Scan barcode
despinareviews's reviews
134 reviews
Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms, Vol. 1 by Ran Kuze
4.0
A funny rom-com which focuses on the 'it girl' of a high school, and the new transfer student who seems to be the only person not noticing her the way she would like! In order to sustain her pride, she is determined to make him fall in love with her!
Medaka Kuroiwa and Mona are two very different characters - one trying to make the other fall in love with her so she can move forward and reject him as she always does, and the other avoiding temptations and keeping his vows to the priesthood. As her attempts get more and more bold, things get more difficult for both of them!
A very fun and great start to this manga series, look forward to the rest of it!
Many thanks to Kodansha who provided a complimentary copy of this volume in exchange for an honest review.
Medaka Kuroiwa and Mona are two very different characters - one trying to make the other fall in love with her so she can move forward and reject him as she always does, and the other avoiding temptations and keeping his vows to the priesthood. As her attempts get more and more bold, things get more difficult for both of them!
A very fun and great start to this manga series, look forward to the rest of it!
Many thanks to Kodansha who provided a complimentary copy of this volume in exchange for an honest review.
Savage City by L. Penelope
5.0
"The first time I die, my life doesn't flash before my eyes in a rush of images" ... what a first line!
Plot:
After Talia passes away, she expects to wake up in the afterlife. Instead, she finds herself in a version of San Fransisco she doesn't recognise, where she is mistaken for the missing princess of the Nimali people, Celena. The first person she sees is someone who looks incredibly like her childhood crush who passed away years ago. Ryin is a Fai prisoner of war, and is nothing like the Victor she remembered from her childhood.
The Fai and the Nimali are two groups of people, separated by significant ideological differences, who have been fighting one another for a long time. Serious concepts such as slavery, humanity, souls, relationships to nature and the world, and even possible genocide are covered in this book. In a post-apocalyptic San Fransisco, we see a cruel world with a power structure which forces actions and reactions by various actors, leading to a powerful story.
Review:
This story was genuinely incredible. The worldbuilding was very interesting, and though the book took its time explaining the various elements it introduces, I truly think it is worth the wait. Talia's inner monologue is something I could easily identify with and it helped connect me to her character instantly. Ryin is a character I slowly fell in love with throughout the book and the more details of the world were introduced, the more I understood him and his motivations.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series, as the world set-up is amazing and I became so invested in the characters and world. Very light spoiler ahead:
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
Plot:
After Talia passes away, she expects to wake up in the afterlife. Instead, she finds herself in a version of San Fransisco she doesn't recognise, where she is mistaken for the missing princess of the Nimali people, Celena. The first person she sees is someone who looks incredibly like her childhood crush who passed away years ago. Ryin is a Fai prisoner of war, and is nothing like the Victor she remembered from her childhood.
The Fai and the Nimali are two groups of people, separated by significant ideological differences, who have been fighting one another for a long time. Serious concepts such as slavery, humanity, souls, relationships to nature and the world, and even possible genocide are covered in this book. In a post-apocalyptic San Fransisco, we see a cruel world with a power structure which forces actions and reactions by various actors, leading to a powerful story.
Review:
This story was genuinely incredible. The worldbuilding was very interesting, and though the book took its time explaining the various elements it introduces, I truly think it is worth the wait. Talia's inner monologue is something I could easily identify with and it helped connect me to her character instantly. Ryin is a character I slowly fell in love with throughout the book and the more details of the world were introduced, the more I understood him and his motivations.
I cannot wait for the next book in this series, as the world set-up is amazing and I became so invested in the characters and world. Very light spoiler ahead:
Spoiler
The epilogue does leave a bit of a cliff-hanger, which I think will lead brilliantly into another book exploring all the elements of this world we didn't get to touch in this introductory novel.I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
Black Beth: Vengeance Be Thy Name by DaNi, Alec Worley, Blas Gallego
2.0
This book is a compilation of stories about Black Beth, a young girl turned warrior. After a prophecy tells the Count Rassau that a woman named Beth would destroy him, he pre-emptively attacks a wedding ceremony killing most of the village. One of the only survivors is Beth, who takes on the role of avenger, training and becoming a fierce warrior.
These comics can clearly be seen to run through the course of time, with the first strip published in the 1960s. The style does evolve and even has one story in colour, and the art style is difficult to comment on as a result. The comics feel very dark, and often characters are standing quite far away so their features are barely discernible. You can just about work out what is happening in terms of movement, but later comics in the collection (those illustrated by DaNi) are better at this.
My primary issue is that I found myself not really liking the main character - Beth is quite abrupt when talking to people, actions things on her own accord without much consideration for her surroundings, and as a result I struggled to get behind this collection despite reading through all of them. I think comic book fans would really like this collection and despite my misgivings it was very easy to read, it just didn't hit the sweet-spot for me sadly.
Many thanks to Rebellion Publishing for providing a complimentary copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
These comics can clearly be seen to run through the course of time, with the first strip published in the 1960s. The style does evolve and even has one story in colour, and the art style is difficult to comment on as a result. The comics feel very dark, and often characters are standing quite far away so their features are barely discernible. You can just about work out what is happening in terms of movement, but later comics in the collection (those illustrated by DaNi) are better at this.
My primary issue is that I found myself not really liking the main character - Beth is quite abrupt when talking to people, actions things on her own accord without much consideration for her surroundings, and as a result I struggled to get behind this collection despite reading through all of them. I think comic book fans would really like this collection and despite my misgivings it was very easy to read, it just didn't hit the sweet-spot for me sadly.
