I love how masterful and expressive the artwork is. Some of the language, including the curses, feels a bit out of place. But who am I? I’m no historian. The dialogue was snappy and fun too; I loved Elisabeth and Stokes was a favorite.

Once the big fight happens, the tension holds throughout well.

Anyway, worth the read.
( )

Spectacular book, based on real figure from the early 1700s, Elizabeth Wilkinson.

I'm not sure how to feel about it -- as a book, I loved it -- from Elizabeth's fighting spirit that never gives up, to her toughness, to the thought-provoking alternate stories about poverty and racism -- it's a powerful work, and it inspired me to learn more about the history behind the work.

That's where it gets a little sticky for me -- not much is known about Elizabeth Wilkinson, aside from her published boasts and a little bit about her career, including the fact that she didn't lose to Hannah Hyfield, and she did marry her promoter, Stokes. Interestingly, she seems to have been one of the most famous figures in boxing during her lifetime, eclipsing even Figg. I get where the bare bones of her life are sacrificed to write an engaging story that will resonate with American teenagers. However, there is no evidence on her racial background. There is no association with debtor's prison. And feelings about race in Britain were very different when her story took place -- so this feels quite manufactured to me in a way that does not respect the history it is based on, or even the location.

Is this an effective book? Yes! Is it a great platform to talk about race and gender? Also yes! Is it truly based on the life of Elizabeth Wilkinson? Nope. And that begs the question -- it is erasure when you fictionalize a life to the extent that this one is fictionalized? Or it it meant to be twist on a retelling, that honors her spirit above all? ( )

I wasn’t sure what to make of this book by the title and cover alone. It’s about women’s boxing in the Victorian era. It wasn’t something that was done. But for a “half-bread” Indian (from India) that may be the only way she can raise enough money to get her and her sister out of the Mist and keep them away from debtors prison. This graphic novel started out quite slow. I almost DNFed it, but am happy that I read to completion. Once the story starts to build it moves pretty quick. It shows how prejudice was alive and well other places than just America. This book was about so much more than boxing, but the boxing is what makes it so intriguing and worth the read. ( )

In this historical fiction, we are introduced to hot-tempered Elizabeth Wilkinson, a real bare-knuckle boxer in London in 1722. Not a lot is known about her actual background but this story makes her multiracial, with an Indian immigrant father and a White half sister, Tess. Elizabeth fights hoping for a big payday to retire the debts which keep Tess on the verge of going to debtors prison. She pins her hopes on joining the stable of boxing legend James Figg, but her pride and honor become a hindrance as she finds that the sport may not be as pure as she imagined it.

It's not a knock-out, but definitely takes the decision. Character shines through despite flaws in the storytelling that make the first half frustrating to read with its vagueness and annoying flashback structure. The ending is a bit corny but easy to go along with. ( )