Quirky Cat
Summary:
It’s a tale as old as time - a young girl accidentally finds a portal to fairyland and falls through head first. At first, little Gert’s dream came true - minus the falling and grievous injury part.
Unfortunately, what was meant to be a quick adventure through fairyland has gone on far too long. Now, all Gert wants is to find a way to get out of here and go home. She doesn’t even care what the price is at this point.
Vol. 1
I have been meaning to read I Hate Fairyland for (checks notes) eight years!?! How did that happen? Anyway, I’m super late to the scene but better late than never, right? I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1 is an instant chaotic mess, and I loved every second of it.
I love the totally different take on fairyland here. Yes, it’s still a magical world full of mystical creatures, but they can also get into mayhem, as Gert quickly finds out. This isn’t the first time I’ve read a fairy story where the human got the short end of the stick, but I appreciate that the story is vastly different even here. For one thing, while Gert’s adventure is dark and gory, it also has plenty of humor. It’s not all sadness and death.
Well, not Gert’s death, at least. Her quest has taken a violent edge, and it’s easy to see why so many readers have loved this series. It’s quirky, hilarious, and not afraid to take risks. The overarching story is always present, but each volume reads more like an episodic format.
I picked I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1 and 2 from the library, so I am lucky enough to dive right into the next volume after this.
Picture Candyland but with a lot more blood and mucus, and you’ll have a solid idea of how I Hate Fairyland Vol. 1 feels. I love Skottie Young’s jarring combination of bright/happy colors and gory events. It’s alarming, but intentionally so.
This series perfectly blends styles and expectations. But the details are what really sell the world (aside from the colors). Yes, that sometimes adds to the goriness, but again, that’s the point.
Vol. 2
Oh wow, I Hate Fairyland is such an amazing series. I’ve really been missing out these past few years! I Hate Fairyland Vol. 2 is as funny as the first, though in different ways. The first volume was all about Gert’s attempt to get out of fairyland, whereas the second volume…well, her adventure has changed.
It feels like this volume is split into two halves. The first half is all centered around the royalty arc, while the second half feels more serialized. By that, I mean that each issue felt like it had its own complete adventure. The best part about these adventures? Most of them were references, so that was highly entertaining.
It’s amazing to see how Gert’s story has continued and evolved over the course of two volumes. I have no idea what the long-term goal/game will be for her story, but I’m eager to find out.
As with the first volume, I Hate Fairyland Vol. 2 is as vibrant as it is violent. The colors are bold, and the damage is high. I still love the juxtaposition of a happy world and Gert’s violent rampages. There’s something oddly satisfying about it.
I will give bonus points for this volume's visual references. That really enhanced the story in my book. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed the second volume as much if not for those moments.
Highlights:
Chaotic Characters
Fairy Tale Setting Gone Wrong
Sarcasm and Snark
Trigger Warnings:
Graphic Violence & Gore
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