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angethology's reviews
302 reviews
Antimatter Blues by Edward Ashton
4.0
"Here's a moral quandary for you: Which takes precedence — a promise to a living enemy, or a promise to a dead friend?"
Antimatter Blues directly continues the narrative from Mickey-17, this time with Mickey Barnes attempting to reap what he sowed — by trying to retrieve something he had hidden. Although Mickey is now retired, Marshall suddenly demands Mickey to get that object, claiming that it's the only thing that'll keep the colony alive for the foreseeable future, as antimatter is running out. Mickey, having successfully kept himself alive by hanging that object over Marshall's head, is now sitting on a powder keg, and looks like he's running out of time.
While the kind of tone and register are similarly adopted as in the first book, I find this one much more engaging and action-packed. This time, the high stakes actually have the gravity they deserve and the more trivial stuff isn't constantly highlighted (like the constant bickering between the Mickeys about being hungry and rationing in book one). I also think that their interactions with the creepers (especially Speaker) allow the other characters to shine much more. And all that is accomplished with the same, lovable and charming humor that the readers are familiar with. Speaker especially is too fucking adorable, and thanks to it I became much more emotionally invested.
The philosophical aspect isn't as underlined as much as the previous book (although they still mentioned the Ship of Theseus which I liked) but I think the redirected focus on friendships and exploration of aliens make it overall a lot better.
Antimatter Blues directly continues the narrative from Mickey-17, this time with Mickey Barnes attempting to reap what he sowed — by trying to retrieve something he had hidden. Although Mickey is now retired, Marshall suddenly demands Mickey to get that object, claiming that it's the only thing that'll keep the colony alive for the foreseeable future, as antimatter is running out. Mickey, having successfully kept himself alive by hanging that object over Marshall's head, is now sitting on a powder keg, and looks like he's running out of time.
While the kind of tone and register are similarly adopted as in the first book, I find this one much more engaging and action-packed. This time, the high stakes actually have the gravity they deserve and the more trivial stuff isn't constantly highlighted (like the constant bickering between the Mickeys about being hungry and rationing in book one). I also think that their interactions with the creepers (especially Speaker) allow the other characters to shine much more. And all that is accomplished with the same, lovable and charming humor that the readers are familiar with. Speaker especially is too fucking adorable, and thanks to it I became much more emotionally invested.
The philosophical aspect isn't as underlined as much as the previous book (although they still mentioned the Ship of Theseus which I liked) but I think the redirected focus on friendships and exploration of aliens make it overall a lot better.
Tombs: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
3.5
Another fun Ito collection. Some iconic stories like The Window Next Door, Clubhouse, Tombstones and The Bloody Story of Shirosuna. Theme wise it's like a mixture of Liminal Zone + Alley, with death manifesting in contained towns/spaces.
It has some pretty gnarly body horror that I think is one of the most outlandish anthologies, on the more corny side too.
It has some pretty gnarly body horror that I think is one of the most outlandish anthologies, on the more corny side too.
Lovesickness by Junji Ito
3.75
The Lovesickness stories are not the "craziest" or include the most mindblowing twists, but they feel like a good portrayal of utter hopelessness, guilt and yearning for delusional positivity. People often feel it's easier to be shoehorned in a certain fate than think for themselves and make active decisions, and Junji Ito perfectly captures that helplessness the characters are trapped in endlessly.
The other short stories were fine, I enjoyed the Strange Hikizuri Siblings stories more than expected, but overall not as memorable as other collections.
The other short stories were fine, I enjoyed the Strange Hikizuri Siblings stories more than expected, but overall not as memorable as other collections.
Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito
3.5
Some really iconic stories here like The Human Chair, The Enigma of Amigara Fault and Venus in the Blind Spot, but a few duds here that aren't that remarkable. Artwork still impressive and grotesque as always.
Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito
3.5
A solid Ito collection. Comprises a good mix of psych, supernatural & body horror, the artwork when it comes to hallucinatory/trippy elements are especially fun.
My favorites are Whispering Woman, Blackbird, and Gentle Goodbye.
My favorites are Whispering Woman, Blackbird, and Gentle Goodbye.
Stitches by Hirokatsu Kihara
2.25
Junji Ito's artwork was great as always, but the stories were quite bland overall, prose was mediocre too.
Would make more sense if this was a collection marketed toward beginners for horror or kids/spooky Halloween bedtime stories. For usual consumers of horror & Junji Ito's stories, this is just super underwhelming. My favorites are The Play and Snow Day (which is probably the least kid friendly story in here).
Would make more sense if this was a collection marketed toward beginners for horror or kids/spooky Halloween bedtime stories. For usual consumers of horror & Junji Ito's stories, this is just super underwhelming. My favorites are The Play and Snow Day (which is probably the least kid friendly story in here).
Alley: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
3.25
A decent short story collection featuring a lot of claustrophobic pathways that you can't get out of, from weird interlocked housing, to alleys, sticky ice cream covered apartment. My favorite stories are Mold, The Inn, and Town of No Roads.
Mimi's Tales of Terror by Hirokatsu Kihara, Ichiro Nakayama, Junji Ito
2.5
I think this is the first Junji Ito short story collection that I kind of don't care for. These are all at least loosely based on true events, which means that the stories are either extra eerie or on the "milder" side, since real life obviously doesn't consist of Junji Ito's usual extreme dose of gore and terror. And for me, it's the latter in a pretty underwhelming kind of way.
I can imagine this appealing to true crime girlies who don't often like horror, but for my taste it feels like a whole lot of nothing going on. My favorite stories are probably "The Scarlet Circle" and "Grave Placement."
I can imagine this appealing to true crime girlies who don't often like horror, but for my taste it feels like a whole lot of nothing going on. My favorite stories are probably "The Scarlet Circle" and "Grave Placement."