You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
divineblkpearl's Reviews (732)
3.4-3.6 Stars
As a big fan of the movie I was really happy to be able to read the source material: Started reading a library copy and knew I wanted a physical copy of my own. Very fancy cold very descriptive and paste really well in the beginning. There’s a bunch of items and scenes (like the Seven league boots or when Two characters that aren’t Howl try to catch a falling star) That didn’t make it into the movie that are charming to see here in the book.
The book drags on a bit and around the 200 page mark and loses some wind but the ending wraps pretty nice. The later part of the book is a bit rushed though. An amazing story so I see why Miyazaki wanted to go out and make an animated film. I’m glad I was finally able to read a Diana Wynne Jones book. Some of my favorite scenes in the book more once they got put into the film obviously: Caliber eating bacon and eggs, Howl’s assistant Being a cinnamon roll in the mysterious and wonders moving Castle. Sophie, old lady Sophie totally had more sass more of a back bone here in the book but I didn’t Get a reading of the romantic relationship between her and Howl.
As a big fan of the movie I was really happy to be able to read the source material: Started reading a library copy and knew I wanted a physical copy of my own. Very fancy cold very descriptive and paste really well in the beginning. There’s a bunch of items and scenes (like the Seven league boots or when Two characters that aren’t Howl try to catch a falling star) That didn’t make it into the movie that are charming to see here in the book.
The book drags on a bit and around the 200 page mark and loses some wind but the ending wraps pretty nice. The later part of the book is a bit rushed though. An amazing story so I see why Miyazaki wanted to go out and make an animated film. I’m glad I was finally able to read a Diana Wynne Jones book. Some of my favorite scenes in the book more once they got put into the film obviously: Caliber eating bacon and eggs, Howl’s assistant Being a cinnamon roll in the mysterious and wonders moving Castle. Sophie, old lady Sophie totally had more sass more of a back bone here in the book but I didn’t Get a reading of the romantic relationship between her and Howl.
But I am sorry I took so long to finally read this!
Loved the story, the art, the characters Especially the two siblings and the traveling to other planets In the out of body experience that Boetema, the sister of the duo does.
The pacing was a bit weird with the body swapping experience but getting to the end and realizing this is all we have to get my heartstrings. The ending leaves us hopeful And doesn’t tie up an important plot thread from the beginning but I’d love to read more of this.
For lovers of fantasy, Strange creatures, Black/Arab(?) characters Present and for dreamers of all ages—Well this graphic novel is rated T for Teen. ;)
Also I didn’t know that this was Leila del Luca’s First book as a writer as I know her from her comic book work: Shutter, Sleepless, etc.
Loved the story, the art, the characters Especially the two siblings and the traveling to other planets In the out of body experience that Boetema, the sister of the duo does.
The pacing was a bit weird with the body swapping experience but getting to the end and realizing this is all we have to get my heartstrings. The ending leaves us hopeful And doesn’t tie up an important plot thread from the beginning but I’d love to read more of this.
For lovers of fantasy, Strange creatures, Black/Arab(?) characters Present and for dreamers of all ages—Well this graphic novel is rated T for Teen. ;)
Also I didn’t know that this was Leila del Luca’s First book as a writer as I know her from her comic book work: Shutter, Sleepless, etc.
Shojo Goodness & Shojo Drama: ‘Love Me, Love Me Not
Viz’s imprint Shojo Beat has a new hitter at bat: another series by mangaka Io Sakisaka, who is also responsible for such fan favorites as Strobe Edge and Au Haru Ride. She’s had success in the shoujo manga industry — Au Haru Ride has an anime adaptation and a live-action drama film adaptation along with being translated in English. Io Sakisaka writes stories about youth who are complicated and learning about each other, themselves, and the world. When I heard about Love Me, Love Me Not I knew I wanted to figure out the strange dynamic between our four friends — two girls and two guys. I knew I wanted to read more about seeing the world and love through rose-colored glasses focusing in on the friendship of two teenaged girls and all the drama and goodness that comes out of it. Look, it’s springtime. I can feel the shojo sparkles and flower petals dancing in the wind!
