birdybird's reviews
16 reviews

Identity Crisis by Brad Meltzer

dark mysterious medium-paced

1.5

Identity crisis is a story where things happen. And then x dies, and then x dies, and then x is doing something suspicious! 
There is a good set up. But I could see it going downhill fast when it’s revealed the murder victim was pregnant, because of course. There is numerous character deaths but we as readers are rarely left enough time to consider the consequences before the next thing happens. Then again, if we did we might realize how these look deaths are used to prop up a story as “mature”. 
The ending is a real page turner as the real killer has a stupid motive and engages in even stupider methods, yet somehow it took this many pages for the identity to be realized. Maybe if someone just waited for the autopsy to finish…
I enjoyed the art, though.

Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock

adventurous dark medium-paced

3.75

I was (delightfully) surprised to find Elric’s character as engaging as it was. Same goes for the simultaneous straightforward yet detailed  descriptions on the part of Moorcock - who certainly knows how to build a world from the groundwork up.
Pacing can get wonky, some conflicts feel rather quickly resolved (like Grome) and there is some sentence level wording things that would occasionally give me pause but overall a solid read and I look forward to reading the emotional devastation  later works.

I Feel Sick: A Book About a Girl by Rosearik Rikki Simons, Jhonen Vasquez

dark funny medium-paced

4.0

The constant internal and external struggle artists faced with the everlasting battle between one’s own creativity and the suits that want to profit off of it through their own molds… Coupled with Vasquez’s comedy makes this a fun, and maybe even a hopeful read for any creative.

Convience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

This is one of those 5 stars where I am incredibly biased.. I resonated a lot with the main character, and some of what is said to her I have heard in my own life. 
Many might not like Shiraha (I don’t either, of course) but his character adds an interesting element to the book - as he is someone who also lives on the margins of society, but also gladly pushes others down, as Keiko notes herself (pg. 91). And at the end of the day, the two are still grouped together by others despite their stark contrast levels of hostility to other people. This book isn’t creating a new message - but through the eyes of Keiko, allows readers a perspective they might not be so familiar with. 

Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose Vol. 1 by Jim Balent

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

2.25

It’s ✨cheesecake✨ and that’s fine. If you like cheesecake, then this is a comic for you! You can tell the creator had fun with it, and the story isn’t pretending to be anything but.
In terms of writing, ehhh. Very basic “don’t strike back or we will be like them!” type of plot. Characters are engaging enough. The coloring is the strongest part of the art for me. 

The Good Lord Bird by James McBride

adventurous funny hopeful slow-paced

4.25

While the first section somewhat drags on, McBride’s keen eye for comedy is present throughout, while at the same time asking hard questions about identity and even how we think about and internalize interpretations of history. 

Batman: Kings of Fear by Scott Peterson

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

3.25

I like the scarecrow, but usually not so much the stories where he has a larger role. However, this story gives him and batman a more interesting dynamic, with the occasionally comedic moments too. It’s also navigating common questions also thrown out there about batman - about whether he is truly helpful for Gotham overall. There is sincerity in wanting to navigate this, I feel, but the conclusion feels very quickly earned as Gordon and introduced minor characters reassure batman that yes! yes! he is doing good! It all feels external and honestly I think more internal reflection on Bruce’s part would have been more interesting. The questioning of reality also adds a nice touch and shows just how dangerous the scarecrow can be on a more calculating level. 
In terms of art, this has one of the more impressive scarecrow designs for me and I dig Batman’s too.. but the art itself is kinda.. There.

Vanish Vol. 1 by Ryan Stegman, Donny Cates

dark tense fast-paced

2.5

(my review carries through the whole series) Interesting premise and world. However, with all the characters presented in a short amount of time - most of whom bolster the MC, who at the same time is insisted to be nothing special in comparison to his wife - I didn’t find myself too attached to any of them, which makes the ending fall even flatter for me. However, if this project were to come back at another time/form I would be interested.

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

adventurous challenging slow-paced

3.25

Interesting seeing how the author’s own worldview impacts the main character’s understanding of gender and how this develops (or even doesn’t develop) as the book progresses. 
Starts off VERY slow but does pick up.

The Confessions of Nat Turner by William Styron

challenging dark slow-paced

1.5

This was a difficult read for many reasons. Styron is ultimately critical of slavery and the rich, white slave owners who are often depicted as foul, idiots, and/or degenerates. However, stereotypes of Black men are also ever present within the text and while some would disagree I think Styron’s own identity as a white man should be taken into consideration when approaching this text. As I continued reading I could not help but wonder how this booked appealed to authors such as James Baldwin and Ralph Ellison. The pushback is not surprising as Styron transforms a figure often positioned as a hero into a man whose masculinity is questioned and bumbles his way through the rebellion at the sight of blood. Overall, I cannot deny the literary/historical significance of the book, but that does not mean I can’t question Styron’s decision making.