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cyanide_latte's reviews
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The Disabled Tyrant's Beloved Pet Fish: Canji Baojun de Zhangxin Yu Chong (Novel) Vol. 2 by Xue Shan Fei Hu
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This series really has no right being this fun and cute and hilarious. While it is very lighthearted and fluffy at its core, it continues to keep its political intrigue and court drama going pretty strong, and I appreciate that. The further along I get in this as well, I really adore the main couple (and one of the side couples as well!) I only hope the rest of it holds up half as well as these first two books have!
Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Book of Savanaclaw, Vol. 1 by Suzuka Oda, Yana Toboso
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's exciting and a delight to see the manga adaptation of Twisted Wonderland continue to be translated into English for official publication. While the previous "Book of Heartslabyul" manga was done by Koono Sumire and Wakana Hazuki (who I believe also have done the "Book of Octavinelle" manga,) this one is done by Oda Suzuka. Yana Toboso of course, continues to be involved in the creation of the comics.
Right away, the story continues to follow the timeline and plot of the mobile game, picking up where the Heartslabyul story ended. However, our "Yuu" in this manga is different from Yuuken Enma. This "Yuu" is Yuuka Hirasaka, our first girl Yuu and a black belt in judo. It is here we start to see the way the manga specifically approaches the idea of "Yuu" as the self-insertion of the player character, of "you": with each dorm's "book" or story, the "Yuu" is depicted differently, despite the story of the manga treating it each time as if the Yuu present was always the same person throughout past events to present. So while Yuuken Enma was the Yuu of Heartslabyul, the Savanaclaw manga picks up as if Yuuka Hirasaka was the person present for those prior events and the current ones, and that trend continues going forward. Almost like a "different people but the same soul" kind of thing. While this takes some getting used to, it's actually an element I've really come to appreciate in the sense that it's an artistic way of acknowledging the diversity of the game's player base as well as using each Yuu to both mirror and foil the characters, to show how they can empathize with the boys in Twisted Wonderland.
That said, Yuuka here feels more...detached than Yuuken, I feel? In the game, Yuu/the player character are present but you're often very much along for the ride for the events and something of a glorified cheerleader and compassionate self-insert. Yuuken was somewhat more involved and proactive in the Heartslabyul manga, whereas Yuuka seems to be going with the flow here. This isn't to say there's no distinguishing characteristics for her, but she's fairly quiet throughout this volume, not offering up much in the way of conversation or dialogue with other characters. I have to wonder how intentional this is, and if it's meant to signify she's more a person of action than of words.
I won't go overly into detail regarding what's happening here, because I really think it should be read and enjoyed blind if the manga is going to be your introduction to TWST as a whole. (And of course if you've already played the game, I figure you know that happens.)
I'm curious to see how long this ends up being. To my understanding, at some point the "Book of Savanaclaw" manga went on hiatus, though I'm not sure why, and the "Book of Octavinelle" manga began serialization. In fact, I think Octavinelle might be finished by this point, or very close to it? And yet I'm not sure Savanaclaw is? Which strikes me as a little odd, but that's alright. For the moment, I'm happy to wait. I think this might only end up being 2 or 3 volumes long.
Right away, the story continues to follow the timeline and plot of the mobile game, picking up where the Heartslabyul story ended. However, our "Yuu" in this manga is different from Yuuken Enma. This "Yuu" is Yuuka Hirasaka, our first girl Yuu and a black belt in judo. It is here we start to see the way the manga specifically approaches the idea of "Yuu" as the self-insertion of the player character, of "you": with each dorm's "book" or story, the "Yuu" is depicted differently, despite the story of the manga treating it each time as if the Yuu present was always the same person throughout past events to present. So while Yuuken Enma was the Yuu of Heartslabyul, the Savanaclaw manga picks up as if Yuuka Hirasaka was the person present for those prior events and the current ones, and that trend continues going forward. Almost like a "different people but the same soul" kind of thing. While this takes some getting used to, it's actually an element I've really come to appreciate in the sense that it's an artistic way of acknowledging the diversity of the game's player base as well as using each Yuu to both mirror and foil the characters, to show how they can empathize with the boys in Twisted Wonderland.
That said, Yuuka here feels more...detached than Yuuken, I feel? In the game, Yuu/the player character are present but you're often very much along for the ride for the events and something of a glorified cheerleader and compassionate self-insert. Yuuken was somewhat more involved and proactive in the Heartslabyul manga, whereas Yuuka seems to be going with the flow here. This isn't to say there's no distinguishing characteristics for her, but she's fairly quiet throughout this volume, not offering up much in the way of conversation or dialogue with other characters. I have to wonder how intentional this is, and if it's meant to signify she's more a person of action than of words.
I won't go overly into detail regarding what's happening here, because I really think it should be read and enjoyed blind if the manga is going to be your introduction to TWST as a whole. (And of course if you've already played the game, I figure you know that happens.)
