glecharles's reviews
94 reviews

The Beautiful Ones by Prince

informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

4.5

A unique (auto)biography befitting a unique musical talent, offering insightful glimpses of the young man who'd become one of the greatest artists ever. The care that went into posthumously putting this beautiful scrapbook together makes it a worthy physical keepsake, too.

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 11 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.5

Unexpectedly pays off a simmering character arc while moving the plot forward and adding a couple of new characters to the mix. 11 volumes in and Shirahama continues to get the pacing right, and her artwork remains stunningly beautiful throughout.

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 10 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous emotional sad 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

4.0

The pace is ramping up, possibly concluding an Act (1 or 2?), but clearly setting up a bigger conflict.

Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 9 by Kamome Shirahama

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An earlier subplot comes to the fore in an exciting way, while new players appear on the board. Another delightful volume!

Tales of the Orishas by Hugo Canuto

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Combining Kirby's kinetic energy with Yoruban legends, Canuto pays homage to silver age comics while delivering an entertaining story on its own merits — that could also easily have been the starting point for an exciting superhero universe. If Thor, why not Shango?

Boogie Down Predictions: Hip-Hop, Time, and Afrofuturism by Roy Christopher, Steven Shaviro, Rasheeda Phillips, Kodwo Eshun
Did not finish book. Stopped at 64%.

Interesting concept, but too many of the essays are aggressively academic, and often trying too hard to connect to the intriguing Afrofuturist theme. I tried to push through, but it's time to cut bait.

The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings

adventurous funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

One of the most creatively ambitious novels I've ever read, absolutely drenched in a love of all things NOLA. Urban fantasy? Magical realism? Literary fiction? All of the above? Jenkins says it started as a comic book, but I wouldn't trust any artist to match what he pulls off with words.

The Puerto Rican War by John Vasquez Mejias, John Vasquez Mejias

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

An impressive work of art, and inspiring introduction to an important bit of American and Puerto Rican history that doesn't typically get much attention.

Tuskeegee Heirs by Greg Burnham, Marcus Wiliams

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

It's been a while since I read a fun all ages comic, and this was an entertaining intro to a group of kids I'd love to see more of, and a setting I want to know more about.

Persona 3, Volume 2 by Atlus

adventurous fast-paced

2.5

Gave it one more try and... it actually got worse? The main character is oddly unappealing, the combat visuals are messy, and the time hopping doesn't help its pacing. Instead of what could be a deeper story, it's like a compi ation of key beats.