Definitely has an issue 1/pilot episode feel with the characters and plot feeling a little generic overall, but it's enjoyable enough that I'd read voDefinitely has an issue 1/pilot episode feel with the characters and plot feeling a little generic overall, but it's enjoyable enough that I'd read volume 2.
With a long-running comic, the later chapters are almost always better than the beginning ones because it takes a while for a webtoon to find its groove.
I thought the reveal of one character was a fun plot twist.
The artwork fits well. No complaints and the cover is stellar....more
“I don’t want evil to be the story I use to explain my life […] Thing is, you have to be really careful which story
David made an astute observation.
“I don’t want evil to be the story I use to explain my life […] Thing is, you have to be really careful which story you choose. Because what you believe about what you don’t know will determine how you perceive what you do know.”
I feel like Ifueko has a large cast of characters that mainly remain shallow. I loved her Raybearer duology, but it had the same problem here.
And theI feel like Ifueko has a large cast of characters that mainly remain shallow. I loved her Raybearer duology, but it had the same problem here.
And there wasn’t enough interaction with Sade and Crocodile. Their connection was insta-lovey, but I didn’t dislike them. Crocodile was in-story super fine and progressive, and Sade was resilient but kept her head down. The romance was lacking. But the magical cleaning was fun.
Overall, this had an interesting unique take on activism and class issues— activism will not look the same for everyone. Some will do it from positions of power as politicians, others in grassroots efforts, and some by raising awareness....more
A mature, wholesome look at "being the strong one." Amy is deeply empathetic but learns that she needs to take in consideration of her own mental healA mature, wholesome look at "being the strong one." Amy is deeply empathetic but learns that she needs to take in consideration of her own mental health as well....more
This was a fun romp, and I say this as someone who largely ignores Thor stories. I absolutely love the artwork! The Double Trouble series has been reaThis was a fun romp, and I say this as someone who largely ignores Thor stories. I absolutely love the artwork! The Double Trouble series has been really good so far....more
I thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of the awkward phase where every middle schooler seemingly appears interested in romance and/or relationships. At tI thoroughly enjoyed the portrayal of the awkward phase where every middle schooler seemingly appears interested in romance and/or relationships. At the same time, some are just focused on being a kid/feels left out of that.
Tariq, whose arrival is the story's catalyst, was a sweetie and a popular, feel-good guy. I thought the story was going in one direction, but it subverted it. (view spoiler)[Of course, Kinsey was just a “pity date;” they cleaned that up fast. *eye roll* Really thought the story was showing that just because you’ve known someone longer or most people think you should be together doesn’t entitle you to their feelings. (hide spoiler)]
I adored the art style! Everyone looked cute and stylish. The little brother character was realistic and charming because I have seen those kids who hyper-fixate on something; in his case, ants!
Overall, I liked it and would read more if this became a series. There was a good balance with characters not being black or white. Addy didn’t go the typical route nor did the story. ...more
I was floored by the beautiful artwork and body language. The love story I wasn't so taken by. Can you say placeholder? Emotional cheating? *Dora ExplI was floored by the beautiful artwork and body language. The love story I wasn't so taken by. Can you say placeholder? Emotional cheating? *Dora Explorer voice* (view spoiler)[ basically, Ana married the safe choice, but her heart always pined after Zeno, who was a one-night stand back in her college days.
I'm all for second chances at love, but Giuseppe seemed like a placeholder. I still think it was a good choice for Ana. She wanted marriage and family (and a good reputation for politics), and Zeno wasn't going to give her any of those things. If they had an actual relationship before I'd understand, but she probably knew him a day tops. (hide spoiler)]
Also, I felt a way about the portrayal of Bogdan - the only black character featured here. At worst, it feels like a racist caricature. At best, a portrayal of a mentally disabled character who misses the mark miserably....more
A fun, positive take on female puberty. Now, the book is stingy with its magical realism. I loved the vegetable pals and the hellhound. I kind of wishA fun, positive take on female puberty. Now, the book is stingy with its magical realism. I loved the vegetable pals and the hellhound. I kind of wish we got more info on the creatures, but it’s fine since the focus was on Margot’s growing pains and Kyra feeling them grow a part.
First, I LOVE this cover (shoutout to the artist @green446004 and fantasy Black people. Let’s go!
But the pacing and storytelling weren’t for me. The wFirst, I LOVE this cover (shoutout to the artist @green446004 and fantasy Black people. Let’s go!
But the pacing and storytelling weren’t for me. The writing felt heavy on the telling and was too fast-paced. But the last third of the book picked up until it jumped the shark a little bit. I thought the book would take place in one location and was surprised when it moved to somewhere unexpected for the brunt of the book.
With the worldbuilding, the fae/different types of fairies are established to be very dangerous. There's a serious class issue and they all have unique magical traits, view humans as beneath them, and are execution-style scary supposedly. But, it didn't make any sense the way and how quickly Lore would mouth off. She wavered between being afraid of them to not caring. Can or cannot these people smite you where you stand???
