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katharine_opal's reviews
485 reviews
Phantom of the Idol, Volume 1 by Hijiki Isoflavone
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I did not expect to like "Phantom of the Idol" as much as I did! I was originally drawn to it, because I saw the title, and laughed because of the obvious "Phantom of the Opera" joke. After reading the plot blurb for this manga, I knew I had to read it. I instantly felt drawn to our main characters and their colorful personalities. They're written in a way that makes it very easy to connect to both of them. Yuya's personality made me giggle, cause he is so relatable. Only taking an Idol job because he thought he could get paid well with minimal effort? That's an entire mood. Also, the way that he's just a bit oblivious to certain social cues for idols is played in a way that's legitimately funny. I also adore our female main lead, Asahi! I'm always a sucker for determined and peppy female characters, and Asahi is no exception. I also like that this story focuses on male idols, instead of the usual focus on female idols. Stories about female idols are fun, but I feel like stories about male idols are just a bit more rare. I don't want to stay more about the plot, because I don't want to spoil the story of this manga. The art style is really well done, and has great panel flow! I love that even panels are drawn in a comedic way still look great. The first volume ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, and I want to know what happens! I will totally be looking for the second volume when it comes out!
I did not expect to like "Phantom of the Idol" as much as I did! I was originally drawn to it, because I saw the title, and laughed because of the obvious "Phantom of the Opera" joke. After reading the plot blurb for this manga, I knew I had to read it. I instantly felt drawn to our main characters and their colorful personalities. They're written in a way that makes it very easy to connect to both of them. Yuya's personality made me giggle, cause he is so relatable. Only taking an Idol job because he thought he could get paid well with minimal effort? That's an entire mood. Also, the way that he's just a bit oblivious to certain social cues for idols is played in a way that's legitimately funny. I also adore our female main lead, Asahi! I'm always a sucker for determined and peppy female characters, and Asahi is no exception. I also like that this story focuses on male idols, instead of the usual focus on female idols. Stories about female idols are fun, but I feel like stories about male idols are just a bit more rare. I don't want to stay more about the plot, because I don't want to spoil the story of this manga. The art style is really well done, and has great panel flow! I love that even panels are drawn in a comedic way still look great. The first volume ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, and I want to know what happens! I will totally be looking for the second volume when it comes out!
Sweet Konkrete - Volume 1 by Senchiro, Senchiro
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
The first volume of Sweet Konkrete opens up with Asa and how her actions end up botching a police operation, which in turn leads to her suspension from the force. As the story follows Asa, the world-building is slowly revealed, as well as the mystery of Asa's father. In her work as an officer, the shadow of her father appears to loom over her. But there is more to Asa's father than it seems. She receives his service weapon, which sparks her journey of finding out the truth.
I really like the art style of this manga! It reminds me a lot of the late 90s or early 2000s manga and anime styles of the time. People who like FullMetal Alchemist, Ghost in the Shell, or Cowboy Bebop art styles would likely enjoy this art style as well. The character designs are also really fun! The environmental designs also breathe a lot of life into the story, almost telling a small story of its own in the background. (Pun not intended!) The bit of action that you see in the first volume shows a lot of promise for potential action scenes in future volumes! This first volume is clearly setting up key plot points that will be explored in later volumes, so there is a lot of information being tossed at you right out of the gate. Many questions are asked, but very few are answered. Not having answers can be a bit frustrating, but again, this is only the first volume. The story has plenty of potential and an interesting world. The mystery of the hundred-year-old Citadel is fascinating. I had assumed from the name, that it was simply a building, but the story shows that there is more to the Citadel than meets the eye. The only thing that saddened me is that the first volume is terribly short! It ends on a cliffhanger, right as the story was amping up! I desperately want to know more! The story blurb for this volume mentions "a cunning mercenary and a super sweet kid", but neither of them was introduced in this first volume. Hopefully, they will be shown in the second volume, which I eagerly look forward to!
The first volume of Sweet Konkrete opens up with Asa and how her actions end up botching a police operation, which in turn leads to her suspension from the force. As the story follows Asa, the world-building is slowly revealed, as well as the mystery of Asa's father. In her work as an officer, the shadow of her father appears to loom over her. But there is more to Asa's father than it seems. She receives his service weapon, which sparks her journey of finding out the truth.
