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obscurepages's reviews
402 reviews
Halloween by Alessandro Barbucci, Elisabetta Gnone, Barbara Canepa
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
Cleaned my cabinets and found my collection of W.I.T.C.H. comics π I don't have the complete collection but I have about 30 issues. So I might just take another trip to nostalgia land and read this whole series for the first time (just like I did with Inuyasha mangas last year π)
Okay so. First issue ever. The art is good. I remember just taking the time and tracing every character and trying to draw them when I was a kid π I definitely had a phase lol.
Storytelling-wise, I think it's a little disjointed. And a lot of info dump dear lord. As a result it can get a little confusing. Definitely interesting though, I love fantasy and world-building details so I'm looking forward to diving into the world-building of this one.
Also why do they transform to older teenage version of themselves when they transform and use magic? They're supposed to be 13 in this, but when they use powers they look like 16? Like what's the logic behind that ππ When I was younger I didn't give it much thought. But being older now, I guess I just find that a little weird?
Hopefully the next few issues get better π
Okay so. First issue ever. The art is good. I remember just taking the time and tracing every character and trying to draw them when I was a kid π I definitely had a phase lol.
Storytelling-wise, I think it's a little disjointed. And a lot of info dump dear lord. As a result it can get a little confusing. Definitely interesting though, I love fantasy and world-building details so I'm looking forward to diving into the world-building of this one.
Also why do they transform to older teenage version of themselves when they transform and use magic? They're supposed to be 13 in this, but when they use powers they look like 16? Like what's the logic behind that ππ When I was younger I didn't give it much thought. But being older now, I guess I just find that a little weird?
Hopefully the next few issues get better π
How We End by L.M. Juniper
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Finally, after a month! This put me in a reading slump in February π
This was enjoyable and entertaining enough. My biggest issue is somehow it didn't have that "umph" that hooked me or made me obsessed. Like somehow it felt like everything was happening, but also nothing was happening at the same time. The plot and world-building were not as engaging or complex as I hoped they would be. I think I expected it to be more exciting or gripping as a reader, given that it is a zombie/apocalyptic story.
Now, I could have been fine with that. I mean, there were books that I liked where it's kind of confusing and not really plot-driven, but the characters still hook you in. I don't think that was the case for this book. Because while I liked the characters, I feel like the characterization still lacked and seemed like surface level? See I've been reading like half of the book, and I still couldn't care less about some of the characters. Even Jake as the main character felt weird sometimes (it was mentioned that he was a prepper, but it was so unbelievable for me unfortunately π
) Anyway, yeah it wasn't until close to the end that I got an inkling of backstory from some of them and deeper personality traits.
I think the trans rep was good. It was very subtle though. But I liked that Jake's trans journey was highlighted in one part of the book and showed that not every trans experience is the same.
I think that's it for me really. Entertaining enough, but felt standard and conventional for the most part.
(Read for the Indie Ink Awards 2024!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Transphobia
The Boy & the Bindi by Vivek Shraya
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.0
This was so cute?!? Maybe I need to read more children's books π
This was such a short read, but also so poignant. I think for such a simple and short book, it was still really successful in delivering the message (breaking gender stereotypes and fostering self confidence) and engaging with the audience no matter the age.
Semantic Error, Vol. 1 by Angy, Soori Jeo
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was okay! It was funny and entertaining enough, but this is just the first volume so there wasn't much plot or impact yet. I've also never watched the kdrama (if I'm not mistaken, there is a kdrama adaptation?) Nevertheless, I still had fun reading it π I look forward to reading the second one!
(Also is it me or Sangwoo is neurodivergent-coded? like pls, just say it and make it canon π₯Ήπ)
The Ribbon Skirt by Cameron Mukwa
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This was short and sweet and I really enjoyed it!
I loved the highlight on two-spirit identity and Indigenous culture. I think this book did a great job showing how they view gender as individuals and as community, now matter how simple it is, because it was a significant part of Anang, the MC's journey. I also think this is a very important book, especially when I think about what's happening in the west (particularly America) today. Seeing Anang in their ribbon skirt, dancing bravely and living freely at that moment was a scene of trans joy.
