Roll Call (Dungeons \u0026 Dragons: Dungeon Club, #1) by Molly Knox Ostertag

Roll Call (Dungeons \u0026 Dragons: Dungeon Club, #1) Reviews

• 
  Bookishrealm

  I definitely understand why readers enjoy Molly Knox Ostertag's graphic novels. This was heartwarming, charming, and fun to devour! CW: bullying & parental abandonment
  
  Roll Call is the first in a new Dungeons and Dragons series that follows Jess and her best friend Olivia. The two initially meet in elementary school and bound over their love of playing imagination based games. Eventually, they grow into die hard Dungeons and Dragons fans and spend most of their time playing the game. As they transition into their last year of middle school, Olivia wants to expand their friend group and invite more people to play while Jess prefers to maintain their close knit friendship without the involvement of others. What follows is a heartwarming and sometimes tough narrative of what it's like to make new friends when you're used to being alone.
  
  What Worked: The storytelling of this book was amazing! I went through so many emotions while reading this especially as the story pertained to Jess. I understood her fear of making new friends, but I was so frustrated by some of the decisions that she made. Nevertheless, Ostertag made me reckon with the fact that I probably would have behaved the same way if I was her age and in the same position. I absolutely adored and loved Olivia. Despite the ups and downs of her relationship with Jess, she tried to be empathetic and caring. She was extremely aware of Jess's experiences with her mother and how that would impact her need for closeness. There was just a certain emotional maturity about her that I didn't expect. Now, I was extremely nervous about the inclusion of Dungeons and Dragons because I've never played; however, I feel like Ostertag did a wonderful job explaining various aspects of the game that made it more accessible for readers like me. This is a love letter to those kids that love playing or have grown up playing D&D. It gets rid of the assumptions and biases that people have had about it. Tie that in with a good look at middle school friendships and it makes for an excellent story. I also adored the artwork. It was bright and vibrant. The panels of Jess, Olivia, and the other kids matched the panels of the fantastical world. They worked in harmony instead of opposition which I really appreciated.
  
  What Didn't Work: I think that there was some great character development with most of the characters, but things fell a little flat with Kelly who was the bully. I'm not sure if Ostertag plans explore her more in future installments, but compared to the other characters she was 0ne-dimensional.
  
  Overall, this was a fun and exciting middle grade graphic novel. I'm extremely excited to check out more in the series.
• 
  Diz

  I thoroughly enjoyed this. It's a story about junior high school students creating a Dungeons and Dragons club in their first year of middle school. It deals with issues such as bullying, shifting friend groups, evolving relationships, and learning how to accept others. The characters have relatable issues which make it easy to root for them even when they aren't at their best.
• 
  Sammie V

  This book book is perfect for any starting dnd player or anyone who loves dnd! Ostertag perfectly executed a story of friendship, courage, and the ups and downs of middle school. I loved how everyone had a stats block when introduced on the page, it really made it feel like a dnd campaign. Bouma's illustrations are to die for and make the story come off the page. I can't wait to see where this series goes!
  
  Cw
  Bullying
  Abandonment
  
• 
  Ben Howard

  I loved this so much and I can't wait for the next volume!!!
  
  This was such a cute graphic novel. Love the friendships and how it dealt with opening yourself up to new ones. The art was amazing and I loved the D&D scenes.
  
  Jess' great relationship with her Dad was also a high point for me. Loved him!
• 
  Jen Appell

  SO CUTE. As a socially awkward introverted middle schooler, this book hit close to home. It's about D&D obviously, but also about maintaining friendships, being open to making new friends, learning to apologize, the importance of imagination and creativity, standing up to bullies, complex family structures, and more. Plus, as a fellow tiefling, the actual campaign was super fun to follow.
• 
  Jasmine

  This graphic novel caught my attention just as I was invited to play D&D. I’ve never done it before and I was curious about what it’s like.
  
  I love the way the author and illustrator worked together to illustrate the world that the characters created. I felt very immersed!
  
  I found Jess’ struggle to open up to others relatable. It’s all too easy to forget that the world can be scary, but there are good people in it, if we’re willing to be vulnerable and let others in. The depiction of friendship and teamwork was so heartwarming!
  
  There’s a number 1 on the spine so I hope there’s more on the way!
• 
  Amber

  When two friends start a dungeons and dragons club at their high school, someone arrives but can their friendship last when High school and everything else gets in the way of their adventures together? Read on and find out for yourself.
  
