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blumoonie's reviews
56 reviews
Blue Period, Vol. 1 by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this anime, and the manga is already shaping up to be an absolute banger. it so perfectly delves into why passion is absolutely vital to the human experience, and how important art is to life. I adore the characters, and the plot, despite seeming simple and realistic enough, is gripping and emotional.
Marlo by Jay Carmichael
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
a historical fiction that achingly toes the line between hope and despair. I'm lost for words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I've had this book for a while, but I was waiting for the perfect time to read it. as I was reading, I wanted desperately to finish it (so I know how it ends and can revel in it), but also feared the concept of ending (I will never read this for the first time ever again). there are few books that make me feel these complex emotions just by thinking ‘I should really read that soon…’
I grew fonder of the characters who I was already attached to, and found a new liking for others as well. ‘liking’ perhaps isn't the best word… maybe ‘admiration' and ‘pity’. the plot unfolded in ways I could not have imagined, including:
- watching someone descend into madness from a perspective that feels far too personal and uncomfortable
- multiple resurrections, though none are truly what they seem at first
- the use of pain to blur the line between one's humanity and animal instincts
and so on, and so on. of course, themes of gender, diaspora and queerness are as important to this novel as they were in the first.
I love this series, and I loved this book- possibly even more than the first. I want to go back to when things were simpler and hurt less, but I can't help the urge to go forever fowards.
I grew fonder of the characters who I was already attached to, and found a new liking for others as well. ‘liking’ perhaps isn't the best word… maybe ‘admiration' and ‘pity’. the plot unfolded in ways I could not have imagined, including:
- watching someone descend into madness from a perspective that feels far too personal and uncomfortable
- multiple resurrections, though none are truly what they seem at first
- the use of pain to blur the line between one's humanity and animal instincts
and so on, and so on. of course, themes of gender, diaspora and queerness are as important to this novel as they were in the first.
I love this series, and I loved this book- possibly even more than the first. I want to go back to when things were simpler and hurt less, but I can't help the urge to go forever fowards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
medium-paced
4.5
if I had discovered this when I was obsessed with the httyd movies (liste i still AM but unfortunately my frontal lobe is fully developed now, so theres the same level of excitement but less childlike wonder) i would have held these books close to my heart forever. as it is, I'm very glad to be able to read them!! the world-building is perfect and there were moments when I was on the edge of my seat.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
I wanted to re-read this series because my younger self ADORED eragon and his world. I remember borrowing the books from the school library whenever I could, and reading them in record time. I remember being so incredibly excited when Inheritance came out. this time, though, I found myself becoming exceedingly frustrated with the tedious dialogue- so much so I had to dnf it. such a shame.
The Swan Kingdom by Zoë Marriott
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
2.5
I re-read thus because I used to love it when I was about 14... this book has got to be one of the biggest reasons I developed a pickme attitude. it's an easy read: world and lore is interesting, the plot not bad, but you can tell the mc will be a tad insufferable when the dedication reads "this book is dedicated to ugly ducklings everywhere. don't worry about those fluffy yellow morons: they'll never get to be swans."
also, the number of typos and grammatical errors are genuinely shocking? i KNOW this was published in 2007, but come on guys 😭
my final qualm is that the audience for this novel feels a little strange. the rather simple plot and young, two-dimensional characters make me feel like it should be targeted at young teens, but the final battle between Alexandra and Zella is extremely graphic- I felt ill as I read it; it's no wonder I couldn't remember how it ended.
overall: fine. wouldn't recommend unless your guilty pleasure is pickme fantasy that doesn't pass the bechdel test.
also, the number of typos and grammatical errors are genuinely shocking? i KNOW this was published in 2007, but come on guys 😭
my final qualm is that the audience for this novel feels a little strange. the rather simple plot and young, two-dimensional characters make me feel like it should be targeted at young teens, but the final battle between Alexandra and Zella is extremely graphic- I felt ill as I read it; it's no wonder I couldn't remember how it ended.
overall: fine. wouldn't recommend unless your guilty pleasure is pickme fantasy that doesn't pass the bechdel test.
Goodnight Punpun, Vol. 1 by Inio Asano
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Flowers of Buffoonery by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this prequel beautifully rounds out Yozo as a character, and I really enjoyed learning more about him, and what his day-to-day life was like. No Longer Human dealt with his entire life, and hence had to be much more broad, so these finer details were refreshing and impressive. Dazai's personal asides also fill us with insight, and paint the clearest picture (no pun intended) of a struggling artist's thought process.
did I turn out to like this novel even more than NLH? debatable...
did I turn out to like this novel even more than NLH? debatable...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Sexism
The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 2 by Jun Mochizuki
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Case Study of Vanitas, Vol. 1 by Jun Mochizuki
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0