Such a beautiful graphic novel, I loved the art style, the story and the characters. The story especially is so heart-warming and sweet and I loved the way music played a role in this story. I only wish this had been a bit longer and that the characters and their interests could’ve been explored even more.

A graphic novel based on the book A Friend in the Dark, a French middle grade published in English in 2012.

I had very mixed feelings about this one. I liked the artwork a lot, it felt like a storyboard for a movie and the whole story was one that would adapt well. I also liked the exploration of teen life and feelings, and the romance was cute. It was also very moving to watch Victor growing as a person and finding comfort and purpose in his life.

However, there were some fundamental things that bothered me. The main one was the treatment of Marie's blindness. I felt it was presented almost as something to be ashamed of, that a school designed for blind people would just hold her back, and I felt that the ending (without giving spoilers) was farfetched. It's really hard to explain without giving details, but I feel blindness was written about better in The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paula Paretti. It's worth saying that my problem with this isn't confined to the graphic novel - I read the original book, A Friend in the Dark, straight after, and it isn't really anymore nuanced.

The other thing I wasn't keen on was how Marie never really got to know the real Victor, as he felt he had to cover up some of his interests and pretend to be keen on the same things she was keen on. It was as though the person he was wasn't really good enough and he had to become more brainy and cultured in order to be a proper person.

So I guess I had issues with the storyline itself, but then I'm very picky about my middle-grade/YA. Overall it was a cute and interesting read, and if you see it as something of a fairytale it works better. I think I just would have liked a little more depth.

Final rating 3 stars, mainly for the artwork. I also think it was a good adaptation of the book, better in some ways than the original. If you enjoy graphic novels it's worth checking out.

I'd like to thank the publishers and Netgalley for kindly providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to netgalley for sending me the ARC.
This story is beautiful, the drawings are gorgeous, the colors perfect.
I was completely in love.

The story of these two characters, how they get to know each other and how he realises that she is losing her sight.

Beautiful. must read absolutely.

I've been on a graphic novel journey in order to diversify my reading genres. This story was adorable yet vulnerable. Both the main character and the female lead are struggling with their own issues but being together has given them solace. If you like reading books that have disability rep and romance then this graphic novel is for you. I will be recommending this to the teens in my life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Europe Comics for the E-Arc!

This was a delightful little graphic novel. I am always happy to see disability representation in stories, especially when they're targeted towards younger readers.

I wish the story and characters (and their relationships) were a bit more fleshed out, but it was still a perfectly lovely story. I also wish Marie had gotten to know Victor a bit better, more specifically when it came to his musical interests, which felt like they were skipped over and forgotten about.

The art was the best part, and each frame was absolutely stunning. It's also very short, so I recommend reading it if the synopsis is of any interest to you! It won't be a waste of your time!

I thoroughly enjoyed this comic and wished there was a more extended storyline so I could keep reading. It had the reminiscence of Your Lie in April and A Silent Voice with a beautiful tale at heart. Once I finished the comic, I tried to order a copy for my workplace but was sad to see it's only a webcomic for now. I hope it has a physical release at some point.

This is one of the most heartfelt stories of young love I've read in a long time. I loved watching Victor gain confidence as he improves his academic performance with Marie-Jo's help. Their love story felt so authentic.

I think the art and use of color greatly helped portray the emotions of different scenes, putting us within the characters heart. Often I found myself crying as I recognized my own teen depression and defeat within Victor. I cried watching him learn to be selfless to help the one he loved.

I highly recommend this book, especially because it has blindness representation. Despite facing a degenerative eye disease, Marie is treated and portrayed as strong, talented, and capable by those around her but also the author and illustrator.

I received this book for free as an electronic copy to review. This is my own honest opinion of the works.

My heart in Braille is a book I had seen on bookstores a few times and the title and cover intrigued me. I’m happy I picked this one up.
This is a beautiful heartwarming coming of age story where we follow two teenagers, one of which is going blind. This book is about music, love, friendships and passion. The writing is moving and the drawings are beautiful.
I would’ve liked for it to be longer but I get what the book was trying to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of an honest review.

The artwork is STUNNING in this graphic novel for teens set in France and translated into English for an American audience. I was captivated by the artwork from the start between the style for the characters to the setting itself, full of flow, magic, and romance.

But the story wasn't as strong as the art. It's on the shorter side and moves quickly without character and situational development that would have provided a well-rounded foundation for the story in which Victor who already has partial blindness and is only getting worse (and does horribly in school because he doesn't seek the help) meets and falls for Marie-Jo who plays the cello and ultimately has a confession of her own.

