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jade_newcastle's reviews
51 reviews
Survival Rout by Ana Mardoll
5.0
This was a really strong sequel to Poison Kiss. It surrounded new characters that were just as interesting as the protagonists of the first book. Survival Rout focused more on what living in the faery world is like, which I think helped to give good insight into what the others had escaped. I would say the stakes were raised for these protagonists, as well. Mardoll continued her trend of great, diverse characters. She placed disability and trans issues at the forefront of this book, to immense pay-off.
This is one of the best series I've read in a long time. Anyone who loves fantasy should give it a look. Survival Rout has a content warning at the back, which I recommend a read through before reading the book, if you have prominent triggers. But know that none of the content listed is used for shock value, but rather to explore the reality of it through a fantasy lens.
This is one of the best series I've read in a long time. Anyone who loves fantasy should give it a look. Survival Rout has a content warning at the back, which I recommend a read through before reading the book, if you have prominent triggers. But know that none of the content listed is used for shock value, but rather to explore the reality of it through a fantasy lens.
Crazy Love You by Lisa Unger
1.0
I didn't really like this book, and didn't make it all the way through. It felt like the author didn't do much research. For one, the sections of the book that are meant to be excerpts from the protagonist's comics weren't actually in any kind of comic format. It may have been because he wrote and drew his own comics, so he didn't need as much direction, but I can't see him writing a comic script as if it were a book. They're two completely different mediums. I also kind of felt like Unger didn't understand her protagonist very well, even on a very basic level. He was a really stereotypical guy, to an unrealistic degree. He even said "ladies, this is what all men are like" at one point. I'm not a man, but I've always had a lot of male friends, and can tell you that that isn't, actually, what all men are like. It may seem like a strange thing to complain about, but it made him seem really unnatural. He didn't feel like a person, so much as an idea of a person.
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware
2.0
I didn't really like this book, and felt pretty mislead by the reviews they picked to put on the cover. It was sold as a horror, but it wasn't. Nothing scary happened in it. It was a mystery, definitely, but it didn't make me feel afraid at any point in time. Also, a grown woman who's still comparing everyone she dates with a man she was with when she was 16 was kind of uncomfortable. Yes, we're all effected by our pasts. Yes, to a certain extent, we don't get over our first loves the way we get over others. But the extent to which she was obsessed seemed to go against the fact that later she seemed to say that the reason it hit her so hard was that she had been wrong about him. Yet, she mentions that she called for him in her sleep when in bed with another man. You don't do that if you're just upset that you were wrong about someone, or carrying a scar from a first love.
Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote
5.0
Ivan Coyote is my favourite writer, and books like this prove why. They're an amazing story teller, and can turn small moments in their life into colourful tapestries. They've been an inspiration to me ever since I was figuring out my own identity.
Tomboy Survival Guide was funny, charming, and moving. It explored Coyote's gender in a very human way. Not every story focused on gender, of course. There were stories about their childhood, family, and work life; death, life, and laundry. There's even a section on how to make a unicorn trap.
Tomboy Survival Guide was funny, charming, and moving. It explored Coyote's gender in a very human way. Not every story focused on gender, of course. There were stories about their childhood, family, and work life; death, life, and laundry. There's even a section on how to make a unicorn trap.
The Sculptor by Scott McCloud
5.0
This book was really important to me, as someone struggling with my own art. I related a little too closely with David. Which is uh. Not a good thing. But. The ending surprised me in its bleak beauty. This isn't a happy story, but it is a great one.
I liked the depiction of Death not as some grim monster who steals souls, but as a kindly old man who who has a job to do.
This book sucks you in from the beginning and keeps you reading. You count down David's life, with him.
This book sucks you in from the beginning and keeps you reading. You count down David's life, with him.
The Ice Twins by S.K. Tremayne
3.0
I believe it was an interesting book, although I have some reservations about the conclusion of the final conflict. The mystery was sustained throughout it, and there were twists I didn't see coming. I found myself thinking about it once I had put it down, coming up with theories as to what happened.
