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De Cape et de Mots
Au palais, les demoiselles de compagnie se succèdent. Aucune d'elles n'est capable de satisfaire les caprices d'une reine tyrannique. Serine décide de tenter sa chance. Avec son goût des bons mots et ses facéties, la jeune fille va souffler un vent de folie sur la cour. Sans se douter qu'elle est en train de risquer sa vie.
101 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
May 6, 2023
The Court Charade by French author Flore Vesco, is a quirky graphic novel illustrated by Kerascoët. Serine, a poor but happy young woman, becomes a lady-in-waiting for the Queen. Serine stumbles across a conspiracy in the French court and with the help of a few kind servants and a clever disguise Serine hopes to reveal the mystery. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital copy of this book.
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December 30, 2022I'm glad I picked this up! It's cute (the art) and funny (Serine's personality). With Serine's wit and charm, she was able to help her family and kingdom, going from being a poor countess to a future queen! 💅
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Europe Comics, for this wonderful ebook.
4.5 ⭐
Thank you so much, NetGalley and Europe Comics, for this wonderful ebook.
4.5 ⭐
Read
July 4, 2024This one, wasn't bad per se, but it wasn't anything fantastic either.
The designs were cute but the story felt like it was going on for ever and ever.
I am not opposed to picking it up again at some point, but I don't think I'll be doing it anytime soon.
The designs were cute but the story felt like it was going on for ever and ever.
I am not opposed to picking it up again at some point, but I don't think I'll be doing it anytime soon.
December 30, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for approving me to read this book.
The court charade is a about a jolly, cheerful girl Serine who used to live a dusky mansion. There she had to forcefully needed to learn Girly manners whereas she wanted to learn and read. But after her father's dead she managed to escape from her house and coincidentally found a job in the Royal palace. She become the second Queens servant. But Queen was more than a queen, A vicious lady. However in many attempt Serine managed to save her King and bonded a lovely relation. Then she mets a Young boy as well.
The ending was cute though. It was a cheerful comic. Loved the art style.
The court charade is a about a jolly, cheerful girl Serine who used to live a dusky mansion. There she had to forcefully needed to learn Girly manners whereas she wanted to learn and read. But after her father's dead she managed to escape from her house and coincidentally found a job in the Royal palace. She become the second Queens servant. But Queen was more than a queen, A vicious lady. However in many attempt Serine managed to save her King and bonded a lovely relation. Then she mets a Young boy as well.
The ending was cute though. It was a cheerful comic. Loved the art style.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2024
Me gusta mucho el diseño de esta novela gráfica ✨
La trama trata de una chica joven que no quiere casarse y decide convertirse en la dama de compañía de la reina, pero se encuentra que su vida pronto se convertirá en un infierno y llega al punto de decidir tomar las riendas de su vida y de manera muy cómica.
En definitiva, una lectura entretenida y con un final muy bonito.
La trama trata de una chica joven que no quiere casarse y decide convertirse en la dama de compañía de la reina, pero se encuentra que su vida pronto se convertirá en un infierno y llega al punto de decidir tomar las riendas de su vida y de manera muy cómica.
En definitiva, una lectura entretenida y con un final muy bonito.
February 28, 2023
What to mention first! OK let's begin. Start counting!
Loved the graphics
Loved that girl
Loved how the story breaks the stereotypes
Loved the plot
Loved the end
Loved it overall!!!
Loved the graphics
Loved that girl
Loved how the story breaks the stereotypes
Loved the plot
Loved the end
Loved it overall!!!
April 17, 2023
Kerascoët sont les roi et reine des contes féministes à saveur punk et sociale
February 9, 2023
This graphic novel is the translation of a comic book adaptation of a French novel by Flore Vesco, who did her own adaptation of the story here (got that?). Working with top-notch French comic artist team Kerascöet, Vesco has created a delightful little court mystery, full of ably translated wordplay and visual comedy.