I really like the art style of this manga! It reminds me a lot of the late 90s or early 2000s manga and anime styles of the time. People who like FullMetal Alchemist, Ghost in the Shell, or Cowboy Bebop art styles would likely enjoy this art style as well. The character designs are also really fun! The environmental designs also breathe a lot of life into the story, almost telling a small story of its own in the background. (Pun not intended!) The bit of action that you see in the first volume shows a lot of promise for potential action scenes in future volumes! This first volume is clearly setting up key plot points that will be explored in later volumes, so there is a lot of information being tossed at you right out of the gate. Many questions are asked, but very few are answered. Not having answers can be a bit frustrating, but again, this is only the first volume. The story has plenty of potential and an interesting world. The mystery of the hundred-year-old Citadel is fascinating. I had assumed from the name, that it was simply a building, but the story shows that there is more to the Citadel than meets the eye. The only thing that saddened me is that the first volume is terribly short! It ends on a cliffhanger, right as the story was amping up! I desperately want to know more! The story blurb for this volume mentions "a cunning mercenary and a super sweet kid", but neither of them was introduced in this first volume. Hopefully, they will be shown in the second volume, which I eagerly look forward to!
Kiss of Treason by Brandi Spencer, Brandi Spencer
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I am actually surprised how much I liked this one! I was expecting this to just be a fluffy romance set in a fantasy world, and not much more. The plot of this book has quite a bit of political intrigue! The politics of our main characters and their status within their society come heavily into play. The main characters are childhood friends, who have grown up alongside one another their entire lives. But Kennard is a prince, and Odelia is a commoner. Until Odelia finds out that her family history is not what she thought it was. I don't want to go more deeply into the plot for fear of spoiling it. The romance is solid! Both Kennard and Odelia are likable characters, and clearly have good chemistry with one another. None of their romance feels rushed or out of place, and their scenes together are enjoyable. I also liked the worldbuilding and powers system for this world! The story explains upfront how certain powers work within this world, and as the story goes on, naturally adds details on how certain powers work. I did laugh at the King CONSTANTLY transforming. Like, sir why are you transforming to say a single sentence, and then switching back? That actually ended up being explained, thankfully. There was one thing that did mildly annoy me and would take me out of the scene I was reading every so often. The use of the "curse word" that is "frog nuggets". Or worst yet, "flaming crusted frog nuggets". I understand that's a way of skirting around censorship and avoiding potential snafus. But...frog nuggets? Really? I struggle to think of what real-life curse word that phrase is replacing. BUT, this is a minor thing and only a personal pet peeve! If you don't care about lore-friendly fantasy curse words, it probably wouldn't bother you!
All in all, this is a solid little fantasy book! I noticed at the end, that it said there is a second book. The first book ends in a way that works perfectly as a stand-alone. But I am interested in potentially reading the second volume.
I am actually surprised how much I liked this one! I was expecting this to just be a fluffy romance set in a fantasy world, and not much more. The plot of this book has quite a bit of political intrigue! The politics of our main characters and their status within their society come heavily into play. The main characters are childhood friends, who have grown up alongside one another their entire lives. But Kennard is a prince, and Odelia is a commoner. Until Odelia finds out that her family history is not what she thought it was. I don't want to go more deeply into the plot for fear of spoiling it. The romance is solid! Both Kennard and Odelia are likable characters, and clearly have good chemistry with one another. None of their romance feels rushed or out of place, and their scenes together are enjoyable. I also liked the worldbuilding and powers system for this world! The story explains upfront how certain powers work within this world, and as the story goes on, naturally adds details on how certain powers work. I did laugh at the King CONSTANTLY transforming. Like, sir why are you transforming to say a single sentence, and then switching back? That actually ended up being explained, thankfully. There was one thing that did mildly annoy me and would take me out of the scene I was reading every so often. The use of the "curse word" that is "frog nuggets". Or worst yet, "flaming crusted frog nuggets". I understand that's a way of skirting around censorship and avoiding potential snafus. But...frog nuggets? Really? I struggle to think of what real-life curse word that phrase is replacing. BUT, this is a minor thing and only a personal pet peeve! If you don't care about lore-friendly fantasy curse words, it probably wouldn't bother you!
All in all, this is a solid little fantasy book! I noticed at the end, that it said there is a second book. The first book ends in a way that works perfectly as a stand-alone. But I am interested in potentially reading the second volume.
Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
The plot premise of the story was so very interesting to me. A middle-aged vampire (I did the math, I think Louise would be considered an older GenX) who wants nothing more than to join a band, while keeping her vampirism a secret from her teenage relative. So interesting! But something about this story just fell a bit flat to me. The first half of the story is just weighed down by so many introspective moments and constant flashbacks of Louise's past. I know this is to try and explain who Louise is a person, but there's is barely any plot happening. The story doesn't get interesting until the second half of the story, but even then, it scoots by the juicy parts way too fast. I really wanted to know more about the other vampires, but it flew right past those plot points, much to my disappointment. I found Louise as a character to be interesting only at times. Her memory flashbacks highlight her struggles with her family's refusal to accept her genuine self, her rift with her brother, and finding her estranged Aunt, who was disowned for being a lesbian. The brief mention of Covid was an interesting choice. Did not expect to see Covid mentioned in a book about a punk middle-aged vampire. I have many mixed feelings about this book. I want to like it more, but I find myself feeling neutral about it. I don't love it, but I don't hate it.
The plot premise of the story was so very interesting to me. A middle-aged vampire (I did the math, I think Louise would be considered an older GenX) who wants nothing more than to join a band, while keeping her vampirism a secret from her teenage relative. So interesting! But something about this story just fell a bit flat to me. The first half of the story is just weighed down by so many introspective moments and constant flashbacks of Louise's past. I know this is to try and explain who Louise is a person, but there's is barely any plot happening. The story doesn't get interesting until the second half of the story, but even then, it scoots by the juicy parts way too fast. I really wanted to know more about the other vampires, but it flew right past those plot points, much to my disappointment. I found Louise as a character to be interesting only at times. Her memory flashbacks highlight her struggles with her family's refusal to accept her genuine self, her rift with her brother, and finding her estranged Aunt, who was disowned for being a lesbian. The brief mention of Covid was an interesting choice. Did not expect to see Covid mentioned in a book about a punk middle-aged vampire. I have many mixed feelings about this book. I want to like it more, but I find myself feeling neutral about it. I don't love it, but I don't hate it.
The Blouse by Bastien Vivès
1.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
Be warned there are spoilers ahead!
So the plot synopsis got me interested in how it described the book. A french college student, bored with life, is gifted with a silk blouse, that is possibly magical. I thought it would be a more adult version of the pants from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Wow, I was DEAD WRONG. Everything described in the plot synopsis is not said in the graphic novel itself. If not for having read the synopsis before reading, I wouldn't have described the novel that way at all. Séverine is shown to have a nerdy boyfriend, regular college experience, and babysits as a job. After a mishap with the child who she was babysitting falls ill, and get's sick all over her, the father gives her one of his wife's silk blouses. After wearing the silk blouse out and about, to the park, to college, etc she notices men looking at her more and chatting her up. But, I didn't take this as the blouse being magical. She simply went from wearing baggy shirts and cardigans to wearing a form-fitting blouse that she tucked into slacks. She is shown to be a pretty girl with a larger chest. When you wear form-fitting clothing that shows off your cleavage, men look at you. It's annoying as hell, but that's what happens. But, you also get NO introspective as to why Séverine starts acting how she does! Everything that happens in this story feels completely random. She gets into a man's car after ditching her boyfriend and his friends, but then goes with the random guy who turns out to be a cop to a dinner party, leaves said party to walk home in the rain, gets chased down an alley by two random thugs, and then cop guy finds her and they start making out, and then they sleep together?! There's also a thing with cigarettes that flew right over my head. Maybe it's because I'm not French, but why is it that every time a man asks Séverine if she has a cigarette or a lighter, and she responds "Sorry I don't smoke", they curse at her or stomp off? That baffled me, and it happens multiple times. Séverine also gets angry with her boyfriend for questioning where she's been and why she hasn't answered her phone in 24 hours. She acts like it's ridiculous that he's asking where she went when it's normal to be worried about your girlfriend if they go MIA for twenty-four hours! Also, what the hell is up with how the girl who was being babysat is portrayed at the very beginning and the very end of the novel? Why the HELL did you have this child show her "butterfly" (as the novel puts it) to her babysitter apropos of nothing? Why do you have the child see her Father and Séverine in the middle of coitus on their kitchen table?! There was no reason for that! The bombing scene was COMPLETELY random as well. Why are there suddenly Mulism extremists bombing a train station? The station that Séverine just so happens to be in, cause she made a snap decision to go to her parents. The whole bombing and hospital part only happens for a few pages but it's so bizarre. Minor side note, there was one line that gave me pause in the beginning. Séverine's father says "I felt it was a little spicier than usual, so I added essential oil." about some dish they are eating together. This is a random nitpick, but please don't eat essential oil. Essential oil is not meant for consumption. Also, I have no idea why this is marked as "Romance" on GoodReads. It is VERY much not Romance. Yes, there are multiple sex scenes and weirdly sexual scenes that happen for little to no reason.
