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addyrunes's reviews
1003 reviews
Fall In Love, You False Angels, Vol. 1 by Coco Uzuki
lighthearted
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
A very cute manga where two beautiful ethereal-esque students strike a deal to keep their true selves hidden from everyone else.
Fall in Love, You False Angels is a fast-paced read centering Otogi x Toki who have a quiet and beautiful disposition at school, but secretly have a tough exterior that is severely underestimated. I really liked to see the progression of Otogi's x Toki's relationship; little by little they find more time to spend with one another. The scene with Toki's big brother was really sweet and showed a different side of him to Otogi. I also really liked how Otogi's heart is pictured throughout the manga, how we can see and FEEL how Toki affects her.
It's a pretty solid manga with an ending promising more!
A very cute manga where two beautiful ethereal-esque students strike a deal to keep their true selves hidden from everyone else.
Fall in Love, You False Angels is a fast-paced read centering Otogi x Toki who have a quiet and beautiful disposition at school, but secretly have a tough exterior that is severely underestimated. I really liked to see the progression of Otogi's x Toki's relationship; little by little they find more time to spend with one another. The scene with Toki's big brother was really sweet and showed a different side of him to Otogi. I also really liked how Otogi's heart is pictured throughout the manga, how we can see and FEEL how Toki affects her.
It's a pretty solid manga with an ending promising more!
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
K. Woodman-Maynard visually depicts a stunning and faithful adaption to a beloved classic.
I can't believe it's been 50 years since we've had Tuck Everlasting in our literary landscape. I've read this story 3 times; once in my teens, later in my 20s, and once more in my 30s in the form of this graphic novel. I didn't expect it to emotionally hit me as much as it did. But the epilogue ... as I write I am overwhelmed with emotion and the weight of choosing to live life as Winnie had. It's such a beautiful story that is translated well to a graphic novel format for a new generation to know, to philosophize, and to keep alive.
K. Woodman-Maynard visually depicts a stunning and faithful adaption to a beloved classic.
I can't believe it's been 50 years since we've had Tuck Everlasting in our literary landscape. I've read this story 3 times; once in my teens, later in my 20s, and once more in my 30s in the form of this graphic novel. I didn't expect it to emotionally hit me as much as it did. But the epilogue ... as I write I am overwhelmed with emotion and the weight of choosing to live life as Winnie had. It's such a beautiful story that is translated well to a graphic novel format for a new generation to know, to philosophize, and to keep alive.
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
A darkly rich stand alone fantasy with a murder mystery at its core.
A Dark and Drowning Tide left me feeling indifferent. I really wanted to like this because 1) the cover is gorgeous and 2) the synopsis caught my attention instantly. Unfortunately, I think the story is bogged down due to the nature of gathering folktales. I struggled with the relation between the folktales being collected and their meaning to the story with Lorelei. Traditionally, when this writing device is used in storytelling, there's got to be a clear connection that readers can identify. And I just ... couldn't.
I also struggled with the pacing. The beginning was incredibly slow, while the middle stilled, and the ending was ALL a rush at once. By the time, I did start to fully enjoy it, we were 70% in.
If you are more patient than me, you may enjoy this one!
A Dark and Drowning Tide left me feeling indifferent. I really wanted to like this because 1) the cover is gorgeous and 2) the synopsis caught my attention instantly. Unfortunately, I think the story is bogged down due to the nature of gathering folktales. I struggled with the relation between the folktales being collected and their meaning to the story with Lorelei. Traditionally, when this writing device is used in storytelling, there's got to be a clear connection that readers can identify. And I just ... couldn't.
I also struggled with the pacing. The beginning was incredibly slow, while the middle stilled, and the ending was ALL a rush at once. By the time, I did start to fully enjoy it, we were 70% in.
If you are more patient than me, you may enjoy this one!
Spectral Evidence: Poems by Gregory Pardlo
emotional
informative
reflective
4.0
A hauntingly beautiful collection from a contemporary voice in poetry.
In Spectral Evidence, Gregory Pardlo examines with unflinching honesty the view and harm against Black bodies, challenging us to seek the root of why. Why are Black boys described as Black men? Why are they othered to be "monstrous?" Why. Why. Why. Pardlo's words task us to reflect and to take action against bias, patriarchy, police brutality, and so much more that Black bodies have unjustly endured. It's part historical, part auto-biographical, which beautifully captures the intersectionality of living and the weight we carry in our veins.
I really really enjoyed this and I need to take a breath to examine it even more!
In Spectral Evidence, Gregory Pardlo examines with unflinching honesty the view and harm against Black bodies, challenging us to seek the root of why. Why are Black boys described as Black men? Why are they othered to be "monstrous?" Why. Why. Why. Pardlo's words task us to reflect and to take action against bias, patriarchy, police brutality, and so much more that Black bodies have unjustly endured. It's part historical, part auto-biographical, which beautifully captures the intersectionality of living and the weight we carry in our veins.
I really really enjoyed this and I need to take a breath to examine it even more!
