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omnombailey's Reviews (111)
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Ms. Marvel continues to strike an amazing balance between witty banter and emotional issues that strike close to home. I love seeing Kamala develop both as a superhero and as a person throughout these stories. She's incredibly relatable, charming, and genuine. Each volume of Ms. Marvel hits it out of the park and I'm forever eager to dive into the next volume.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Hands down my favorite Ms. Marvel volume so far. Touched on so many relevant issues while also presenting new challenges to Kamala. And the stuff with Bruno just broke my heart. It's been so long since I've cried while reading a comic, but here we are.
A gorgeous arc with art and dialogue to match. This is what Marvel comics is about.
A gorgeous arc with art and dialogue to match. This is what Marvel comics is about.
Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight
Michele Fazekas, Kris Anka, Tara Butters, Felipe Smith
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow what a disappointing volume.
I read some of the later Captain Marvel stuff and then back-peddled enough to go over the beginning of Alpha Flight stuff and... it's not good. Not abysmal, but it's very clearly struggling to stay afloat. The constant change of writers for Captain Marvel doesn't seem to be helping the plot at all. Yes, Carol is still Carol (for the most part; she has some odd moments that felt one-dimensional), but for something that's supposed to be the intro of the Alpha Flight? I couldn't care for any of the characters or relationships, despite having read the later volumes and knowing all of them by now. Whatever tension or bonds that are there are shallow at best. And the overall story with the space stuff was boring.
The colors throughout the volume were gorgeous, but the art itself was questionable at times. A lot of the characters just didn't look good. There were a few instances of bad anatomy, too. Not really consistent.
On the up side, the last five pages were really solid. That was kind of it.
I'm just glad I got this out of the way so I can read other Marvel volumes that, you know, read like an actual Marvel comic.
I read some of the later Captain Marvel stuff and then back-peddled enough to go over the beginning of Alpha Flight stuff and... it's not good. Not abysmal, but it's very clearly struggling to stay afloat. The constant change of writers for Captain Marvel doesn't seem to be helping the plot at all. Yes, Carol is still Carol (for the most part; she has some odd moments that felt one-dimensional), but for something that's supposed to be the intro of the Alpha Flight? I couldn't care for any of the characters or relationships, despite having read the later volumes and knowing all of them by now. Whatever tension or bonds that are there are shallow at best. And the overall story with the space stuff was boring.
The colors throughout the volume were gorgeous, but the art itself was questionable at times. A lot of the characters just didn't look good. There were a few instances of bad anatomy, too. Not really consistent.
On the up side, the last five pages were really solid. That was kind of it.
I'm just glad I got this out of the way so I can read other Marvel volumes that, you know, read like an actual Marvel comic.
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
I'm not one who enjoys nonfiction and when I heard this was written by someone who actually is autistic, I was intrigued, even more so when it is from someone so young. The book starts off with a lot of promise and I resonated with a lot of Naoki's explanations due to my own mental illnesses. After a while, unfortunately, the answers grow repetitive. A lot of questions are answered with, "I'm not really sure," followed by some rambling that may or may not be relevant. It sadly became less and less interesting to read when I felt myself reading the same thing every page. And the short story towards the end felt completely unrelated to everything else. It does make me wonder what has been lost in translation and if there are some Japanese societal norms or phrases that make more sense if that's where you're from versus being American.
Not a terrible read, but not one I'd recommend either.
Not a terrible read, but not one I'd recommend either.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
No
Absolutely phenomenal. I had a difficult time putting it down once I dove in.
For something that's marketed to young adults, this felt like a mature read and touched on so many topics that speak to many regardless of age. I loved the fantastic world this took place in and all the worldbuilding gems throughout. I loved the diverse, complex female characters. I loved the plot constantly making me think one thing and leaving me pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I loved how the darker themes in the story were tastefully written and came from a place of quiet understanding and solidarity. I laughed, I gasped, I grumbled, I teared up. I loved Lei and so many other characters and related with all of them at once in an odd way.
My only complaints were that the first few chapters were a bit difficult to get into and that the story eventually ended.
I did not expect to fall so hard in love with this book as I did. Also the first time I immediately sought the second book and pre-ordered it instantly. Can't wait for November! Definitely one of the best novels I've read in a damn long time.
For something that's marketed to young adults, this felt like a mature read and touched on so many topics that speak to many regardless of age. I loved the fantastic world this took place in and all the worldbuilding gems throughout. I loved the diverse, complex female characters. I loved the plot constantly making me think one thing and leaving me pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I loved how the darker themes in the story were tastefully written and came from a place of quiet understanding and solidarity. I laughed, I gasped, I grumbled, I teared up. I loved Lei and so many other characters and related with all of them at once in an odd way.
My only complaints were that the first few chapters were a bit difficult to get into and that the story eventually ended.
I did not expect to fall so hard in love with this book as I did. Also the first time I immediately sought the second book and pre-ordered it instantly. Can't wait for November! Definitely one of the best novels I've read in a damn long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Slavery, Kidnapping, Grief
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Sexual assault/rape survivors and the trauma associated with it is a HUGE part of this book. The author even talks about it towards the end of the book. I found it was handled well, though if even mentioning it in a safe space doesn't sit well with you, please avoid this book/series.
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this once sometime either in my senior year in high school or my freshman year of college. I read it on my own time and recalled loving it to pieces. As an adult, I didn't remember a damn thing about this book aside from younger!me loving it, so I opted for a reread.
It's truly fascinating to revisit an old favorite with more experience and wisdom than your younger self had. I resonated with The Bell Jar because it was one of those few stories which made me felt less alone. For all the books I was forced to read throughout high school and the plethora of characters I had to identify with, nothing struck as close to home as The Bell Jar had.
