A mature, wholesome look at "being the strong one." Amy is deeply empathetic but learns that she needs to take in consideration of her own mental health as well. ( )

I've read seven books in this series in the last couple weeks, and I have to admit I'm growing increasingly frustrated by the pace of this story. Seven books, and yet I feel like nothing has happened. All the events seem crammed into a handful of days, maybe a week? Except there aren't really events. It's just characters noodling about doing things that have yet to pay off. ~Yawn~

I have the next book on hold at the library already, but I'm thinking right now that may be my jumping off point.

The Foot Code: Tamara seems to be on pointe all the time, Amy whenever she dresses up, and all the girls in skirts when school resumes. So we're back to it being an expression of pure femininity, which is the dullest result. I was pulling for the gravity or alien theories. ( )

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)

As in many of the previous volumes, the story lines in SPACE BOY, VOLUME 16 unfold at a leisurely snail's pace. On the surface, nothing much happens, and yet McCranie manages to elicit ALL THE FEELINGS.

In South Pines High, the students are left reeling by the altercation at prom - particularly Amy's disappearance/presumed death. The newly "rescued" Tamara has become a bit of celebrity, as has Cassie - who believes Tammie when she insists that Amy isn't dead. Along with a reluctant Schaffer and Meisha, the group continues to investigate Amy's disappearance, while another group of students lean into the conspiracy theories and form Truth Seekers Anonymous.

Meanwhile, Amy and Qiana take a deeper dive into the murder of Aleksander Lesnik. A cryptic dedication in his homemade book leads them to Sophi Brix. THE Sophi Brix, wife of and heir to the founder of Net Gear. (This results in one of my favorite exchanges in the book, i.e., Qiana and Amy arguing about whether Lesnik was a gold digger.)

And, struggling with his feelings for Amy, Oliver goes to Dr. Kim for advice - who helps him solve his love life with calculus. (Another favorite panel.)

The only thing I didn't much care for? The return of the Animal Agriculture Club. You're telling me we have 3D printers to make clothing on a whim, but not lab-grown or plant-based meat? Maybe even spit out by said printer? C'mon now.

*****

Here's a breakdown of the episodes contained in each TPB. Sometimes I borrow the books from the library, other times I receive early electronic review copies online - and to bridge the gaps in between, I read the strips on Webtoons. Forever and always do I tear my hair out trying to figure out which strips I missed in between the collected volumes.

Volume 01 - episodes 1-16

Volume 02 - episodes 17-32

Volume 03 - episodes 33-48

Volume 04 - episodes 49-60

Volume 05 - episodes 61-75 (I think)

Volume 06 - episodes 76-92

Volume 07 - episodes 95-110

Volume 08 - episodes 111-126

Volume 09 - episodes 127-143

Volume 10 - episodes 144-159

Volume 11 - episodes 160-175

Volume 12 - episodes 176-195

Volume 13 - episodes 196-210

Volume 14 - episodes 211–223 and 225–226

Volume 15 - episodes 227-240

Volume 16 - episodes 241-256 ( )