I'm really sad I didn't really like this graphic novel. I just wasn't intrigued at all. It took me a while to get into the story.

Olive is an illustrated graphic novel about an autistic girl and her life during her last high school year. She lives at a boarding school in France and usually don't love to have roommates. But, when a new girl becomes her new roommate Olive's world begin to change.

We discovers that Olive lives in a world all on his own. She spends most of the time in this place full of colors and "friends", where she can do and be whoever she wants. But - another one - a mysterious boy came in her world with a spaceship and everything seems to change.

In real life, Olive's roommate is a nice character, and tries to help her, although Olive does not seem willing, because no one believes her when she talks about her inner visions (not ever her therapist). Olive is bullied by a schoolmate and she has problems to relate to others. She's focused on her inner world and often other guys use her "carelessness" to make fun of her.

I loved the palette and the art style. The colors of the imaginary world are amazing, lights and shadows come together to form a wonderful picture.

I'd like to read the next volumes of this serie and know what's going to happen!

First of all thank you netgally for letting me read this beautiful graphic novel.
Here we follow Olive’s life, an autistic girl living at a boarding school. She has a great and immense world inside her head. And the only thing she wants is to be left alone and live inside her world.
In this novel we can see the comparison between the real world and hers, and the contrast is huge. A place full of colors compared to the monotony of daily life.
Olive’s quiet life is interrupted when someone asigne her a roommate and a mysterious boy gets into her personal world and starts to change the environment.
This graphic novel is slightly hard, it presents us a reticent girl in her thoughts, the loneliness and the bullying by Olive’s classmates
The only thing that I couldn’t place was the beginning, it’s not clear for me how it is related- I think in the next volumes it will be resolved.
And finally about the characters, I don’t think I can say much since they are not fully developed
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Aquí seguimos la vida de Olive, una chica con autismo que tiene un gran y vasto mundo dentro de su cabeza. Lo único que quiere es poder estar sola y vivir dentro de su cabeza.
Podemos ver la comparación entre el mundo real y el que sucede en sus pensamientos y el contraste es inmenso, un lugar lleno de colores comparado con la monotonía del día a día.
La vida simple de Olive se detiene cuando se le asigna una nueva compañera de habitación y un joven misterioso irrumpe en su mundo personal.
Es una novela ligeramente dura, porque nos presenta a una chica retraída en sus pensamientos, la soledad del mundo exterior y el abuso de sus compañeros.
El dibujo es hermoso y los colores, los colores son lo mejor, el mundo interno de Olive es una de las ilustraciones más bonitas que he visto.
Aunque una cosa que no tengo bien clara o como es que se relaciona, es el inicio. No le logro encontrar sentido, pero supongo que con el resto de los volúmenes se verá aclarado.
En cuanto a los personajes, no creo que pueda decir mucho aún no están desarrollados en su totalidad.

This is the first comic in a four part series. The artwork is really well drawn and colourful and has a way of pulling the reader into Olive's life and her world, but the most intriguing thing is that Olive actually has two worlds.

Olive is seen as weird by her classmates and her parents are concerned about her. She switches between worlds quite easily but her quiet life is disrupted when she gets a roomate and she faces further disquiet when a stranger arrives in her personal world.

It is a really good beginning to the series and raises lots of questions which unfortunately cannot be answered in this early episode. It looks as if this will be a good series to follow.

