by Chelsey Furedi (Author, Illustrator)
February 21, 2023
Publisher: Clarion Books (Harper Collins)
Genre: graphic novel, young adult, science fiction, LGBTQ+,
For fans of Kiss Number 8 and On a Sunbeam, this debut graphic novel is a fast-paced time travel adventure with a hint of romance that has garnered 1.5 million views as a Tapas webcomic.Ren Mittal's last memory in the year 1996 is getting on a bus to visit his mystery pen pal Georgia. When he wakes up in 2122, he thinks he might be hallucinating…he’s not!
Tech conglomerate Chronotech sponsors a time-travel program to help students in 2122 learn what history was really like…from real-life subjects who’ve been transported into the future…and Ren is one of them.
In 2122, Ren’s life in the 1990s is practically ancient history—and Ren’s not sure how to feel about that. On top of it all, he learns that his memory will be wiped of all things 2122 before he’s sent back to the '90s. Adding to Ren’s complicated feels, he's forming a crush on his student guide, Mars.
And when he crosses paths with the absolute last person he expected to see in the future, he has a bigger problem on his hands: What if Chronotech isn't the benevolent organization they claim to be, and he and his fellow subjects are in great danger?
I've waited over two years for this story. Project Nought first appeared on the webcomic app Tapas and I instantly fell in love with Mars and Ren. I've been using an image of Ren's face as my avatar on Tapas because it is such a mood! LOL
Look at that expression! We've all been there.
Then Chelsey announced Project Nought would no longer post because it got picked up by a publisher! I was excited for her...but...I would have to wait two years to get the rest of the story!
*dramatic fall to the ground*
Was the wait worth it? Oh yeah. She changed the art style a little. It is now more polished than cartoony. I love Chelsey's art style because it is so expressive. You can't help but smile at Mars's infectious personality and feel for poor mopey Ren. Diversity is a big part of Chelsey's comics and something young adults have been craving...as well as some adults ;)
Project Nought has a cool premise. Imagine if your school could time-travel people from the past to spend a semester with your class so you can learn about history from their point of view. Brilliant! The corporation that owns the technology has a secret... it took me by surprise and that is hard to do, lol.
There is a sweet romance between Mars and Ren but the story focuses on the cast of friends coming together to right a wrong. The drama and heavy issues are balanced with lots of humor. There are many types of developing relationships woven into the complex plot giving the reader 336 pages of quality reading.
Project Nought would be a great addition to a middle school or high school library...and my own. I'm waiting for my pre-ordered hardback to arrive.
Take a look at some of the preview pages.
4.5 "time-traveling" Sheep
SharonS
Chelsey Furedi is a comic artist and illustrator with a passion for inclusive visual storytelling that explores both interpersonal connections and interesting new worlds. She started her career in comics during university with her online hit, Rock and Riot, before stepping into the publishing world with Project Nought as her debut. If she could time-travel, she’d go one hundred years into the future to see what everyone’s wearing. She currently lives in New Zealand and balances working as a background artist alongside her publishing journey. Twitter and Instagram: @cheriiart.
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