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Suee and the Shadow #1
Suee and the Shadow
Meet Suee: Twelve years old, wears her hair to the left in a point, favors a black dress, has no friends—and she likes it that way! When Suee transfers to the dull and ordinary Outskirts Elementary, she doesn’t expect to hear a strange voice speaking to her from the darkness of the school’s exhibit room, and she certainly doesn’t expect to see her shadow come to life. Then things start to get really weird: One by one, her classmates at school turn into zombie-like, hollow-eyed Zeroes. While Suee investigates why this is happening, her shadow gains power. Soon, Suee must confront a stunning secret that her shadow has been hiding under her own two feet—something very dark and sinister that could put Suee and her newfound friends at risk!
240 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2017
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1,200 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
September 4, 2017
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Well the start was good, but sadly at page 80 I was just dreadfully bored and I didn't know if I would finish it. But in the end I finished it! Yay!
I will be doing a good/bad review.
Good:
-Haeun. I just adored that girl from the start. She was sweet, adorable, and even though she isn't the smartest she was the nicest of our trio. I felt sorry for her for being bullied. :( I wanted to just reach in the book and smack those mean girls. I loved how great she was at crafts (the dolls she made were cute).
-The Zeroes. Creepy, but also very sad, especially as you learn what happened to them to become that way.
-The art. It was a style I really liked. It just fitted perfectly with the story/the creepiness.
-On that note, I loved that the book was black/white. It just wouldn't work in colour. How I know this, because there are some random colour pages in the book, and I just didn't like those as much.
-Suee. She was a really interesting character, a bit grumpy. But I liked how she was trying to control her shadow, how she tried to not have it hurt her friends and family. Her backstory, and her family situation was pretty sad.
-The mystery. Even though it was a bit boring, it was also interesting and fun.
Bad:
-Suee. Yep, I know I added her at the good, but I also didn't like her all the time. I wish she would just talk to her dad, tell him about her feelings. I was also pissed at her general attitude and how she acted like she was much better than the rest of the world. The fact that she was so standoff-ish towards new people, bleh. I get that she may be suspicious, but those 2 are really nice towards you, yet you act like that around them? No. Just no. Just let them help you out.
-The mean girls. And of course the ring leader's parents are doing stuff for the school, because why not? *sighs*
-The mystery. As I already said in the good part, it was boring. It took forever for us to find out things, and at times it just seemed like we lost focus on what the mystery was.
-The random colour pages. Was that really needed? I still don't get why some pages were just magically coloured and 96% was black and white. I guess I must have missed something, but that says more about the book than about me. :P
-The school principal. What a terrible person. If you don't want to work with kids then don't work with kids. Sjeesh. :|
-Suee's dad. Can't he see that he is hurting his daughter? I get that he has to work, but he also has a kid to take care off, and you can't expect her to do everything. Also who the hell sends their kid outside during the night to pick up clothes? Whut? :|
-The ending. So I guess we have more books to come? I was kind of thinking that this was going to be it, but instead it seems there is something darker going on.
-The shadow. Manipulative little wench. :| Then again, we are probably meant to dislike her given everything.
All in all, it looked awesome, it had good moments, but it took a lot of willpower to not drop this book.
Review first posted at
Well the start was good, but sadly at page 80 I was just dreadfully bored and I didn't know if I would finish it. But in the end I finished it! Yay!
I will be doing a good/bad review.
Good:
-Haeun. I just adored that girl from the start. She was sweet, adorable, and even though she isn't the smartest she was the nicest of our trio. I felt sorry for her for being bullied. :( I wanted to just reach in the book and smack those mean girls. I loved how great she was at crafts (the dolls she made were cute).
-The Zeroes. Creepy, but also very sad, especially as you learn what happened to them to become that way.
-The art. It was a style I really liked. It just fitted perfectly with the story/the creepiness.
-On that note, I loved that the book was black/white. It just wouldn't work in colour. How I know this, because there are some random colour pages in the book, and I just didn't like those as much.
