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thelilbookwitch's reviews
495 reviews
Takane & Hana, Vol. 12 by Yuki Shiwasu
4.0
Back to the typical antics of their relationship, maybe it's my proximity to reading vol. 11, but I'm really surprised with how Hana is handling things. She's told no one what happened it seems, and Takane is being incredibly overbearing. A lot of emotional work and growth has to happen in the next few volumes...
Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped Nxivm, the Cult That Bound My Life by Sarah Edmondson
4.0
Full review [here].
How does one find themselves in a cult? How does one wake up from a dozen years of brainwashing and closed circuit logic and reasoning? How does one slip from searching for personal growth to becoming a personal slave? This is Sarah Edmondson’s story.
This book appeals to the morbid curiosity we all have about what we don’t understand. The seemingly hardest portion of the book is tackled immediately in the first chapter so readers can spend the rest of the book really figuring out the “why” of it all. It is the most graphic portion of the story, in my opinion, and still worth the risk of being triggered to read.
In some ways, Sarah Edmondson’s story is, as she calls it, the tip of the proverbial ice berg. She acknowledges there are darker, more harrowing accounts of what happened that have yet to come to proper light. Only brief snippets mentioned of them from the trial, almost whetting the palate in a sinister way. Knowing they exist might make some people feel like Sarah’s book is a cop out for what could have been grittier, but ultimately this book isn’t about shocking the audience. By focusing on the “how” and “why,” I found this book to be more satisfactory than any serial killer Wikipedia article or Netflix true crime documentary.
How does one find themselves in a cult? How does one wake up from a dozen years of brainwashing and closed circuit logic and reasoning? How does one slip from searching for personal growth to becoming a personal slave? This is Sarah Edmondson’s story.
This book appeals to the morbid curiosity we all have about what we don’t understand. The seemingly hardest portion of the book is tackled immediately in the first chapter so readers can spend the rest of the book really figuring out the “why” of it all. It is the most graphic portion of the story, in my opinion, and still worth the risk of being triggered to read.
In some ways, Sarah Edmondson’s story is, as she calls it, the tip of the proverbial ice berg. She acknowledges there are darker, more harrowing accounts of what happened that have yet to come to proper light. Only brief snippets mentioned of them from the trial, almost whetting the palate in a sinister way. Knowing they exist might make some people feel like Sarah’s book is a cop out for what could have been grittier, but ultimately this book isn’t about shocking the audience. By focusing on the “how” and “why,” I found this book to be more satisfactory than any serial killer Wikipedia article or Netflix true crime documentary.
Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce
1.0
I might break this down more over on my blog, but ultimately the themes of racism Pierce was trying to tackle here by having her protagonist enslaved are unchallenged, and to some extent, just brushed under the rug without any real work on her part as a white author.
In addition to white washing slavery, the protagonist is written without any flaws and her problems are solved too neatly without any deeper psychological consequences. Her complete lack of rage at being enslaved, even what I'd consider her passivity at the situation, struck me as deeply false.
DNF'd on page 35.
In addition to white washing slavery, the protagonist is written without any flaws and her problems are solved too neatly without any deeper psychological consequences. Her complete lack of rage at being enslaved, even what I'd consider her passivity at the situation, struck me as deeply false.
DNF'd on page 35.
Go to Sleep (I Miss You): Cartoons from the Fog of New Parenthood by Lucy Knisley
5.0
Despite not being a mother or even a caregiver myself, I still found this book immensely enjoyable. I love reading Lucy Knisley's updates on Instagram and was pleased to see the style held up when translated to a solid page.
There is little to say about this book beyond any parents (especially new parents) will appreciate her succinct ability to capture tough moments and also the humor of new babydom.
There is little to say about this book beyond any parents (especially new parents) will appreciate her succinct ability to capture tough moments and also the humor of new babydom.
Takane & Hana, Vol. 3 by Yuki Shiwasu
5.0
Definitely back in the groove with this one! I found myself grinning and shortling again as Takane and Hana fell into their bickering dynamic. It's definitely turning into a game of trying to force the other person to confess their feelings first, and pretending not to be considerate, and I love it so much.
Takane & Hana, Vol. 2, Volume 2 by Yuki Shiwasu
4.0
Full review [here.]
Not the best follow-up to the first, but still compared to other shojo romance series, it holds its own. I'm already working on the 3rd volume, and the author definitely gets back in the groove of the tone and dynamic of the first volume. Hopefully this one is just a bump in the road...
Not the best follow-up to the first, but still compared to other shojo romance series, it holds its own. I'm already working on the 3rd volume, and the author definitely gets back in the groove of the tone and dynamic of the first volume. Hopefully this one is just a bump in the road...
Takane & Hana, Vol. 5 by Yuki Shiwasu
5.0
This manga is back on top as my favorite! I honestly don't think I need to rehash every volume on my blog, but suffice to say I can't wait to keep reading.
First Test by Tamora Pierce
2.0
DNF'd earlier in the year, the way Pierce handled racism in a fantasy setting did not age well and I had to stop reading because I was getting too upset over description depicting masters as "kind", amongst other things.
Snapdragon by Kat Leyh
5.0
I find myself drawn to books about witches a lot. Who knows why... but this is my first 5 star of the year, I believe!
You can read my full review (and others) on my blog.