Serine, the only daughter of a noble house that has fallen on hard times, refuses to get married and instead runs away to seek her fortune as a lady in waiting at the royal court. She is uneducated (she doesn’t know how to read or write and sends “letters” to her little brothers in the form of mute comic strips she draws), but she is quick-witted.
By happenstance Serine finds her way first in the company of the washerwomen and then quickly is at court, where she impresses the vain Queen when Serine pays her the unique compliment of being “As ravishing as an glampersand” (a word she spontaneously makes up). Serine becomes one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting.
As might be expected, the court has more than its share of intrigue, and Serine finds herself caught up in a variety of plots, misadventures, and hijinks over the course of the book. In some ways this reminded me of "The Princess Bride." The book features a smart and somewhat silly female protagonist.
Coming to this primarily as a fan of the artistic team, I found the book to be very cute and charming, but in all honesty it doesn't have the "WOW" factor that other Kerascoët classics like "Beautiful Darkness" or "Beauty" have. "The Court Charade" is definitely aimed at a younger audience than those earlier books (despite a bit of light nudity and a couple naughty puns, I'd say this is fine for a YA audience), tho’ there is plenty to enjoy for adults as well. But where Kerascöet's earlier graphic novel "Beautiful Darkness" presented a fully realized and disturbing universe, and "Beauty" has a really clever hook that then expands to be an epic fantasy tale, this book feels much more like a pleasant but not revolutionary riff on a classic kind of storytelling. This graphic novel is charming, light, and funny.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the ways that the translation managed to capture much (if not absolutely all) of the wordplay that was on display in the original French. When I initially read the original graphic novel (and some parts of the novel as well) I was constantly wondering how well the flavor of the book would come across in the translation. The original "De Cape et des mots" focuses a lot on clever and funny wordplay, which was a big part of its appeal. For instance, in the original novel each chapter is named after an obscure word such as “tartiboulote” (a kind of flower), there are a few neologisims like “esperlune” (a combination of the words “hope” and “moon” that also sounds like the word for “ampersand,” in the translation this is rendered as a "glampersand"), “lifrejole” (inspired by a word found in the work of Rabelais), etc. There are also quite clever punning phrases like “Le secrétaire ne sait taire ses secrets” (“The secretary does not know how to keep his secrets hidden”) that must have been a real challenge to translate (this last one was translated as "The secret-ary can't keep a secret..." which does the job well enough). At another moment in the story, during a parlor game involving scraps of paper with syllables which need to be turned into lines in a poem, Serine suggests the Queen say “Il se glissa derrière le satin, pudique.” (“He slipped behind the satin, modestly.”) But the Queen gets mixed up and starts to say “Il se glissa derrière le sadique putain.” (“He slipped behind the sadistic whore”)—You see what I mean about the translation challenges! The translator, the enigmatically named "L. Benson," manages this joke quite deftly, with Serine's suggestion ending with "cocky stunt" (I'll let you figure out what the Queen ends up saying). I tip my hat to you, L. Benson!
Serine, the only daughter of a noble house that has fallen on hard times, refuses to get married and instead runs away to seek her fortune as a lady in waiting at the royal court. She is uneducated (she doesn’t know how to read or write and sends “letters” to her little brothers in the form of mute comic strips she draws), but she is quick-witted.
By happenstance Serine finds her way first in the company of the washerwomen and then quickly is at court, where she impresses the vain Queen when Serine pays her the unique compliment of being “As ravishing as an glampersand” (a word she spontaneously makes up). Serine becomes one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting.
As might be expected, the court has more than its share of intrigue, and Serine finds herself caught up in a variety of plots, misadventures, and hijinks over the course of the book. In some ways this reminded me of "The Princess Bride." The book features a smart and somewhat silly female protagonist.