  This was a pretty good dungeons and dragons graphic novel. If you love dungeons and dragons, graphic novels and books about high school then definitely check this book out. You can find this wherever books and ebooks are sold.
• 
  Benjamin A

  Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club - Roll Call was an incredibly fun middle grade graphic novel that had way more heart than I ever would have thought possible. I know I am not the likely demographic for it, but I really hope that plenty of kids get the chance to and see how much fun playing D & D can be, as well as the power of friendship and acceptance. The writing and art were both excellent and I am really anticipating another entry in the series sometime soon.....please.
  
  Special thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC
• 
  Chris

  This book was very good because there were parts of the story that are like D&D. A thing that I liked was that when a monster showed up there would be a little pop-up that showed a part of the monsters stats in the classic D&D format. Also when you are first introduced to a character it also shows, just like a monster, a little pop-up that showing their "stats". Another part that I liked was that the main character, Jess, is very unsocial and plays in D&D Sir Corius, a tiefling, which is a very unsocial race. So over all this book is a very well constructed book and I think that if you like D&D, role playing, or people fighting monsters then you should read this
  
  This review is based off of Net Galley's advanced reader copy.
• 
  Ariel

  I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
  I ADORED this graphic novel so much. Everything about it spoke to me and drew me in from the start. From the gorgeous illustrations to the heartfelt and emotional storyline. I think it's a fantastic way to introduce D&D to a younger audience who doesn't understand.
  
  I also think it shows how something simple like "just a game" can bring people together and make our voices feel heard when they've been buried so deeply by others and even ourselves. I hope there's more to come from this!
• 
  Eva B.

  THIS WAS SO CUTE!! I love how the D&D identification methods were woven into the story and the plot between the D&D characters was just as interesting as the one between the human leads. Can’t wait to see where this goes next!
• 
  Andrew Eder

  I LOVE D&D AND I WANT MORE STORIES ABOUT IT!!!!!!!!!
• 
  Andee

  
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  Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
  AS CAWPILE:
  Characters: 10 | Atmosphere: 9 | Writing: 8 | Plot: 9 | Intrigue: 9 | Logic: 10 | Enjoyment: 10
  Total: 9.29
  
  This was such a fun middle-grade read about friendship and growing up. As someone who didn't get into Dungeons and Dragons until adulthood, and someone who was bullied as a kid, all I could have wanted for child me was a club like this! The story was very well written and perfect for its audience. The themes were consistent and the artwork was, as always from Molly, beautiful. This was a fantastic read that even covered my favorite thing to yell about: healthy communication. I really recommend it for any middle schooler who loves fantasy and comics but maybe has a hard time making friends sometimes.
• 
  Jessica McKendry

  This graphic novel is absolutely adorable. Geared toward middle grade/middle school readers, this short story is about two best friends and D&D. I thought this was an adorable portrayal of middle school friendship, with all its jealousies and ups and downs. I also loved how it portrayed playing D&D, which was very very cute.
  
  This was a story about growing: being worried about growing apart, and opening up to grow together in friendship.
• 
  Starr ❇✌❇

  TW: bullying, homophobia
  
  This is a sweet if not sometimes frustrating story of learning to deal with change and growth. I really like how the actual campaign is shown and the dynamics of the character, and I'm sure the party is going to be stunning in the next volume! Jess makes a lot of bad decisions in this, but such is the life of an 8th grader, and it's really cathartic to see her understand the wrongness of her actions and get vulnerable
• 
  Lindsay Ann

  I have zero knowledge of D&D and enjoyed this all the same. A fun story about friendship, bullying, jealousy, and the overall Middle School experience with a fun fantasy story interwoven.
• 
  Rachel Fetzer

  This book is very cute and I hope there's a second one!
• 
  toast

  4.5
• 
  Maria

  cute!
• 
  Shannon Collins

  A short and sweet ode to middle school, dungeons and dragons, and friendships both new and old.
  
  Molly Knox Ostertag can do no wrong and every story she pens is a delight and a comfort to all the senses. This story in particular calls back to my own middle school days, which I believe is it's intention. Ostertag's works always make me feel less alone we more seen, I guess. The art is stunning and detailed, shifting between bold and startling adventures in the Forgotten Realms and warm and subtle in the real world.
• 
  Erin

  Jess and her best friend Olivia love to play D&D. At middle school, Jess doesn't really have any friends like Olivia, so D&D is her refuge that she closely guards. Olivia on the other hand, wants to open their group up to other players and tries to start a club. When another player joins, Jess struggles to accept him and tries to sabotage him in game which results in her and Olivia having a fight. Will Jess be able to repair things in real life and in game?
  
