Title: I Felt Myself Slipping
Author: Ray Nadine
Publisher: Oni Press
Publication date: September 10, 2024
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Summary
Riley moves to Illinois after her dad dies in a car accident, joining the local gym for gymnastics. At first, she has a hard time fitting in. She is hard of hearing, and no one at her new gym knows ASL. Feeling lonely, she’s surprised when fellow gynmast, Kota, makes an effort to learn ASL. The two form a fast friendship, even as Kota is struggling with her own mental health and anxiety. As they both work towards their goal to make it to the Olympics, they quickly become each others’ supports.
Review: I Felt Myself Slipping
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy of I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine to review! After watching so much Olympics gymnasts in the last two weeks, this was a good time to read this one! One of my favorite things about this was the way that Nadine represented different gymnastics moves in their illustration style. We also get little hints of the ASL, but I think I would have liked a little more of that throughout the story.
Kota and Riley’s relationship was absolutely the best thing about this story. Some of the side characters could have been developed a little more, but their relationship worked so well. It’s sort of a first crush kind of relationship, and I like that the queer rep was subtle. Sometimes we need those stories that are a little more on the quiet side, and this book fits that well.
The color palette for this story reflected the subject matter, and I also appreciated the way that Nadine touches on grief and mental health. They are complex emotions and they don’t feel like they’re just brushed aside here. Both characters get the chance to feel what they feel.
All in all, if you like relationship driven sports stories, this book is definitely for you!
3.5/5 stars