Coming to this primarily as a fan of the artistic team, I found the book to be very cute and charming, but in all honesty it doesn't have the "WOW" factor that other Kerascoët classics like "Beautiful Darkness" or "Beauty" have. "The Court Charade" is definitely aimed at a younger audience than those earlier books (despite a bit of light nudity and a couple naughty puns, I'd say this is fine for a YA audience), tho’ there is plenty to enjoy for adults as well. But where Kerascöet's earlier graphic novel "Beautiful Darkness" presented a fully realized and disturbing universe, and "Beauty" has a really clever hook that then expands to be an epic fantasy tale, this book feels much more like a pleasant but not revolutionary riff on a classic kind of storytelling. This graphic novel is charming, light, and funny.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the ways that the translation managed to capture much (if not absolutely all) of the wordplay that was on display in the original French. When I initially read the original graphic novel (and some parts of the novel as well) I was constantly wondering how well the flavor of the book would come across in the translation. The original "De Cape et des mots" focuses a lot on clever and funny wordplay, which was a big part of its appeal. For instance, in the original novel each chapter is named after an obscure word such as “tartiboulote” (a kind of flower), there are a few neologisims like “esperlune” (a combination of the words “hope” and “moon” that also sounds like the word for “ampersand,” in the translation this is rendered as a "glampersand"), “lifrejole” (inspired by a word found in the work of Rabelais), etc. There are also quite clever punning phrases like “Le secrétaire ne sait taire ses secrets” (“The secretary does not know how to keep his secrets hidden”) that must have been a real challenge to translate (this last one was translated as "The secret-ary can't keep a secret..." which does the job well enough). At another moment in the story, during a parlor game involving scraps of paper with syllables which need to be turned into lines in a poem, Serine suggests the Queen say “Il se glissa derrière le satin, pudique.” (“He slipped behind the satin, modestly.”) But the Queen gets mixed up and starts to say “Il se glissa derrière le sadique putain.” (“He slipped behind the sadistic whore”)—You see what I mean about the translation challenges! The translator, the enigmatically named "L. Benson," manages this joke quite deftly, with Serine's suggestion ending with "cocky stunt" (I'll let you figure out what the Queen ends up saying). I tip my hat to you, L. Benson!
January 17, 2023
I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
This was such a fun, quick read! I always love standalone comics to read in between longer novels, and this fits that role perfectly. It was also surprisingly witty, and I really loved some of the wordplay and banter.
I think my favorite part of this comic has to be the art style, and I loved how well it fit the characters and story. I especially loved how Serine was drawn, and how you could visually see the difference in manner/attitude when she switched between her various roles. It really brought the writing to life! There was also a nice amount of fluidity and movement to the art, which was especially important for certain scenes and characters. The color throughout the story was also such a pleasant addition, and often mimicked the tone of the current scene very well, and brought different moods to various moments. It was honestly just wonderfully done!
The story itself was also extremely fun while still having some depth to it, and I loved how clever certain moments and characters were. While the twists aren't super unpredictable, it was still done in such a way where you picked up small pieces along the way, and knowing the twist didn't actually ruin the reveal at all for me. There was also a good balance of frustration/Serine being treated horribly by royals and satisfaction at seeing those same royals suffer, without saving all the 'revenge' for the final scene. It gave some relief throughout the story, being able to laugh at the misfortune of some of the crueler characters!
Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I can see myself picking up more by the artist/writers!
This was such a fun, quick read! I always love standalone comics to read in between longer novels, and this fits that role perfectly. It was also surprisingly witty, and I really loved some of the wordplay and banter.
I think my favorite part of this comic has to be the art style, and I loved how well it fit the characters and story. I especially loved how Serine was drawn, and how you could visually see the difference in manner/attitude when she switched between her various roles. It really brought the writing to life! There was also a nice amount of fluidity and movement to the art, which was especially important for certain scenes and characters. The color throughout the story was also such a pleasant addition, and often mimicked the tone of the current scene very well, and brought different moods to various moments. It was honestly just wonderfully done!
