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despinareviews's reviews
134 reviews
My Wonderful World, Volume 1 by Mizuho Aimoto
4.0
This was the first volume in a series about a young man who finds out the thing that has made his life difficult, his inability to read and write properly, has been caused by dyslexia, a term he had never before heard until walking into a cafe. This was incredibly interesting and as someone who also grew up in a country with little understanding of such conditions, it was refreshing to see the discussions taking place.
On the back of this volume, it appears as though they wrote the volume with a lot of research assistance into the condition. I am not dyslexic myself but I found the various aspects of him finding out his condition very interesting, and the smaller yet significant consequences that had for his life also interesting. I also found interesting the coping mechanisms put into place to compensate for this difficulty in reading and writing, and the conversations had between characters about the different nature of symptoms in different people.
Overall an incredibly enjoyable volume, good art style and general theme.
Also as a sidenote: his grandmother is adorable and I want her to adopt me, that is all.
I received a complimentary copy of this volume from Kodansha via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
On the back of this volume, it appears as though they wrote the volume with a lot of research assistance into the condition. I am not dyslexic myself but I found the various aspects of him finding out his condition very interesting, and the smaller yet significant consequences that had for his life also interesting. I also found interesting the coping mechanisms put into place to compensate for this difficulty in reading and writing, and the conversations had between characters about the different nature of symptoms in different people.
Overall an incredibly enjoyable volume, good art style and general theme.
Also as a sidenote: his grandmother is adorable and I want her to adopt me, that is all.
I received a complimentary copy of this volume from Kodansha via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Manga Classics: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
5.0
4.5 rounded up
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
Cinq Avril - Volume 1 - The Heir of da Vinci by Noë Monin, Michel Bussi, Fred Duval
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up
This is the beginning of the story of a young orphan called Cinq Avril, whose background as an apprentice of Leonardo Da Vinci and unknown origins make him a target. I have to say though the art style was brilliant I found myself enjoying the beginning and end, with a strange turn half way which I didn't enjoy. It fixed itself by the end, but it put me off a bit. The art is colourful and facial expressions were very clear.
It is quite short, only 76 pages, but generally a good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this volume (in English) by Europe Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
This is the beginning of the story of a young orphan called Cinq Avril, whose background as an apprentice of Leonardo Da Vinci and unknown origins make him a target. I have to say though the art style was brilliant I found myself enjoying the beginning and end, with a strange turn half way which I didn't enjoy. It fixed itself by the end, but it put me off a bit. The art is colourful and facial expressions were very clear.
It is quite short, only 76 pages, but generally a good read.
I received a complimentary copy of this volume (in English) by Europe Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
The Change by Kirsten Miller
5.0
WOW!
I just finished this audiobook and I have to say this was the most unexpected 5 star read I have had. This novel started off a bit slow and due to the amount of different characters introduced I was initially a little bit disoriented, but the pacing picked right up at around the 15-20% mark and each character came to life really well.
This story follows Nessa, Jo and Harriet, three very different women with different backgrounds and gifts. Nessa is a former nurse who is able to see the spirits of those who have passed away. Jo is a CEO of her own gym and has for a long time struggled with her womanhood. Harriet, former advertising expert and recent divorcee, is known around the town as a 'witch' who has a garden filled with all sorts of plants. When Nessa approaches the two other women, they find the remains of a young girl.
The main characters are each so unique and offer something so completely individual to the story I genuinely couldn't work out when the story began if the number of characters was necessary, but having finished this I can say that every piece of the puzzle worked together really well and I found myself gasping while listening to this audiobook more than once!
This book is very low fantasy but uses those light elements in a really interesting way to drive the plot forward. This becomes a fairly complicated murder mystery with much commentary on the state of sexism and misogyny in the world which made me want to punch a pillow at times !! I was genuinely shocked by how the story kept progressing, and just when you think the story is winding down, it springs back up with an added layer of intrigue.