Some particular storylines were a bit shifty for me though. Like it could have been more seamless? But maybe that's just me nitpicking? π And this is a middle grade book so I get the fast-paced feeling.
Still, this was very enjoyable and so heartfelt. π₯Ή
The Infinity Particle by Wendy Xu
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Book so good I didn't even realize the characters aren't queer until halfway through π (They are queer in my headcanon for sure π)
This was such a cute read! π₯Ί I know this is from one of the co-creators of Mooncakes (which I really adored) so I fell in love quickly with all the art and the colors! I also love the overarching themes of ethics in science/AI, humanity, and freedom (which funny enough, gave me a similar vibe as the Murderbot series!) Kye and Clem were cute but I do feel like their romance was rushed a bit? And I don't know but some plot points could have been explored further as well (gaining consciousness/freedom, Lin's backstory, Ada's story too). Still, I can't deny, this was an enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child death
Why on Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology by Vania Stoyanova, Rosiee Thor
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? No
4.0
AAAAAAHHHH. Okay this is one of my most anticipated this year, and I can now report that it didn't let me down π₯Ή
Why on Earth, as a whole anthology, was lovely and entertaining. It's equal parts funny, adventurous, and introspective. I think the authors did a great job crafting stories that interweave with each other, while also creating stories that represent being human and/or how it relates to being an alien.
Some of my favorite stories in here are:
- One Last Shot Before the End of the World By Julian Winters
- Red Carpet Blues by Rebecca Kim Wells
- A Taste of Country by M.K. England
- The Road Less Traveled (Because There's a Detour Sign) by Emily Lloyd-Jones
I'm on book tour for this book, with Colored Pages this February! Please look out for my post on my blog/booksta soon! π₯Ή
(Thanks to Colored Pages and Page Street YA for having me and sending an ARC. This of course did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters
Every time I read a Julian Winters book, I just know I'm going to have fun. This one is no exception!
Prince of the Palisades was one of my most anticipated last year! (of course, I didn't have time to read it, as usual), but I finally did, yes!
This was good. It was light, fun, entertaining. It was also messy. Partly because it's royal drama lol, and partly because of the usual YA romcom antics lol. I enjoyed the messy parts though, don't get me wrong!
The romance is cute. I do feel like it needed more? Like yes, they were good together, but I wanted more of the romance and the pining and the falling in love. (or maybe I just like angst too much and I read too many slow burn fanfics lol not really the book's fault).
I also feel like the plot could have been more compelling? Like I know this is romcom and we're not gonna have a high-stakes-end-of-the-world plot, of course. But Jadon's journey seemed a bit lacking for me? I don't know, but I guess I expected him to experience various significant obstacles and learning curves before fully developing as a person (and as a character). And I needed more of that.
I do appreciate that the story touched on a few topics like racism, the challenges of being queer and being Black, being silent vs. speaking up for others, the stark difference between media and reality, and more.
(((OH and if I did tear up at one point in the story, it would be when Jadon finally talked to his father.)))
Overall, I have to say, while this isn't my favorite from Julian Winters, I still enjoyed reading it. Also, my favorite character would have to be Mrs. Hayes lol. 3.5 stars!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
You shouldn't be ashamed to be a rebel, my prince. Rebels won our people's freedom.
Every time I read a Julian Winters book, I just know I'm going to have fun. This one is no exception!
Prince of the Palisades was one of my most anticipated last year! (of course, I didn't have time to read it, as usual), but I finally did, yes!
This was good. It was light, fun, entertaining. It was also messy. Partly because it's royal drama lol, and partly because of the usual YA romcom antics lol. I enjoyed the messy parts though, don't get me wrong!
The romance is cute. I do feel like it needed more? Like yes, they were good together, but I wanted more of the romance and the pining and the falling in love. (or maybe I just like angst too much and I read too many slow burn fanfics lol not really the book's fault).