The story itself was also extremely fun while still having some depth to it, and I loved how clever certain moments and characters were. While the twists aren't super unpredictable, it was still done in such a way where you picked up small pieces along the way, and knowing the twist didn't actually ruin the reveal at all for me. There was also a good balance of frustration/Serine being treated horribly by royals and satisfaction at seeing those same royals suffer, without saving all the 'revenge' for the final scene. It gave some relief throughout the story, being able to laugh at the misfortune of some of the crueler characters!
Overall, I really enjoyed this, and I can see myself picking up more by the artist/writers!
February 27, 2023
3,5 stars
A cute and charming comic with lovely art style and a HEA!
A cheerful but poor girl named Serine wants to break free from all the rules imposed to her on how to behave or how to be. So she runs away and goes to the palace to work for the queen as a lady - in - waiting.
But not all things go smoothly as there are some people who want to bring her down, so she has to take another route and from a lady - in- wainting, she has to become a jester.
As a jester in the palace, she will uncover some evil plots against the king Leo III and will try to save him and against all the odds at the end she’ll have her happily ever after!
Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for the ebook!!
A cute and charming comic with lovely art style and a HEA!
A cheerful but poor girl named Serine wants to break free from all the rules imposed to her on how to behave or how to be. So she runs away and goes to the palace to work for the queen as a lady - in - waiting.
But not all things go smoothly as there are some people who want to bring her down, so she has to take another route and from a lady - in- wainting, she has to become a jester.
As a jester in the palace, she will uncover some evil plots against the king Leo III and will try to save him and against all the odds at the end she’ll have her happily ever after!
Thank you NetGalley and Europe Comics for the ebook!!
January 2, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Out November 23, 2022.
4 stars
This was a super fun, quick read! Serine runs away to court after the threat of marriage. She quickly sees the intricacies and hijinks of court life and makes a name for herself.
I wasn’t expecting much from this read but actually found myself really enjoying it! Serine is so clever and I found her dialogue so witty and fun. Also really loved the gallows humour (literally).
Out November 23, 2022.
4 stars
This was a super fun, quick read! Serine runs away to court after the threat of marriage. She quickly sees the intricacies and hijinks of court life and makes a name for herself.
I wasn’t expecting much from this read but actually found myself really enjoying it! Serine is so clever and I found her dialogue so witty and fun. Also really loved the gallows humour (literally).
January 14, 2023
ARC through Netgalley.
Serine wants to have fun and be free, but in this world girls and women are meant to be pretty and decorative. This story is set in a "18th century France"-style world and Serine, decidedly against being married off, runs off to become a lady-in-waiting to the queen. The scandals and assassinations abound, lots of gossiping and silly shenaningans with ridiculous, yet funny jokes. Like, when the queen is dressed they use a scaffolding so help her put her ridiculously voluminous clothes and large wig on.
The story takes twists and turns and the characters are sometimes straight up weird. Like, the torturer's apprentice is a young lad and he should torture a kitchen boy for allegedly poisoning some Duke and Serine stops him, but the apprentice is sad about this because...he likes to torture people? And he's supposed to be a good guy. It's played off as a joke but I'd be seriously concerned if my "friend" (and of course love interest) is fond of torturing people, to the point that he's disappointed he can't torture a child for a confession to a crime he didn't commit.
Also, the queen's dog has a litter and the queen orders the puppies with spotted fur to be drowned and I...look, I'm not criticising the book for this (a little tho) but just remembering how cruel and despicable people can be makes me horrendeously depressed and that's not the mood I want to be in when reading a fantastical and silly story. I don't know, but I understand the queen is cruel and sees no true worth in others without that throwaway line.
Anyhow, the art style is very pretty and the story flows well. It's a fast and enjoyable read with ridiculous characters and storylines, closer to a fairytale than a narrative we read today. If you want to have a quick and fun read with a pretty art style, this might be for you.
Serine wants to have fun and be free, but in this world girls and women are meant to be pretty and decorative. This story is set in a "18th century France"-style world and Serine, decidedly against being married off, runs off to become a lady-in-waiting to the queen. The scandals and assassinations abound, lots of gossiping and silly shenaningans with ridiculous, yet funny jokes. Like, when the queen is dressed they use a scaffolding so help her put her ridiculously voluminous clothes and large wig on.
