Lights (Sheets #3)

This was such an emotional and heartwarming conclusion to the series! I loved this series so much. In fact, Sheets was one of the first graphic novels I ever read, so this series holds a special place in my heart. I also admire the fact that each novel is named after the types of clothing you have sorted by pile when you do your laundry!

A short summary of the novel: This last novel in the Sheets series follows Marjorie, Eliza, and Wendell as they try and figure out how Wendell's past while trying to maintain their friendships, relationships, and themselves.

Jumping right in, Marjorie's character development not only throughout this novel but from the first time we meet her in Sheets is tremendous. We were able to see Marjorie slowly open up to her dad more and more and I loved that we could see her trust in him blossom. I appreciated how realistic it was for Marjorie to question the friendships in her life and wonder what it is exactly that she wants and values in a friend and what it even means to be a friend herself. I remember feeling that exact same way when I was her age.

 Sasha and Sid were great additions to the novel. At first, I was a little apprehensive of what exactly their role would be, but as the story progressed I found them to be great comedic relief and saw how they fit into the storyline as a whole. I also applaud the author for portraying Eliza and her mental health in such a realistic manner. 

Lights did a fantastic job of balancing Wendell's flashbacks while simultaneously showing us what was happening in real time, primarily Marjorie and Eliza trying to help Wendell figure out what had happened to him. I especially loved that we were seeing bits and pieces of Wendell's memory and then shown the memory in full as he was remembering it himself. My only complaint is that I think Wendell's relationship with his parents was a bit muddy. From what we are able to see, they were significantly absent in his life, but at the end of the novel when it's revealed by Tierney that they did love and miss him and were devastated by his passing it just felt too black and white. But maybe that was the point. 

Overall, Lights did a tremendous job of wrapping up the story of Marjorie, Eliza, and Wendell and their journey together. I'm going to miss reading their adventures!