-Suee. She was a really interesting character, a bit grumpy. But I liked how she was trying to control her shadow, how she tried to not have it hurt her friends and family. Her backstory, and her family situation was pretty sad.
-The mystery. Even though it was a bit boring, it was also interesting and fun.
Bad:
-Suee. Yep, I know I added her at the good, but I also didn't like her all the time. I wish she would just talk to her dad, tell him about her feelings. I was also pissed at her general attitude and how she acted like she was much better than the rest of the world. The fact that she was so standoff-ish towards new people, bleh. I get that she may be suspicious, but those 2 are really nice towards you, yet you act like that around them? No. Just no. Just let them help you out.
-The mean girls. And of course the ring leader's parents are doing stuff for the school, because why not? *sighs*
-The mystery. As I already said in the good part, it was boring. It took forever for us to find out things, and at times it just seemed like we lost focus on what the mystery was.
-The random colour pages. Was that really needed? I still don't get why some pages were just magically coloured and 96% was black and white. I guess I must have missed something, but that says more about the book than about me. :P
-The school principal. What a terrible person. If you don't want to work with kids then don't work with kids. Sjeesh. :|
-Suee's dad. Can't he see that he is hurting his daughter? I get that he has to work, but he also has a kid to take care off, and you can't expect her to do everything. Also who the hell sends their kid outside during the night to pick up clothes? Whut? :|
-The ending. So I guess we have more books to come? I was kind of thinking that this was going to be it, but instead it seems there is something darker going on.
-The shadow. Manipulative little wench. :| Then again, we are probably meant to dislike her given everything.
All in all, it looked awesome, it had good moments, but it took a lot of willpower to not drop this book.
Review first posted at
October 11, 2018
Our spookiness-loving household ate up this graphic novel. Suee, our heroine, is a spiky character who masks her loneliness with arrogance and suspicion. When she moves to a new town and school, an encounter with a strange voice in an empty room ends up with Suee's shadow coming to life. That's only the beginning of the weirdness. When her classmates start turning into zombie-like ambulatory husks, Suee has to start learning how to work with other kids to stop the evil. And working with other people is HARD, especially when you have all this practice keeping them out by being a jerk. The striking art is a great match for the atmosphere's thick tension. This is a strong light horror pick for kids, and I'm excited for any future graphic novels by Ly and Park.
February 3, 2020
Suee is a familiar type: the smart little girl who dresses in black. She's also got a Nancy Drew vibe with the pointy hair (it's her thing). Clever, cynical, not at all interested in moving to the back of beyond.
But something strange is afoot at the Outskirtsville Middle School.
I wasn't deliberately accumulating a stack of books with a Korean connection, so funny it worked out that way.
Library copy
But something strange is afoot at the Outskirtsville Middle School.
I wasn't deliberately accumulating a stack of books with a Korean connection, so funny it worked out that way.
Library copy
December 29, 2020
It's a great and clever book I enjoyed it a lot. It was a great surprise for me but i was just about to put this book down because I beginning of this book didn't enjoyed it at all and the main characters she was oh so annoying somethimes but few other characters were good like hauen oh my God such a sweet little girl I just wanted to hold her and protect her from the world and I enjoyed it at the end
Grateful that I didn't dnf it
Grateful that I didn't dnf it
November 9, 2018
A dark, middle grade story on friendship and being kind to others.
The artwork and coloring is beautiful. A dark, muted tone that plays well with the darker story and a story about shadows. It felt like the plot was just getting started when the story ended. It ends openly, so if this story does continue, I feel like it would get better plot wise.
Suee is a grade school version of Daria, so that was fun to read. Very sarcastic with a sharp inner dialogue.
The artwork and coloring is beautiful. A dark, muted tone that plays well with the darker story and a story about shadows. It felt like the plot was just getting started when the story ended. It ends openly, so if this story does continue, I feel like it would get better plot wise.
Suee is a grade school version of Daria, so that was fun to read. Very sarcastic with a sharp inner dialogue.