The story takes twists and turns and the characters are sometimes straight up weird. Like, the torturer's apprentice is a young lad and he should torture a kitchen boy for allegedly poisoning some Duke and Serine stops him, but the apprentice is sad about this because...he likes to torture people? And he's supposed to be a good guy. It's played off as a joke but I'd be seriously concerned if my "friend" (and of course love interest) is fond of torturing people, to the point that he's disappointed he can't torture a child for a confession to a crime he didn't commit.
Also, the queen's dog has a litter and the queen orders the puppies with spotted fur to be drowned and I...look, I'm not criticising the book for this (a little tho) but just remembering how cruel and despicable people can be makes me horrendeously depressed and that's not the mood I want to be in when reading a fantastical and silly story. I don't know, but I understand the queen is cruel and sees no true worth in others without that throwaway line.
Anyhow, the art style is very pretty and the story flows well. It's a fast and enjoyable read with ridiculous characters and storylines, closer to a fairytale than a narrative we read today. If you want to have a quick and fun read with a pretty art style, this might be for you.
May 15, 2023
I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.
In this book we meet the delightful Serine. A girl who is a countess, though her parents have little left that really shows they are of that rank/those riches. I immediately liked Serine. I loved her attitude. Loved how, even when things go bad with her dad or how her family has little money, she keeps up her head, makes a fun tune, and tries to get along with life. Nothing gets her down.
And that is definitely wants she needs in this book when she decides to go to the palace to become a lady-in-waiting. A job that is very coveted… and that is filled with girls eager to push each other down in sneaky (or not so sneaky ways). Serine quickly becomes the favourite of the queen… but we see that life isn’t easy for her. The other girls are rich, bundled in gorgeous clothes, and sometimes weird wigs. They are elegant and stuffy. Serine is totally different. Has one dress. Likes to talk to the people lower in the castle and befriend them. Isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Is charming and sweet and kind. And see that not everyone is happy with her. Especially a girl named Crisante who is vying to become the best lady-in-waiting and will truly do all she can to get Serine out of the way. Or that one guy close to the queen who is just a piece of poop. When he tries to cosy up with Serine she rejects him and he is not accepting that.
I loved the parts where she was wandering through the castle at night after the other girls tricked her and something happened (of course Serine got the blame). I loved the stories she found, the stories she invented.
Leon was such a treasure and I loved how he helped her out at times. With words. With stories. Or just being there.
But while I loved how resilient she was, I was also sad for her. She just wants to be part of the palace and everyone is making it hard for her. Well, OK, not the people in the lower parts, but people in the higher parts? Everyone is just making it hard. And add to that a queen who isn’t taking any bull and just doesn’t believe her… it is hard.
So I was delighted when even at her lowest point she didn’t give up. Instead she turned into what we saw on the cover and I love how she was there for the king. How she made him laugh. Advised him.
Of course, chaos still ensues as Serine is taking her role very serious.
And then there is a murder plot! Oh yes!
The last part was both unexpected and wonderful and oh so chaotic and also SO SO SWEET! Perfectly fitting for the book!
I really enjoyed the art in this book. It was whimsical, fun, playful, colourful, and oodles of fun! I want more of this artist!
All in all, sorry for the long review but DANG this was a good read and I had so much fun. I was just cheering for Serine in all her roles, loved the palace, loved the murder plot, and loved all the other things around it! Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
In this book we meet the delightful Serine. A girl who is a countess, though her parents have little left that really shows they are of that rank/those riches. I immediately liked Serine. I loved her attitude. Loved how, even when things go bad with her dad or how her family has little money, she keeps up her head, makes a fun tune, and tries to get along with life. Nothing gets her down.
