My Last Summer with Cass

This book is worth getting. if you need a book about friendship is this the one to get

I've been watching Mark Crilley's videos and buying most of his books almost since he started his channel. Honestly, this is without a doubt his best story, which I don't say to take away from either Miki Falls, or Brody's Ghost, but this simply is a more true to life story, and a cut above.Without getting into spoilers, as an artist myself, I found this incredibly engaging. As an artist with friends with vastly different philosophical outlooks, I found it PARTICULARLY engaging. What's more, there are small references to things in artistic culture that might go over many non-artists heads, and some interesting foreshadowing of one of these plot details early on within the art. If I had to complain about one thing is that the final act felt very short. Again, avoiding spoilers, but I just feel like a bit of breathing room between the 2nd and 3rd sections would have been good, but it's solid anyway.The art is particularly interesting. I've seen Mark's art from the Miki Falls era, through Brody's Ghost, and now to this, and I think that this is also truly his best. All of them have had his particular love of tones and fine details, but this one by virtue of it's truly unique color format adds a whole other layer of dimension.Again, the only 'flaw' is that it was shorter than I'd have liked, but then that's also allowed me to read it cover-to-cover in single sittings both times I've read through it. I loved this Graphic Novel, and I really cannot wait to see his next one. In the meantime, I'll keep watching his videos!

There is inappropriate content and should be labeled as such. Spoiler alert ... There is teenage drinking in the book and nude art throughout. While some may be ok with this for a teen/young adult book, not everyone is. It should be in the listing that there is that kind of content. It’s not just one or two, I counted over 10 of those types of images.

I immediately bought this graphic novel because, 1. I’ve been following Mark Crilley’s work for years and I’ve always loved it, and 2. Cass is my best friend’s name, and I was pleased to find that the character is very similar to her as well.I genuinely enjoyed this novel. It has beautiful, soft artwork and an uplifting storyline. The main thing that surprised me was when Megan went to a nearly unforgivable length to keep her parents from seeing her and Cass’s collaboration. If I were Cass, I’d be understandably furious.I would’ve hoped for a less severe chain of events, but it seems that Megan redeemed herself by giving up her Italy trip and booking it to New York to salvage their friendship.I’ll always highly recommend Mark Crilley’s stunning work and YouTube tutorials. He’s inspired me for a long time and will for years to come.

Wow! The characters are well established from the beginning, but you’re left at the end of the book knowing that they’re more complex and have a greater depth to them than first thought. The color palettes that Mark used to convey the moods and settings were unique with them shifting between warm tones to cool blue. And the expressions were spot on with each character’s reaction or mood. I finished the book in one sitting and honestly would love to see the characters revisited in a sequel.As listed in the “grade/age appropriate” level, the book should be considered for an older reading audience (10-12 grade/14-17 years). Both characters are dealing with complex issues that have shaped who they are and how they deal with life. Also, the dialog included a few curse words, but they didn’t feel forced like other books I’ve read where it appears the author has sprinkled them in to raise the maturity level of the book.Overall, I think it’s another great book from Mark Crilley.Mark, if this book is a result of a “Cass” in your life getting you “to think about stuff”, then I want to thank them.