoroughly recommend this honest, hilarious and thought provoking graphic novel, although it’s on chunky size, it’s quickly read because of how absorbing it is. You definitely need to add this to your list.
Thanks to Blackcrow PR, picador books and Emily McGovern for the opportunity to read and take part in the blog tour. For full disclosure I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own and freely given.
May 6, 2022
trigger warning
London, now: A young woman is on the lookout for another temp job, her partner is waiting for their visa, and her best friend is stuck in a tech firm that is bordering on being a cult.
I am struck by how beautiful the different narrative points flowed into each other. It was never too much at once, though it was in turns overwhelming - simply because every single one of the characters is overwhelmed and anxious.
The drawing style, if you don't know the artist's work, is very, very simplistic yet so expressive. Though I have to admit, the afterwords says something about hair lines, and I always thought those were worry lines on their foreheads.
Only critique would be that I found some of the font to be very tiny and thing and would appreciate more thickness of line and contrast going on there to make reading easier. But bear in mind that I recieved an e-arc and can't say anything about how the print version will look.
I liked it and will read more by the author/artist.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
London, now: A young woman is on the lookout for another temp job, her partner is waiting for their visa, and her best friend is stuck in a tech firm that is bordering on being a cult.
I am struck by how beautiful the different narrative points flowed into each other. It was never too much at once, though it was in turns overwhelming - simply because every single one of the characters is overwhelmed and anxious.
The drawing style, if you don't know the artist's work, is very, very simplistic yet so expressive. Though I have to admit, the afterwords says something about hair lines, and I always thought those were worry lines on their foreheads.
Only critique would be that I found some of the font to be very tiny and thing and would appreciate more thickness of line and contrast going on there to make reading easier. But bear in mind that I recieved an e-arc and can't say anything about how the print version will look.
I liked it and will read more by the author/artist.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
October 13, 2024
Three friends naviagate modern life, framed around the influence of big tech and our obsession with mobile phones.
While not an awful read this is loooong. Especially for a graphic novel. Anyone expecting this to be filled with the wacky humour of McGovern's webseries My Life as a Background Slytherin will also be disappointed. This is more a commentary on the influence of mobile technology on our modern life and navigating life in your late 20s/early 30s.
I mean its okay...but I can't say I particularly enjoyed it, so am struggling to endorse it. Having it all printed in faint, two tone blue isnt doing it any favours either. While I get that this and the multiple panels set up like a whatsapp chat is probably done to give the impression of looking at a phone screen it just makes it hard to keep your interest. That coupled with the feel of a biographical account of somone's life rather than a particular narrative and lacking the punchy humour I expected from McGovern 's other works made for a disappointing read.
While not an awful read this is loooong. Especially for a graphic novel. Anyone expecting this to be filled with the wacky humour of McGovern's webseries My Life as a Background Slytherin will also be disappointed. This is more a commentary on the influence of mobile technology on our modern life and navigating life in your late 20s/early 30s.
I mean its okay...but I can't say I particularly enjoyed it, so am struggling to endorse it. Having it all printed in faint, two tone blue isnt doing it any favours either. While I get that this and the multiple panels set up like a whatsapp chat is probably done to give the impression of looking at a phone screen it just makes it hard to keep your interest. That coupled with the feel of a biographical account of somone's life rather than a particular narrative and lacking the punchy humour I expected from McGovern 's other works made for a disappointing read.
December 27, 2022
Ugh. 🤦🏼♀️
I wanted to like this because I was enjoying Emily's nannying stories on Facebook, but I was having a hard time keeping track of the stories (there appeared to be two separate stories), who the characters were, etcetera. I think the story was eventually heading toward one of the characters getting a nannying position, and I was trying to push myself to at least get that far so I could see if the story got any better, but I just couldn't.
The best part wasn't even anything Emily did—it was Amazon's guided mode, which made the graphic novel go by like a slow animated show.
I wanted to like this because I was enjoying Emily's nannying stories on Facebook, but I was having a hard time keeping track of the stories (there appeared to be two separate stories), who the characters were, etcetera. I think the story was eventually heading toward one of the characters getting a nannying position, and I was trying to push myself to at least get that far so I could see if the story got any better, but I just couldn't.