I'm curious to see how long this ends up being. To my understanding, at some point the "Book of Savanaclaw" manga went on hiatus, though I'm not sure why, and the "Book of Octavinelle" manga began serialization. In fact, I think Octavinelle might be finished by this point, or very close to it? And yet I'm not sure Savanaclaw is? Which strikes me as a little odd, but that's alright. For the moment, I'm happy to wait. I think this might only end up being 2 or 3 volumes long.
A Spell for Disappearing by Abby Geni
dark
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
While I doubt I'll read it a second time, I appreciated this story quite a bit. Worth the read, worth seeing one woman need the warning of another woman seeking to save her from a lover who wasn't who he said he was, and it was also worth seeing how the main character's grandmother had a strong influence on everything even without being present in the story.
Garth by Kate Brody
dark
tense
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Pandemic/Epidemic
Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Initially I had been sure that I wasn't going to pick up the third series by meatbun. Just from the first two books of Erha and of B.A.B., I feel like I've gotten a fairly good sense for the sort of themes, conflicts and content she tends to write. B.A.B. is especially emotionally heavy to go through, so I had no intention of picking up Yuwu.
But my curiosity ended up getting the better of me. I'm not sure what spurred it, but I caved and looked into buying the series up to its current releases and I have the final book pre-ordered. It also bears mentioning that I went into this without any expectations and no real understanding of what the plot of this series was supposed to be. So the bar was on the floor for me, and I'm pleasantly surprised to say that this stepped way above my expectations.
The conflict here is fascinating, the drama surrounding it feels natural, and I'm very curious to see where this story takes everything it's setting up. I don't want to get my hopes or expectations up too high, but I am officially interested, and probably far more invested than I am in her other two series.
But my curiosity ended up getting the better of me. I'm not sure what spurred it, but I caved and looked into buying the series up to its current releases and I have the final book pre-ordered. It also bears mentioning that I went into this without any expectations and no real understanding of what the plot of this series was supposed to be. So the bar was on the floor for me, and I'm pleasantly surprised to say that this stepped way above my expectations.
The conflict here is fascinating, the drama surrounding it feels natural, and I'm very curious to see where this story takes everything it's setting up. I don't want to get my hopes or expectations up too high, but I am officially interested, and probably far more invested than I am in her other two series.
Disney Twisted-Wonderland: The Manga – Anthology, Vol. 2 by Various
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Like the other volume in this anthology series, this primarily serves as a sampler to help the reader become better acquainted with the various characters in Twisted Wonderland. Some of the shorts are completely their own thing, while others call back to various events and character vignettes in the game.I've read this before through online scanlations but it's nice to also own an official copy. These stories aren't ones I think I'll find myself returning to very often, but I still enjoy them. Though personally, this one has my favorite of all these shorts, which is the one titled "Footsteps." It takes place during the events of book 5 in the game, and I personally think it showcases a lot of character growth and depth to Riddle in particular, which I really appreciate.
How My Daddies Became Mates Vol. 1 by Mikkamita
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was just a cute, quick, fluffy read (smut scenes notwithstanding, those were spicy) that really serves as a nice palate cleanser. I'm kind of surprised to learn there's more than one volume to this story, because the manga is able to function as a pretty solid, self-contained oneshot story. This is an A/B/O story, if you couldn't tell from the title alone, and generally it really is this couple telling their daughter how they met and fell for one another in high school. That particular story wraps up nicely by the end of the volume, so I think this really could just be read as a standalone and you'd be fine.
Blossom by Kate Winborne
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I read this on a friend's recommendation and I'm glad I finally did. This is one of those books where you'll learn pretty quickly what's going on, and you'll worry that the reveal of what the reader already knows is going to cause the entire book to fall flat. I'm here to tell you that isn't the case; Winborne really takes her time to wait to until the best possible moment to drop reveals on you. It's something I appreciate in this story quite a bit. I'm also here to tell you that if you heard from anyone else that reading this book will make you hungry...yes, it will in fact do that. Winborne really loves to describe the food in this book in detail, and it has a way of getting to you. Hannibal Lecter would likely approve. My only complaint about this is the fact that there is an abundance of run-on sentences throughout the entire novel, and that got a bit frustrating for me personally. And I do recommend, as a last point, to do yourself a favor and seek out content warnings for this book beforehand. I personally didn't have an issue with any of the content but I do think this is a novel where you'd be wiser to have a heads-up going in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Vomit, Stalking
Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America by Talia Lavin
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This is a hard and heavy read. I anticipated it would be intense, and it is, but it is also not an easy read to get through, and it's going to weigh heavy on me. But I think for many of us right now, there's no better time to read this and reflect on what it offers.
Not Pounded By The Physical Manifestation Of This Spam Email Because Ignoring My Personal Boundaries Is Always A Deal-Breaker No Matter How Compatible We Might Seem In Other Ways by Chuck Tingle
hopeful
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
I would have finished this within a day or two if I hadn't gotten sick. But I loved the main story in this ebook. It's really great and worth the read.