There's family strife in Victor's family and a lot centered around the school experience which makes it realistically down-to-Earth and comfortable.

This was absolutely the cutest little book ever! The characters were so wholesome in the way they supported each other through everything. The way Marie helped tutor Victor when he needed help, and how Victor supported Marie through her eyesight getting worse was super adorable.

This book was really cute but my biggest thing was Victor didn't really get to show his true self with Marie-Jo. He get sucked into her world and she because everything to him and he lost himself. They are a cute pair together though.

I feel like I could relate to Victor because I never really enjoyed school and would daydream a lot, plus I listened to rock music all the time when I was a teenager. I did love that they struck up a deal to not only help Victor but also Marie-Jo, who was slowly going blind and needed help with managing school life. Victor needed help with his academics so they made the deal.

I do wish that Victor could have shown Marie-Jo a rock song or taken her to a party but when you know you're friend is going blind I guess your wants somehow take a step back in importance.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author & publisher for a copy of this eARC in exchange for a reviews.

I really enjoyed it! The art is amazing really cute! The story was so cute and I will be looking into others from my author

This graphic novel was hilarious and well-drawn, definitely worth the money and the hype, and I hope will be successful!

Victor isn't a very good student, this changes when he meets Mary-Jo, a brilliant student that helps with with homework and stuff. But Mary-Jo's sight is getting worse, and with that, her career as a cellist is in danger.

I was drawn to this book because of its beautiful cover. The art is amazing, very pretty and flowy. I liked when the artist drew some elements of the panels with a white line to give the impression of the thing (I don't know if this makes sense). The colours and character design are also super good.
However, I found the comic very melodramatic, a lot of things happens in a few pages and everything feels a little rushed. There's a conflict between the two protagonists at the middle that's just not good. Also I don't know about the disability plot, I think it's a little condescending.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a cute graphic novel. I loved the art style and the story line. The only thing I would change is the font of some of the narration. It was difficult to read at times, but it didn't take away from the overall story.

This was a quick and fantastic read!

How do I sum up this comic in a few words? That’s difficult but I will try. A captivating story of friendship, and support. But these few words don’t really do justice. So read this comic yourself and find your own words of praise. Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

This was wholesome and beautifully written. I know it is based on a book and now I really want to read the book. The art is beautiful and the colors that show the emotions of the characters is wonderfully executed. A solid 4.5 stars for this quick read.

Victor has a lot going for him: a great band with friends Etienne and Marcel, a thoughtful, encouraging friend in Hussein, teachers who believe in and encourage him, and a loving father who is doing his best to be everything his son needs him to be. Victor struggles, though. His mother left three years ago, and Victor is left thinking he doesn’t measure up; a chance meeting with the lovely, brilliant Marie-Jo begins to change all that. Marie-Jo plays the cello, excels at school, and is incredibly kind. She encourages Victor, offers to help him study, and one day she shares her deepest secret with him: she’s going blind.

My Heart is Braille was originally published in 2012 in French, translated into English in 2017 as A Friend in the Dark, and now it’s been transformed into a stunning graphic novel. It is the most moving, beautiful graphic novel I’ve read this year, and I absolutely loved it. The artwork is absolute perfection, and the story is powerful, emotionally raw, and incredibly sweet.

Victor and Marie-Jo are absolutely precious, and their friendship-to-budding romance is very endearing. Even after a misunderstanding Victor continues to show up for Marie-Jo to care for and protect her. I especially enjoyed seeing the theme of love branch out to the supporting characters, particularly Hussein and his father, and Victor’s dad. Hussein is the calm in the storm, and gives a thoughtful chess analogy that proves beneficial later on. Victor’s father is constantly pouring into his son; he encourages him, builds him up, engages with him, and shows a deep concern when things go wrong. He refuses to diminish Victor’s mother (we’re never given full insight into how or why she left), instead telling his son how important he is, and how much he loves him.

My Heart is Braille is such a beautiful read. I suggest pairing it with The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree by Paoloa Peretti. Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for the opportunity to read and review this graphic novel.

I really liked this graphic novel! I loved the chemistry between the 2 main characters. It was really good written, I flew through it! I read it in 20 minutes or something! I absolutely loved the plot🫶

A beautiful love story depicted in a very well illustrated graphic novel.
The story is about two teenagers, one is struggling at school and feels lost, the other has a degenerative eye disease. Together they help each other.
There is a moment in the story that sort of comes a bit out of left field and I wish it had some growth to get to that point but it was still a lovely story.
I still want to know what Hussein said though - will we ever know?
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.