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andrewhatesham's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I'm so glad my sister recommended this to me and that it was readily available at the library. I loved it! I read it in about one or two sittings and immediately wanted to read the next book in the series. I have to wait, but once I get my chance, I'm taking it!
I love how the book blends cute-wholesomeness with darkness. The two main characters are great, both in art style and personality, and the beginning of the plot has me eager to keep reading. I hope the next book is as good as the first!
I love how the book blends cute-wholesomeness with darkness. The two main characters are great, both in art style and personality, and the beginning of the plot has me eager to keep reading. I hope the next book is as good as the first!
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment and Violence
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Violence, Body horror, Cursing, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, and Gore
spongeread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Violence, and Murder
pookiee's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
pretty art style that goes well with its intriguing premise and woodsy vibe; interested to see where it goes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Abandonment
choco_bunbun's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
cozy and cute,, mysterious and a bit spooky on the side
interested in what happens next :0
interested in what happens next :0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
livelaughomo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Blood
mengzhenreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved how balanced this book felt, as there were good amounts of both heartwarming fluff and a darker plot whose undercurrent ran throughout the whole book. Super gorgeous art style and just overall a really beautiful atmosphere created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Minor: Child death
maeverose's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
So far: I love the art style. The relationship between Shiva and Teacher is adorable.
Edit - Thoughts on the whole series after finishing it:
The best thing about this series is the art and characters. The story and world building are not great imo. There are a lot of cute moments between Teacher and Shiva in the first half of the series, then the messy plot-hole heavy world building takes over, things get depressing, and the ending was very unsatisfying for me. A lot of other reviewers seemed to share my feelings about it. A spoiler-free hint at why the ending was unsatisfying: it’s a bit sad and very vague / abstract. If you like that type of ending, then maybe you won’t mind.
Edit - Thoughts on the whole series after finishing it:
The best thing about this series is the art and characters. The story and world building are not great imo. There are a lot of cute moments between Teacher and Shiva in the first half of the series, then the messy plot-hole heavy world building takes over, things get depressing, and the ending was very unsatisfying for me. A lot of other reviewers seemed to share my feelings about it. A spoiler-free hint at why the ending was unsatisfying: it’s a bit sad and very vague / abstract. If you like that type of ending, then maybe you won’t mind.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, Abandonment, Death, and Pandemic/Epidemic
vigil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
a bit of a slow start to this one! if you don't mind or enjoy domesticity in your supernatural books i'd recommend it. i will say, for this volume at least, is primarily concerned with establishing the dynamic between the creature "teacher" and shiva, their day to day routine, banter, and their general ways of interacting. for the beginning and middle sections of the book, the supernatural fantasy element is largely implemented in undertones and implications, or small scenes peppered throughout. towards the late middle of the book, the fantasy portion ratchets up in comparison to the earlier parts. this is where some darker elements that were hinted at in the beginning really begin to come out in full force.
one thing i really loved was the world building, it is very reminiscent of folktales (as an aside, if you read and enjoyed this element you might also like oksi by mari ahokoivu) and i especially appreciate the delivery of the lore, in the form a children's tale read to shiva. it simultaneously managed to deliver the world building in a clear and concise way, as well as enrich the dynamics between the characters.
overall this was a really cute manga, and the ending was absolutely perfect in setting up intrigue for the next volume. i will definitely be continuing with the series.
one thing i really loved was the world building, it is very reminiscent of folktales (as an aside, if you read and enjoyed this element you might also like oksi by mari ahokoivu) and i especially appreciate the delivery of the lore, in the form a children's tale read to shiva. it simultaneously managed to deliver the world building in a clear and concise way, as well as enrich the dynamics between the characters.
overall this was a really cute manga, and the ending was absolutely perfect in setting up intrigue for the next volume. i will definitely be continuing with the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Child death, Death, and Violence
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Peculiar art style that's usually too dark and sketchy to figure out what's going on in certain panels. Intriguing premise and endearing characters but not enough for me to invest in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence