OH MY GOSH! I don't know what I was expecting when I started this comic...but it was definitely not this. So so soooooooooo goooood! Meet Amparo. Girl? Boy? Who cares! A rough and tough kid just trying to find their way - through life and also through love? Along comes a magic cat promising all the things Amparo could ever wish for. But not everything is as it seems and magic always comes with a price.

Now Amparo is stuck in the Bright World (which may or may not eat them alive) and home might just be impossible to return to. Also the cat has taken their place, their name, and their life as its own. Will Amparo make their way back to the human world, or will they make a new home for themselves in the Bright World.

Beautiful art and incredibly fun story! I was sad when I realized I had reached the end of the current volume. Can't wait to see where it goes next!

Amporo is a bad kid, and doesn't want to be, not really.

So he makes a deal with a magical cat to be better. But the cat is not honest, and instead, the cat takes over his life, and his body, and sends his spirit to BrightWorld, a world beyond the pale, which is dangerous for humans, where they both eat you and your memories for the fun of it.

This is only the first volume of this story, so not everything is wrapped up at the end of this.

But, wow, yes, I do want to read the next issue. This may be super-crazy, but it is fun super-crazy, and Amporo is very sympathetic, in a crazy sort of way.

Good world building, and I look forward to volume 2.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this graphic novel in exchange for my honest review.


This is about Amparo, a normal nonbinary teen that it’s badass and irresponsable and go out in a date with a good girl, but then a magic cat steals their shapes and his name and his life, and now, he got stucked in the bright world, a new strange place that they know nothing about.

I gotta say, I love the graphics and the way it was represented, I saw also that you censored some bad words and it was cool. I mean I love the use of Spanish, and every cover of every issue that Amparo has to deal with.

About the plot… I was lost sometimes, but It was because there was a new world that we barely knew anything about, I loved the development that Amparo got in the story, and I was gagged with the fate that waited for them.

I want it’s second volume, and I surely wanna know if Amparo would survive what is coming, I recommend it, although it’s a little confusing but I love that and… I cannot wait to see what’s next.

I got an ARC of this book.

Where do I even start with this one? It is better than I could have imagined. I got it because it said queer. That was it. I am not a big fantasy person and really not a cat person. I will pet cats and spoil them, but I don’t generally seek them out. So the idea of a cat character that is big enough to make front and back cover doesn’t do anything for me.

This is the coolest graphic novel from a new author I have read in a long, long time. There is enough spooky and enough mystery to keep me coming back for more. There were enough set rules that I was able to enjoy the fantasy without feeling like everything was just super easy or cheating me out of plots. I adored this world. I am terrified by this world. I loved that there is a conversation about the cat plot and someone else is like “oh, why would you trust someone you don’t know”. It just felt so great to see an element of fairy tales that never made sense to me get questioned.

The characters are so alive. I didn’t even mean that joke, but I will take it. There are so many interesting characters. Who actually is this dear dude? What about the orange man? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS. I am so mad right now. Why did this book have to end before I had my answers?

The queer content is just wonderful. A character who may or may not have a label, just living their life. The characters are all an intense mixture of good and bad. Some of the characters think they are worse than they are. Some think they are better than they are. There is just so much raw pain and emotions. I was really surprised that this book was that intense with emotions. I don’t see magical talking cats and go “this book will make me feel things”. It was a wonderful surprise.

I really could gush about this book all afternoon. From the art to the story, I loved this story. I need book two immediately.

OMGGGG THIS COMIC IS AWESOME !

I loved it so so much ! The mapping of the pages was so unique and original and cool ! The story is so interesting and well done and clever too ! I also loved the characters and the worlds : it's literally perfect in my eyes. I couldn't ask for anything more.

I highly recommend it, it's absolutely genius !

this illustration caught my eye!
The whole book is a cool fantasy!
I like the story idea that human being made a deal with the cat. And stuck in the Bright World. Can't wait to read Vol. 2.., Vol. 3........

I opted for this ARC just because it was a graphic novel and I was in the mood to read one. But DAYYUM! One of the best and most creative graphic books I've read since The Sandman!

Ampara is a queer teen from Queens who makes a really bad deal with a talking cat. They soon find themselves dragged into fantastical world called Bright World while the cat takes their place (and shape) in the human world. The adventures of Amprao in Bright World amid all the weitrd creatures and captured humans forms the rest of the story. Mind you, the story doesn't end at the end of this volume, so if you are looking for closure, you still have a long wait ahead of you.

I loved the wacky creativity of the story. The characters are so interesting and, in some cases, absolutely spooky. I also loved the queer content in the book; having a queer writer for a queer story makes a huge difference. The illustrations, the panel structuring, the narrative flow all are fantastic.

Eagerly awaiting Volume 2 of this fabulous book!

Y'all! I don't know what I expected when I started reading this comic. But can I just tell you how in love with it I am? The story is surreal and kinda creepy. It follows a queer, nonbinary latinx teen, Amparo, who is sent into Bright World after making a deal with a cat and having to find his way back into the real world.