The audiobook narrator was absolutely excellent - having three female main characters and knowing exactly who is speaking at any time due to the absolutely distinct voices she was able to provide them is proof of the expert way in which this was presented.
Some trigger warnings (potential spoilers ahead):
I received a complimentary copy of this novel by HarperCollins UK Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
I just finished this audiobook and I have to say this was the most unexpected 5 star read I have had. This novel started off a bit slow and due to the amount of different characters introduced I was initially a little bit disoriented, but the pacing picked right up at around the 15-20% mark and each character came to life really well.
This story follows Nessa, Jo and Harriet, three very different women with different backgrounds and gifts. Nessa is a former nurse who is able to see the spirits of those who have passed away. Jo is a CEO of her own gym and has for a long time struggled with her womanhood. Harriet, former advertising expert and recent divorcee, is known around the town as a 'witch' who has a garden filled with all sorts of plants. When Nessa approaches the two other women, they find the remains of a young girl.
The main characters are each so unique and offer something so completely individual to the story I genuinely couldn't work out when the story began if the number of characters was necessary, but having finished this I can say that every piece of the puzzle worked together really well and I found myself gasping while listening to this audiobook more than once!
This book is very low fantasy but uses those light elements in a really interesting way to drive the plot forward. This becomes a fairly complicated murder mystery with much commentary on the state of sexism and misogyny in the world which made me want to punch a pillow at times !! I was genuinely shocked by how the story kept progressing, and just when you think the story is winding down, it springs back up with an added layer of intrigue.
The audiobook narrator was absolutely excellent - having three female main characters and knowing exactly who is speaking at any time due to the absolutely distinct voices she was able to provide them is proof of the expert way in which this was presented.
Some trigger warnings (potential spoilers ahead):
Spoiler
murder, sexual assault, rape, kidnapping, sexual trafficking/human trafficking, ghosts and general eery topics, poison, fire, mention of eating disorderI received a complimentary copy of this novel by HarperCollins UK Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
Mindwalker by Kate Dylan
5.0
An immersive and fast-paced science fiction standalone novel that keeps you on your toes at all times.
Our main character Sil Sarah is 18 years old and nearing the end of her time as a Mindwalker for Syntex, a private corporation which has developed technology that has saved humanity from extinction following the nuclear incident called the Annihilation. With around a year left to live before the technology in her head ends her life, she finds herself on the wrong side of a mission for the very first time and has to discover for herself what the corporation she's working for is capable of. Encountering a group called the Analog Army [led by the mysterious Ryder], she begins to unravel the story she has been told (and told herself) for a long time.
This was such an exciting listen/read - with easy to understand sci-fi futuristic setting to a minimal cast of characters each with a purpose, this book kept me intrigued. I don't ordinarily listen to audiobooks as quickly as this one, but I just couldn't stop listening! I found the story was also very easy to translate to the real world, while it also felt miles away!
The narrator for this audiobook felt a bit mechanic, but I found that worked given the setting we found ourselves in and the kind of vibe being presented so it didn't bother me as much.
Overall this was by far one of my best listens of the year - hands down!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
Our main character Sil Sarah is 18 years old and nearing the end of her time as a Mindwalker for Syntex, a private corporation which has developed technology that has saved humanity from extinction following the nuclear incident called the Annihilation. With around a year left to live before the technology in her head ends her life, she finds herself on the wrong side of a mission for the very first time and has to discover for herself what the corporation she's working for is capable of. Encountering a group called the Analog Army [led by the mysterious Ryder], she begins to unravel the story she has been told (and told herself) for a long time.
This was such an exciting listen/read - with easy to understand sci-fi futuristic setting to a minimal cast of characters each with a purpose, this book kept me intrigued. I don't ordinarily listen to audiobooks as quickly as this one, but I just couldn't stop listening! I found the story was also very easy to translate to the real world, while it also felt miles away!
The narrator for this audiobook felt a bit mechanic, but I found that worked given the setting we found ourselves in and the kind of vibe being presented so it didn't bother me as much.
