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apologiesforeverything's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
nolansmock's review against another edition
4.0
A breezy read for being 450+ pages. Its stylized, minimal art is intoxicating and feels like you're inside a pop song, which you literally are for a large chunk of it. The use of music in a silent medium is interesting, if not a little redundant in its execution here, but also it feels like when an earworm is stuck in your head or imbues times in your life with meaning. You're stuck with having to imagine your own music, which asks you to access a part of your brain not typically lit up while reading. It's heavily poetic, a noir mixed with steampunk and cyberpunk elements, and a lot of romanticism. A unique read if not a little confusing because the story is unfinished (didn't know this going in, thought it was complete) and because its told in a loop kind of, where the end of the story the beginning? The climax hits around the middle and makes it obvious this was intended to be a longer story, which makes it tough to not wish for a little more and feel a little let down by the ending. Even this goodreads listing says Vol. 1 but as far as I know the rest of this will never be written since its been twenty years. Still, I had been wanting to read something by CLAMP for a while (because a LOT of their series are unfinished and I was trying to avoid that lol) and the storytelling and art direction was worth the cost of entry. I may read this again before selling just to soak in that mood some more. This been going on sale for less than half the sticker price, so if you want to check it out I'd wait for that or see if your library has it. Unfortunately, I don't think there's enough in the book to justify full price, although it is big and beautiful, not unlike an art book, which I can appreciate.
graddystation's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the first mangas I ever read, I love all clamps works
spaceman5000's review against another edition
4.0
Incredibly beautiful manga. Curious story about love with a heap of sci-fi thrown in. The story was told a bit strangely and may not fit everyone's tastes, but good lord is the art glorious. Worth reading just to look at the artwork even if the story is not your cup of sakè.
empatheditor's review against another edition
5.0
I have never read anything close to what Clover is like--a blend of imaginative creativness, beautiful art, deep poetry in song, and a sweet anlysis of the simple desires of the heart that longs to be set free from its cage--literally. Each of the main characters has their own beautifully sad story that is told artfully and dramatically through the breathtaking artistry and story by the ingenious CLAMP. Nothing is like this! A must read!! (Plus within the version that includes the whole series, there are pages of bonus colored art (cute & delicious guys too!!) which alas, I cannot keep as I do not have my own copy... u__u)
bluvega's review against another edition
4.0
"Se trovi un quadrifoglio, ti porterà fortuna.
Ma non far mai parola con uomo o donna alcuna
del luogo dove sboccia il suo fiore bianco;
di quante foglie conti non fiatar nemmanco.
Quattro sono i petali di me, trifoglio raro:
la gioia dono solo se ogn'altro n'è ignaro."
Serie di 4 volumi. Incompiuta.
Per saperne di più:
http://chateau-ambulant.blogspot.com/2008/02/clover.html
Ma non far mai parola con uomo o donna alcuna
del luogo dove sboccia il suo fiore bianco;
di quante foglie conti non fiatar nemmanco.
Quattro sono i petali di me, trifoglio raro:
la gioia dono solo se ogn'altro n'è ignaro."
Serie di 4 volumi. Incompiuta.
Per saperne di più:
http://chateau-ambulant.blogspot.com/2008/02/clover.html
captnpanda's review against another edition
3.0
This story is unfinished in the worst way. I don't know how long Clover was suppose to be but I did know going into it that it was left unfinished by Clamp. The story seemed to be vague in the beginning but it seemed to end right when they were tieing things together which is really unfortunate. You start getting into the story and putting the pieces together and it just ends. I don't know if there is hope at this point that they will ever finish this story but I hope they do! I would love to see the ending.
The story and the methods they use to tell the story are so unique and completely different from anything from Clamp I've read so far. I know that Clover was celebrated for how Clamp used negative space. It brought a different kind of beauty to the art. I like the idea of the dystopia that they presented it just needed more time to really develop or know what was going on and why. A point they were very clearly getting to but, alas. I didn't think I was enjoying it at first due to how vague the story was progressing but about towards the middle of this book it started getting better and more interesting. It pulled me in. Overall I enjoyed it and I enjoyed the style of it even more.
The story and the methods they use to tell the story are so unique and completely different from anything from Clamp I've read so far. I know that Clover was celebrated for how Clamp used negative space. It brought a different kind of beauty to the art. I like the idea of the dystopia that they presented it just needed more time to really develop or know what was going on and why. A point they were very clearly getting to but, alas. I didn't think I was enjoying it at first due to how vague the story was progressing but about towards the middle of this book it started getting better and more interesting. It pulled me in. Overall I enjoyed it and I enjoyed the style of it even more.
yvernell's review
🙂
it really is a shame that clover couldn't be completed. there's a lot here i like (discomfort of an adult man running around with a girl who looks around 12 to 15 aside.) i wish we could've gone deeper in on ran (and get some more clarification on whether or not "partner" is refering specifically to a work partner or if he and gingetsu have something else going on.) the art is great, as usual from clamp - it's just incomplete.
it really is a shame that clover couldn't be completed. there's a lot here i like (discomfort of an adult man running around with a girl who looks around 12 to 15 aside.) i wish we could've gone deeper in on ran (and get some more clarification on whether or not "partner" is refering specifically to a work partner or if he and gingetsu have something else going on.) the art is great, as usual from clamp - it's just incomplete.
gretrascis's review
5.0
I’m having a lot of trouble describing it: like a comic poem that is pushing to use the least amount of page to tell its story and it works. Speech bubbles in symmetrical patterns devoid of pictures sometimes. The barest of Sci-Fi plots and the story is told in reverse chronological order by volume.
I don’t know why, but it really worked for me. A comic that was refreshingly unique in style and construction. And now I have to go buy a hardcover for the collection.
ETA: Took the comic techniques I loved from Sailor Moon and went the next logical step or two.
I don’t know why, but it really worked for me. A comic that was refreshingly unique in style and construction. And now I have to go buy a hardcover for the collection.
ETA: Took the comic techniques I loved from Sailor Moon and went the next logical step or two.
loyaultemelie's review
4.0
Not perfect and suffering from CLAMP being CLAMP but nevertheless a beautifully tragic story with the most stunning art I’ve see from CLAMP yet.
I hope it is finished someday
I hope it is finished someday