This is very much dark fantasy and horror, and honestly, there were points in the plot where I needed to reread because I would get lost. But the illustration and colors are so enticing, it kept me reading. Not necessarily what I expected in the comic and the story isn't actually wrapped up in the end, so will definitely keep me in until I know what happens.

The Hazards of Love Vol. 1: Bright World by Stan Stanley is a fantasy graphic novel which follows a queer teen from Queens who happens to fall in some mishaps and ends up in a world which is completely different from ours and is called - Bright World. I liked how the main character doesn't have a label and is open to everything.

Amparo just wanted to be a little bit bright and a better person in order to show the girl - Iolanthe he has a crush on in school that he is genuinely worth it. Amparo finds a cat who would help him change in exchange for a drop of blood. The cat changed into Amparo and now the cat stays in the human world and the real Amparo goes into the Bright World.

Well this is a great debut fantasy graphic novel I've read. The book ended on a very bad cliffhanger and I really cannot wait to the read the next book. In the Bright World we see creatures who strive on memories and nobody can escape from Bright World into the Human world again.

The characters in this book are so rare, some of them are the good ones whereas the other ones are evil ones. The emotions experienced by all of them felt so real and authentic. The starting was a little haphazard but later ones we get engaged in the world, it's different and beautiful at the same time. The amount of spook and mystery in this book is just amazing.
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Thank You to NetGalley and Oni Press for the eARC in exchange for a honest opinion.
Release Date: March 30th 2021

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

When Amparo makes a deal with a talking cat to have a better reputation in exchange for their name and a drop of blood, the cat tricks them. The cat becomes Amparo and sends Amparo's spirit to Bright World, where humans are food – both their body and their memories. Nothing in this new world makes sense, and Amparo must rely on their cleverness to stay alive and find a way out of Bright World.

This graphic novel hooked me. This is only volume 1, and I wish volume 2 was already available so I could continue reading the story! Bright World was such an intriguing concept; I haven't read anything like it before. The illustrations are beautiful and vibrant. I also really liked the blurb at the end where we got to see the cat's perspective for the deal that was made. I can't wait for more of this series to come out!

The Hazards of Love Vol. 1 is a rollercoaster of emotion.

Between the illustrations and the main storyline plus the side ones, it was nearly impossible to put down.

I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.

Amparo is a teen prankster, desperately trying to impress the super-smart Iolanthe, but succeeding in only stressing out their mother and abuela. When a talking cat comes to Amparo's bedroom, Amparo becomes convinced that the magical cat can grant them their wish: to be a better person Unfortunately, the magical cat is a better trickster than Amparo, and steals their name and identity. The former Amparo is doomed to Bright World, a vibrant, terrifying land squished in between the mortal world and what lies beyond. Fierce creatures feed on humans and use memories as currency, and it's all former-Amparo can do to survive! They become an indentured servant to cafe owner, Mimi, who dubs them "Paola," but Paola soon finds a new master - El Ciervo, a creepy "doctor" who specializes in performing medical procedures on humans. Now "Fawn," Amparo must fight their way out of Bright World and back to their life before they become a demon only worthy of Bright World.

Bright World is so imaginative and deeply developed through this story, and the summaries only scratch the surface of what's in this volume. Stanley's vibrant colors make this book a wonder to behold. There are a few instances of narrative hiccups where transitions could have been smoother, and I didn't care as much for the two tandem storylines of Bright World and the Mortal Realm happening on the same page, but it was a different way to show progression in each realm. This small choice only slightly detracted from my overall enjoyment of this story. There is also some beautiful representation in this story. Bright World is a beautiful, boldly colored world with heavy Latin folkloric influences. There are several panels of dialogue entirely in Spanish. Fawn/Paola/Amparo is nonbinary, and the topic comes up a few times throughout the story.
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There is some mild language - some of it is censored, and other times, when Amparo/Paola/Fawn gets really upset, it's not.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12

This book is insane. But a good insane. And the art is so beautiful and weird and BEAUTIFUL. Like, I'm in love.
So, a talking cat stoles Amparo's name, and shape, and life, and sends them to this weird place, the Bright World, that's full of strange people or monsters or something, it's purposefully unclear. Well, the Bright Worldians like to eat humans, so Amparo must get a master of they want to survive and maybe get their life back.
I loved Amparo. They was a badass, a mess, a troublemaker in the human world. But they grow so, so much in Bright World, without losing themself in the process.
I also loved El Ciervo, he's so mysterious but also straightforward and open and not a villain but also not a role model.
It's safe to say that this graphic novel is as far as you can go from usual fantastic archetypes inside a fantasy/urban fantasy world. And I liked it a lot.

Just a truly touching and lovely story. The art style is amazing! I was hooked from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting. I can’t wait to see what else the author comes out with. I’d love to have this graphic novel as part of my collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the digital ARC of The Hazards of Love Volume 1!

