Truthfully, the art style in this wasn't my favorite but once I got past that it turned out that the story wasn't really doing it for me either. This felt very surface level and gave the air that we were rushing through what could have been a really interesting exploration of grieving the loss of a parent when that parent was a source of trauma and pain for you growing up. I really was looking forward to some discussions of processing loss when, perhaps, the loss shouldn't be that much of a loss to you at all, but that isn't what happened here. I also think there were opportunities in this story to talk about combating internalized homophobia and confronting our inner demons and childhood trauma but that felt a bit glossed over as well.

First I would like to say that the cover is really great! Buuuuut... it gave me the wrong idea about the theme of the book.

cw: homophobia, death, sexual content, religious indoctrination

The art style is not really my cup of tea but I think it fits the overall vibe of the story. The portrayal of feelings and situations were strong without relying on too many speech bubbles and that's something I really enjoy in comics. At the same time I think the story was too fast paced and can be a tad confusing for some readers.

I loved the tea recipes between the story but I think they were too many for such a short story.

Heaven, West Virginia was a quick and easy read, following Lamont and the demons he carries with himself for being gay. He moves in with his Aunt after his preacher father (who was completely horrible to him) dies. Here he meets Coyote who he forms a connection with and relationship with, and eventually accepting himself. I loved the recipes and how different the illustrations were - they really set the mood of the book.

4.5 I loved this one! Beautiful illustrations and a great story I'd definitely read this again, I may have to buy a physical copy

This graphic novel is very interesting in the way that it leant away from words to tell the story and made good use of its medium as a graphic novel to let the images convey action, plot, and emotion. You would think that many graphic novels do the same, but ive read many that use speech bubble after speech bubble after thought bubble to convey more than what the pictures can--here, I know the artist trusts in their skills to create images that convey not only aesthetic and atmosphere, but the emotion behind such a story. The lack of too many words creates an almost silent reading experience that feels serene, like I am as much a part of the main characters inner world as he is. The small town is quiet, the loss of his father creates this kind of silence that tunes out the outside world and makes Lamont feels pursued by echoes of things hes been raised with--the coziness created by his aunt, her peaceful life making teas and the recipe pages in the book are at conflict with Lamont's inner turmoil, and we see the artist make good use of colour when Lamont gets lost inside his head. It was a truly interesting read, and the art style did fit the story. It was not what id been expecting initially but it did surprise me I think in a good way.

First of all thank you to NetGalley and the Oni Press for the ARC!

This book is a little bit difficult for me to review...
I really like the illustrations style, it was really fitting for the story and I would like to read more work from the author.

However this book took unexpected turns that were not really my cup of tea. It's definitely an adult book, with a strong message that I think needed more pages to be fully developed. Right as it is, is confusing due to the lack of text and things develop to quickly.

The recipes in the middle were a nice touch, however they were to many for the length of the book, maybe we could reduce them and add a couple more pages for context.

An honestly gorgeous glance into trauma and grief, and the journey one must go through to process it. The spiky and 'harsh' art style and the recipes thrown in were honestly some of my favorite things about this book, and I loved seeing parts of my identity as a queer Appalachian represented through such a wonderful piece.

The art of this graphic novel is absolutely beautiful. I appreciated the themes of processing trauma and reclaiming identity, though I'm not sure I would categorize this book as horror. To me, it was much more of a character study, as the plot is somewhat minimal, and the horror elements aren't overly prominent. I still enjoyed the art and found myself rooting for the protagonist to break free of the past and its destructive patterns.

There are parts of the book I loved: that “flat” art style, the sense of motion in many of the panels, and the treatment of this whole well-sized story as a big metaphor for coming out, and healing from abuse.

The part I didn’t like has more to do with the pacing. I didn’t need to see resolution in this story because I think a lot of the point is that trauma is ongoing, but it did feel like moments appear out of nowhere and then are gone. Still, a wel-made book that got me thinking, sad though it is in parts.

**I received an electronic ARC via the publisher through NetGalley.**

Actual rating: 3.5

Ravi Teixeira presents their newest graphic novel with Heaven, West Virginia. Readers follow Lamont as he moves to the titular Appalachian town following the death of his father. Lamont struggles with grief and anxiety as he comes to terms with being queer and leans into the healing associated with nature.

I will first say that this is an adult graphic novel with adult themes, including but not limited to the following: death of family members, grief, homophobia, queer sexuality, and mental health. Please read with care.

Teixeira's art style is deliberately a bit rough around the edges with a saturated color palette that lends itself readily toward horror in tone and vibe. I definitely like the art style and felt it contributed to my enjoyment of the work as a whole. That being said, I would describe this work as more contemporary in genre with some horror elements associated with mental health and grief rather than calling it a straight horror. A lot of the concepts are presented metaphorically, but there is not a ton of interpretation needed on the part of the reader.

My biggest complaint is in the area of pacing as, to me, the story felt a bit disjointed and unevenly paced. If we lean into the grief narrative, I will acknowledge that it is highly likely this could be deliberate on the part of the author despite it not suiting my personal taste.

I would still recommend this story as the art and message are both solidly delivered for those who don't have issue with the subject matter.

this is such a beautiful graphic novel in every way. the artwork is stunning and so visually engaging and it's such a heartfelt depiction of the complications of grief and trauma and how sometimes grief can set you free.

there is also real tea recipes from appalachian forgeable as breaks between scenes which is extremely cool and also sweet in the way it connects to the story.

also, i really think we should start normalising telling the truth about people after they die. sometimes a family member dies and you NEED to be able to say 'they were a bad person'.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✖️

Generally I liked this one! The art is amazing and I loved a lot of the spreads in this book. The story is pretty basic but it's one that a lot of rural queer people can relate to, I think. It moved very fast and I wish there was more to it in some places, but what there is is effective. I'd recommend this to readers who like queer stories and explorations of grief (like I do)!