  This was a super cute middle grades graphic novel. Jess is pretty easy to relate to. You can understand why she doesn't want a new player in the game, especially once you learn the backstory of that new player. Middle school is a hard time. I loved that the book included stat blocks for monster and for characters in the book. It made the connection to D&D much more tangible. I also enjoyed how Jess would transform into her character from the game. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
  
  Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Childrens Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Klee

  From New York Times bestselling author Molly Knox Ostertag and critically acclaimed illustrator Xanthe Bouma comes an all new Dungeons & Dragons teen graphic novel series!
  
  Jess and Olivia, besties since they were little, have their own Dungeons & Dragons world. Jess struggles when Olivia decides to open up their group to other kids. What ensues is an exploration of friendship and the complexity of high school dynamics. A quick and easy read, this will be a graphic novel that will hopefully encourage teens to look into the fantasy world of D&D, to consider the true nature of high school friendships, and to think about how sometimes getting outside your comfort zone will open more exciting doors and opportunities.
  
  This is def a good one to get into the school library!
  
  Thanks to the publisher for sending me this for an honest review.
• 
  gray (my.rainbow.bookshelf)

  god I fucking love Molly Knox Ostertag books, they never fail to feel like home 😭
• 
  Frank Chillura (OhYouRead)

  I didn’t get into playing D&D until adulthood, but I like to think that I would have really enjoyed it as a preteen. That was when I was really into magical girl anime (TBH, I still am) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so without a doubt I would have had so much fun making up a character and going on adventures.
  
  I’m a huge fan of Molly Knox Ostertag’s books. I’ve read everything I can readily get my hands on, because each book has such incredible world building and character development. Plus, the artwork is always each catching. And Dungeons & Dragons: Roll Call is no different.
  
  From the very beginning of the book, you get an idea of the school hierarchy. Jess may be at the lowest on the social caste, but Olivia is quite popular. She’s outgoing and has a lot of friends. When she decides to turn their 1-on-1 D&D campaign into a club at their school and doesn’t give Jess any day in the choice, it creates a bit of resentment.
  
  But the one good thing that came out of this was a new friend in Tyler. He’s someone even less popular than Jess, making him want to make friends that much more important to him.
  
  I love that this book will bring the game of D&D to a younger crowd. The characters are about the same age as the kids from Stranger Things and we know what happens in that story. So all I have to say to that is… ADVENTURE AWAITS!!!
• 
  Jessica

  What an adorable story. The artwork? Adorable. The story? Adorable. As someone with a complicated history with Dungeons & Dragons, I completely fell for Jess''s side of the story. RPGs often allow those of us with social issues a place to shine and letting people that don't sit right with us into these places can be incredibly difficult.
  I love the parallels between the players and their characters. That felt very real to my experience at the table. DnD characters are a place to explore intimate parts of yourself. Would you stand up to the big bad evil guy? Or would you stand back? What if you wanted to stand up to them but lacked the means to do so? Enter DnD. Where you have a sword and better stats than you do in real life.
  That's what Jess experiences.
  I was so happy when she came around to address her issues instead of keeping them inside. She told someone their actions made her uncomfortable. She stood up to bullies. She made friends.
  My favorite part (absolutely favorite part) was the stat card for every character. Whenever we meet someone, a stat card appears next to them detailing their popularity, how nice they might be, how smart they are, and a whole bunch of other funny things.
  I'll be putting this on pre-order now because I know an entire table of people who need this in their lives.
• 
  Dallas Antonio

  Thank you to NetGalley and Molly Knox Ostertag for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Also a huge thanks to Xanthe Bouma for their amazing artistic work in this book.
  
  "Middle school is a dungeon... At least that's how Jess sees it."
  
  "Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club: Roll Call" is a short graphic novel in which best friends Jess and Olivia, whom have been playing the fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons for years exclusively together, have life shoving them into changes. When Olivia decides it'd be more fun to start a club and seek out new members for their once solitary sessions, Jess's world-- and their friendship-- turn upside down!
  
