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solaris_zip's Reviews (201)
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Atlas Complex promised a continuation of the character-driven drama I’d been waiting for, but it leaves behind a trail of frustration. The language, for all its complexity, doesn’t serve the narrative—it only showcases the author’s penchant for an unnecessarily ornate vocabulary. There’s no reason for every concept to be stretched and contorted into something unrecognizable. What should be an exciting read, a proper conclusion for the last book of the series, becomes an exercise in patience, as sentences twist and turn until you lose sight of the story. The result is a book that’s more unreadable than enjoyable.
As expected, the characters remain far from lovable, and their flaws are meant to be the heart of the story. They are morally, if not villainous characters, we get it. But it’s hard to stay invested when their development seems to have stagnated—or worse, regressed. Callum and Reina, two of the least likable characters at the beginning, end up being the most entertaining for me, largely because of their banter and dynamic.
It’s ironic, given that Callum was presented as “a true villain” and yet out of everyone (yes, I’m looking at you Libby) he was the most sane, as much as sane Callum can be, in this book. Still, his potential is squished in this book, making him the comedic relief instead of a complex figure. He had nothing going on for him, reducing his character into a shell, left pining over a relationship that never truly existed.
Then there’s Nico and Gideon. I’ve always liked them, I LOVE THEM. But good heavens if I’m exhausted. It’s an endless loop of unresolved tension. Just label the relationship already and let’s move on. Nico’s declaration of devotion to Gideon is rendered hollow when, in the very next chapter, he agrees that he and Libby are soulmates, and all of the sudden they are in love? Really? Here, for me, Blake did something that in Italian we call “paraculata” which can be translated into “an opportunist”. Fans have been speculating about Libby and Nico’s relationship since dawn of time, and when book 2 came out, some people were NOT happy about that last chapter between Gideon and Nico. Here, adding this scene, showed me that she cared more at appeasing the fans than making something that truly mattered.
At its core, The Atlas Complex had the potential to be something much more than it turned out to be. The moments that could have been impactful are lost in a sea of disjointed relationships, forced plot lines, empty shells of characters that in three books have had no character development. You can still have morally ambiguous characters and give them development. Yet, this did not happened here. At the end of the day, the story ended flat, with an epilogue that was supposed to serve as a “moral compass” but instead was just a bunch of regurgitated nonsense.
I’m left wondering if there’s any real substance to the emotional complexity this series tries to convey or if the big philosophical talk is nothing more but a cover-up for the author’s inability to craft characters with any depth beyond their ability to spout empty, convoluted monologues.
![ハイ☆スピード！ [High Speed!] by Kouji Ooji, Futoshi Nishiya](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/8mn38xefz1rry1s2kz3d5w783pep)
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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:
Complicated
Home office romance follows the story of two neighbours, Nokoru and Natsu, who are stuck at home during the pandemic. The manga is a slow burn romance, leading the two protagonist from strangers to friends to lovers.
We have Nokoru, the perfect example of introvert. Weighted by his work and responsibilities he feels like he hasn’t actually enjoyed life in a long while, as for the last months life has been nothing but work. A chronic over thinker meets outspoken, leading girl. Natsu, extroverted archeology grad student, who’s extremely expressive and has a passion for travel.
I enjoyed the build up to their romance, it’s a cozy, fast and heartwarming read. The way Nokoru is absolutely whipped for her, the way he would travel to the ends of the world for her *literally*, it’s both adorable and endearing. The character development was on point, seeing how they both balanced each other out, and seeing Nokoru more relaxed by the end was a nice touch. I wished there was more, I wish we got to see them actually getting married, but overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the reading.
We have Nokoru, the perfect example of introvert. Weighted by his work and responsibilities he feels like he hasn’t actually enjoyed life in a long while, as for the last months life has been nothing but work. A chronic over thinker meets outspoken, leading girl. Natsu, extroverted archeology grad student, who’s extremely expressive and has a passion for travel.
I enjoyed the build up to their romance, it’s a cozy, fast and heartwarming read. The way Nokoru is absolutely whipped for her, the way he would travel to the ends of the world for her *literally*, it’s both adorable and endearing. The character development was on point, seeing how they both balanced each other out, and seeing Nokoru more relaxed by the end was a nice touch. I wished there was more, I wish we got to see them actually getting married, but overall, I’m extremely satisfied with the reading.
It’s very sweet! I wished the pace was a but slower, it kinda seems its speeding up a lot for being volume one alone, but so far the characters and the story are enjoyable and I can’t wait to read the next volume
The vibes are great. I love how silly they are. The art is also so cool. I hope it will be turned into an anime soon!!!!
The second volume of “Cotton Tales,” presumably the final installment, raises more questions than it answers in this graphic novel duology. We continue to accompany Nicholas on his journey, trying to decipher the mysteries and strange occurrences surrounding him. There’s a palpable tension in the air, underscored by the peculiar behavior of the adults.
I found the first volume far more compelling than the second. While the illustrations remain impeccable, the storyline seems to unravel. It feels rushed, leaving behind plot holes that remain unaddressed. How did Agatha’s lineage come to possess this power? Why was she chosen?
This power acts as a bridge between the human and spiritual realms, where beings known as sylvillags, resembling white rabbits, guide those chosen with these abilities through life. They reveal truths through dreams, visions, and intuition. The story brimmed with potential, but it appears to have been lost in the haste to conclude the project.
What becomes of Nicholas and the others? What about his father? And why was the fact that Nicholas had been in a coma for seven years, so quickly glossed over? Too many questions linger, and not enough answers are given, leaving much to be desired.
I found the first volume far more compelling than the second. While the illustrations remain impeccable, the storyline seems to unravel. It feels rushed, leaving behind plot holes that remain unaddressed. How did Agatha’s lineage come to possess this power? Why was she chosen?
This power acts as a bridge between the human and spiritual realms, where beings known as sylvillags, resembling white rabbits, guide those chosen with these abilities through life. They reveal truths through dreams, visions, and intuition. The story brimmed with potential, but it appears to have been lost in the haste to conclude the project.
What becomes of Nicholas and the others? What about his father? And why was the fact that Nicholas had been in a coma for seven years, so quickly glossed over? Too many questions linger, and not enough answers are given, leaving much to be desired.