Copy provided by Europe Comics via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Olive, a college freshman, is almost always in her own imaginary world. This world is a safe place she can escape to if she's bored or doesn't want to interact with other people. But all of that changes when an astronaut--someone not of her own creation, unlike her giant rubber duck friend Noel and constellation-whale Rose, and starts doing weird things inside it. It also happens to coincide with her getting a new roommate...
The book actually starts with a prologue about two boys going on a plane to Paris with a pregnant stranger, but this has no relevance to Olive's story as far as I can tell.
Olive's mental world is probably the selling point of the novel. Lots of the environments are quite interesting, and the colors that make up this world are beautiful. The art in general is nice--the colors, lighting, and shading are pretty good--with the exception of some of the faces for the human characters, which can look off- model at times. But unfortunately that's where my good points end for this book. It gets 1 extra star for the art and that's basically it.
Visually, the text is in a weird font. Some of the letters are inexplicably slanted, while others are not. The line weight and size is inconsistent, so some letters are bigger or more visible than others. I have no idea why it was chosen. It's hard to read.
My main problem was with Olive, though. One of the background characters calls her autistic, but there's no explanation to what she actually has. Is she autistic, neurodivergent in some other way, or just really spacey? It's never made clear. Because I didn't know what she was dealing with, I couldn't sympathize with her, and instead got annoyed as she wasted her therapy sessions daydreaming, and chose not to communicate to her roommate what her wants/needs were. The French blurb calls her timid, so it might be a social thing rather than a neurodivergence thing, but again, what she actually has is not clear at all . There's a lack-of-explanation problem with the worldbuilding too--nothing about how Olive's world works is explained--but overall I felt nothing positive towards her.
The plot is the other big problem with this book. It's confusing. The panel-to-panel story is easy to follow, but the overall story is messily presented. Since the prologue doesn't connect to anything in this volume, it just feels misleading. The rest of the book is a slice-of-life story, but it's not always clear when Olive is imagining something, dreaming, or in the real world. The blurb bills the story as a coming-of-age, but Olive doesn't learn anything here. This might be better if it was combined with the other three volumes instead of being a one-volume issue, or if there was narration to clear things up.

So overall, I can't recommend this one. The text is funky and the story and characters are not good. Is the French version better? Maybe, But I won't be continuing with this series.

The art in this graphic novel is quite beautiful. I really enjoyed the color palette as well as the art style.
I felt like the characters were unique as well as being relatable.
The story itself was sometimes a bit confusing and I wish there had been just a bit more exposition at the beginning to explain more about the main characters secret inner world.
I also felt like the pacing was bit too slow and that not a lot had happened by the end. I just didn't have enough to go or attach myself to, to want to read the next installment.

I'm not super on board for this one. Art - beautiful. Premise - intriguing. Actual story - ummmm. I have a couple of qualms with this. First, we the readers are presented Olive in her science fiction world and then we are immediately shown Olive sitting in front of a psychologist/therapist who is telling her this world isn't real. Is Olive imagining this world as some kind of coping mechanism for an unrevealed mental health problem? Her interactions in the familiar world of high school imply that, but the story also actively combats that explanation. This first book of the series is so short that I'm left in an uncomfortable position of feeling like real mental health problems are being used as a plot device, as a means to achieve an ends. Some other reviewers have said that Olive reads as autistic (and I see where they're getting that), but that's not explicit in the book.

tldr: I don't know where this book is going, but some of the possibilities could be problematic as regards non-neurotypical representation.

This book was incredibly gorgeous! I loved the colors and all of the illustrations! I was unable to find it on Goodreads to leave feedback but I would have loved too. The story was interesting and I honestly read it through twice to be sure I understood all of Olive's story. I never saw the twist ending coming!

Olive lives in two worlds - her imaginative reality and the real world. She is outcast by her schoolmates, prefers to be left alone, and has an innate ability to come up with some useful inventions for her private world. However, her life gets disruptive not only when she has a new roommate in real life, but also because she has an unknown visitor in her inner life.

The art of this graphic novel is gorgeous and captivating - it's what initially drew me in. The story was a little confusing at first, but as an audience, I wholeheartedly believe it isn't meant to be easily understood right away. However, after about the 15-20% mark, our protag explains the her situation and the pieces start to fit in. There is a mystery element to this story (who is the boy who is in her inner world, why? And how did he get there?), which makes the reader want to continue reading to find out how her inner world and the real world collide.

I did find my mind wondering a bit while reading, but overall it was a good, worthwhile read.