The synopsis introduces “Four friends share the springtime of their youth together” and that is correct. With Yuna and Yukari come the two boys who are mixed up in the topsy turvy complication that is called friendship, attraction even,and obligation. Our main players are the soft-spoken and idealistic Yuna, who is very much the-girl-next-door type of character many will recognize. Yuna becomes fast friends to her total opposite, the fast-talking realist with her heart on her sleeve, Yukari. Joining the girls are Rio and Kazuomi. Rio is the tall, handsome playboy, of course, with surprisingly emotional depth that peeks through the more and more you see of him. He happens to be Yukari’s brother. Kazuomi is not quite Captain Obvious. He’s Yuna’s actual next door neighbor who she’s known her whole life — making him the literal boy-next-door. Together all these personalities build an intriguing web of character studies that keep being developing with each page. Each young person has their own thoughts and strategies of conquering love and maintaining friendships. This is the work Io Sakisaka does well.
The pacing is suited for those who can wait and those who can play the long game — If you can emotionally invest in the first 100 pages, then you’re good. This is no microwave feast to behold. I can imagine this is where some readers will be lost if they want it all within the first two chapters or so. Also of bigger note: The revelation made at the end of volume one is a D-R-A-M-A-B-O-M-B and in the way of Adventure Time’s LSP.
It’s either going to make or break your budding love for this series. With that being said, Io Sakisaka’s introduction of the dynamic of these four characters is done in such a way that I have more than a sliver of interest in how they’ll be as high school students navigating life and love. I was touched by Yuna and Yukari and how they’ve been adapting: Yuna the girl whose ideal first love is princely and Yukari who would rather grab love by the collar. The ever-present notion that when you’re young and you have no idea of what you’re doing and you’re swimming with the current trying to figure out which way to go with your feelings is relatable AF and I’m ready to feel this once more.
Timeline wise, I believe this was a series created after Au Blue Ride so Io Sakisaka had time to think on what worked and what didn’t from that series and apply that here. I’d recommend it if you know and love her work: Love me, Love Me Not, Volume 1 is for those who like character-driven work with a slow burn for romance and development. This may be too slow for you which is a shame as this type of story needs time to stew in the pot before we get to the meat and the potatoes.
Read the rest of my review: https://blacknerdproblems.com/shojo-goodness-shojo-drama-love-me-love-me-not-vol-1-review/
Viz’s imprint Shojo Beat has a new hitter at bat: another series by mangaka Io Sakisaka, who is also responsible for such fan favorites as Strobe Edge and Au Haru Ride. She’s had success in the shoujo manga industry — Au Haru Ride has an anime adaptation and a live-action drama film adaptation along with being translated in English. Io Sakisaka writes stories about youth who are complicated and learning about each other, themselves, and the world. When I heard about Love Me, Love Me Not I knew I wanted to figure out the strange dynamic between our four friends — two girls and two guys. I knew I wanted to read more about seeing the world and love through rose-colored glasses focusing in on the friendship of two teenaged girls and all the drama and goodness that comes out of it. Look, it’s springtime. I can feel the shojo sparkles and flower petals dancing in the wind!
The synopsis introduces “Four friends share the springtime of their youth together” and that is correct. With Yuna and Yukari come the two boys who are mixed up in the topsy turvy complication that is called friendship, attraction even,and obligation. Our main players are the soft-spoken and idealistic Yuna, who is very much the-girl-next-door type of character many will recognize. Yuna becomes fast friends to her total opposite, the fast-talking realist with her heart on her sleeve, Yukari. Joining the girls are Rio and Kazuomi. Rio is the tall, handsome playboy, of course, with surprisingly emotional depth that peeks through the more and more you see of him. He happens to be Yukari’s brother. Kazuomi is not quite Captain Obvious. He’s Yuna’s actual next door neighbor who she’s known her whole life — making him the literal boy-next-door. Together all these personalities build an intriguing web of character studies that keep being developing with each page. Each young person has their own thoughts and strategies of conquering love and maintaining friendships. This is the work Io Sakisaka does well.