And that is definitely wants she needs in this book when she decides to go to the palace to become a lady-in-waiting. A job that is very coveted… and that is filled with girls eager to push each other down in sneaky (or not so sneaky ways). Serine quickly becomes the favourite of the queen… but we see that life isn’t easy for her. The other girls are rich, bundled in gorgeous clothes, and sometimes weird wigs. They are elegant and stuffy. Serine is totally different. Has one dress. Likes to talk to the people lower in the castle and befriend them. Isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Is charming and sweet and kind. And see that not everyone is happy with her. Especially a girl named Crisante who is vying to become the best lady-in-waiting and will truly do all she can to get Serine out of the way. Or that one guy close to the queen who is just a piece of poop. When he tries to cosy up with Serine she rejects him and he is not accepting that.
I loved the parts where she was wandering through the castle at night after the other girls tricked her and something happened (of course Serine got the blame). I loved the stories she found, the stories she invented.
Leon was such a treasure and I loved how he helped her out at times. With words. With stories. Or just being there.
But while I loved how resilient she was, I was also sad for her. She just wants to be part of the palace and everyone is making it hard for her. Well, OK, not the people in the lower parts, but people in the higher parts? Everyone is just making it hard. And add to that a queen who isn’t taking any bull and just doesn’t believe her… it is hard.
So I was delighted when even at her lowest point she didn’t give up. Instead she turned into what we saw on the cover and I love how she was there for the king. How she made him laugh. Advised him.
Of course, chaos still ensues as Serine is taking her role very serious.
And then there is a murder plot! Oh yes!
The last part was both unexpected and wonderful and oh so chaotic and also SO SO SWEET! Perfectly fitting for the book!
I really enjoyed the art in this book. It was whimsical, fun, playful, colourful, and oodles of fun! I want more of this artist!
All in all, sorry for the long review but DANG this was a good read and I had so much fun. I was just cheering for Serine in all her roles, loved the palace, loved the murder plot, and loved all the other things around it! Recommended!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
December 18, 2022
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this comic.
The story is about Serine who tries to help her family by going to court and becoming a lady in waiting.
The story is a bit slow and a lot of things were explained to the reader in words. Characters explaining their behavior or things that were happening. I personally prefer as a reader to experience the story, especially in a comic book, instead of being told or explained what is happening.
Also, the story feels a little bit young at times, so I do think it will be perfect for teens.
However, even though I did find the story a bit slow, the humor is great and the drawings were funny. It did make me laugh and I had a fun time reading it.
The story is about Serine who tries to help her family by going to court and becoming a lady in waiting.
The story is a bit slow and a lot of things were explained to the reader in words. Characters explaining their behavior or things that were happening. I personally prefer as a reader to experience the story, especially in a comic book, instead of being told or explained what is happening.
Also, the story feels a little bit young at times, so I do think it will be perfect for teens.
However, even though I did find the story a bit slow, the humor is great and the drawings were funny. It did make me laugh and I had a fun time reading it.
December 30, 2022
This graphic novel is chaos—and that's exactly how Countess Seraphine Marie-Geneviève Alexandrina de Notre-Dame Chancies du Jousselinier Senestre lez Castiche de l'Auberivière sié l'Ostel de la Colline would have it.
Call her Serine—she may not know how to read, but she knows that her name is a mouthful, and she has better ways to spend her time...like turning the palace upside-down in her quest for adventure (and a better life), befriending chambermaids and executioners, and riddle-and-rhyming her way in and out of scrape after scrape. (Serine though she may be, serene she is not.)
Tidy, sharp illustrations add to the lively feel of The Court Charade, while the pastel colour scheme (done with watercolours, I think?) make this just a pleasure to look at. The plot requires a bit of suspension of disbelief, but then...it's a graphic novel. I'm also not entirely sure what age range is intended for the audience here—I suspect it would be considered an all-ages comic in France (and: my non-American parents wouldn't have taken issue with it when I was a kid), but more conservative American audiences might occasionally find it a bit, ah, French. (The adults, anyway. The kids would just find it funny.)