The Hazards of Love follows queer, non-binary teenager Amparo as they try to find a way to turn their life around. Rather than putting in the hard work, Amparo strikes a deal with a cunning, talking cat.

A drop of blood later and we are in the Bright World. An amazing, colourful place inspired by Mexican culture. The artwork of the Bright World is beautiful, rich and quite literally a Bright World. You can see how the author has used her Mexican heritage and poured it in to her work.

I really, really, really enjoyed this graphic novel. It was like a breath of fresh air for me. The concept was so unique, and to make it even better- it was queer.

The idea of a world on the other side of the veil inhabited by superior animals was a wonderful concept for me. I really got invested in Amparo and how they were going to get back to their world, Mother and girlfriend.

This book was really fun, it had some fantastic twists and really was a one-of-a-kind story. I am already looking forward to the next instalment, and I plan on buying myself a hard copy of this novel when it is published.

I will be posting my review on goodreads, my bookstagram (Instagram @lostinthepaiges) and in my private Facebook book club

I WAS SO EXCITED TO READ THIS. The Hazards Of Love is a queer, dark fantasy, romance graphic novel about a chaotic delinquent sent into another dimension. Want to read it yet?

It follows Amparo, a non-binary teen who makes a deal with an untrustworthy talking cat that steals their name and their body in the human world and sends Amparo off to the Bright World. Yeah, don’t trust talking cats. The Bright World gives me Mexican ’Day Of The Dead’ undertones from the colours and the creatures – who Amparo has to try and survive. I fell a little bit in love with all the characters and it’s really nice to see a non binary protagonist. Does it affect the story in any way? No. But does it make me smile? Yes.

The Hazards Of Love is not a book for kids… or readers with a weak stomach. Whilst the plot isn’t an uncommon trope, there’s some violence that’s slightly disturbing and the entire book is dark and kind of creepy. It’s not exactly a light read… but that’s only because I was so stressed about what was going to happen to the characters.

I just couldn’t put it down. I LOVE the characters and the vibrancy of the illustrations makes them jump right off the page and into your heart. Amparo is hilarious and real and I just want them to be happy 😦 The title is a little misleading – it’s not really the love story I’d imagined between Amparo and a girl we’re introduced to at the beginning, Iolanthe. Mainly because they’re together for about a page (evil cat, remember?). But it’s a story of survival and other types of love and desperation… and also exploitation. Some pretty serious stuff is covered in the guise of this mad fantasy world.

Also, please note, I haven’t cried at a book in about a year and a half but this may have set me off. Possibly… although I admit nothing. The Hazards Of Love ends on a bit of a cliffhanger – let me tell you I physically gasped – but the rest of the series is luckily online. I am now suffering a severe book hangover, it’s so good.

To sum up, The Hazards Of Love is a weird and wonderful book. From badass female characters to the gorgeous illustrations and the gay jokes – this is just genius, I can’t praise it enough. If you love queer fantasy and dark graphic novels, read this on the 30th March! You won’t regret it.

The hazards of love is a great fantasy comic. Main character Amparo is tricked by a talking cat who steals their name and body, taking his place in the human world and then sending them to a colourful world full of monsters who feed of human memories and slave people to take his fondest memories.

This is a very fun and imaginative story with a indefined genre protagonist, if you read between lines you can see many similarities between this world full of monsters and the real world

I honestly did not know what to expect from this book based on the blurb, but I requested it because it was about queer characters and looked weird, and that's right up my alley.

I ended up reading it all in almost a single sitting, and I'm obsessed! Amparo is a fantastic character: tough, snarky, deeply caring, and flawed but definitely still someone you root for. I love their vibrant character, and how they fight to maintain their sense of self throughout all the fantastical things that happen to them.

I don't really want to spoil things, so I'll speak more generally. From a worldbuilding standpoint, Bright World is incredibly creepy, and absolutely fascinating. Every detail intrigues me more and more, and the art makes it even more stunning. Another review compared it to Spirited Away, and I totally agree; while the art style and story are different, the themes (losing one's name and identity but finding oneself, fighting to escape an other world to return to those one loves) and the vibe (beautiful, atmospheric, super creepy) are similar, and in a way that I love.

The characters are all fantastic; everyone is interesting, if not always likeable, and most characters, even the cat who steals Amparo's name and life, have enough depth that you can at least sympathize with them a little. The romance is charming, but not the focus; rather, it's enjoyable to see a story where queer identity is a part without being the focus, normalized but not glossed over.

The incorporation of Spanish words and references to (I'm assuming, because I read it in another review) Mexican culture are also really cool, and definitely contribute to the overall mood.

All in all, this is the kind of book that queer kids need, and that queer kids deserve. I didn't start seeking out queer lit until college, and before then I didn't even know it existed because you had to look to find it. This hits both my love of weird fantasy and my love of positive LGBTQ+ representation, and it makes me incredibly happy to know that more and more books like this are being published.

I'll end this review by saying that I don't often track down Netgalley books to buy, but I'm already so excited to buy and read Volume 2 when it comes out!