July 15, 2017
😱😱😱suspenseful and spooky also apparently the first in a series so I'm upset I don't have the sequel in my hands😭😭😭
September 17, 2021
Whoaaa spooky! Maybe I'd give it like a star more but the pacing was kinda slow at the beginning
September 1, 2017
is a beautifully drawn graphic novel with a unique concept.
I absolutely love the art style. It's dark and mysterious and gorgeous. The story is refreshing. I like to pick up a graphic novel/comic every now and then when I need something light to cleanse my reading palette. went by so fast I didn't even realise and it was already over. It was captivating and I wanted, needed, to know what was happening and why.
Suee herself wasn't the most likable of characters. She was cynical. She didn't pay any mind to the welfare of others. She minded her own business and ignored the rest of the world as long as it returned the favour. I would have complained was her personality not crucial for the story. My only complaint is that the side characters weren't explored in depth. There was so much more to her sidekick than we were presented.
was well though out and stunningly drawn. If there's ever a sequel I'll be definitively picking it up.
4 self-centered stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely love the art style. It's dark and mysterious and gorgeous. The story is refreshing. I like to pick up a graphic novel/comic every now and then when I need something light to cleanse my reading palette. went by so fast I didn't even realise and it was already over. It was captivating and I wanted, needed, to know what was happening and why.
Suee herself wasn't the most likable of characters. She was cynical. She didn't pay any mind to the welfare of others. She minded her own business and ignored the rest of the world as long as it returned the favour. I would have complained was her personality not crucial for the story. My only complaint is that the side characters weren't explored in depth. There was so much more to her sidekick than we were presented.
was well though out and stunningly drawn. If there's ever a sequel I'll be definitively picking it up.
4 self-centered stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for kindly allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2018
"Don't look down on me just because I'm stuck to your feet!"
A fun mystery with some dark elements thrown in. Nothing too scary but some shadows get devoured.
I enjoyed cynical, serious "can't laugh at cat videos and gotta wear black clothes every day because she's so beyond these plebians" Suee, their detective trio, and the limited color palette of black, red, cream, white, and murky violet. Haeun and Hyunwoo are characters I want to see more of. The queen bee bully is stereotypical and flat, but it's lampshaded.
This book touches subtly on the complicity of watching bullying, how emotionally-vulnerable kids are susceptible to being tricked and used, and how parents never really notice what's going on.
Overall, I'm interested in reading a sequel, and I hope to see Suee become less callous.
April 28, 2018
Could only give this a 4 out of 5 stars because it was really slow when it started. It seemed like I was reading and not getting any further. But I will say as soon as more exciting things happened it really picked up. It was a good story. I do feel like it could have gotten a little deeper than it was but for a graphic novel in the middle grade section it was good!
September 30, 2017
Suee and the Shadow is a tale of magical realism. it follows a girl named Suee who is trying to handle moving to a new town, an absentee parent, and a school full of people "beneath her".
Suee made my heart ache for her because she is clearly a little girl who is frustrated at her home situation as well as moving to a new town where she knows no one. However, she masks this pain with arrogance and indifference. After an encounter with a mystic shadow that brings her shadow to life. Suee finds her self in more danger than she is aware of. She soon realizes her school is much more different than she originally thought. This new realization causes her to began to further evaluate her classmates who he once deemed inadequate, as well as herself and her treatment of others. This story was slightly reminiscent of Peter Pan and I loved it! When I was younger, I remember thinking my shadow was the reason for my happiness and Ginger Ly seems to flirt with this idea. I loved the idea that this change in the children afflicted by the shadow, or lack of shadow, was noticed by other children but never adults. It seems to speak to a deeper issue of the changes in children that adults are blind to until it is too late to change things. I was highly impressed by this graphic novel and am excited for the second volume!
