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_mhd_'s Reviews (141)
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Such a charming graphic novel that is so quiet and calming while illustrating its narrative beautifully. The character designs and broader world are lovely and immersive. All of the panels were so pleasing to look at. I loved the communities that were portrayed and how much collectivity was valued. The subtle queer and disabled/chronic illness representation was well done. I thought that the struggles that Anya had—loneliness, trauma with abandonment, struggling to appreciate what is around her, only valuing herself for the work she can offer others —were all poignant.
I did find myself wondering about her backstory and wished that her core issue was introduced a bit sooner in the narrative. While I loved the reliance on art to tell the story over dialogue and thought it was overall successful, I wanted some more outer dialogue from Anya instead of inner to see how she interacts with others a bit more.
The mythology in this graphic novel was also absolutely gorgeous,and I love how full circle the entire narrative came in the end, from Anya meeting the girl from the oral stories to interacting with the ancient creature that prompted the creation of the night community in the first place (and how both it and Anya faced similar problems that then had almost identical resolutions!) . A really thoughtful graphic novel that makes for a comforting evening read.
I did find myself wondering about her backstory and wished that her core issue was introduced a bit sooner in the narrative. While I loved the reliance on art to tell the story over dialogue and thought it was overall successful, I wanted some more outer dialogue from Anya instead of inner to see how she interacts with others a bit more.
The mythology in this graphic novel was also absolutely gorgeous,
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
First, let me start with what I loved. The sheer craftsmanship in this collection was evident from beginning to end. My favorite poem from this collection was by far “Wildlife." It was so gorgeous that it floored me and became one of my new favorite poems ever. The descriptions were reminiscent of Mary Oliver. They flowed well throughout the entire poem and were immersive and meaningful in the broader dystopian themed political commentary that Choi was making throughout their collection.
Other poems that I thought were fantastic in the broader commentary that Choi was making include:
• “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On”
• “Catastrophe is Next to Godliness”
• “Disaster Means ‘Without a Star’”
• “It Is What It Is”
• “Science Fiction Poetry”
• “September 2001”
• “Aaron Says the World is Upside Down”
• “Field Trip to the Museum of Human History”
• “On How”
• “Prayer for Untranslated Testimony”
• “Look”
• “Doom”
There were also a few poems where I appreciated either particular stanzas or concepts, even if the poem as a whole wasn't quite there for me: “Danez Says They Want to Lose Themselves in Bops They Can’t Sing Along To,” “Disinheritance,” “I Learned That I Was Beautiful,” “How to Let Go of the World,” “Toward Grace,” “Things That Already Go Past Borders,” “Waste,” and “Protest Poem."
I was frequently lost with her more historical and language-based poems, sometimes because I lacked context (which is on me!) and others because I struggled with following some of the stylistic decisions made. I also thought that a lot of their longer poems were difficult to follow because complex languages and metaphors were valued over clarity.
A small detail that also detracted for me was the use of dyke when Choi is not a dyke, based on her frequent poems about romantic involvements with men. While much of their poetry focuses on queerness, this does not offer a free-pass to use slurs specific to lesbians. However, it is evident that their intentions were not negative (or, at least, I get this sense).
As a whole, I enjoyed how radical and rooted in anti-colonialism/imperialism, feminism, and queerness much of Choi's poetry was. I'm glad I took some time to reflect on their poetry because it gave me more appreciation for it. A lot of these poems were definitely thought-provoking, and I think this collection is for sure worth checking out, especially for those who want to read about political commentary through a dystopian-centric lens.
Other poems that I thought were fantastic in the broader commentary that Choi was making include:
• “The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On”
• “Catastrophe is Next to Godliness”
• “Disaster Means ‘Without a Star’”
• “It Is What It Is”
• “Science Fiction Poetry”
• “September 2001”
• “Aaron Says the World is Upside Down”
• “Field Trip to the Museum of Human History”
• “On How”
• “Prayer for Untranslated Testimony”
• “Look”
• “Doom”
There were also a few poems where I appreciated either particular stanzas or concepts, even if the poem as a whole wasn't quite there for me: “Danez Says They Want to Lose Themselves in Bops They Can’t Sing Along To,” “Disinheritance,” “I Learned That I Was Beautiful,” “How to Let Go of the World,” “Toward Grace,” “Things That Already Go Past Borders,” “Waste,” and “Protest Poem."