Overall this was by far one of my best listens of the year - hands down!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
Manga Classics the Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
5.0
4.5 rounded up
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
This is a manga adaptation of the classic 'The Scarlet Letter' - Hester is a woman caught committing adultery with an unknown man, producing her young daughter, Pearl. In punishment for this offence in a puritan society, she is forced to wear a scarlet letter A on her chest, embroidered into her clothing.
I had never read the Scarlet letter before, though I had a decent idea of the plot through popular culture. I loved the art style though I have to say I didn't really think Hester's facial expression changed often. I really enjoyed the story, and it has made me want to read the full story as some arcs were apparently removed for this adaptation. The story made complete sense on its own and I felt connected to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from UDON Entertainment via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily
The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne
5.0
Plot : This standalone novel follows Ariadne Walker, a marine archaeologist whose ex-fiancee Simon becomes obsessed with finding the lost city of Ys, said to have been destroyed centuries ago when the princess cursed the land following a betrayal. Following Simon's death, she returns to Brittany to discover the secrets left behind after her brother Jason convinces her to help them - but the ultra-rich and incredibly determined Raphael begins to tell her of the same curse Simon had been searching to unlock, she finds herself tied to this threat.
Review: This book was a solid 4.5 stars which I am happy to round up. This was the perfect mix of dealing with an exciting adventure arc, part-mystery part-fantasy in a way I found very intriguing while also dealing with some serious emotions. Ari's character is very believable, and, still dealing with grief, this is not skirted over. Her thoughts are believable and her motives clear - she is roped into this without wanting to, and you can palpably feel her trying to evade involvement but being unable to prevent being drawn back into the fold. This book contains relationships of all sorts - deep friendships, romance (both straight and gay), sibling bonds. I really loved the way all of these different dynamics were handled, with all the emotions it dealt with alongside an arc of fantasy and adventure.
Narrator: I listened to this book in audiobook format and I have to say the narrator (Helen Keeley) was SUPERB. I don't often take so much time to comment on the narration style but I absolutely felt every. single. word. The accents were great (and the narrator speaks in a Southern (British) accent which I realised is quite unusual in most of the audiobooks I have picked up), and the reading was not at all monotonous - in fact I think part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was the emotions I felt as a result of it being read in such a dramatic (but not over-dramatic) way. You could feel every bit of anger, every bit of stress - pulling you to the edge of your seat. I will be looking for narrations by her again as I enjoyed her style so much!
Would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook format of this particular novel as it enhances the already great story very well!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Boukouture Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
Review: This book was a solid 4.5 stars which I am happy to round up. This was the perfect mix of dealing with an exciting adventure arc, part-mystery part-fantasy in a way I found very intriguing while also dealing with some serious emotions. Ari's character is very believable, and, still dealing with grief, this is not skirted over. Her thoughts are believable and her motives clear - she is roped into this without wanting to, and you can palpably feel her trying to evade involvement but being unable to prevent being drawn back into the fold. This book contains relationships of all sorts - deep friendships, romance (both straight and gay), sibling bonds. I really loved the way all of these different dynamics were handled, with all the emotions it dealt with alongside an arc of fantasy and adventure.
Narrator: I listened to this book in audiobook format and I have to say the narrator (Helen Keeley) was SUPERB. I don't often take so much time to comment on the narration style but I absolutely felt every. single. word. The accents were great (and the narrator speaks in a Southern (British) accent which I realised is quite unusual in most of the audiobooks I have picked up), and the reading was not at all monotonous - in fact I think part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was the emotions I felt as a result of it being read in such a dramatic (but not over-dramatic) way. You could feel every bit of anger, every bit of stress - pulling you to the edge of your seat. I will be looking for narrations by her again as I enjoyed her style so much!
Would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook format of this particular novel as it enhances the already great story very well!
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from Boukouture Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
A Story of Love That I Do Not Know Vol. 1 by Sachi Murakami
2.0
2.5 rounded up.