The pacing is suited for those who can wait and those who can play the long game — If you can emotionally invest in the first 100 pages, then you’re good. This is no microwave feast to behold. I can imagine this is where some readers will be lost if they want it all within the first two chapters or so. Also of bigger note: The revelation made at the end of volume one is a D-R-A-M-A-B-O-M-B and in the way of Adventure Time’s LSP.
It’s either going to make or break your budding love for this series. With that being said, Io Sakisaka’s introduction of the dynamic of these four characters is done in such a way that I have more than a sliver of interest in how they’ll be as high school students navigating life and love. I was touched by Yuna and Yukari and how they’ve been adapting: Yuna the girl whose ideal first love is princely and Yukari who would rather grab love by the collar. The ever-present notion that when you’re young and you have no idea of what you’re doing and you’re swimming with the current trying to figure out which way to go with your feelings is relatable AF and I’m ready to feel this once more.
Timeline wise, I believe this was a series created after Au Blue Ride so Io Sakisaka had time to think on what worked and what didn’t from that series and apply that here. I’d recommend it if you know and love her work: Love me, Love Me Not, Volume 1 is for those who like character-driven work with a slow burn for romance and development. This may be too slow for you which is a shame as this type of story needs time to stew in the pot before we get to the meat and the potatoes.
Read the rest of my review: https://blacknerdproblems.com/shojo-goodness-shojo-drama-love-me-love-me-not-vol-1-review/
A retelling of Aladdin set in space: Narrative touches upon class systems, poverty and the harm that results from tourism and more. The novella could have used a bit more polish and some characterizations get a bit Inconsistent yet it captured my interest to read to the very end. There’s a princely character, dragons and the Ghost Ship, a mysterious alien vessel abandoned for millenia. The reimagining of the genie character was my favorite part!
Atsumori-kun's Bride-to-Be
More shojo which I love but this is the weakest of Taamo's work for me. I'd suggest House of The Sun (3 stars) or the newer I'm in Love and It's The End Of The World (4 stars). A country girl wants to escape her hometown and have her own life in the city and not be married off and have her life dictated to her. A chance meeting with a handsome city boy and a pact that they make helps push her to commit to leaving home for Tokyo to go to school there and work to have better and more. I was with this volume until the second half---it fell flat for me and any blossoming agency the main character had evaporated. Very disappointing. I understand the flaws in characters--that a female lead character is working to figure out who she is with having a personality and navigating the world as a teenager but I just couldn't get into this one.
More shojo which I love but this is the weakest of Taamo's work for me. I'd suggest House of The Sun (3 stars) or the newer I'm in Love and It's The End Of The World (4 stars). A country girl wants to escape her hometown and have her own life in the city and not be married off and have her life dictated to her. A chance meeting with a handsome city boy and a pact that they make helps push her to commit to leaving home for Tokyo to go to school there and work to have better and more. I was with this volume until the second half---it fell flat for me and any blossoming agency the main character had evaporated. Very disappointing. I understand the flaws in characters--that a female lead character is working to figure out who she is with having a personality and navigating the world as a teenager but I just couldn't get into this one.
In my best Aretha Franklin impersonation, I say “Great Gowns, great gowns” and here, I mean it as a compliment! This graphic novel is a endearingly, lovable read about young adults figuring out the lives they want to lead and the circumstances and obligations that cloud those dreams. I Loved the art and the narrative that includes a *spoiler* Gender fluid character, a young girl who is ambitious and refuses to be used and wants her own and a surprising ending that slays toxic masculinity and speaks of familial bonds. I laughed. I cried. I loved the GOWNS!
Bakery disasters & disaster boyfriends! I’m not much of a baker but I’m super intrigued by the process and loved the beautiful sequences of Hector and Ari baking together—really gorgeous art!
