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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The creative direction was well-established. The stories are intriguing, and a couple sort of fall flat or not enough time spent in these other worlds and species. I went into this expecting a lot of smut and gore (much like MADK) but this book isn't anywhere near it and can cater toward an older teen/younger adult audience.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
adventurous
emotional
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
*More of a 3.5*
This is a collection of stories that involve monsters/creatures and humans and love. I assumed it meant that they would all be romances, but it actually explored many different versions of love.
1. Naptum (4 stars): My favorite story of the bunch. It's about a pretty tough, loud mouth girl who goes on a trip to the amazon after she found out her boyfriend had a wife. After an accident on a boat she is saved by a bird man and they fall in love. This story was really sweet. Naptum is a precious angel and I liked Hannah's spunk.
2. Mermaid (3 stars): I'm not sure what kind of love this story was meant to be, but it's about a young fisherman who catches a girl in his net. The girl continues to visit him bringing him various gifts. I think this one was more about loneliness? Since he felt like he wasn't fully accepted by his village and the other fisherman.
3. Homunculus (3.5 stars): This was a really cute story. I kind of love how Sumiyoshi writes the sweet, caring innocent types. It's about a group of artificial humans created to be weapons, but as they evolve the scientist notices how they are beginning to feel more human. This was more about familial love between the Homunculi and their creator.
4. Inhuman flower (3 stars): I feel like if I say what kind of love it is it'll ruin the twist. I liked this one though. It's about a flower arranger and a flower.
5. Torso Warrior (3 stars): This one was super confusing, but it really amazes me how Sumiyoshi comes up with all these different designs for creatures and how they work. I think this one was probably inspired by greek statues. I kind of fumbled my way through this one, but I think I understood it by the end. This one was kind of a protective love, but also maybe an unrequited love?
6. Chief's Story (3 stars): I wanted more!! I was hoping there was be one for the Chief since he was so vague in Naptum's story about his past, but I'm still left wanting more. I guess we're left wondering, because the Chief himself doesn't know the answer, but ugh. I wish it would've gone more into what led up to Yuki pulling a gun on him. This was probably meant to be about a love lost.
Ryo Sumiyoshi's art is so beautiful. This probably averages down to a 3 star but I'm rounding it up to 4 because of the art. That being said the art can be a little hard to follow sometimes because of how fluid and loose the line work can be. I liked reading this though and I especially love the notes in between the stories and the character interviews at the end. You can see how much love and care Sumiyoshi puts into his work. It's nice to see.
This is a collection of stories that involve monsters/creatures and humans and love. I assumed it meant that they would all be romances, but it actually explored many different versions of love.
1. Naptum (4 stars): My favorite story of the bunch. It's about a pretty tough, loud mouth girl who goes on a trip to the amazon after she found out her boyfriend had a wife. After an accident on a boat she is saved by a bird man and they fall in love. This story was really sweet. Naptum is a precious angel and I liked Hannah's spunk.
2. Mermaid (3 stars): I'm not sure what kind of love this story was meant to be, but it's about a young fisherman who catches a girl in his net. The girl continues to visit him bringing him various gifts. I think this one was more about loneliness? Since he felt like he wasn't fully accepted by his village and the other fisherman.
3. Homunculus (3.5 stars): This was a really cute story. I kind of love how Sumiyoshi writes the sweet, caring innocent types. It's about a group of artificial humans created to be weapons, but as they evolve the scientist notices how they are beginning to feel more human. This was more about familial love between the Homunculi and their creator.
4. Inhuman flower (3 stars): I feel like if I say what kind of love it is it'll ruin the twist. I liked this one though. It's about a flower arranger and a flower.
5. Torso Warrior (3 stars): This one was super confusing, but it really amazes me how Sumiyoshi comes up with all these different designs for creatures and how they work. I think this one was probably inspired by greek statues. I kind of fumbled my way through this one, but I think I understood it by the end. This one was kind of a protective love, but also maybe an unrequited love?
Spoiler
I think because she gave the ring to Nike, which was given to her by Turner, Nike absorbed Turner's feelings for Nabe. That's why he felt like he loved Nabe and needed to protect her, but Nabe didn't know Turner loved her.6. Chief's Story (3 stars): I wanted more!! I was hoping there was be one for the Chief since he was so vague in Naptum's story about his past, but I'm still left wanting more. I guess we're left wondering, because the Chief himself doesn't know the answer, but ugh. I wish it would've gone more into what led up to Yuki pulling a gun on him. This was probably meant to be about a love lost.
Ryo Sumiyoshi's art is so beautiful. This probably averages down to a 3 star but I'm rounding it up to 4 because of the art. That being said the art can be a little hard to follow sometimes because of how fluid and loose the line work can be. I liked reading this though and I especially love the notes in between the stories and the character interviews at the end. You can see how much love and care Sumiyoshi puts into his work. It's nice to see.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The art was beautiful and I really enjoyed how varied the monster designs were. I appreciate that not all the stories were about romance necessarily and more about relationships in general. None of them really blew me away story-wise but none were all that terrible read. As far as short story collection go this was pretty good đź‘Ť
In order of qualities I would rate the stories:
Torso Warrior > Chief's Story > Homunculus > Naptum > Mermaid > Inhuman Flower
In order of qualities I would rate the stories:
Torso Warrior > Chief's Story > Homunculus > Naptum > Mermaid > Inhuman Flower
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Naptum: 4 stars. I thought it was very sweet, just wish it was a little longer
Mermaid: 2 stars. I liked it at first, but it was too short and not terribly satisfying. The mermaid’s full design was cool. I liked the implication at the end of Yukio finally starting to fit in
Homunculus: 5 stars. No romance, rather found family. I teared up at the end, I loved it
Inhuman Flower: 1 star. I liked it until the end took a 180 that I didn’t like or really understand
Torso Warrior: 3 stars. I wish we’d gotten more of this story, the lore of the planet and torso warriors was interesting but I didn’t really understand it
Chief’s Story: 3 stars. Loved seeing a little more of Hannah and Naptum. Chief’s backstory was interesting and explained his attitude toward Hannah, but I wish we’d heard what was on the last tape
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A