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jasper_a's reviews
204 reviews
Dandadan, Vol. 1 by Yukinobu Tatsu
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
very very very enjoyable read.
>> i watched 5x episodes of the anime, loved it, and then decided to read the manga. i scooped up vol.1-3 when they were available at my bookstore..
the anime has been quite faithful to the source material, which isn't a bad thing, since it's fun, fast-paced, action-packed chaos.
i was hoping to get a bit more info/insight to the characters or the plot and there doesn't seem to be anything here that wasn't in the anime lol. oh well. i'm looking forward to vols. 2+3 and hopefully i'll be ahead of ep.5.
>> i watched 5x episodes of the anime, loved it, and then decided to read the manga. i scooped up vol.1-3 when they were available at my bookstore..
the anime has been quite faithful to the source material, which isn't a bad thing, since it's fun, fast-paced, action-packed chaos.
i was hoping to get a bit more info/insight to the characters or the plot and there doesn't seem to be anything here that wasn't in the anime lol. oh well. i'm looking forward to vols. 2+3 and hopefully i'll be ahead of ep.5.
Kagurabachi, Vol. 1 by Takeru Hokazono
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
a good first volume. there is enough here to keep me interested in following the [rather generic] story.
the characters are fun enough, and the fighting/power system is cool.
the characters are fun enough, and the fighting/power system is cool.
Choujin X, Vol. 2 by Sui Ishida
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i feel that....
i need to come to terms with story structure being played fast+loose in contemporary anime/manga.....
my issues with the first two volumes of Choujin X are very similar to my issues with Jujutsu Kaisen:
1) there are no rules and things just happen
2) the author doesn't establish a baseline for the audience
3) the main (villain/antagonist/bad actor) is heavily downplayed but also consistently brought up to the audience
this last issue, in particular, really offends me. the chapters are short enough as it is but sure, let's take up 1-3pgs to break the flow of the story, introduce MORE questions while answering nothing.
i guess the positives are cool designs? undecided if i'll continue the series.
i need to come to terms with story structure being played fast+loose in contemporary anime/manga.....
my issues with the first two volumes of Choujin X are very similar to my issues with Jujutsu Kaisen:
1) there are no rules and things just happen
2) the author doesn't establish a baseline for the audience
3) the main (villain/antagonist/bad actor) is heavily downplayed but also consistently brought up to the audience
this last issue, in particular, really offends me. the chapters are short enough as it is but sure, let's take up 1-3pgs to break the flow of the story, introduce MORE questions while answering nothing.
i guess the positives are cool designs? undecided if i'll continue the series.
Solo Leveling, Vol. 10 by h-goon, DUBU(REDICE STUDIO), Chugong
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
a good volume but the cliffhanger at the end was a bit rude.
i'm unsure if there is only one or two volumes left in the series but i worry that the end will be abrupt.
EDIT: apparently there are 14 vols for the manhwa. that's a relief.
---> it also bothers me how a B Plot introduced super early on in the series has remained unresolved for 8-9 volumes.
---> but i'll say this as many times as i need to: i appreciate that this story is taking place in a fantasy version of our world, many characters speak different languages, and the dialogue acknowledges this. i only wish the animation studio embraced this and was bold enough to have a mixed language audio track.
i'm unsure if there is only one or two volumes left in the series but i worry that the end will be abrupt.
EDIT: apparently there are 14 vols for the manhwa. that's a relief.
---> it also bothers me how a B Plot introduced super early on in the series has remained unresolved for 8-9 volumes.
---> but i'll say this as many times as i need to: i appreciate that this story is taking place in a fantasy version of our world, many characters speak different languages, and the dialogue acknowledges this. i only wish the animation studio embraced this and was bold enough to have a mixed language audio track.
Choujin X, Vol. 1 by Sui Ishida
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
a bit average.. 'mid,' as the kids say BUT i'm interested enough to read another volume..
some quick criticism: so many things happen in the first two chapters (a lot is indecipherable) and then nothing happens for three chapters? and then you get a couple answers in the sixth chapter... pacing issues for sure. overall a bunch of one-dimensional characters. again, intriguing enough to check out v2.
some quick criticism: so many things happen in the first two chapters (a lot is indecipherable) and then nothing happens for three chapters? and then you get a couple answers in the sixth chapter... pacing issues for sure. overall a bunch of one-dimensional characters. again, intriguing enough to check out v2.
Trust by Hernán Díaz
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
giving this book a begrudging 4/5 stars........
i was quite frustrated with the first 2/5ths of this book (i understand that it's actually broken up into four parts but still). i felt like i was reading a very disillusioned/embellished retelling of a story -- and i wasn't exactly wrong. and then the novel shifts into an outline/rough draft, which left me feeling like i was being gaslit -- again, not entirely wrong. and then the book turns in the best way.. iykyk~
on the one hand, i am deeply ensconced by feeling the way i felt, in hindsight, by design (on purpose)... and on the other hand, i didn't care to be (intentionally) made to feel that way by the author BUT it was objectively rather masterful.
i am ACTUALLY looking forward to our book group discussion.
i was quite frustrated with the first 2/5ths of this book (i understand that it's actually broken up into four parts but still). i felt like i was reading a very disillusioned/embellished retelling of a story -- and i wasn't exactly wrong. and then the novel shifts into an outline/rough draft, which left me feeling like i was being gaslit -- again, not entirely wrong. and then the book turns in the best way.. iykyk~
on the one hand, i am deeply ensconced by feeling the way i felt, in hindsight, by design (on purpose)... and on the other hand, i didn't care to be (intentionally) made to feel that way by the author BUT it was objectively rather masterful.
i am ACTUALLY looking forward to our book group discussion.
The Gulf by Adam de Souza
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
this was a good read. i liked the artstyle, the use (lack of) color. the story was grounded and easy to follow. the ending felt rushed.
Ascendance of a Bookworm (Manga) Part 1 Volume 3 by Suzuka, Miya Kazuki
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
borrowed this from the library. i loved it 🥰 didn't realize until a couple chapters in that i started with the 3rd volume. oops~
I'm Waiting for You and Other Stories by Kim Bo-young
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i thought the shorts were fine.. they're really just two short stories, and two sequels to those short stories.
i was intrigued by the two (prophet) novellas but found the 'conclusions' to be lacking. and the two (waiting) novellas were, okay.
i don't think i'll be recommending this to anyone. and i'm wondering what it was about the (shelf talker) in Elliot Bay Books that drew me in to this book.
i was intrigued by the two (prophet) novellas but found the 'conclusions' to be lacking. and the two (waiting) novellas were, okay.
i don't think i'll be recommending this to anyone. and i'm wondering what it was about the (shelf talker) in Elliot Bay Books that drew me in to this book.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 11 by Kanehito Yamada
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
i said 'YAAAAY!' out loud -- iykyk
i love Frieren so much.
💕
i love Frieren so much.
💕