Space Boy Volume 1
Synopsis
A girl from the past who associates people’s personalities with flavors meets a boy with no flavor and a mysteriously tragic past. Amy lives an everyday life on a mining colony in deep space with her friends and family. Everything is great until her father is suddenly terminated from his position in the mine and is told he and his family must return to Earth. The move wouldn’t be so terrible if it didn’t take thirty years to reach Earth. With her friends now grown and adjusting to a new planet, Amy tries to make the best of her situation when she meets a mysterious boy named Oliver. Amy is warned to stay away from Oliver, but she can’t help but be drawn to him. Amy must figure out if Oliver truly has no flavor or if he’s hiding it deep within.
Review and Recommendation
I came across the series Space Boy by complete accident. I am a massive fan of Dark Horse Publishing, and when I saw the logo on the spine of Space Boy, I knew I had to read the first volume at least. It wasn’t until I finished reading the first volume that I realized this series was previously a webtoon. I have only read a few webtoons, but what I’ve read I have thoroughly enjoyed. Space Boy was no exception; this read was an incredible experience. The story reminded me of the innocence of an early Disney movie, with a realistic story about the human experience and the bitterness of coping with loss and grief. The plot blended so well with the pacing that the story had minimal lag. I found myself flipping through pages without a single dull moment. Amy and Oliver’s characters are relatable even though their circumstances seem a bit far from what an average human might experience. I felt so engaged in every new experience Amy went through, and the introduction of Oliver and his potential romance with Amy had me sold. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read with depth, I recommend you read Space Boy.
Cautions
The tone and mood in Space Boy shift from carefree and lighthearted to loss and grief, but it’s not so drastic that it would be triggering to read. There is nothing that caught my attention as too mature for younger readers. No inappropriate language or situations would cause me not to recommend this book to a young audience. Space Boy is an appropriate read for all ages.