The best part wasn't even anything Emily did—it was Amazon's guided mode, which made the graphic novel go by like a slow animated show.
April 4, 2024
“A fast-paced, laugh-a-page graphic novel about friendship, capitalism, and never putting your f***ing phone away!”
No it’s not.
- it’s not fast-paced
- it’s not laugh-a-page
- it’s not about never putting your phone away
The best way to describe it is a pessimistic barely-satirical mockery and over-exaggeration of the amount of control that tech giants have on the government, its employees, and its consumers.
So, more like: “A minimalist, monochrome exploration of camaraderie, capitalism, and extremes.”
No it’s not.
- it’s not fast-paced
- it’s not laugh-a-page
- it’s not about never putting your phone away
The best way to describe it is a pessimistic barely-satirical mockery and over-exaggeration of the amount of control that tech giants have on the government, its employees, and its consumers.
So, more like: “A minimalist, monochrome exploration of camaraderie, capitalism, and extremes.”
January 2, 2023
Not for me - art seemed stunted, difficult to follow. Could not engage at all.
June 18, 2022
Well this was great. A slow burn to begin with but it really escalates and ends so chaotically.
Twelve Percent Dread follows three different women in London struggling with their work situation, whilst also offering social commentary on the role of technology in our lives.
Emma works for the world's biggest tech company, Arko, and has just launched their new health app, delaying with a lot of stress from fixing its bugs after the company founder pushed her to release it early. She's engaged but has feelings for one of her co-workers.
Her best friend Katie is always in and out of work, but gets an unexpected dream job as a tutor for a super rich family. Katie is in a fake relationship with her ex, Nas, who needs them to still appear to be together to secure a visa. Because she doesn't have a visa, she can't do official jobs and is trying to scrape by on cash in hand jobs whilst awaiting her visa meeting.
There is a lot of unexpectedly insightful moments looking at the struggle of affording to live in a major city, the political divide between generations, how invasive tech has become in our lives and how the government's inefficiency can affect those who are waiting on the system for a visa.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I binged it in two sittings.
Thanks to Black Crow PR for the advanced copy.
Twelve Percent Dread follows three different women in London struggling with their work situation, whilst also offering social commentary on the role of technology in our lives.
Emma works for the world's biggest tech company, Arko, and has just launched their new health app, delaying with a lot of stress from fixing its bugs after the company founder pushed her to release it early. She's engaged but has feelings for one of her co-workers.
Her best friend Katie is always in and out of work, but gets an unexpected dream job as a tutor for a super rich family. Katie is in a fake relationship with her ex, Nas, who needs them to still appear to be together to secure a visa. Because she doesn't have a visa, she can't do official jobs and is trying to scrape by on cash in hand jobs whilst awaiting her visa meeting.
There is a lot of unexpectedly insightful moments looking at the struggle of affording to live in a major city, the political divide between generations, how invasive tech has become in our lives and how the government's inefficiency can affect those who are waiting on the system for a visa.
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I binged it in two sittings.
Thanks to Black Crow PR for the advanced copy.
January 28, 2023
I do enjoy McGovern's Background Slytherin comics, so I thought I would pick this one up. While hard to follow at first, eventually I got into the groove of her drawings and the characters, and was intrigued to see where things went. Unfortunately, they went no where. The book just sort of putters out with no real resolution for any of the main characters, leaving me feeling dissatisfied and a bit aggravated that I'd spent 400+ pages just for one character to literally fly off into the sunset, leaving everyone else honestly at loose ends. Would one or two pages just showing everyone a month later have been so much to ask?
There were some funny moments, but not enough to make up for the fact that the story didn't really have resolution.
As a side note, I also struggled reading this because so many of the panels and so much of the writing is SO tiny and hard to see.
There were some funny moments, but not enough to make up for the fact that the story didn't really have resolution.
As a side note, I also struggled reading this because so many of the panels and so much of the writing is SO tiny and hard to see.