This is a wonderful middle grade read, perfect for readers who might feel a little weird, a little different, a little left out. There is a darkness to it, and this book has a lot of bones in it, but ultimately tells a soft, affirming story about innate will-power, magic, and friendship. And not necessarily in that order either.
Snap is a wonderfully curious protagonist, unafraid of being different though it does often weigh on her at times when people make fun of her. She is brash and open and her capacity for learning and asking questions, delving into her passions — as quirky as her — make her complex. Her femininity is called into question many times, but she never stops being herself even as she questions her identity too.
The supporting characters in this book are also incredibly developed. Despite being magical realism, this felt like a slice of life a la Addams family, with all the radical acceptance that comes with invoking that family name. Lu’s transition is handled amazingly and realistically by the other characters, especially her family, something we don’t see a lot of in most stories with trans characters– especially as it pertains to disenfranchised or marginalized kids.
Snap’s mom is given nuance and self-reflection in her own scenes as well, owning up to her perceived short comings as a parent in a way that I think offers insight as perhaps a window and/or a mirror for readers depending on their life experience. Too frequently adults can come out as one dimensional or passive in YA literature, especially by portraying them in direct opposition to a protagonist’s individual growth. Not necessarily a villain all the time, but I think portraying what healthy and functional relationships look like with parents as kids age is important for readers to see too.
I think this would be a fantastic book to read as a family because it demonstrates the importance and impact of found family, as well as the possibilities of what love and acceptance mean for kids that see themselves or know themselves to be “different” when the default doesn’t reflect them in so many facets.
The art style in this comic is deceptive. It first appears cartoonish, but there is amazing detail — especially in the animals and animal skeletons that have been rendered. To my untrained eye, they definitely seem accurate. There are no inconsistent panels with character art either, and they’ve all been painstakingly drawn to show nuance and emotion. You are shown things with intention, and it’s clear there was a vision for this book the whole way through it. The attention to detail in other scenes, as well as the mastery of purposefully shifting art style and color palette, has led to a story that bends with the art, lending an overall tone to certain scenes that are unattainable in a traditional novel.
I hope more people read this remarkable comic – I found myself chuckling and even crying at certain points. It handles death in a spectacularly respectful way without using empty platitudes, and offers hope and solace for people looking to find themselves in books. I hope you’ll pick a copy of Snapdragon up from your local library or local bookshop, and enjoy it!
You can read my full review (and others) on my blog.
This is a wonderful middle grade read, perfect for readers who might feel a little weird, a little different, a little left out. There is a darkness to it, and this book has a lot of bones in it, but ultimately tells a soft, affirming story about innate will-power, magic, and friendship. And not necessarily in that order either.
Snap is a wonderfully curious protagonist, unafraid of being different though it does often weigh on her at times when people make fun of her. She is brash and open and her capacity for learning and asking questions, delving into her passions — as quirky as her — make her complex. Her femininity is called into question many times, but she never stops being herself even as she questions her identity too.
The supporting characters in this book are also incredibly developed. Despite being magical realism, this felt like a slice of life a la Addams family, with all the radical acceptance that comes with invoking that family name. Lu’s transition is handled amazingly and realistically by the other characters, especially her family, something we don’t see a lot of in most stories with trans characters– especially as it pertains to disenfranchised or marginalized kids.
Snap’s mom is given nuance and self-reflection in her own scenes as well, owning up to her perceived short comings as a parent in a way that I think offers insight as perhaps a window and/or a mirror for readers depending on their life experience. Too frequently adults can come out as one dimensional or passive in YA literature, especially by portraying them in direct opposition to a protagonist’s individual growth. Not necessarily a villain all the time, but I think portraying what healthy and functional relationships look like with parents as kids age is important for readers to see too.
I think this would be a fantastic book to read as a family because it demonstrates the importance and impact of found family, as well as the possibilities of what love and acceptance mean for kids that see themselves or know themselves to be “different” when the default doesn’t reflect them in so many facets.
Spoiler
My singular gripe with the piece, which after a reread is more of a hint at plot developments down the line, is that when Snap declares herself as “Snapdragon” to Jacks, the illustration that follows isn’t of Snapdragons. Something that, until I read the rest of the comic, I was annoyed about to say the least. I think the visual allusion there is powerful now that I look back on it, but snapdragons — a flower literally tattooed on my body — don’t get nearly the love they deserve from artists. Look at them, they’re so cool! I think a better work around would have been to have both flowers appear, and it’s something I’m sure FirstSecond talked about with Leyh.The art style in this comic is deceptive. It first appears cartoonish, but there is amazing detail — especially in the animals and animal skeletons that have been rendered. To my untrained eye, they definitely seem accurate. There are no inconsistent panels with character art either, and they’ve all been painstakingly drawn to show nuance and emotion. You are shown things with intention, and it’s clear there was a vision for this book the whole way through it. The attention to detail in other scenes, as well as the mastery of purposefully shifting art style and color palette, has led to a story that bends with the art, lending an overall tone to certain scenes that are unattainable in a traditional novel.
I hope more people read this remarkable comic – I found myself chuckling and even crying at certain points. It handles death in a spectacularly respectful way without using empty platitudes, and offers hope and solace for people looking to find themselves in books. I hope you’ll pick a copy of Snapdragon up from your local library or local bookshop, and enjoy it!