At about a hundred pages, this is long for a comic book but relatively slim for a graphic novel, and I'm a little bit sorry that it isn't in comic form. It's fun enough as a book that I'd love to see it as an adventure series—Serine's scrapes and adventures continuing on and on.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a free review copy through NetGalley.
Call her Serine—she may not know how to read, but she knows that her name is a mouthful, and she has better ways to spend her time...like turning the palace upside-down in her quest for adventure (and a better life), befriending chambermaids and executioners, and riddle-and-rhyming her way in and out of scrape after scrape. (Serine though she may be, serene she is not.)
Tidy, sharp illustrations add to the lively feel of The Court Charade, while the pastel colour scheme (done with watercolours, I think?) make this just a pleasure to look at. The plot requires a bit of suspension of disbelief, but then...it's a graphic novel. I'm also not entirely sure what age range is intended for the audience here—I suspect it would be considered an all-ages comic in France (and: my non-American parents wouldn't have taken issue with it when I was a kid), but more conservative American audiences might occasionally find it a bit, ah, French. (The adults, anyway. The kids would just find it funny.)
At about a hundred pages, this is long for a comic book but relatively slim for a graphic novel, and I'm a little bit sorry that it isn't in comic form. It's fun enough as a book that I'd love to see it as an adventure series—Serine's scrapes and adventures continuing on and on.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a free review copy through NetGalley.
January 15, 2023
This was an entertaining enough story but neither the artwork or font used were really to my tastes.
I thought at first this might be aimed at children, but quite early on there’s some wordplay around the phrase ‘cocky stunt’, and then some bare breasts literally pop out of a corset, so it decidedly is not... It’s a bit strange tone wise though as the protagonist Serine is introduced as a ‘young girl’ and I had the feeling she was a preteen, so maybe this is intended as YA or perhaps it’s just an odd comic for adults.
Either way, the ending was pretty cute and there’s a few twists and turns along the way, so would recommend checking out to those who are more a fan of this art style.
Thanks to Europe Comics for providing an ebook of this via Netgalley for review!
I thought at first this might be aimed at children, but quite early on there’s some wordplay around the phrase ‘cocky stunt’, and then some bare breasts literally pop out of a corset, so it decidedly is not... It’s a bit strange tone wise though as the protagonist Serine is introduced as a ‘young girl’ and I had the feeling she was a preteen, so maybe this is intended as YA or perhaps it’s just an odd comic for adults.
Either way, the ending was pretty cute and there’s a few twists and turns along the way, so would recommend checking out to those who are more a fan of this art style.
Thanks to Europe Comics for providing an ebook of this via Netgalley for review!
March 11, 2023
Una entretenida novela que trata la vida de Selina. Ella pertenece a una familia noble venida a menos, su padre se muere y su madre piensa en casarla con el mejor postor. Selina prefiere ir a probar suerte a la corte, pero allí las cosas no son tan fáciles como pensaba y, aunque empieza bien, su andanza no es tan buena.
Pero Selina tiene un carácter increíble, muchos amigos y es muy especial, por lo que creará un plan para poner todo el castillo patas arriba.
La novela gráfica es muy rápida y entretenida de leer, la historia es amena y cómica en algunos momentos, una crítica sátira de la vida en palacio y de los cortesanos.
Llama la atención la falta de limites en las viñetas haciendo que los márgenes sean difusos pero al mismo tiempo gana en claridad.
A color con un papel mate y márgenes en blanco es una delicia a la hora de leer.
Pero Selina tiene un carácter increíble, muchos amigos y es muy especial, por lo que creará un plan para poner todo el castillo patas arriba.
La novela gráfica es muy rápida y entretenida de leer, la historia es amena y cómica en algunos momentos, una crítica sátira de la vida en palacio y de los cortesanos.
Llama la atención la falta de limites en las viñetas haciendo que los márgenes sean difusos pero al mismo tiempo gana en claridad.
A color con un papel mate y márgenes en blanco es una delicia a la hora de leer.