A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw the cover for this manga, I KNEW that I had to have this in my grubby little hands IMMEDIATELY. I mean, look at that vampire *insert heart eye emoji* and the rubber duckies add a nice touch.
A Vampire in the Bathhouse explores themes of queer love, belonging, and found family. I really like how the vampires see the value of humanity, how it is about connection that truly builds strong relationships and community. Every single character is so fun! I especially liked to see Pequeño - to see Spanish integrated into the story so seamlessly was wonderful! And I wonder how that translation was chosen from it's original language.
Overall, this was such a fun read! I can't wait to see what other fun adventures Luka, Sakura, Umeno-suke, and Pequeño get into!
When I saw the cover for this manga, I KNEW that I had to have this in my grubby little hands IMMEDIATELY. I mean, look at that vampire *insert heart eye emoji* and the rubber duckies add a nice touch.
A Vampire in the Bathhouse explores themes of queer love, belonging, and found family. I really like how the vampires see the value of humanity, how it is about connection that truly builds strong relationships and community. Every single character is so fun! I especially liked to see Pequeño - to see Spanish integrated into the story so seamlessly was wonderful! And I wonder how that translation was chosen from it's original language.
Overall, this was such a fun read! I can't wait to see what other fun adventures Luka, Sakura, Umeno-suke, and Pequeño get into!
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
What happens when your 12 year-old daughter calls in late to your town's romance hotline? A fun, utterly romantic story that will have you laughing out loud at the sharp and witty dialogue and swooning in the next breathe. When I think of chemistry, I will forever think of Lucie x Aiden who seamlessly roll into one another's life upon a chance encounter and it's absolutely magic from the moment they connect.
I loved the representation in this. Lucie is a single mom, who has a fantastic co-parenting relationship with him and his husband (I KNOW!), is a mechanic that is handled expertly with no cliches, and has some real perceptions about love and why she hasn't dated in a long time. I loved how Grayson and Mateo were championing her along the way, showing us how supportive your ex and their partner can be healthy - that's it's doable! Their friendship and parenting with Maya was one of my favorite parts.
And then, I cannot forget about Aiden who is just a cynic about love, but he also isn't entirely shut off from the magic he feels when he connects with Lucie. Aiden has his own feelings of love and a lot of it stems from his relationship with his parents, particularly his mom. It's heavy and all you want to do is give Aiden a hug and push him towards the love he deserves to welcome and feel.
The ending will have you grinning with tears in your eyes as you watch some intense magic happen.
This was my FIRST B.K. Borison book and it will definitely not be my last!
What happens when your 12 year-old daughter calls in late to your town's romance hotline? A fun, utterly romantic story that will have you laughing out loud at the sharp and witty dialogue and swooning in the next breathe. When I think of chemistry, I will forever think of Lucie x Aiden who seamlessly roll into one another's life upon a chance encounter and it's absolutely magic from the moment they connect.
I loved the representation in this. Lucie is a single mom, who has a fantastic co-parenting relationship with him and his husband (I KNOW!), is a mechanic that is handled expertly with no cliches, and has some real perceptions about love and why she hasn't dated in a long time. I loved how Grayson and Mateo were championing her along the way, showing us how supportive your ex and their partner can be healthy - that's it's doable! Their friendship and parenting with Maya was one of my favorite parts.
And then, I cannot forget about Aiden who is just a cynic about love, but he also isn't entirely shut off from the magic he feels when he connects with Lucie. Aiden has his own feelings of love and a lot of it stems from his relationship with his parents, particularly his mom. It's heavy and all you want to do is give Aiden a hug and push him towards the love he deserves to welcome and feel.
The ending will have you grinning with tears in your eyes as you watch some intense magic happen.
This was my FIRST B.K. Borison book and it will definitely not be my last!
Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
5.0
"If you live in Gaza, you die several times"
Reading this was a gut punch. It's heavy, heartbreaking, resilient.
Mosab Abu Toha intimately leads us through moments of his life in Gaza. From his grandparent's experience during the Nakba to time spent in refugee camps to the grief of losing family, friends, and home. I was on the verge of tears as I listened to Toha recount the immense grief Palestinians continuously experience. It is incredibly sad, but it also fueled my passion in activism for a Palestine that is free.
Reading this was a gut punch. It's heavy, heartbreaking, resilient.
Mosab Abu Toha intimately leads us through moments of his life in Gaza. From his grandparent's experience during the Nakba to time spent in refugee camps to the grief of losing family, friends, and home. I was on the verge of tears as I listened to Toha recount the immense grief Palestinians continuously experience. It is incredibly sad, but it also fueled my passion in activism for a Palestine that is free.
The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts by Joshua Hammer
informative
slow-paced
2.0
I fear someone lost the plot.
There was so much information about the middle east, US politics, and historical context that there was not much given to the ACT of saving the precious manuscripts. I wanted ACTION. And instead I almost keeled over from the information overload and passed out at my desk.
There was so much information about the middle east, US politics, and historical context that there was not much given to the ACT of saving the precious manuscripts. I wanted ACTION. And instead I almost keeled over from the information overload and passed out at my desk.