This is a one-shot of a gay love story between Arima and Saeki. Saeki's ex boyfriend left scars on his back from ... *coughs* activities, which makes Arima jealous. This is the continuation of a series of one-shots but I haven't read the previous ones, perhaps the reason I didn't get as invested in the characters. Not much happened in terms of storyline and it genuinely felt like a chapter in a longer volume. Drawing was decent and the scenes weren't terribly graphic (18+ only regardless though!).
Overall a decent read but possibly not my favourite as it felt like it should have been a chapter not a whole book!
I received a complimentary copy of this volume through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
This is a one-shot of a gay love story between Arima and Saeki. Saeki's ex boyfriend left scars on his back from ... *coughs* activities, which makes Arima jealous. This is the continuation of a series of one-shots but I haven't read the previous ones, perhaps the reason I didn't get as invested in the characters. Not much happened in terms of storyline and it genuinely felt like a chapter in a longer volume. Drawing was decent and the scenes weren't terribly graphic (18+ only regardless though!).
Overall a decent read but possibly not my favourite as it felt like it should have been a chapter not a whole book!
I received a complimentary copy of this volume through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily.
Dandelion by Jamie Chai Yun Liew
5.0
This novel follows Lilly – daughter of Chinese immigrants in Canada throughout her journey to motherhood after being abandoned by her own mother in childhood. Her father was previously stateless in Brunei and works in the mines in British Columbia with a ‘chip on his shoulder’ about management. Her mother, Swee Hua, misses home and feels completely out of place in Canada, finding it difficult to connect. Their complicated background and characters are really what makes this story compelling, and the way it affects Lilly and her younger sister Bea is a way of showing just how deeply people affect one another.
Every character is flawed, every decision made having more than one perspective to it. Each person has their own baggage and background and seeing all of this play out was incredibly compelling. Themes such as race, culture, customs, identity, statelessness, language, sense of belonging, family relationships and so much more are covered in such a beautiful and moving way in this book, I was truly touched and it made me think quite long and hard about what it means to belong, what home is ... one of those unable to stop listening books.
I read this as an audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Hui. Her narration was quite slow and deliberate, each sentence taking its time. I personally listened on 2x speed because I like to read my stories a bit faster than that, but the pacing of her narration was excellent given the type of story this was.
Trigger warnings:
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bespeak Audio Editions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily – this has not affected my review in any way.
Full length review available on my blog
Every character is flawed, every decision made having more than one perspective to it. Each person has their own baggage and background and seeing all of this play out was incredibly compelling. Themes such as race, culture, customs, identity, statelessness, language, sense of belonging, family relationships and so much more are covered in such a beautiful and moving way in this book, I was truly touched and it made me think quite long and hard about what it means to belong, what home is ... one of those unable to stop listening books.
I read this as an audiobook, narrated by Jennifer Hui. Her narration was quite slow and deliberate, each sentence taking its time. I personally listened on 2x speed because I like to read my stories a bit faster than that, but the pacing of her narration was excellent given the type of story this was.
Trigger warnings:
Spoiler
suicide mention, child abandonment, mental health issuesI received a complimentary copy of this novel from Bespeak Audio Editions via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, which I leave voluntarily – this has not affected my review in any way.
Full length review available on my blog
The Forgotten Fairground: Book 1 of the Eternity Mirrors Series by Rachael Farrimond
4.0
Great start to a sci-fi adventure
This was a fun short read in which our MC Nick gets pulled into a mirror he finds in an abandoned fairground and is introduced to parallel realities.
The writing is great and though there are many characters introduced in quick succession, I can already tell they will each bring something to the series. Because it is so short there is a lot we don't know but I hope they'll all come together in future books in the series.
Looking forward to the next instalment !
This was a fun short read in which our MC Nick gets pulled into a mirror he finds in an abandoned fairground and is introduced to parallel realities.
The writing is great and though there are many characters introduced in quick succession, I can already tell they will each bring something to the series. Because it is so short there is a lot we don't know but I hope they'll all come together in future books in the series.
Looking forward to the next instalment !