A oneiric journey through the mind and imagination of a 17-year-old girl. And when we speak here of "inner world"- it is something literal. Olive Oblicoq is a French girl who goes to a boarding school, where we quickly see that she lives isolated from the rest within her own mind, she barely pays the least attention to her surroundings and her classes, although she is forced by her mother to go to a psychologist, without apparently desire to change. But a big change occurs when a roommate arrives, and then when something even more unexpected appears in its own bubble.

Michelle, the roommate is a nice character, and tries to help her, although Olive does not seem willing or skeptical, because no one believes her when she talks about her inner visions.


At first glance, Olve appears to be an introverted girl with a strong social phobia. One of the guys (who is bullying her) calls her "autistic" referring to her, but frankly the only sign of that is when she can't find her bedroom door when her roommate puts some beads in it.

Olive's dreamscape is weird, maybe full of symbolism or deep clues about her psyche, but srly! - I mean what's the deal about fictional characters and rubbers ducks anyway? XD

The first issue ends abruptly, although I have my suspicions about who the (view spoiler)
I want to see the continuation of the story.

Plot - 3
Art - 4

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Un viaje onírico por la mente y la imaginación de una chica de 17 años. Y cuando hablamos aquí de "mundo interior", es algo literal.

Olive Oblicoq es una chica francesa que va a un internado, donde prontamente vemos que vive aislada del resto dentro de su propia mente, apenas presta el mínimo de atencion a su entorno y a sus clases, aunque es forzada por su madre a acudir a una sicóloga, sin al parecer deseos de cambiar. Sin embargo, un gran cambio se le produce cuando le llega una compañera de cuarto, y después cuando algo todavia más inesperado aparece en su propia burbuja.

(view spoiler)

A primera vista, Olve parece ser una chica introvertida con una fuerte fobia social. Uno de los chicos (que le hace bullyng) la llama "autista" refiriéndose a ella, pero francamente el único signo de ello es cuando ella no puede encontrar la puerta de su habitacion cuando su compañera de cuarto pone unas cuentas en esta.

Michelle, la compañera de cuarto es un personaje simpático, y trata de ayudarla, aunque Olive no parece estar dispuesta o es esceptica, porque nadie le cree cuando habla de sus visiones interiores.

El primer número termina abruptamente , aunque tengo mis sospechas acerca de quién es la persona (view spoiler)

Tengo ganas de ver la continuación de la historia

This graphic novel introduces us to Olive, a young woman with who lives partially in the read world at a boarding school, and partially in a world of her own creation -alongside a ghostly whale named Rose and a giant rubber duck named Noel. Her life is changed when she gets a roommate at school, a kind girl who genuinely seems interested in being friends. The other kids at school, however, bully Olive and tease her constantly. Can Olive learn to accept the big changes in her life, especially when an unknown astronaut shows up in her make believe world?

The cover took my attention. But I think I didn't read the description thoroughly because turns out it was written in French, wasn't a big deal though and I really enjoyed it. The artwork is breathtakingly gorgeous and the story is very unique. I feel like it ended way too abruptly though. I mean I know it's a series and there'll be other volumes but I feel like it could ended more smoothly.

*thank you to Netgalley, Vero Cazot, Lucy Mazel and Europe Comics for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*


2 stars.

So this took a bit of getting into. I must admit that I almost stopped reading near the start because it just wasn't making much sense and it was quite confusing. It did get more untangled as it went on but the beginning is too important when it comes to novels trying to grab your attention and pulling you into the story. Because that didn't happen with me, I wasn't much of a fan.

The illustrations at first I wasn't sure about but they few on me and I appreciated them by the end.

Unfortunately this wasn't for me but I do need to add that I absolutely adore the cover. It's eye catching and just simply stunning.

A very stunning graphic novel which took me a while to get my head around - in a good way! The first 25%, I'll be honest, I was confused as hell. As the story progressed I began to understand and empathise with Olive, whose imagination is an inspiration to us all, and whose real-life struggles are painfully relatable. I enjoyed this as a short story to transport me to another world, but beyond that didn't feel much of a connection. Fun but, I fear, forgettable. A solid 2.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
This book was interesting with really nice graphics. The man character Olive is unique and quirky, making her likable and relatable to the reader. The story weaves Olives real life and her own world. It is creative and interesting. It gave a good basis for any future books in the series.
The world's changed back and forth quickly, making it difficult to follow at times. I would have liked more panels to fill in some of the gaps.
Overall, a great read.

