College students often get tired of reading. Reading for pleasure gets pushed to the wayside in order to make room for textbooks, articles and test reviews. However, one graphic novel is worth diving into, namely Bryan Lee O’Malley’s “Seconds.” 

The author of the novel, Bryan Lee O’Malley, is known for other works such as “Scott Pilgrim” and “Lost at Sea.” He already has an expansive following because of not only the Scott Pilgrim comics, but also the movie. This newer novel of his will likely only add to his plethora of followers. 

Published in 2014 by Ballantine Books, O’Malley’s novel tells the story of Katie Clay. She is the head chef at a well-to-do restaurant named Seconds. In the process of opening up a second restaurant named Katie, she obtains the ability to fix her own past mistakes.

A mysterious figure appears to her, leaving a cryptic message and one magical mushroom. She gives no instructions, but leaves Katie with the ability to morph her past to her own will.  

Katie does this by writing the mistake she wants to fix in a notebook, eating a mushroom and then falling asleep. Through the course of the night she dreams about how the mistake goes now that she’s getting a second chance, and when she wakes up it’s as if her dream really happened.  

This book is about what gaining this kind of power can do to a person. As Katie starts to utilize the magic mushrooms more and more, chaos and confusion begin to take over her life. Overall, the novel is a wild ride filled with interesting characters and underlying mystical tones.  

Some of the other characters throughout the novel are Arthur, Max and Hazel. Arthur is Katie’s new business partner for the second restaurant she’s planning to open. Max is her ex–boyfriend, whom many of her regrets revolve around. Hazel is a waitress working at Seconds; her and Katie eventually begin to cultivate a friendship and share in this huge adventure together.  

Aside from the plot, which keeps the reader invested and interested in turning the page, the graphics are stunning. O’Malley did much of the artwork with the assistance of Jason Fischer. Nathan Fairbairn worked as their colorist. He created vibrant colors that draw the reader’s eye and made realistic color choices that allow a suspension of reality in order to fully immerse the reader in the book. The collaborative work is an impressive one. 

From a reader’s perspective, I would vouch for the enjoyable nature of this reading experience. It brings back that sense of not being able to put a book down and staying up late in your bed reading pages the way a hungry kid eats a PB&J. It’s a page turner that draws you in like a familiar friend and takes you on an interesting journey, yet it maintains a plot line that doesn’t seem entirely impossible for the universe it takes place in.  

“Seconds“ is a graphic novel about friendship, regret and abuse of power. Its characters are interesting, diverse, and believable. O’Malley certainly didn’t lose his spark after the success of “Scott Pilgrim,” luckily for us.