Suee made my heart ache for her because she is clearly a little girl who is frustrated at her home situation as well as moving to a new town where she knows no one. However, she masks this pain with arrogance and indifference. After an encounter with a mystic shadow that brings her shadow to life. Suee finds her self in more danger than she is aware of. She soon realizes her school is much more different than she originally thought. This new realization causes her to began to further evaluate her classmates who he once deemed inadequate, as well as herself and her treatment of others. This story was slightly reminiscent of Peter Pan and I loved it! When I was younger, I remember thinking my shadow was the reason for my happiness and Ginger Ly seems to flirt with this idea. I loved the idea that this change in the children afflicted by the shadow, or lack of shadow, was noticed by other children but never adults. It seems to speak to a deeper issue of the changes in children that adults are blind to until it is too late to change things. I was highly impressed by this graphic novel and am excited for the second volume!
May 31, 2019
Yep, creepy.
Give this to fans of Coraline and other J horror. In good company with , The Lost Boy by .
I picked it up to consider for my elementary school visit sweep, but decided that between the darkness and the cultural differences (the education system in Korea is markedly different from the US in ways that might take a reader out of the story), it wasn't quite right for my mass-promo. Will definitely handsell to the GN fans though.
Primarily black/grey/white, with touches of red, a few faint yellows here and there.
Give this to fans of Coraline and other J horror. In good company with , The Lost Boy by .
I picked it up to consider for my elementary school visit sweep, but decided that between the darkness and the cultural differences (the education system in Korea is markedly different from the US in ways that might take a reader out of the story), it wasn't quite right for my mass-promo. Will definitely handsell to the GN fans though.
Primarily black/grey/white, with touches of red, a few faint yellows here and there.
September 22, 2017
Normally I don't announce that I have a review copy - it just doesn't seem that important to me to share. However, I need to make it clear with this one, I had a review copy because most of the book was in black and white with a few random color pages thrown in. I believe this is because I had an unfinished copy. I'm not 100% sure if the book will be completely in color.
I will say that the black and white suited the book nicely. It didn't feel unfinished and the artwork was still crisp and detailed. The color pages gave the book a more youthful feel. Since the book is geared towards younger readers, I would say that it helps balance the darker topics of the book and give it an old fashioned animation feel. I say it that way because the colored artwork made me think of old Archie comics for some reason.
All in all, I loved this book. The story covered a number of sensitive topics but avoided that excessive preachy voice that many similar stories have. Suee is a girl who doesn't understand herself. She doesn't realize that she is so full of anger and pain. When she comes across the mystery of the Zero children, she doesn't want to get involved until she really has to. Her separation from her peers is part of the problem of what is going on in the school but she doesn't realize it until it's too late.
There are themes on bullies and friendship but the story maintains a mystery and gothic feel. The end of the book isn't as well wrapped up like many books on these themes - which is a good thing. I get the impression that there will be more Suee books in the future but even if it didn't have a sequel, I could see this ending as being honest (except the last page which definitely has that bridge feeling where you know it's indicating a continuation).
I, personally, like it when books don't beat you over the head with the story and doesn't answer all the questions. I, especially, like it when it's children's books because it encourages dialogue. In a classroom setting, this book could open up an amazing number of topics in discussion. I could see me reading this with my child when he was younger and having some great discussions.
I look forward to Ginger Ly's next book.
I will say that the black and white suited the book nicely. It didn't feel unfinished and the artwork was still crisp and detailed. The color pages gave the book a more youthful feel. Since the book is geared towards younger readers, I would say that it helps balance the darker topics of the book and give it an old fashioned animation feel. I say it that way because the colored artwork made me think of old Archie comics for some reason.
All in all, I loved this book. The story covered a number of sensitive topics but avoided that excessive preachy voice that many similar stories have. Suee is a girl who doesn't understand herself. She doesn't realize that she is so full of anger and pain. When she comes across the mystery of the Zero children, she doesn't want to get involved until she really has to. Her separation from her peers is part of the problem of what is going on in the school but she doesn't realize it until it's too late.