I also feel like the plot could have been more compelling? Like I know this is romcom and we're not gonna have a high-stakes-end-of-the-world plot, of course. But Jadon's journey seemed a bit lacking for me? I don't know, but I guess I expected him to experience various significant obstacles and learning curves before fully developing as a person (and as a character). And I needed more of that.
I do appreciate that the story touched on a few topics like racism, the challenges of being queer and being Black, being silent vs. speaking up for others, the stark difference between media and reality, and more.
(((OH and if I did tear up at one point in the story, it would be when Jadon finally talked to his father.)))
Overall, I have to say, while this isn't my favorite from Julian Winters, I still enjoyed reading it. Also, my favorite character would have to be Mrs. Hayes lol. 3.5 stars!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Sexual content
Hungry Heart by Jem Milton
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Okay this was really cute! I didn't know much about the webcomic, but I think this was a good first volume.
The story was easy to follow and engaging. The art and colors itself of course were beautiful. However, sometimes the storytelling would feel disjointed? Like it would jump from tone to tone so suddenly? Start of the page is all serious and then at the end of the page, it's comedic and dramatic. I also did not like Laurie's friends (or should I say, Pepper's friends π). I don't know but I just don't like their vibes? I feel like Laurie was just going with the flow with them too.
Despite that, I still love that apart from the romance, it also highlighted on mental health struggles of the two MCs. Laurie coping with eating disorder and Oryan developing anxiety because of his fame. (Also I love the trope where characters who lost passion for what they love because of fame/time/etc, meets someone and then regains that passion because of them. π₯Ή)
Overall, a nice short read! Wouldn't be opposed to reading the next volume!
Note: Received an e-arc from NetGalley. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo
Also I have to say, I also REALLY loved that one of the main points or lesson in this was that going through changes (whether painful or no) is okay. Because that's what it's like to be human. We change and we welcome it, much like Indu's experiences and the people around him. Even the moon realized that.
Overall, I thought this was amazing. Maybe it's not that perfect? (like I wanted some more world-building elements), but I'm giving 5 stars just because of the overall story and how it made me feel. π₯Ί
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
FIRST READ OF 2025 AND I AM ABSOLUTELY NOT CRYING.
The vibes are like The Little Prince x Steven Universe, but make it queer and place it in an Indonesian background/setting. I thought this was so well-doneβfrom the art itself (which was so beautiful) and the storytelling (profoundly wholesome!).
I loved the Indonesian rep! I don't think I've read a YA or MG mainly featuring Indonesian culture yet, so I really appreciated this one. I also appreciated how Indu's struggles with fitting in the community were highlighted and handled. The parts about passive fluency was also really interesting! (Which oddly enough I could relate to, because I could understand my parents' Ilonggo dialect, but I'm not that confident speaking it). And while the parts in Indonesian weren't exactly translated (and that's honestly fine with me, I love that), it's also funny and cool that I feel like I could see a few similarities between Bahasa Indonesia and Filipino.
The queer rep was also so good! Like almost everyone is queer?! Hell yes please. This story featured transmasc and transfem cast, nonbinary minor characters, aroace/lesbian questioning character, panromantic character. I don't know, but I really liked that I got to see all of these identities, because, like Indu, knowing someone is queer is some form of relief and awe for me. I could totally relate to that. I also really liked Indu discovering community and learning that he can share their history as well, and be a part of them moving forward. That particular scene when someone was telling Indu about queer people trying to fit in? Yeah, I cried in that one, thanks.
"In many of the old world's cultures, queer people used to be important leaders and spiritual figures.
So for the longest time, people on Earth thought there was something wrong with being queer.
When our ancestral homeland was colonized, invaders forced the queer people of our islands into hiding or worse.
After all that's happened, queer people today are just trying to figure out how we fit back into everything again."
Also I have to say, I also REALLY loved that one of the main points or lesson in this was that going through changes (whether painful or no) is okay. Because that's what it's like to be human. We change and we welcome it, much like Indu's experiences and the people around him.
Overall, I thought this was amazing. Maybe it's not that perfect? (like I wanted some more world-building elements), but I'm giving 5 stars just because of the overall story and how it made me feel. π₯Ί
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Misgendering scene, but not done maliciously