This comic's first installment did a good job of setting the stage for the upcoming narrative. I wish it was a bit longer, so I will have to wait for more volumes! I am definitely initially hooked, and I am enthralled by the world which Olive portrays. The beginning scene (kind of like a prologue I suppose) seemed a bit disconnected, and when the story shifted into present day, I was left a bit confused. The art style is very beautiful, and I love the beginning development of the characters. Can't wait to see more!

Olive is a beautifully illustrated comic that follows 17 year old Olive who has created a rich imaginative inner world that keeps her safe from the outside world.
Her world however is shaken up with a new roommate at her school and a surprise guest in her inner world. Olive struggles now with both worlds because her inner world is not as closed off and hers as she thought and her roommate Charlie is a loud, friendly, energetic sort that drains Olive on contact.
I feel like maybe I was missing something between the beginning scenes and then Olive overtaking the story but overall the story is off to an intriguing start.
***
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful first volume! I'm generally wary about series comics-- so many potential pitfalls in pacing, planning, etc.-- but this one immediately hooked me for the rest of the series.

Firstly, we have Olive herself: an autistic (I believe, it's a passing comment) girl at a boarding school she can't keep up with. She's constantly stuck in her head, in the world that she's created. I requested this book specifically because I've never seen maladaptive daydreaming represented-- and here it's pitch-perfect. We see the real world consequences of her daydreams, but we also can't blame Olive for wanting to live in them. She's particular, she's forgetful, and she's not particularly interested in socializing-- bigger and smaller symptoms, which make her feel happily real and sympathetic. It is so rare to see a character with such positive representation for any neurodivergency. (I should note I have ADHD and am not autistic so can't speak much further than my personal knowledge.)

She gets a new roommate (Charlie, a wonderful character in her own right) in the real world, and a mysterious astronaut visitor in her mental world. The story is unbelievably immersive even as it maintains a calming slice-of-life feel; something I've found very difficult in sequential comics. I'm excited to read more! My first thought upon finishing was that I was sad I'd gotten so into something that's going to take forever to come out... an ARC of the first book of a series! Augh! Well, I'll be hanging on to every word.

I'd also like to note that the art is wonderfully expressive; characters are drawn in a style that reminds me of animation, and colors seem to swim around them. This applies both to the real-life world and the one inside Olive-- everything seems dreamy and beautiful, though the distinction is well-maintained.

And, finally, the translation is incredible. I had no idea that this was ever in French; it's that good. Always have to note fluid translation; it's a difficult job.

All in all 5/5, and there's nothing I can think of that would improve the story! Very, very happy with it.

P.S.: But I wouldn't mind Olive and Charlie getting into a relationship! And, admittedly, I was hoping this would be the start of that the whole time.

This is about a girl called Olive that can go into an alternate dimension. She can manipulate this dimension, creating things. One day, this power stops as an unknown astronaut enters her world.

I loved the art style and the plot was interesting. This was a fun read, but sadly very short. The story ended right where it started to get interesting. Also, I didn’t understand the point of the beginning of the story with the two kids.

3/5
It took me a while to get into this graphic novel, but I strongly suspect the story won't pick up momentum into a few volumes in. The imagery in Olive's head is beautiful and lush and vibrant, and contrasts nicely with the bland environments of the real world around her. I'm left with more questions than answers here, but that's to be expected for a first volume.
I found the font to be a bit distracting initially, but as I read on I think I came to understand the choice of it a bit more clearly. It made me... uncomfortable? But then I noticed that Olive navigates her world by almost skirting it, preferring her internal environment with her imagined friends (or are they imagined?). She's often uncomfortable and the font helped bring me there with her. I'm interested to see where this story goes.