October 30, 2022
Thank you Pan Macmillan for sending us a copy to read and review.
This is my first graphic novel.
Similar to a comic with pictures and emojis that help tell the story.
It’s funny how elements of this were very familiar but others like the conversations in balloon style captions not my vibe.
It was interesting to see the detail in the images, people looked the same and that helped place what was going on in the various scenes.
We live in a world where we are constantly attached to phones and iPads.
Katie and Nas are best friends, live together and struggling in their respective jobs, providing a social commentary on the importance of electronic devices.
As a kid I didn’t like or read comics so this was going to be a challenge.
I thought it was unique but it didn’t land on my enjoyment radar.
The font was extremely tiny and this struggle alone creates degradation.
If you can get into this style, it has a story and is apt in this era.
This is my first graphic novel.
Similar to a comic with pictures and emojis that help tell the story.
It’s funny how elements of this were very familiar but others like the conversations in balloon style captions not my vibe.
It was interesting to see the detail in the images, people looked the same and that helped place what was going on in the various scenes.
We live in a world where we are constantly attached to phones and iPads.
Katie and Nas are best friends, live together and struggling in their respective jobs, providing a social commentary on the importance of electronic devices.
As a kid I didn’t like or read comics so this was going to be a challenge.
I thought it was unique but it didn’t land on my enjoyment radar.
The font was extremely tiny and this struggle alone creates degradation.
If you can get into this style, it has a story and is apt in this era.
June 9, 2022
Ive never considered reading a graphic novel before, but for some reason, this caught my attention. I am so pleased that I gave this a chance. I was surprised at how immersed I felt in the story so quickly and vividly. Super storytelling and lots of great scenes. The pictures and onomatopoeic words really enhanced this and brought it to life even further.
I was captivated.
I was captivated.
June 1, 2025
I wanted to like this book because I love Emily McGovern’s art, but I really didn’t click with this story about big tech and life decisions at all. I’m not totally sure McGovern’s art style works with the story she’s trying to tell - the line art gets really confusing mixed with the pace, and I just came away from this going “…and?”
July 10, 2023
I can’t relate to the problems of working in a tech company, so some of those jokes went over my head! This book is very funny, witty, and relatable. I love the characters, I could read a whole book about Katie and sky. I wish I got more of them!
February 22, 2023
Would not rush to re read this or something like this again but overall, quite an okay reading experience
January 7, 2024
Enjoyed this but a bit disappointed by the ending.
March 20, 2024
I read this as a break after reading A Clockwork Orange and The Handmaid's Tale....turns out is was also harboring some new world/riotous vibes. Love that for a fellow Katie ;)
June 20, 2022
This was my first foray into reading a graphic novel and it was a such a fun way to read the story.
The message of putting your f***ing phone away is something that I think we should all do once in a while, as so much of our lives are now governed by smart phones with an app literally existing for everything.
I loved the sketches that conveyed the story; they were fun, quirky and easily recognisable, and Emily's career as a cartoonist was evident.
Overall Twelve Percent Dread is a highly immersive, entertaining read and I now look forward to reading more of McGovern's published works.
Many thanks to Black Crow pr for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
The message of putting your f***ing phone away is something that I think we should all do once in a while, as so much of our lives are now governed by smart phones with an app literally existing for everything.
I loved the sketches that conveyed the story; they were fun, quirky and easily recognisable, and Emily's career as a cartoonist was evident.
Overall Twelve Percent Dread is a highly immersive, entertaining read and I now look forward to reading more of McGovern's published works.
Many thanks to Black Crow pr for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
June 3, 2022
I would like to thanks Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for sending me small preview of this book in exchange for an honest review. I will be honest this book wasn't for me, I found the style of the book all over the place and I found the font hard to read. This might be different on paper but as an e-arc it was very small.
January 1, 2023
I just couldn't do it. I read, on average 30 to 50 books a year and I persevere with them but I had to just stop reading this. I don't know if it's because I have ADHD but I found it too busy and couldn't differentiate between the characters and what's going on. I got nearly halfway through and had to give up.
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