Amy learns more about Qiana and the other members of the First Contact Project while spending way too much time in ever increasing dream sequences with the alien.

Meanwhile, it seems most of the supporting cast -- who think Amy is missing or dead -- have begun independent investigations into the cover-up and conspiracy behind the South Pines homecoming attack.

I guess this is going to be the story for a while yet, and I can't say I'm happy with it. It's still good overall, but my interest is ticking down ever so slightly with every volume.

The Foot Code: Cassie brings the tiptoe in her sassy capri pants, and when Amy dreams herself back into her homecoming dress she is on pointe again. Everyone else, except the alien, seems to be flat-footed all the time now.

Side note: Episode #224 is not included in this collection as it is a rather long side story about Li'l Amy and Jemmah creating a Christmas picture book together. It is available online here:
https://www.webtoons.com/en/sf/space-boy/ep-224/viewer?title_no=400&episode_... ( )

For Webtoon Readers, this volume ends at episode 226

I'm really loving the exploration of mental health and the darker themes. Amy is so soft-hearted, but she's managing her best with her present circumstances. The police cover-up story is also interesting to watch. They've made a mistake underestimating Cassie. ( )

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

The latest volume of SPACE BOY is a strange beast; it feels like nothing much happens, plot-wise, and yet it's still pretty compelling. If I had to pick a central theme of this collection, it would be "forgiveness."

Amy tries her best to settle in to her new life at the First Contact Project. Though she now wears a uniform, nothing much is required of her, which gives her lots of time to fill. In an especially relatable scene, she 'wastes' an entire day binge-watches a kids' show (Puffy Pets: Love Is Magic) with Oliver; they both agree that it's "comfort food" for the soul. She pays a visit to Dr. Kim's lab, where he shows her his latest project - an honest-to-goodness body for Oliver (enter: robot puppy!). And she befriends a very angry Qiana - yes, the same Qiana who attacked Cassie and kidnapped Tamara. Meanwhile, reeling over the 'termination' of her mentor Saito, Qiana opens her own covert investigation into the FCP.

Back in Kokomo, Tamara is 'rescued' from her kidnappers - in a National Security operation that is totally, 100% not sketchy. The take-no-BS Cassie - who is looking into the South Pines incident with an equally concerned and almost charmingly naive Schafer - is immediately suspicious of the new lead on the case, James Silbert. I can't wait to see what she does with Amy's newly discovered glasses.

Also, as alluded to in this review's content warning, Amy struggles with PTSD, including anxiety attacks and nightmares, stemming from her near-death experience. And the otherworldly alien creature invading Amy's thoughts is building a matchstick bridge to space - what's up with that?

As always, the art is super-adorable and makes sometimes-difficult concepts go down a little easier. And there's a baby Amy strip to lighten things up at the end!

*****

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 ( )