There are themes on bullies and friendship but the story maintains a mystery and gothic feel. The end of the book isn't as well wrapped up like many books on these themes - which is a good thing. I get the impression that there will be more Suee books in the future but even if it didn't have a sequel, I could see this ending as being honest (except the last page which definitely has that bridge feeling where you know it's indicating a continuation).
I, personally, like it when books don't beat you over the head with the story and doesn't answer all the questions. I, especially, like it when it's children's books because it encourages dialogue. In a classroom setting, this book could open up an amazing number of topics in discussion. I could see me reading this with my child when he was younger and having some great discussions.
I look forward to Ginger Ly's next book.
August 31, 2018
Suee moves to a new place with her dad. She has to start a new school and doesn't feel like making any friends. When she visits the exhibit room, things change. Suddenly her shadow comes alive, while other students lose their shadows. Suee then joins two other students in trying to figure out what is causing this phenomenon.
The illustrations were gorgeous. The color scheme is mainly black, red, and gray. It really made it easy and enjoyable to read.
~April
The illustrations were gorgeous. The color scheme is mainly black, red, and gray. It really made it easy and enjoyable to read.
~April
June 23, 2021
I've been reading a chapter from this middle grade graphic novel nightly with my daughter for the last week or so and although it's not one of my favorite middle grade reads, it was still a very fun, dark read (which is right up our alley). I found the plot to be confusing at times, but it was definitely a unique story with a lot of important lessons to be learned & my daughter is itching for the next book already.
January 1, 2021
I like the art and the intentions of the story (really great resolution), but SO MUCH was lost in translation, literally, resulting in a clunky story-telling style that was clinical, reeking of translation dictionaries. Once I got over it, I was able to connect emotionally towards the end, but that's a big oof for me. It's a pity, because the philosophy about bullying and the contemplation around childrhood independence/parental relationships were worth exploring.
January 21, 2018
What a fun story and great illustrations. Reminds me of the Emily the Strange comics I read in middle school. Highly recommend this goth-y middle grade reader graphic novel. Full of cynicism, snark, darkness, and a precocious main character.
September 20, 2018
Suee gave me hardcore Emily the Strange vibes, which I was hugely obsessed with in high school.
I really liked her as a character even with all her flaws. I really liked this book it was super cute and fun. 4/5 stars!
I really liked her as a character even with all her flaws. I really liked this book it was super cute and fun. 4/5 stars!
May 30, 2021
Interesting story that shone light on loneliness, bullying and the growing pains that hit just before middle school. I enjoyed the way the author mixed a bit of legend and lore with the every day.
September 22, 2019
Loved the art work, and I enjoyed that a story about the importance of compassion managed to have a creepy vibe to it.
Read
September 9, 2017Suee is exactly the creepy adventure I hoped it would be. But, it also touched a nerve. As a kid, I wanted to be tough and not care what anyone else thought, even if I was "mean." I also wanted to believe I'd do the right thing if I witnessed injustice, despite the evidence from times I didn't. It was like Suee pressed all the bruises on my psyche that I thought had faded. This may seem like an uncomfortable feeling, but it was freeing to read her story. Ly acknowledges the borderlands children walk every day as they are challenged and decide what kind of people they want to be in the world. SUEE AND THE SHADOW is a cool story with unexpected depth--and the art is fantastic. I want to be Suee's friend! (And maybe the shadow's, too.)
October 8, 2017
This was more a heart warming story to me than a spooky one. BUT don't get me wrong it absolutely has the creepy factor present and VERY MUCH involved.
The reason why I described it so is because of the main character's emotional journey while she tries to solve the mystery of the illness plaguing the children at the new school she just transferred to.
The mystery aspect makes it an excellent page turner and a read-in-one-sitting kind of book.
I really enjoyed it and can't help but hope that perhaps there will be a sequel or a companion.
The reason why I described it so is because of the main character's emotional journey while she tries to solve the mystery of the illness plaguing the children at the new school she just transferred to.
The mystery aspect makes it an excellent page turner and a read-in-one-sitting kind of book.