  My thoughts:
  This graphic novel is one where I am overjoyed to have read. Sure, I am well beyond the demographic (middle schoolers) but even I thoroughly enjoyed it, and will introduce it to the young people in my life! The book did so much right:
  
  - It did a realistic depiction of middle schoolers and middle school: forget hyper-sexualization, excessive mature drama, or feeling like the characters are adults speaking through them. It shows how kids don't always initially approach problems the most mature, and the intense social pressures of middle school.
  - There is a lot of natural feeling representation, some of it being: Diné, messy home life, and more.
  - Presents the idea that your hobbies don't have to "contribute" to something greater to be worth something.
  - Shows how much pressure for some meaningless things (such as young student council) is pushed onto children who may not want to engage in it.
  - Shows a wholesome, beautiful way for characters to make up
  - The main characters don't always win: and that's okay!
  
  This was very enjoyable, and I recommend finding a copy for yourself and/or someone young in your life.
  I really can't even find a thing I dislike about this graphic novel: great art, great storyline for middle grade, and while a bit generic in school plot, still very fun and a real page-turner!
• 
  Yolanda Sfetsos

  I have to admit that I'm not a huge D&D fan and have never actually played the game. But between Stranger Things and the Dungeons & Dragons movie, I've managed to enjoy D&D from an outsider's perspective.
  
  So when we found this graphic novel for a bargain price over the weekend, we picked it up. And I thought I'd give it a go.
  
  Olivia and Jess are best friends who attend middle school. They're also D&D fans and have been for years. When Olivia wants to invite other players to join them, Jess is opposed to the idea and their friendship hits a rough patch...
  
  Well, this turned out to be an utter delight! The characterisation is amazing. Not to mention how easily these characters managed to weave their way into my head and affect me emotionally. Olivia is an outgoing nice girl who wants to make new friends. Jess is a shy introvert who is happy with the way things are. There's a lot about her past that has shaped and twisted her, made her mistrust and not want to get to know anyone else.
  
  She's also getting bullied, which only adds to her anger and frustration. And when those two emotions combine, she ends up hurting the one person she truly cares about. 😫
  
  Seriously, this is such a great story about friendship and growing up. About not letting the past sour the present, and realising that new people aren't the enemy. It's also about two very creative girls who love D&D.
  
  Loved the artwork, too.
  
• 
  Averil Layton

  This middle grade graphic novel is a delight from beginning to end. It is well-suited for its target age group and will be enjoyable for kids who are already familiar with D&D or who are hearing of it for the very first time. As a lifelong nerd, I wish I'd had more books like this to read as a little kid! It's a celebration of imagination and friendship, and readers will enjoy following along with not just one story, but two. The intermixing of the campaign plot and the equally challenging reality of navigating adolescence makes for a tale that is entertaining as it is compelling. I hope to see more of Jess, Olivia, and Tyler (alongside Sir Corius and Sunny, of course!) in the future.
  
  The illustrations in this book are sharply rendered and include beautiful, expressive characters. I loved taking my time to absorb the art on each page and the way it facilitated the storytelling, exactly as it should have. The creators of this book did a marvelous job! My thanks to them, as well as the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!
• 
  Dakota Morgan

  Roll Call serves as both an effective YA narrative about making and keeping friends with competing interests AND as an introduction to roleplaying as a perfectly acceptable teen pastime filled with creativity and teamwork. In other words, Roll Call is a rollicking success!
  
  Jess and Olivia have been making up stories together forever, and a D&D campaign is just the latest setting. Olivia wants to expand the campaign to more players, but Jess is wary of splitting up their close friendship, particularly when the additional player is the biggest dweeb in the school. These conflicts play out alongside the conflict within the D&D campaign, which is straightforward and satisfying - a good taste of what you might find in a game.
  
  There's a happy ending, of course, and perhaps even room for more storytelling in this world. Roll Call never feels like a gross corporate tie-in - it's a wonderfully enjoyable read on its own merits!
• 
  Dylan

  This is an entertaining book dealing with the interactions of three kids enjoying the world of Dungeons and Dragons. I think any middle schooler who plays Dungeons and Dragons will be able to relate to the characters and situations presented.
  
  I particularly enjoyed that the main character sees the world around her as if she was in the game, but the author didn't take it to the extreme that some might. I've seen other books where the entire world becomes transformed into a fantasy version. In this book, the world remains reality, but stat boxes similar to the Monster Manual will appear next to the characters of the story. The style and formatting is spot on with the 5E Monster Manual.
  
  I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.
  
  This review is based on an ARC obtained through NetGalley.