small__fry's reviews
27 reviews

Blood On The Tracks, Vol. 15 by Shuzo Oshimi

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A masterful and intense series. 

Laid Waste by Julia Gfrörer

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I think Gfrörer’s work is certainly interesting, but felt like the introduction to a larger story. The illustration is lovely though and so evocative and appropriate for the bleakness of the setting, yet also feels very modern. Keen to read more of her works. 

The Rose of Versailles - Omnibus, #1 by Riyoko Ikeda

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

I struggled a bit with figuring out who was who at the start of the series, which is not uncommon with some manga. This volume definitely is has a slow start but it is worth the initial bumpiness because once the plot takes off it really is an enjoyable ride. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair.  Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.  Oscar forever. 

The Rose of Versailles Volume 2 by Riyoko Ikeda

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

While this series starts off a tad slow, by this point I was hooked on the characters. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair.  Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.  Oscar forever. 

The Rose of Versailles Volume 3 by Riyoko Ikeda

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

I binged this series in a matter of days when recovering from surgery. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair.  Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.  Oscar forever. 

The Rose of Versailles Volume 4 by Riyoko Ikeda

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

I binged this series in a matter of days when recovering from surgery. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair.  Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.  Oscar forever. 

The Rose of Versailles Volume 5 by Riyoko Ikeda

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.5

I binged this series so quickly while recovering from surgery. A classic shoujo that stands the test of time and proof the genre is maligned as trivial stories for young girls. Mature storytelling with a dash of feminism and class criticism saturated in swirling petals and cascading curly hair.  Not to mention the sprinkling of queerness throughout.
Specific to this volume; Even though tragedy is clearly earmarked from the outset (it is the French Revolution after all), I still had tears in my eyes at points of this volume. Lady Oscar forever. 

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death