alexenjoysthings's Reviews (383)

Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms

Crystal Frasier

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

This was one of my most anticipated reads for the year and I am not disappointed. This comic is an adorable, lighthearted but realistic romance between a grumpy goth lesbian and a sunshine-y, pushover trans girl. It's super fast passed (I read it in an hour or so), but there's so much characterization and character development within the small story. Even though it's generally lighthearted, it's also realistic with microaggressions, familial problems, and sexual harassment. It's also super funny (I laughed out loud multiple times) and the art is so cute and fits perfect with the story. There's less actual cheerleading than I hoped and I wished we saw more of Annie's mom because she was an amazing character, which these things could be fixed if this (fingers crossed) becomes a series. This is an amazing comic for someone who wants girls supporting girls, sapphic romance, and a queer women led sports comic. I highly recommend!

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

Dear Azula, I Have a Crush on Danny Phantom

Azura Tyabji, Jackson Neal

4.5

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

This collection of poetry recounts Gen Z nostalgia and the media we grew up with. The poems are by two different authors, but they flowed together so well I couldn't immediately tell which was penned by which. I particularly loved that each poem had the show it was inspired by under the title for those that may be less familiar with them; I don't think someone who had never watched any of the shows would get the full impact of the poetry. There is great lyricism and imagery. I think the poems later in the collection are stronger than those in the beginning.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

Embodied: An Intersectional Feminist Comics Poetry Anthology

Wendy Chin-Tanner, Tyler Chin-Tanner

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

This was such a creative work; I have never seen poetry and visual art combined in this way. There is such a huge amount of diversity not just in the author's identities, but the art styles, poetry forms, and subjects of each piece. I truly think there is a piece for everyone in here; my personal favorites were "Capitalism Ruins Everything, Including Witchcraft" and "Tapestry." A lot of the poems used very lyrical, free verse style poetry, which at times were hard to interpret (I imagine it would be especially hard for someone new to the genre), but they reiterate the poem without the drawing at the end of each section, and I think the study guides in the back are very helpful. Overall, I think this is a stunning piece of literature that I think is perfect for fans of poetry, visual arts, feminism, and the human experience.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices

S.K. Ali, Aisha Saeed

5.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

This is a wonderful mix of middle grade stories; there's truly something for everyone. Some of the stories weren't as big a hit as others for me, but, overall, I enjoyed the collection. It's definitely middle grade and I think it would be good to share with younger kids, but adults can get a lot out of it too. As someone who isn't familiar with a lot of the cultural factors in the book, I did have to look up some things, but I think a lot of it was explained clearly enough by the authors that people from any background will understand. A lot of the stories emphasized the power of humanity and community and giving and that touched my heart very deeply. My favorites in the collection were Do'nut Break Tradition and Taste.

Content Warnings

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh

Molly Greeley

5.0

emotional inspiring slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Heiress is a romantic Pride and Prejudice retelling/spin-off with such beautiful and romantic writing that it could be by Austen herself. It has such an interesting premise following Mr. Darcy's cousin, but it absolutely takes on a world of its own. The characters are very real and such an integral part of the story. It's slow paced and character driven, following Anne's entire life. I felt so sad at the ending that I almost feel in mourning. Also, the lesbian romance is handled so well and did not disappoint; it's a cornerstone of the story but doesn't come in for a while (but it is so worth it). I recommend this book to anyone who likes sapphic historical romance, strong character growth, and poetic stories.

Content Warnings

Girl, Serpent, Thorn

Melissa Bashardoust

5.0

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Girl, Serpent, Thorn is like a YA, Persian Frozen, but gay. Once this book got rolling, I could not put it down. I was so intrigued to find out what would happen next. Some parts are predictable, but others truly surprised me. I love how the readers really got to feel how conflicted the main character felt about her decisions and the side characters really added to the story. Bashardoust has a romantic style of writing that fits well with the story and definitely gave it fairy tell vibes. If you like morally gray sapphic main characters and stories rich with mythology, then you'll love this.

Content Warnings