I really enjoyed it and can't help but hope that perhaps there will be a sequel or a companion.
November 11, 2017
Suee is a twelve-year-old goth girl-in-training; she dresses in black, has no friends, and seeks to keep it that way even after starting at a new school. A trip to an off-limits room in the school, however, leaves Suee hearing voices - and, eventually, seeing her shadow, which has not only come to life but seems to have truly sinister plans for both Suee and her classmates; perhaps even the entire school! This graphic novel for middle-graders is surprisingly dark and sinister, with a Tim Burton-like tone in the artwork and story, and though said story draws you in, for me I found things stretched out a bit, to the point where at times I found myself checking how many pages I had left to read before The End. That said, Suee is a sympathetic character with a couple lessons to learn whom readers will readily identify with, and for that reason alone is worth the read. A good, if not great, graphic novel with (at least in the ARC I was reading) mostly black-and-white artwork occasionally dappled with color. 3.5/5 stars
Note: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Note: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2021
Although the main character is annoying at first, I really enjoyed this book. The mystery is intriguing, the artwork is great, and the side characters are adorable! The only reasons I took off a star is because the ending isn't very clear and there's no sequel.
Definitely recommend to those who love creepy yet cute school mysteries.
TW for graphic scenes of bullying
Definitely recommend to those who love creepy yet cute school mysteries.
TW for graphic scenes of bullying
Read
June 7, 2018Suee Lee is 12-years-old, she dresses all in black and she is so smart she doesn't have much in common with her peers. She doesn't have any friends and she doesn't care. It's been a week since Suee transferred to Outskirts Elementary. She's adjusting OK except for one thing: her shadow is alive. And it's not very nice.... Then things start to get really weird: One by one, her classmates at school turn into zombie-like, hollow-eyed Zeroes. While Suee investigates why this is happening, her shadow gains power. Soon, Suee must confront a stunning secret that her shadow has been hiding under her own two feet--something very dark and sinister that could put Suee and her newfound friends at risk!
January 17, 2018
Suee and her dad move from the big city to the outskirts. Her new school has a super creepy exhibition room. In addition, some students are becoming hollow shells, referred to as zeros. Suee notices that her own shadow seems to have a personality and is talking and acting on it's own even though it is still attached to her. She meets Haeun and Hyunwoo and the 3 of them decide to form a club to do something about the creepiness that is taking over the school.
Fans of the dark, creepy, and mysterious will like this graphic novel with illustrations primarily done in black, gray, purple, and touches of red.
Fans of the dark, creepy, and mysterious will like this graphic novel with illustrations primarily done in black, gray, purple, and touches of red.
December 22, 2020
this was a short but fun read, I liked the atmosphere of the story and the storyline itself was pretty straightforward and fun. For a middle grade graphic novel I think it was entertaining enough for an older audience.
I liked that despite the supernatural elements the story still included themes of standing up for others even if you think it’s none of your business. I didn’t like the Shadow character but she did make some good points about how bystanders are just as bad as bullies.
I would continue this series the ending left me curious and I want to see the growth of the Zero Detectives Club, they were adorable!
I liked that despite the supernatural elements the story still included themes of standing up for others even if you think it’s none of your business. I didn’t like the Shadow character but she did make some good points about how bystanders are just as bad as bullies.
I would continue this series the ending left me curious and I want to see the growth of the Zero Detectives Club, they were adorable!
April 10, 2024
Where do I start? This book has so much going on with little to no breaks.
Basically Suee's dad gets demoted at his job and they move to a small town to be closer to where he has to work now. Suee is sent to a new school and she's not eager to make friends. A voice calls to her inside the exhibit room at school. And a ghost? spirit? living shadow? takes over Suee's Shadow. The shadow sensed Suee's loneliness and attached itself to her shadow. Now with all of that out of the way...
There are so many bullies, almost everyone is mean and It seemed like no nice people existed in this school. Suee was very unlikable at the beginning and the middle. She was just as mean as some of the others but didn't show it physically or verbally as often as others did.(Never physically)The adults in this book were very unhelpful to the bullied students. The bullying was never resolved in any way.
