manuphoto's reviews
923 reviews

Matter by Iain M. Banks

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

Matter is a truly remarkable achievement. It is as complex as Look to Windward, incorporates the same elements of a fantasy/low-tech society within the Culture universe as Inversions, and yet manages to be clearer than the former and more complete than the latter.

Banks delivers a tour de force with this novel. The world-building is truly amazing, the characters are well-defined (except perhaps for the main antagonist), and, as usual with Banks, the writing is top-notch. I also found the pacing better than in Inversions. Although I enjoy all the Culture novels, I think this is the one I’ve preferred most since Use of Weapons.

The consistency within Banks’ body of work is incredible. The quality of writing, plotting, and world-building remains exceptional. Even the “low” entries in the Culture series would stand as great achievements for most authors. I’m having a fantastic time going through this series.

Valérian et Laureline l'Intégrale, volume 3 by Pierre Christin, Jean-Claude Mézières

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Les histoires sont d’une qualité variable, bien que j’aime la progression du personnage de Laureline. 

Les dessins sont par contre somptueux, plus ambitieux et imaginatifs que dans les albums précédents. Les décors sont particulièrement beaux et intéressants.

Une lecture sympa pour les lecteurs de Valérian et les amateurs de science-fiction en général.

Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks

adventurous dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Definitely more complex and philosophical than the previous books in the series, Look to Windward is a bit challenging to get into at first.

The story builds slowly, introducing many characters and moving back and forth in space and time—sometimes without clear transitions. As a result, it can feel a bit disorienting at times.

However, as is always the case with Banks, the payoff is worth it. The novel explores profound topics such as religion, our relationship with technology, death, and interpersonal connections. It offers multiple perspectives on these themes, often through clever and humorous dialogue.

I suspect I’ll need to reread it in a few years because the book is so multi-layered that it’s hard to fully appreciate its depth in just one reading. Fortunately, it’s a pleasure to read, so revisiting it won’t feel like a chore.

As for its place in the Culture universe, the book provides a fresh perspective on the Minds and the Culture’s actions regarding other civilizations. It’s an excellent read in a fantastic series.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Showa 1953-1989: A History of Japan by Shigeru Mizuki

emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

5.0

A fitting end to a tremendous series.

As in the previous volumes, Mizuki skillfully blends the grand and the small scales. Although this volume spans many more years, the story still grips us. It’s an incredible page-turner.

The work is deeply emotional and highly informative at the same time. It does an excellent job of making you feel what Mizuki and his fellow Japanese experienced during those years, which is no easy feat. Conveying emotions effectively is one of an artist’s most challenging tasks, and Mizuki triumphs here.

I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in Japanese history, or simply in great storytelling and art. It’s a tremendous achievement.

Sweet Tooth Compendium by Jeff Lemire

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Dystopian stories are common—too common, even. We’ve all seen or read tales of the world ending, of plagues, of catastrophic events.

But Sweet Tooth is different.

Lemire brings the brutality and tenderness that I so much enjoyed in Essex County and uses them in a remarkable way in Sweet Tooth.

The cast of characters is truly great, from the villains to the heroes. The characters' arcs are believable and touching. The whole story is deeply human and moving. It’s what good sci-fi should be: using a "what if?" premise to explore aspects of our humanity and society.

Lemire achieves this brilliantly here. He also uses his art in a very clever way. Although his style is unusual, I find it apt, beautiful, and enjoyable. It serves the story perfectly, and I can’t fathom the amount of work this series must have represented.

One of the best graphic novels I’ve read in some time, easily among Lemire’s best work—and that’s saying something.

Planètes, l'intégrale by Makoto Yukimura

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Un livre vraiment excellent. J’ai aimé l’approche très humaine de Yukimura. Il mixe merveilleusement bien l’échelle humaine et l’échelle astronomique.

En combinant les deux avec agilité, il nous livre un récit poignant avec des personnages attachants et complexes. Il illustre le tout avec finesse, son coup de crayon est excellent. 

J’ai bien aimé le mélange entre "hard sci-fi" et philosophie. Vraiment intéressant et pertinent.

Il n’obtient pas la note parfaite car certaines des histoires sont un peu moyennes. Mais la majorité est excellente.

Je recommande ce livre à tous les fans de science-fiction ou de mangas.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest, Vol. 3: Elementary by Mark Waid

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

Not as good as the preceding volume, Newmazo just isn't that compelling a vilain. Still entertaining and well-paced though.

Batman/Superman: World's Finest Vol. 2: Strange Visitor, Volume 2 by Mark Waid

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

It’s actually surprisingly good. Mark Waid really understands what Superman stands for and he makes the most of it. He also uses the rest of the cast quite well, although his Batman is a bit too subdued (but it’s ok in that storyline).

The art is pleasing and well executed. I quite like these versions of the DC heroes. They aren’t too over the top (for DC heroes) and the book is not too fragmented, something I don’t enjoy in other books with multiple heroes.

A good read for any DC fan.

Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan by Shigeru Mizuki

dark emotional informative sad medium-paced

5.0

Another excellent entry in the series. Mizuki's art is remarkable and so is his storytelling. This mix of specifics and global events make the whole thing very much alive. I highly recommend it.

The Old Guard, Book three: Tales Through Time by Vita Ayala, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Rucka

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

3.75

The stories are pretty uneven, but the book is a nice addition to the Old Guard series nonetheless.