Acorn Library

I just bought a copy. This wants to live on my shelve. <3

Have you ever found your passion in the most unexpected place and decided to just go for it? That’s exactly what Georgie, the heroine of Total Suplex of the Heart by Joanne Starer, does. After writing a web article about female wrestlers, she suddenly finds herself diving headfirst into the gritty, male-dominated world of professional wrestling. Along the way, she forms bonds—some good, some not so good—that deeply shape her life.

The writing in this graphic novel is brutally honest and laced with profanity, which just adds to the authenticity of Georgie’s experiences. Nothing is sugarcoated here. The story moves quickly, skipping over weeks or months at a time, which actually works well since it covers a long period and focuses on the most important moments. Honestly, if Starer had wanted to spend more time on the story, this could have easily turned into an amazing series.

The wrestling setting is pretty niche, but that’s what makes it so interesting. I didn’t know much about wrestling going in, but I learned a lot without feeling overwhelmed by details.

And the art—oh, the art! Ornella Greco did a fantastic job. Her work is beautiful and really brings the high-energy world of wrestling to life. It’s perfect for a story that revolves around such a physical sport.

You can really tell that Starer knows her stuff when it comes to graphic novels. I couldn’t put this one down until I’d finished it. The writing, the art, the plot—everything just flows together so well. This book made me laugh, cry, and cheer for Georgie. If you’re into real-life stories that don’t shy away from tough topics like trauma and pain, I can’t recommend this graphic novel enough. Plus, the ending is totally worth it and it come with a little suprise page that will wreck your heart. </3

Big thanks to NetGalley and Humanoids Inc. for the review copy!

Triggers

Anorexia, domestic violence, child abuse, depression, toxic relationship, profanity