Suee's relationship with her dad is basically non-existent. He's never home and when he is he's sleep. It's not his fault because he has to work so often but Suee still feels negative emotions because of it. This is probably why she's so unfriendly to everyone. Suee doesn't have any friends because everyone is apparently beneath her. This changes towards the end.
⚠️It gets pretty spoilery here⚠️
If there were more pages things probably could have been explored and explained more. The vice principal is one of the characters I don't fully understand. He knew something was up with that pot but how and why? He was clearly ok with kids being bullied and bullying the kids himself but why? He hated Suee because she got hurt and passed out but why? Was he mad because she cracked the pot?
The nurse is also suspicious! He knows things but the book never explains why or how. How did he know to break the pot? Why did he know about the shadow? Why is the principal suspicious also. Why was Suee's Shadow stealing other shadows anyway? Her main goal was very unclear. Did she just like doing it? Was it making her more powerful? It seems like at one point she got a bit stronger but it's still not very clear. If she wasn't stealing shadows maybe Suee would have let her stay. I have so many unanswered questions.
The ending was also a bit strange. I don't know if it's a cliffhanger or if it has something to do with the story that was told to Hyunwoo. I'm going to be very upset if the ending of this book has nothing to do with the sequel...
Basically Suee's dad gets demoted at his job and they move to a small town to be closer to where he has to work now. Suee is sent to a new school and she's not eager to make friends. A voice calls to her inside the exhibit room at school. And a ghost? spirit? living shadow? takes over Suee's Shadow. The shadow sensed Suee's loneliness and attached itself to her shadow. Now with all of that out of the way...
There are so many bullies, almost everyone is mean and It seemed like no nice people existed in this school. Suee was very unlikable at the beginning and the middle. She was just as mean as some of the others but didn't show it physically or verbally as often as others did.(Never physically)The adults in this book were very unhelpful to the bullied students. The bullying was never resolved in any way.
Suee's relationship with her dad is basically non-existent. He's never home and when he is he's sleep. It's not his fault because he has to work so often but Suee still feels negative emotions because of it. This is probably why she's so unfriendly to everyone. Suee doesn't have any friends because everyone is apparently beneath her. This changes towards the end.
⚠️It gets pretty spoilery here⚠️
If there were more pages things probably could have been explored and explained more. The vice principal is one of the characters I don't fully understand. He knew something was up with that pot but how and why? He was clearly ok with kids being bullied and bullying the kids himself but why? He hated Suee because she got hurt and passed out but why? Was he mad because she cracked the pot?
The nurse is also suspicious! He knows things but the book never explains why or how. How did he know to break the pot? Why did he know about the shadow? Why is the principal suspicious also. Why was Suee's Shadow stealing other shadows anyway? Her main goal was very unclear. Did she just like doing it? Was it making her more powerful? It seems like at one point she got a bit stronger but it's still not very clear. If she wasn't stealing shadows maybe Suee would have let her stay. I have so many unanswered questions.
The ending was also a bit strange. I don't know if it's a cliffhanger or if it has something to do with the story that was told to Hyunwoo. I'm going to be very upset if the ending of this book has nothing to do with the sequel...
September 18, 2024
*3
After relocating to a new town for her father’s job, Suee transfers to a new school: Outskirts Elementary. With a signature black dress, hair styled to the side, and a bit of a cynical attitude, Suee finds herself called to a mysterious voice and soon finds that her shadow now speaks to her. When bullied students begin turning into zombie-like “zeroes� with hollow eyes, Suee must grapple with secrets of her own.
While the art in this middle grade graphic novel tends toward the dark and dramatic, at its heart, this book is about friendship and being kind to others. The illustrations are unsettling at times, with a muted color palette that plays to the creepy atmosphere. Though Suee is very cynical, sarcastic, and has a bit of a superiority complex, she and her two companions, Haeun (a sweet, introverted girl) and Hyunwoo (a popular boy at the top of the class), who come together to form the Zero Detective Club, make a great trio.