But I didn't like that, in the end, it wasn't really a murder. Their daughter's death really WAS an accident. The conflict wasn't created over a concealed murder, but over the fact that they were handling a tragedy badly. Which is an interesting idea, in its own right, however the book seemed to be people pointing fingers, only to find out that it wasn't anyone's fault. Realistic, yes. But not as intriguing as a murder mystery.
Although that's just my own preference. I can see why a lot of people would prefer the ending to that of a standard mystery, and it definitely had its own merits.
Although that's just my own preference. I can see why a lot of people would prefer the ending to that of a standard mystery, and it definitely had its own merits.
Gunnerkrigg Court, Volume 1: Orientation by Thomas Siddell
4.0
I'm so happy this comic was made into a physical book! I've been reading it online for years. It's an amazing series, that explores the divide between magic and technology. In this case, a literal pit in the ground keeping apart a forest of gods and spirits from a city of robots and science. This series balances silly jokes with dramatic conflict.
The one criticism I had during this reread was that I forgot that Renard is kinda creepy towards Antimony at the beginning. She's a kid and he's an ancient fox spirit, so some of the things he says are pretty inappropriate. Thankfully, she doesn't put up with it, and he stops before long. He becomes my favourite character, it was just kind of rocky start.
I'll definitely be collecting the rest of the series!
I'll definitely be collecting the rest of the series!
Gunnerkrigg Court, Volume 2: Research by Thomas Siddell
4.0
The art really improves by book two, and continues to improve throughout the series. More of the backstory is revealed in this book, and things really get going. Antimony and Kat are the best duo. They're such good compliments to each other. They're both misfits, in their own way. They're both strong and capable. Kat is amazing with technology, while Annie is gifted at "ethereal studies". They're basically the personification of the possible harmony between the supposedly oppositional concepts of science and magic.
Homestuck by Andrew Hussie
5.0
Homestuck is one of the weirdest, most innovative comics out there. It's vacillated between beloved and reviled over the years, in large part due to influence from the fandom, but the series remains a game-changer. Not just for its length, but due to the fact that it was a multi-media project. It has comics, videos, original music, video game segments, and now updates post canon material on Snapchat. As far as I know, it was the first project to involve all of these aspects. Other comics have now tried to recreate this, but most petered out before long. Even if it IS successfully done in the future, this will remain the first foray into marrying these different mediums. Say what you will about Homestuck, and there are definitely a lot of valid criticisms, it's epic in scope.
It also has a really complex plot. Time travel and alternate universes are integral parts of the story. The plot itself is generally given out through messages sent between characters, as spoken dialogue doesn't actually occur until quite late in the comic. Rather, it occurs before that, but only within dreams, via computer sprites, or in the video game segments. There's even a badge given to the characters to commemorate the immense occasion of them actually being able to talk to each other directly. The comic also has several intermissions, which initially seem unconnected, but do, in fact, influence the plot. Generally, Homestuck is good for people who like absurdist humour, convoluted plots, and a lot of character deaths.
On a personal note, this comic is how I met my best friends. It's been a big part of my life since I started reading it, and will probably remain as such for a long time.
It also has a really complex plot. Time travel and alternate universes are integral parts of the story. The plot itself is generally given out through messages sent between characters, as spoken dialogue doesn't actually occur until quite late in the comic. Rather, it occurs before that, but only within dreams, via computer sprites, or in the video game segments. There's even a badge given to the characters to commemorate the immense occasion of them actually being able to talk to each other directly. The comic also has several intermissions, which initially seem unconnected, but do, in fact, influence the plot. Generally, Homestuck is good for people who like absurdist humour, convoluted plots, and a lot of character deaths.
On a personal note, this comic is how I met my best friends. It's been a big part of my life since I started reading it, and will probably remain as such for a long time.