And it simultaneously pains and comforts me as an adult to know it still does.
There's something ephemeral about mental illness and I always felt poets captured that odd sensation better than most and with good reason - sometimes regular, structured prose fails to explain a sensation that is beyond conventional words. I'm sure plenty of people have or will read this book, who have never been depressed or anxious of manic a day in their lives, and not get it. As someone who continues to find balance with their fickle, elusive mind, I felt like I could have been Esther and Esther was me.
The prose is lovely, albeit too simple and unimaginative at times. It's great to see the subtle shifts in the narrative as Esther crumbles further into her depression. Her grandiose descriptions of everything and anything break down to barely comprehending the world around her. It's details like this that resonate with me while struggling with my own demons.
I will say that the first 25% left me wondering why I even liked this book to begin with. It takes some time to warm up to you and make sense as to what's going on, but it is a touch hard to settle into.
Sadly, this book is a culprit of "a product of its time" or whatever. I did not remember the blatant racism and fatphobia when I was younger; it freaking punched me in the face now. It was incredibly awful to read Esther describing these people as if they're not even human. Esther herself is described as a stick of a girl and when she gains twenty pounds later on, she says she looks like a pregnant woman. No you don't, sweetie. Can you just stop? If it wasn't for sections like this, I would've given this five stars.
Despite its flaws, this book remains an important book and it pains me that there haven't been many strides in the mental health community since this was published. Reading the sections about the various wards she was placed in alone reminded me that so little separated the standards from the 50s from what is in place now. A painful, yet cathartic read, but important nonetheless.
It's truly fascinating to revisit an old favorite with more experience and wisdom than your younger self had. I resonated with The Bell Jar because it was one of those few stories which made me felt less alone. For all the books I was forced to read throughout high school and the plethora of characters I had to identify with, nothing struck as close to home as The Bell Jar had.
And it simultaneously pains and comforts me as an adult to know it still does.
There's something ephemeral about mental illness and I always felt poets captured that odd sensation better than most and with good reason - sometimes regular, structured prose fails to explain a sensation that is beyond conventional words. I'm sure plenty of people have or will read this book, who have never been depressed or anxious of manic a day in their lives, and not get it. As someone who continues to find balance with their fickle, elusive mind, I felt like I could have been Esther and Esther was me.
The prose is lovely, albeit too simple and unimaginative at times. It's great to see the subtle shifts in the narrative as Esther crumbles further into her depression. Her grandiose descriptions of everything and anything break down to barely comprehending the world around her. It's details like this that resonate with me while struggling with my own demons.
I will say that the first 25% left me wondering why I even liked this book to begin with. It takes some time to warm up to you and make sense as to what's going on, but it is a touch hard to settle into.
Sadly, this book is a culprit of "a product of its time" or whatever. I did not remember the blatant racism and fatphobia when I was younger; it freaking punched me in the face now. It was incredibly awful to read Esther describing these people as if they're not even human. Esther herself is described as a stick of a girl and when she gains twenty pounds later on, she says she looks like a pregnant woman. No you don't, sweetie. Can you just stop? If it wasn't for sections like this, I would've given this five stars.
Despite its flaws, this book remains an important book and it pains me that there haven't been many strides in the mental health community since this was published. Reading the sections about the various wards she was placed in alone reminded me that so little separated the standards from the 50s from what is in place now. A painful, yet cathartic read, but important nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Drug use, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Racism
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
There's something extremely horrific and visceral and human about this book, perhaps even more so knowing it was published in the 70s and still remains plausible in this so-called modern day.
I'm not one for time travel stories, but I loved how it was used in this story. The whiplash Dana experienced with never knowing when she'd be pulled back was intense. And realized the only way she could return to the present was by extreme harm to herself was awful, yet eye-opening. This did feel less like a sci-fi story and more like a historical fiction story with a splash of fantasy.
The only thing that dampened my enjoyment while reading this was the prose itself. It was far too simple for my tastes and so many filler words and repetition got in the way of the actual narrative.
I'm not sure if this is the kind of story I'd recommend to friends because it's amazing and fun or whatever. It is, however, something I'd recommend for everyone to better understand the severity that lies within racism and violent circumstances made "normal" in our society. This isn't just a good book; it's an important book.
I'm not one for time travel stories, but I loved how it was used in this story. The whiplash Dana experienced with never knowing when she'd be pulled back was intense. And realized the only way she could return to the present was by extreme harm to herself was awful, yet eye-opening. This did feel less like a sci-fi story and more like a historical fiction story with a splash of fantasy.
The only thing that dampened my enjoyment while reading this was the prose itself. It was far too simple for my tastes and so many filler words and repetition got in the way of the actual narrative.
I'm not sure if this is the kind of story I'd recommend to friends because it's amazing and fun or whatever. It is, however, something I'd recommend for everyone to better understand the severity that lies within racism and violent circumstances made "normal" in our society. This isn't just a good book; it's an important book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery
Moderate: Confinement, Rape
adventurous
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
What a fantastic, refreshing read. I'm usually not one to read short stories, but this was such a treat and I loved almost every story (the few that I wasn't blown away by were mostly due to me not getting into the writing style of a few authors; their ideas still rocked nonetheless). I loved the range of queer characters and their stories along with the various time periods that were explored. It warmed my heart to see so many talented queer writers share stories that are clearly dear to their hearts. Not only has this opened my eyes to the possibilities of short story anthologies, but I've also acquired a laundry list of authors I NEED to dig into. Beautiful collection. Hands down one of my favorite things I've read this year so far.