I wanted to like Asher and Lore more, but their connection felt like we were on a speed-run. The core building of their relationship mostly happens offscreen, so the romantic strides felt unearned. I couldn't get into their banter either. Also, the ending...(view spoiler)[ I don't even know any more. what? whole time he's been living a lie??? did he get lost in the lie? why did he let the relationship go romantic if he was just using her?
i didn't want to mention them making out after finding out the human women are being forcefully impregnated because I thought it was a final hurrah/going out with a bang because they might die. but nah, it makes sense. y'all are acting horny after hearing that??? because you're a doggone villain! (hide spoiler)]
The second male lead, Finndryl was rude and standoffish, but he was the strong, quiet type. These are the main types who have undying loyalty to the fmc when they get their act together lol. He and Lore kept getting on each other's nerves for the smallest things, but I liked him better because we got to see him slowly defrost. Then, freeze again. Slightly thaw. And freeze again.
Unfortunately, the majority of the character interactions felt like I was being "told" things. Let it marinate. Lore's friendship with Grey didn't have much time, but I believed in their relationship way more than the one with Asher and later Isla.
The editing process probably cut a lot of things which made the book pacing feel too fast. I don't like needless filler, but I think it would've made me more invested in the characters. One scene I liked in particular was when Lore gets pushed in a swing. Just a peaceful moment that let the story breathe.
Still, I'd check out book two! I'm ready to see Lore gain mastery over her skills. I also want to see the Finndryl route.
CW: (view spoiler)[forced breeding: in the big villain monologue, we find out some of the fae are forcefully raping human women to have half-fae to increase their declining population. 7 women are already with child when Lore and friends save them (hide spoiler)]
2.5 stars
Drinking Games: Lore fretting about her hair Asher’s "long legs" Lore drinking too much alcohol Finndryl being moody...more
This was fun. The writing has a wacky, whimsical feel. Once the worldbuilding came in and Eveen's connection with her mark was revealed, I got investeThis was fun. The writing has a wacky, whimsical feel. Once the worldbuilding came in and Eveen's connection with her mark was revealed, I got invested.
This would work so well as a Netflix action movie, especially animated. I can see how fun the Eveen vs. the Spider-Cat fight scene would be visually. The undead assassins get grimmer and cooler with each introduction.
I enjoyed reading this though the final battle can be a barrier to understand if you're unfamiliar with west indian creole.
Goddess Crown works best as a lower YA/Middlegrade book with its writing style. Too much telling and not enough showing.
The book starts with a bang wiGoddess Crown works best as a lower YA/Middlegrade book with its writing style. Too much telling and not enough showing.
The book starts with a bang with Kalothia’s guardians being targeted and death and kidnappings around every corner, but it felt emotionally flat. If we had more time with certain characters, maybe I’d be more invested.
Kalothia did well for her circumstances, but I didn’t connect to her. Or the beginnings of a first love, and I absolutely love the (view spoiler)[royalty falls for the bodyguard and vice versa (hide spoiler)] trope. (view spoiler)[ It's technically not instalove because these two have history, but it their connection is hollow because they've had so few conversations with each others (hide spoiler)]
The court politics were boiled down to the world is sexist/hates women. It worked for me, but I can understand others looking for more intrigue.
Overall, the cover is lovely and drew me to it. I think this was a slow start that might improve if there's a sequel. But this story left me indifferent. The writing style just wasn't for me, but thank you for shorter YA books....more
Beautiful cover! I liked reading a story set primarily in Costa Rica (and later Cuba). The story has a mixture of lightheartedness while dealing with Beautiful cover! I liked reading a story set primarily in Costa Rica (and later Cuba). The story has a mixture of lightheartedness while dealing with such serious situations, climate migrants and deforestation.
Dariel’s the son of celebrities and has a magical voice. I adored the fact he has like a Disney princess voice with the way animals flock to him whenever he sings. It felt like a bit of magical realism, which I love.
Soleida has been uprooted and left hurting, living as a recent refugee. She no longer has an anchor and continually worries about her parents’ safety. It felt unclear to me, but (view spoiler)[ but Vivi was either lost at sea or died. Most likely the latter, but I don’t know. (hide spoiler)]
I thought the insta-lovey connection between Dariel and Soleida made sense. They’re teenagers who think they’ve found someone who understands them. The smiles and kisses followed quickly. Despite this, I didn’t feel anything toward them. The characters felt flat, and I don’t know if that’s attributed to them or just the story being in verse. But I’ve connected to characters written in verse before.
The ending is farfetched (this is a gauge for your cynicism), but everything is wrapped up nicely with a bow. This is Hallmark-level cute and ends with a unique, probing question. ...more
I feel like the quality and my intrigue is just as high as in the first book. The sequel is darker and has way more despair and gore, but the characteI feel like the quality and my intrigue is just as high as in the first book. The sequel is darker and has way more despair and gore, but the character’s backstories are more fleshed out. The kingdom of Dahomey once again plays a significant part in Iris’s life. And now we wait for the inevitable.
Can’t wait for book 3!
(view spoiler)[ gosh. Love the long-awaited reunion between Max and Berta, but it’s bittersweet. Max is a much more hardened and callous version of himself. I can’t say it felt OOC because it makes sense, but I was very saddened by it.
And I completely get all the characters not wanting to be doomed, but it’s also what has inadvertently pushed her to the brink. Like, if one person believed in her, she probably could’ve pulled through. But also who can bet their existence on one person? AHHH. It all makes sense, and it’s messy and complicated
slightly unclear but Jinn's the one that killed her right? i was expecting it. her true love betraying her is what would set her off (hide spoiler)]...more
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