At times, the plot did lull a bit, and a few aspects felt underdeveloped - the shadow form, especially, in terms of the rules that bound it (which seemed to exist at its most convenient form for the plot to move forward). The story does deal with themes of bullying, as the zombie-like “zeroes� are often preyed upon by bullies, and discusses not being a bystander to bullying, though the message does get a bit jumbled in its execution. The whole subplot with the vice principal, Yejin’s parents, and the nurse was very rushed, given the importance and attention throughout the story. As a result, there were plenty of unanswered questions and a bit of an ominous/open ending, which did not help the unfinished feeling of the conclusion.
Overall, a solid middle grade graphic novel with a sinister and creepy storyline, and messages about friendship and bullying woven into the plot.
After relocating to a new town for her father’s job, Suee transfers to a new school: Outskirts Elementary. With a signature black dress, hair styled to the side, and a bit of a cynical attitude, Suee finds herself called to a mysterious voice and soon finds that her shadow now speaks to her. When bullied students begin turning into zombie-like “zeroes� with hollow eyes, Suee must grapple with secrets of her own.
While the art in this middle grade graphic novel tends toward the dark and dramatic, at its heart, this book is about friendship and being kind to others. The illustrations are unsettling at times, with a muted color palette that plays to the creepy atmosphere. Though Suee is very cynical, sarcastic, and has a bit of a superiority complex, she and her two companions, Haeun (a sweet, introverted girl) and Hyunwoo (a popular boy at the top of the class), who come together to form the Zero Detective Club, make a great trio.
At times, the plot did lull a bit, and a few aspects felt underdeveloped - the shadow form, especially, in terms of the rules that bound it (which seemed to exist at its most convenient form for the plot to move forward). The story does deal with themes of bullying, as the zombie-like “zeroes� are often preyed upon by bullies, and discusses not being a bystander to bullying, though the message does get a bit jumbled in its execution. The whole subplot with the vice principal, Yejin’s parents, and the nurse was very rushed, given the importance and attention throughout the story. As a result, there were plenty of unanswered questions and a bit of an ominous/open ending, which did not help the unfinished feeling of the conclusion.
Overall, a solid middle grade graphic novel with a sinister and creepy storyline, and messages about friendship and bullying woven into the plot.
October 8, 2017
**Received via a ŷ Giveaway**
Suee and the Shadow is a cute and somewhat dark story of a 12-year-old transferring to a new school who distances herself from the other students. She makes excuses for not becoming anyone's friend and so attracts something dark and sinister to herself.
All-in-all a good story despite some loose ends/unanswered questions. Why can Haeun see the shadow?
There was also a parallel story going on in the "adult world" that you see along the way, but it's not fully acknowledged by Suee or the other students. At first, I thought this was due to trying to tie up the story too quickly at the end. But then I thought it had more to do with how kids view the world. They see some of the things going on in the adults' world but they don't really care? acknowledge? or maybe recognize what is going on and it just plays as a backdrop to their own story.
The graphics were excellent, and even though this was an unfinished proof (the finished book is to be full color), I felt the black and white graphics were perfect!
Suee and the Shadow is a cute and somewhat dark story of a 12-year-old transferring to a new school who distances herself from the other students. She makes excuses for not becoming anyone's friend and so attracts something dark and sinister to herself.
All-in-all a good story despite some loose ends/unanswered questions. Why can Haeun see the shadow?
There was also a parallel story going on in the "adult world" that you see along the way, but it's not fully acknowledged by Suee or the other students. At first, I thought this was due to trying to tie up the story too quickly at the end. But then I thought it had more to do with how kids view the world. They see some of the things going on in the adults' world but they don't really care? acknowledge? or maybe recognize what is going on and it just plays as a backdrop to their own story.
The graphics were excellent, and even though this was an unfinished proof (the finished book is to be full color), I felt the black and white graphics were perfect!
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