Many thanks to Rebellion Publishing for providing a complimentary copy of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Realms: Issue 1 by Yeri Vallejo
3.0
This comic book was interesting - in black and white format, this story has introduced the characters and the mysterious concept, leaving things on a cliffhanger (I will admit, I thought this was quite an abrupt cliffhanger!). This volume didn't go too far into the 'realms' which the title suggests are oncoming in the story (or so I assume), but I think this was a good start. Interested to see future volumes as I think this story could be great.
I am giving this three stars only because this felt like an introduction of characters and a tease of the storyline, but the storyline didn't really kick in. I look forward to reading the next one and giving it a shot as I think the story definitely has potential to expand into quite an a awesome story.
I received an ARC of this volume via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
I am giving this three stars only because this felt like an introduction of characters and a tease of the storyline, but the storyline didn't really kick in. I look forward to reading the next one and giving it a shot as I think the story definitely has potential to expand into quite an a awesome story.
I received an ARC of this volume via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
The Harbinger Book 1 by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing
3.0
This was an enjoyable graphic novel following our MC, Peter Stanchek, who wakes up without any memories or understanding of his powers. This was a good read and though it had a lot of text to try and keep track of everything happening, the different colours helped you keep track of the different characters talking. The art is great and the colouring stunning.
I have to admit I was lost about what was happening at times, but I am now aware this takes place in a broader universe which may explain this difficulty. Overall this was a good story, I think reading more of the books in the universe may help me place it and I may do that in future.
I received a copy of this graphic novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I have to admit I was lost about what was happening at times, but I am now aware this takes place in a broader universe which may explain this difficulty. Overall this was a good story, I think reading more of the books in the universe may help me place it and I may do that in future.
I received a copy of this graphic novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Getting Closer to You, Vol. 1 by Ruri Kamino
4.0
Hibi-chan is obsessed with muscles. Natsume is the basketball player in the school with the best muscles. When he finds her journal detailing each of the basketball teams' muscles (rated and analysed in depth!), rather than being upset he recruits her to be the school basketball team manager. Sparks fly instantly when Natsume knows of her ... particular passion, teases her about it and not only doesn't mind, but encourages her to use that passion in a productive way.
This manga has to be the biggest surprise hit for me in terms of a rom-com idea, and it is down to the characters dynamic and the sparks flying around. Despite thinking initially she is only attracted to Natsume's muscles, he declares that he is interested and wishes to make her like him - all of him, more than just his muscles. Her inner conflict at her own feelings, his direct approach and openness about his feelings and the fact they are both adorable together really made this dynamic work (better than I thought after reading chapter 1 and dying of second-hand embarrassment!!).
Though I was blushing (a lot of topless men being ogled over by Hibi), smiling like an idiot, and suffering from second-hand embarrassment at some of the scenes (cringe-laughing is a skill this manga really brought out of me!), the characters are very likeable and the main guy Natsume's approach to her is definitely what makes this not only readable but really fun and enjoyable.
I didn't imagine I would say this, but I am actually really looking forward to continuing this series!
I was provided with an ARC of this manga volume by Kodansha (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review
This manga has to be the biggest surprise hit for me in terms of a rom-com idea, and it is down to the characters dynamic and the sparks flying around. Despite thinking initially she is only attracted to Natsume's muscles, he declares that he is interested and wishes to make her like him - all of him, more than just his muscles. Her inner conflict at her own feelings, his direct approach and openness about his feelings and the fact they are both adorable together really made this dynamic work (better than I thought after reading chapter 1 and dying of second-hand embarrassment!!).
Though I was blushing (a lot of topless men being ogled over by Hibi), smiling like an idiot, and suffering from second-hand embarrassment at some of the scenes (cringe-laughing is a skill this manga really brought out of me!), the characters are very likeable and the main guy Natsume's approach to her is definitely what makes this not only readable but really fun and enjoyable.
I didn't imagine I would say this, but I am actually really looking forward to continuing this series!
I was provided with an ARC of this manga volume by Kodansha (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review
Nighttime for Just Us Two, Volume 1 by Maki Miyoshi
4.0
This manga volume begins an interesting (albeit strange!) story.
Nikaido-chan is a young girl who 'blends into the background', and whose name people forget constantly. She went to middle school (and now high school) with popular but quiet Koga-kun. When she is hanging out in the outdoors in the middle of the night and enjoying the quiet, she sees her classmate, who tells her that he is actually an alien (or, more accurately, he is cohabiting the same body and borrowing his body when he sleeps).
Is he actually an alien? Is he insane? Is she the one who is insane? All questions I want answered and will have to continue to read on to find out!
I don't want to spoil anything by saying too much, so I just want to say this story is one that I was surprisingly taken in by. A lot of mystery surrounding the characters and their motivations, and it's something I look forward to reading more of.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Nikaido-chan is a young girl who 'blends into the background', and whose name people forget constantly. She went to middle school (and now high school) with popular but quiet Koga-kun. When she is hanging out in the outdoors in the middle of the night and enjoying the quiet, she sees her classmate, who tells her that he is actually an alien (or, more accurately, he is cohabiting the same body and borrowing his body when he sleeps).
Is he actually an alien? Is he insane? Is she the one who is insane? All questions I want answered and will have to continue to read on to find out!
I don't want to spoil anything by saying too much, so I just want to say this story is one that I was surprisingly taken in by. A lot of mystery surrounding the characters and their motivations, and it's something I look forward to reading more of.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.