This graphic novel was a complete mess. I have no idea what was going on with this story, and frankly, I don't think I want to know.
Be warned there are spoilers ahead!
So the plot synopsis got me interested in how it described the book. A french college student, bored with life, is gifted with a silk blouse, that is possibly magical. I thought it would be a more adult version of the pants from Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Wow, I was DEAD WRONG. Everything described in the plot synopsis is not said in the graphic novel itself. If not for having read the synopsis before reading, I wouldn't have described the novel that way at all. Séverine is shown to have a nerdy boyfriend, regular college experience, and babysits as a job. After a mishap with the child who she was babysitting falls ill, and get's sick all over her, the father gives her one of his wife's silk blouses. After wearing the silk blouse out and about, to the park, to college, etc she notices men looking at her more and chatting her up. But, I didn't take this as the blouse being magical. She simply went from wearing baggy shirts and cardigans to wearing a form-fitting blouse that she tucked into slacks. She is shown to be a pretty girl with a larger chest. When you wear form-fitting clothing that shows off your cleavage, men look at you. It's annoying as hell, but that's what happens. But, you also get NO introspective as to why Séverine starts acting how she does! Everything that happens in this story feels completely random. She gets into a man's car after ditching her boyfriend and his friends, but then goes with the random guy who turns out to be a cop to a dinner party, leaves said party to walk home in the rain, gets chased down an alley by two random thugs, and then cop guy finds her and they start making out, and then they sleep together?! There's also a thing with cigarettes that flew right over my head. Maybe it's because I'm not French, but why is it that every time a man asks Séverine if she has a cigarette or a lighter, and she responds "Sorry I don't smoke", they curse at her or stomp off? That baffled me, and it happens multiple times. Séverine also gets angry with her boyfriend for questioning where she's been and why she hasn't answered her phone in 24 hours. She acts like it's ridiculous that he's asking where she went when it's normal to be worried about your girlfriend if they go MIA for twenty-four hours! Also, what the hell is up with how the girl who was being babysat is portrayed at the very beginning and the very end of the novel? Why the HELL did you have this child show her "butterfly" (as the novel puts it) to her babysitter apropos of nothing? Why do you have the child see her Father and Séverine in the middle of coitus on their kitchen table?! There was no reason for that! The bombing scene was COMPLETELY random as well. Why are there suddenly Mulism extremists bombing a train station? The station that Séverine just so happens to be in, cause she made a snap decision to go to her parents. The whole bombing and hospital part only happens for a few pages but it's so bizarre. Minor side note, there was one line that gave me pause in the beginning. Séverine's father says "I felt it was a little spicier than usual, so I added essential oil." about some dish they are eating together. This is a random nitpick, but please don't eat essential oil. Essential oil is not meant for consumption. Also, I have no idea why this is marked as "Romance" on GoodReads. It is VERY much not Romance. Yes, there are multiple sex scenes and weirdly sexual scenes that happen for little to no reason.
This graphic novel was a complete mess. I have no idea what was going on with this story, and frankly, I don't think I want to know.
The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World, Volume 2 by Nana Mikoshiba, Norihito Sasaki
5.0
This volume picks up right where the first volume left off! Right back into the action. The mystery deepens in the story and the mystery of Ray's past is also introduced. I also really like how this manga slowly explains how its magic system works. Information is revealed in a way that makes sense within the story. It's in small exposition bursts, but since it's under the guise of it being a class lesson, it's not jarring nor out of place. I really like this story and the mystery keeps getting more intriguing as the story goes on!