I was frequently lost with her more historical and language-based poems, sometimes because I lacked context (which is on me!) and others because I struggled with following some of the stylistic decisions made. I also thought that a lot of their longer poems were difficult to follow because complex languages and metaphors were valued over clarity.
A small detail that also detracted for me was the use of dyke when Choi is not a dyke, based on her frequent poems about romantic involvements with men. While much of their poetry focuses on queerness, this does not offer a free-pass to use slurs specific to lesbians. However, it is evident that their intentions were not negative (or, at least, I get this sense).
As a whole, I enjoyed how radical and rooted in anti-colonialism/imperialism, feminism, and queerness much of Choi's poetry was. I'm glad I took some time to reflect on their poetry because it gave me more appreciation for it. A lot of these poems were definitely thought-provoking, and I think this collection is for sure worth checking out, especially for those who want to read about political commentary through a dystopian-centric lens.
DNF @ ~40%. I was really intrigued by the concept of this young adult novel and can absolutely see why it would charm someone else. I probably would have flown through this if I was a few years younger. Unfortunately though, as much as I like the concept, I’m struggling with the execution. I’m not a huge fan of the Insta-love, social media references, and the POV of the MC, so I’m going to set this one down.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This was the best YA thriller that I have ever read. Focused, straight to the point, and a page-turner with a fantastic cast of characters. It kept me guessing the entire time and was really clever. I'm definitely reading the rest of the series and am excited to watch the TV show!
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
A completely stunning short story collection. It’s rare to read one that is so intentionally curated and impactful. Every short story held my attention. Philyaw has such an engaging writing style and does a fantastic job of creating fully realized characters who you’re immediately invested in. I can’t even pick a favorite short story because I enjoyed each one for different reasons! Easily one of the best short story collections I have ever read (if not the best so far, honestly). Would highly recommend!
fast-paced
fast-paced
DNF @ 20-25%. This was on me for misreading the blurb at first, but I was taken aback at the fact that the protagonist was 16 given the circumstances that she is forced to confront. I was willing to give it a chance regardless, but this specific issue isn’t written with enough care or nuance for me to feel comfortable continuing, especially since other characters keep drawing attention to her age and subsequent “innocence” as a selling point for her rather than a source of concern. From her first scene at the brothel, there is implied coercion and clear power dynamics that are not addressed, and instead the narrative takes a route of focusing on what happens as an opportunity for financial self-empowerment (a valid route it not for the protagonist’s age and the circumstances that bring her there in the first place). Regardless of the era this takes place in and whether this was acceptable back then, I believe that contemporary writing about issues like these should be handled with a degree of care and self-awareness that aren’t present here.
While I am now appreciating the writing style more and can tell the author did substantial research on the time period and setting, I find that it makes the pacing awkward, which I thought was especially an issue at the beginning. Even now though as it has improved with the inclusion of more dialogue, which I think is strong, I do feel it comes at the expense of exploring the emotional ramifications of the protagonist’s situation and showing us her growth (instead of telling us about it).
Altogether, my discomfort with the handling of the subject matter and the awkward pacing are the main reasons I am going to DNF this. I would love to immerse myself in a Western gunslinging sapphic novel one day, but this one just isn’t for me.
While I am now appreciating the writing style more and can tell the author did substantial research on the time period and setting, I find that it makes the pacing awkward, which I thought was especially an issue at the beginning. Even now though as it has improved with the inclusion of more dialogue, which I think is strong, I do feel it comes at the expense of exploring the emotional ramifications of the protagonist’s situation and showing us her growth (instead of telling us about it).
Altogether, my discomfort with the handling of the subject matter and the awkward pacing are the main reasons I am going to DNF this. I would love to immerse myself in a Western gunslinging sapphic novel one day, but this one just isn’t for me.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
emotional
fast-paced