Verona Comics

Jubilee is an elite cellist. She has incredible talent and, according to her instructors, no emotion as she gets lost in the technical details of playing. With her biggest audition yet coming up for a summer conservatory program, Jubilee has a simple task: take a break. Which is how Jubilee finds herself selling comics with her mom and step-mom at their indie booth at a comic convention and, later, cosplaying as a peacock superhero at the con’s annual prom event.

Ridley doesn’t know who he is yet. All he really knows is that he’s a chronic disappointment to his parents and a barely tolerated presence in his own family. Which is why, despite his out-of-control anxiety, Ridley finds himself at comic con and representing his father’s company, The Geekery, while dressed as Office Batman at prom.

Neither Jubilee nor Ridley are looking for anything long-term, but their connection is immediately obvious. Unfortunately it’s also immediately inconvenient due to their parents’ intense dislike of each other and their rivalry.

With Jubilee’s audition approaching, Ridley’s anxiety spiraling out of control, and circumstances conspiring against them, Jubilee and Ridley will have to figure out if love can conquer all or if some romances are destined for tragedy in Verona Comics (2020) by Jennifer Dugan.

Don’t let the cover of this one fool you, Dugan’s latest standalone novel tackles some heavy stuff wrapped in a light romance. Which is, perhaps, to be expected with a retelling of Romeo and Juliet. Lesbrary has a really thoughtful review talking about all the ways that this does in fact nod back to Romeo and Juliet and it makes a lot of sense for exactly why this story is so heavy.

The story alternates between Jubilee and Ridley’s first person narration. In addition to preparing for her audition, Jubilee also has her best friend Jayla–an accomplished Black cosplayer with her eye on FIT for college, and her mom and step-mom to keep her grounded. Jubilee has always been attracted to people of different genders but isn’t sure if that makes her bisexual or something else. And she isn’t sure if any of that “counts” when she’s only ever dated her ex-boyfriend and, now, Ridley.

Ridley, on the other hand, has no support system. He feels isolated and like even more of a failure to his parents after his failed suicide attempt and the betrayal of his last boyfriend. Worst of all, his sister Gray (the only relative Ridley likes) is across the country most of the time. In a desperate bid to stay near Gray and the family home, Ridley tells his father he has a way to get close to The Geekery’s biggest rival. Which, of course, leads to Ridley being in the very bad position of potentially spying on his new girlfriend’s family.

As much as that is to deal with, Ridley is also struggling with crippling social anxiety and chronic stress from his father’s abusive behaviors and his mother’s neglect. Ridley’s unhappiness and his anxiety are palpable in every chapter. Readers should also be warned that there is suicide ideation as well. Later, when Jubilee and Ridley’s relationship seems to have reached a breaking point, both teens also have to confront the fact they might be dealing with co-dependence issues.

While no one dies in Verona Comics, don’t expect a traditional happy ending here either as both Jubilee and Ridley take time to regroup in the wake of a relationship that often brought out the worst in them. Dugan is a great writer and brings all of the fun (and less fun) elements of the comics world to life in this inventive take on Shakespeare’s classic play.

Possible Pairings: Starry Eyes by Jennifer Bennett, Dramacon by Svetlana Chmakova, Comics Will Break Your Heart by Faith Erin Hicks, When We Collided by Emery Lord, Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Verona Comics tackles an issue I’ve never seen talked about in a novel: co-dependency. This isn’t an easy topic to talk about nor is it easy to see the signs of it yourself if you’re in a co-dependent relationship, but it’s something important to bring to people’s attention. A lot of the interactions in this novel may be normal, but put together they make a dangerous combination.

Suicidal thoughts and anxiety are tackled in this book as well. I’ve never seen a more accurate portrayal of my anxiety symptoms before. There are countless combinations of anxiety symptoms. There’s no right or wrong way to have anxiety but the more combinations we can show and normalize, the better. Anxiety is irrational enough but reading about other people who struggle in a similar way can help someone be more confident in who they are.

Everything about this book was fantastic. I loved the fact that our MC had two moms and no one even bat an eyelash. Both of our MCs are bi and I loved the frank conversations around it. Jubilee and Ridley both struggle with feeling bi enough. Jubilee feels like she isn’t bi enough because she hasn’t dated a girl. Ridley doesn’t feel bi enough because he hasn’t slept with a girl. Being bi, or liking multiple genders in general, comes with a multitude of issues. There’s always someone trying to police if you’re queer enough to identify as your chosen label. Or you may just not feel queer enough yourself. I loved seeing this struggle on page because I know queer people all over feel the same way.

The plot of this novel was fantastic. I loved that Jubilee’s step mom was a famous indie comic writer and shop owner. There was a lot of girl power which was refreshing considering comics are a male dominated genre. And by male dominated I mean they make the most noise.

This book blew Hot Dog Girl out of the water and I really wasn’t sure she could top her debut. Anyone who loves a contemporary novel that tackles hard issues will love this one. As well as any queer person or those who love a good geeky story.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins through Edelweiss. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*

Books by this author always have the best looking covers. Whoever the book cover artist, they are amazing and I just love the color pattern! I even love the cover of the other book the author has. I just thought that the book is so inviting, and it’s the type you want to read just by looking at it.

Anyway, enough about the cover, I know you’re here for the review.

This book is so cool in the most geeky way! The book starts in a comics convention. But then again, the whole story revolves around comics and the business of comics in general. Because it is YA, we don’t get into the business side of things, but we get into the lives of the children of the businesses. We have a locally owned comic book shop owner who has a step daughter, and a big hobbies corporation who has a son. And we have a star-crossed lovers trope that I thought was very well done.

Speaking of the love story side, it’s not only a star-crossed lovers trope but also a mistaken identity trope which makes it more complicated for them, but fun for us readers. I just thought the story telling of the way they fall in love was adorable and so good.

The thing I didn’t see coming though was how serious it turned. It talks about mental health that I did not see coming. But the way the author discussed it was so raw and so emotional that this book became so important. The flow of the book was like a roller coaster ride.

I thought the book was good. I really thought it was going to be a fun book to read, but it turned a 180 that it became better. Very well done, and I just love to see what’s next from this author!

Con base en la portada y la trama del libro, cre que este sera algo de tipo Chick-Lit, divertido, adorable y fcil de “digerir”; lamentablemente, no fue nada como lo esperaba. El libro tocaba temas fuertes tales como depresin, ansiedad y negligencia familiar, estos temas son muy importantes y es bueno que haya libros escritos al respecto. El problema fue que establecieron expectativas falsas respecto al caracter general del libro. Por otro lado, no me agradaron los protagonistas.

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