Not only are graphic novels one of my favorite forms to read but I am also from West Virginia! Combine those two things, and needless to say, I was very excited to get my hands on this book.

First, the artwork in this was absolutely stunning and mesmerizing. I could stare at the pages for hours. This worked well for the graphic novel, as the words are few and far between. Teixeira clearly wants you to spend time with their artwork. I loved trying to glean as much as possible from the detailed lines, coloring, and panel placement on the page.

The story itself is also beautiful and touching, and all too familiar—as I have many many friends who have experienced similar feelings of grief, entrapment, and complex relationships with their own past, religion, and coming to terms with their identity.

My only wish is that this graphic novel was longer!! Because there were so few words in the novel, I found myself wanting to know more at the end. I wanted to spend more time with Lamont and Coyote. I wanted more from Latoya. I wanted to know more about Lamont’s past. I appreciate how much trust the author has in their readers, but alas, I still finished this feeling slightly dissatisfied with how quickly I entered and exited Lamont’s world. I would have especially liked to see the complexity of Lamont’s religious and racial identity explored a bit more within the context of his sexual identity—especially considering this is set in WV.

Overall, I think this graphic novel is certainly worth picking up, especially if you want to look at beautiful artwork and ponder the complexities of grief, identity, and the wonders of the natural world.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

Lamont, a traumatically closeted gay man, moves in with his aunt following the death of his father. While most of the community remember Lamont's father as "a good man," Lamont (and to some degree, his aunt) have different memories of the departed hell and brimstone "motivational" speaker. Lamont's unaddressed conflict with his father and his own homosexuality take the form of red eyed spectral wolves that stalk him both in his dreams and in the woods around his aunt's cabin. Lamont ultimately faces and defeats the wolves (and the memory of his father) with the support of his aunt, her tea trade (which Lamont is learning) and a handsome cowboy/goat herder named Coyote.

I can't say that I liked the illustration style, however, the story itself was ok, though still felt a bit lacking. Lamont's father has died and he moves in with his aunt, where he meets a dashing man. He starts seeing monsters and is, of course, the only one who can see them. I figured out pretty quickly that the monster is more a representation and that Lamont needed to accept himself to be free of them.

🌟🌟🌟.5

my ARC review of the graphic novel Heaven, West Virginia by Ravi Teixeira. this is my first time reviewing a graphic novel, so that’s fun.

I think this one is going to find its audience in weirdos, & they’re going to love it. I could see what the creator was trying to do with it, & there were a lot of elements I truly loved.

it was quirky, queer, dark, & interesting. the little tea recipes were adorable, & I really liked the visceral, nightmare-ish art style (the whole novel was kind of like a fever dream/nightmare, tbh). I felt like it fit the story very well. the Appalachian feels/horror vibes worked really well too. it really was, in a lot of ways, my cuppa.

the not so great was that there was a lack of character development (the characters were very one-dimensional)/ really almost any character work at all. it’s just too short to do anything with plot or character. it was like reading the first chapter of a book. I would’ve loved to have seen MORE.

if you go into this as a quick (VERY quick), weird, queer, little creepy jaunt into a man’s complicated emotions surrounding his grief over losing his family that hadn’t been accepting of him for who he is, & the demons that haunt him for that, you’re golden. it is what it is, & didn’t try to be more. & that’s ok. but I would’ve wanted to FEEL more, to give more stars. & I just didn’t.

thank you to the publisher, the creator, & Netgalley for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful, heart-warming (literally, if you make the teas from the recipes scattered throughout the book), kind and gentle story about a gay man whose bigoted father dies. In the aftermath of his father's death, Lamont goes to his Aunt Latoya, who lives in the woods and makes tisanes and teas and oils and all sorts of things. There, Lamont is able to explore the woods, the deadliness of which he obsesses over, feels as though he is being followed by a red-eyed beast, and meets a local goat farmer with whom he has an undeniable spark. This is a story about working through trauma caused by parents, forced closeting, and other issues, and it's told in a lovely way with beautiful art.

Another graphic novel from Oni Press so I thought it would be worth a shot.

A fascinating journey through a young person’s journey after the death of his father who wasn’t the good man that everyone said he was, in this I can really sympathise.

Lamont goes to live with his Aunt in Heaven, West Virginia, a person who is the opposite of her brother, caring, supportive, but still brooks no rubbish.

Whilst exploring the forests and meadows surrounding their house Lamont is followed by a darkness in the shape of a wolf, never quite able to face it, always overwhelmed by it.

A book of revelations, acceptance, change, and grief.

The illustrations support Lamont’s raw realisations about who he is and what is father subjected him to, and the growth that a calm space with supportive people can start off.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This graphic novel was mostly silent and there was a lot of inference that is asked of the reader as it refuses to give you exposition. Everything happens quickly and without explanation, yes, but I actually really did dig the vibes. The Art is definitely stylized and interesting to look at. I will say that these is one where I'm pretty sure it meant a lot to the author but might not mean as much to the reader so I'll say this might be for you if you are queer and ever felt like you had to hide it, or if you are from a state that is not as open to queerness or if you ever lost a parent who maybe was a horrible parent.

i was so surprised when i read this, i wasn expected to be this good honestly but all the methapors are excellent