Oneira - Chapter 1 - Crimson Moon by Cab
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I want to preface this by stating that this is only the first CHAPTER of Oneria. Not volume, CHAPTER. It's a bit difficult to truly rate a story when you only can read one chapter of it. What little I did get to read, I was interested in. The art style is fairly unique, and the action scenes are decent. This chapter is VERY gory and bloody. It doesn't bother me, but it may bother others. Arane Heos, our main character, appears to be an interesting character. An aloof and powerful woman, who is highly skilled in combat. Again, it's one chapter, so it's very hard to judge. The vibe of this comic has the same vibes as the Castlevania anime, right down to the gore. The one thing about this comic that originally drew me in was the cover art. The cover art is absolutely gorgeous, I would hang it in my home with my other art pieces. I could gush over that cover for hours. My interest is piqued in this comic and its story, from the tidbit I saw. I may try to seek it out in the future.
I want to preface this by stating that this is only the first CHAPTER of Oneria. Not volume, CHAPTER. It's a bit difficult to truly rate a story when you only can read one chapter of it. What little I did get to read, I was interested in. The art style is fairly unique, and the action scenes are decent. This chapter is VERY gory and bloody. It doesn't bother me, but it may bother others. Arane Heos, our main character, appears to be an interesting character. An aloof and powerful woman, who is highly skilled in combat. Again, it's one chapter, so it's very hard to judge. The vibe of this comic has the same vibes as the Castlevania anime, right down to the gore. The one thing about this comic that originally drew me in was the cover art. The cover art is absolutely gorgeous, I would hang it in my home with my other art pieces. I could gush over that cover for hours. My interest is piqued in this comic and its story, from the tidbit I saw. I may try to seek it out in the future.
The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World, Vol. 1 by Nana Mikoshiba, Norihito Sasaki, Riko Korie
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
I was delighted when I finished the first volume of "The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World". It is a standard shonen action adventure, with a little bit of comedy. I'd say Ranma 1/2 or FullMetal Alchemist level of comedy. But the tropes that it has are some of my favorites. I always love an underdog, and I love the "super-powered person acts like they're an average Joe" trope. The "bright and sunny optimist character is also super powerful" is one of my absolute favorite tropes as well. (Think Tanjiro from Demon Slayer or Atsushi from Bungou Stray Dogs) The characters are all pretty normal for a shonen manga, but they're still super fun to read. The mystery elements of the manga are subtle and not in your face. At first glance, it seems like a run-of-the-mill shonen manga, but the mystery elements clearly show that there is more to the story than it seems. The art style is lovely as well. Again, it's very obviously a style expected in a shonen manga, but it's so dynamic! The action scenes are very well done, and the page flow is great. The volume ends on a cliffhanger, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the second volume when it comes out!
I was delighted when I finished the first volume of "The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World". It is a standard shonen action adventure, with a little bit of comedy. I'd say Ranma 1/2 or FullMetal Alchemist level of comedy. But the tropes that it has are some of my favorites. I always love an underdog, and I love the "super-powered person acts like they're an average Joe" trope. The "bright and sunny optimist character is also super powerful" is one of my absolute favorite tropes as well. (Think Tanjiro from Demon Slayer or Atsushi from Bungou Stray Dogs) The characters are all pretty normal for a shonen manga, but they're still super fun to read. The mystery elements of the manga are subtle and not in your face. At first glance, it seems like a run-of-the-mill shonen manga, but the mystery elements clearly show that there is more to the story than it seems. The art style is lovely as well. Again, it's very obviously a style expected in a shonen manga, but it's so dynamic! The action scenes are very well done, and the page flow is great. The volume ends on a cliffhanger, and I'll be eagerly awaiting the second volume when it comes out!
Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft—Orphan of Agony Isle #1 by Casey Gilly
4.0
I just want to preface this with the fact that I know pretty much NOTHING about any Dungeon and Dragons stories, and I know nothing about Ravenloft. Which I think is a campaign or something? Really, I know nothing. So far, the comic seems to be setting up an interesting mystery. There is Miranda, a mystery girl with no memory of who she was before waking up in Dr. Viktra's lab. Miranda wonders who she was before and why Viktra is bothering to help her at all. There was also an interesting scene at the end of the volume, and a cliffhanger that makes me want more of this comic. It's hard to fully judge a story from only reading 29 pages of a comic series. My interest is piqued, and looking forward to reading more of this series!