January 4, 2023
This story was delightful. I really enjoyed the storyline and have fun reading it. The main character is a pretty good one with a strong personality that shows the importance of being true to yourself, work on your goals and adapt according to the circumstances without losing hope. And the humor is on point. 100% recommended to anyone that need a light but significant story.
January 7, 2023
This graphic novel made me laugh out loud several times. Witty and unexpected, it has an inspiring protagonist that I couldn’t help but love. The love interest and romantic subplot was in my opinion a bit unnecessary but still sweet. I loved all of the fun side characters and the story was a quick and engaging read. I would definitely recommend this book.
October 7, 2023
4/5
Absolument génial !
J'avais déjà énormément aimé le roman quand je l'ai lu cet été et la BD est presque toute aussi génial
Bon il manque quelques détails du roman malheureusement mais bon cela reste une très bonne adaptation 😏
Je recommande vivement cette bd aussi bien aux enfants qu'aux plus grands 😜
Absolument génial !
J'avais déjà énormément aimé le roman quand je l'ai lu cet été et la BD est presque toute aussi génial
Bon il manque quelques détails du roman malheureusement mais bon cela reste une très bonne adaptation 😏
Je recommande vivement cette bd aussi bien aux enfants qu'aux plus grands 😜
January 23, 2023
*To our Lord NetGalley I praise and thank for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
You know? I´m a bit taken aback with this one. I absolutely loved the art. The protagonist is quite lovely as well, but the plot... The plot I just can´t take it seriously (and maybe that´s fine, because that might be very well the intention of the author) since it has that kind of humor and solution for plots that´s so common in children´s books.
For example, Serine just invents a word out of nothing and suddenly everyone is praising her even though they don´t know what it means (?)
Idk, that´s the kind of thing that put me off. It´s not a bad comic, just not for me.
You know? I´m a bit taken aback with this one. I absolutely loved the art. The protagonist is quite lovely as well, but the plot... The plot I just can´t take it seriously (and maybe that´s fine, because that might be very well the intention of the author) since it has that kind of humor and solution for plots that´s so common in children´s books.
For example, Serine just invents a word out of nothing and suddenly everyone is praising her even though they don´t know what it means (?)
Idk, that´s the kind of thing that put me off. It´s not a bad comic, just not for me.
March 8, 2023
Sera de corte juvenil pero yo he disfrutado mucho de la historia, un dibujo atrevido con composiciones no estructuradas y encerradas en viñetas sino dejando libertad. Bonita historia con una prota femenina muy inteligente
July 6, 2023
Une lecture très cool, un coup de cœur. L’histoire est top, les dessins ajoutent à la drôlerie et j’ai vraiment apprécié les pitreries du Fou. La fin est comme dans un conte. Vraiment une bonne lecture !
September 11, 2023
The cover basically drew me in, but... the story and the linework wasn't my thing, except for that last sentence, it was so sweet 🥹 I actually read something else by Kerascoët, called Beauty I think, and I remember liking this one more 🤷♀️
October 7, 2022
3,5/5
Très sympa !
Très sympa !
December 21, 2022
cute >.< the shroud of turin joke made me laugh. would be good for fifth graders, if only there weren’t any nudity
May 5, 2024
C'était drôle, mais pas trop mon style...
April 24, 2023
Mignon et amusant. Une héroïne qui a de la ressource et surtout beaucoup d'humour.
Comme d'habitude, le dessin du duo Kerascoët est expressif et coloré, j'adore.
Comme d'habitude, le dessin du duo Kerascoët est expressif et coloré, j'adore.
February 3, 2023
My thanks to NetGalley and Europe Comics for giving me the opportunity to read this book. The Court Charade is the story of Serine; a girl that had to work in the palace as a lady-in-waiting to provide for her family. She goes in there with great expectations but she is shocked by the meanness of the queen and the plots and intricacies of the court life. But not all people in the palace are awful. There are many pleasant people with whom Serine becomes acquainted. It was an enjoyable read and the ending was the best thing.
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