timefliesaway's reviews
554 reviews

String, Volume 1 by Paul Tobin

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

That was pretty cool. 

 

I had imagined the string thing to be more secretive, that Yoon is a private detective in the shadows or something, and was surprised that it’s a public ability. Although most people think she’s a witch. Still, there were some ‘private detective’ moments, like her going to a gang bar. 

 

Overall cool idea, and a nice twist on the red string of fate – blue string for sexual partners, and black string for murder-victim. 

 

I loved the ‘reality’ parts of it. Like, actual police work: watching surveillance cameras all day, instead of chasing cars on the streets all the time (although that is part of the job as well). Or porn star characters, who are human beings, where the porn acting isn’t a 24/7 job, and that they aren’t perverted or horny all the time. (Litty was quite a deep character actually!) 

 

It being queernormative also was very nice. 

 

The only contra I have is that the art was a bit ... odd at times. Overall really great drawings, typical American comics style, and lots of details. Also distinct character designs. But sometimes too intense, especially during the action scenes, tho even during the slice of life scenes, the expressions were always very ... how to put it? Realistic, but too realistic perhaps? 

Not an argument to not check it out, though. 

 

I’m not sure whether it’s a series, the epilogue teased a bit, but I’m definitely looking forward to a sequel, if there is gonna be one. 

 

~ 

 

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios for an e-ARC. 

 

-16.03.25 

The Sun by Gemma McCullen

informative fast-paced

4.5

Very short, but also very informative for the beginning. Easy to read, simple language suited for kids. 

A good introduction to the sun, wanting for more. 

 

The photos are bright and saturated, pulling the attention of the reader. Nice to look at as well. 

 

~ 

 

Some text was (visually) hard to read though, because of the color chosen (grey text on dark blue background). I’m hoping that’s just the review/digital copy. 

 

Thank you to North Star Editions for an e-RC. 

 

-14.03.25 

When You're a Boy by Blake Nuto

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

A short picture book with a cute, simple-ish but calming artstyle and tender messages. All start with “when you’re a boy, [this is what society expects]” and ends with “but I’ve learned [something better]”. 

 

Definitely recommend to kids, but every age could learn something from it. 

 

~ 

 

Thank you to Jolly Fish Press for an e-ARC. 

 

-13.03.25 

Indigo by Chi-Ho Kwong

adventurous informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.5

Another story that inevitably shows there’s no point in life. And yet, at the same time there is, if you want one. A never-ending wonder of: Why? And then what? 

 

Which is not an insult to the author(s). Their idea is good and interesting, and could be totally plausible. (Even though very ironic.) 

 

It’s fast-paced and tackles some things only superficially, but that’s not an issue. There was enough answered for the reader to make up their own minds. It’s relatively self-explanatory. I have my theories. And I get their perspective, it makes sense, even though I partially disagree with their views – too cliche. But that’s alright, kinda the point. 

 

Beautiful art, especially the colored prologue. 

Reflective. 

Not very deep characters and heavy with dialogues, but that’s pretty much the point of this book. I didn’t mind it. 

Recommended. 

 

4.5/5 stars, because even though a melancholic emptiness encompassed me after finishing, and the indigo vibe has been captured relatively perfectly, 5 stars feel too much. Not a masterpiece, but worth consuming. 

 

~ 

 

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios for an e-ARC. 

 

-12.03.25 

Your Letter by Hyeon A. Cho

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

That was so... heartwarming. Soft and tender, sweet and magical. 

I was moved to tears here and there, though mostly smiled through it, and deeply felt with all of the characters. It has stirred me so profoundly, especially the ending, left me with an unexplainable longing, that I’m a bit too awestruck to form any words. 

 

... 

 

I’ve found it on Webtoon and re-read the entire thing right after, and ... I’m still touched and slightly melancholic, but have regained the memory to form words and find adjectives to describe this piece of art. 

 

It starts off a bit heavy and tense, tackling bullying issues. But as soon as Sori finds the first letter, which already happens in chapter 1, things gradually get better. The scavenger hunt takes her through school, to corners one can not find with their eyes. These little adventures slowly bring her uplifting spirit back, she makes a friend, even two, and as she warms up to her environment, so do the people around her. 

 

A journey of what an act of kindness can achieve, of what a tiny spark can ignite. Quite inspiring and hopeful. 

 

Plus, simple-ish (and diverse) character designs with calming backgrounds, all in full-color! 

 

I truly am sad that it’s so short, but at the same time glad, cause I feel the story wouldn’t have had the same effect if it was longer. There’s just something about subtle touches that linger longer than a deep dive. 

Though I do wish to see the characters again, perhaps in a sequel or short stories. Or even an anime adaptation? 

  

(Ps: in my head-canon, they’re a triad.) 

 

~ 

 

Thanks so much to Ize Press for a digital review copy. 💌 

 

-11.03.25 

Monster High: New Scaremester, Vol. 1 by Jacque Aye

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

4.75

What a scarific cliffhanger at the end! I bloody need to to read volume 2. 

 

It’s been a while since I’ve consumed any MH media, but, bull, have I missed the ghouls! 

 

The two monsterpride short stories were absolutely fangtastic! Two ghoul-couples and one boo-couple, creepy cute and scaremazing! 5/5 screams <3 

Some uhh-nderful messages as well. For hexample: “Who cares what your relationship is supposed to lurk like? We’re monsters, after all, we already defy expectations.” 

 

Too frad that they weren’t in the main story, but it was still a clawsome read overall. 

 

I especially lava all the scareverse monsters in the background, and Ghoulia’s zombie language which consists of moans and groans. And, of corpse, the bootiful monster puns. 

 

5/5 screams for the art as well. 

 

~ 

 

Thanks IDW publishing for a scareview copy. Ghostly cool of you! 

 

-11.03.25 

Low Orbit by Kazimir Lee

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing tense slow-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

5.0

I didn’t really know what I was getting into or where the story is gonna lead. Especially after reading many fantasy books lately, after the sci-fi novel became part of Azar’s story, I was sure there was gonna be a twist in there somewhere, like she’s in a coma and then she’ll swim through the world of the novel, which will help her later on in real life... 

None of that, haha. 

 

A very non-fantasy slice of life story about Azar, a Malaysian-American lesbian in the closet from her parents, and Tristan, they/them pronouns, with a dad who's an author and shouldered with other non-queer-related problems for themselves.

These two basically live in the same house, after Azar and her mom moved to Vermont from New York, where her dad still is stuck, rearranging some things with the apartment. And she has a crush on Jodi, a butch. School is actually okay for her, there’s not really much going on in her life, just basic human stuff. 

On a random day like any other, she finds a book under her bed, a sci-fi novel set on another planet tackling racism, written by Tristan’s dad. She finds herself immersed by the story pretty quickly, and let’s days pass while she reads and escapes reality for a bit. 

 

The book may have not turned out to be anything paranormal, but it sure made things roll in her life. In a realistic way. 

I found myself immersed into the story similar to how Azar was into the sci-fi novel, just more delicate. The pace, the writing style and the art is tender, never high in contrast, and quite relaxing to read. 

 

It might’ve been confusing and unclear at the start, but that portrays life pretty well – heck, if I were to make a novel about my life, everyone would have a similar reading experience. And that’s not a bad thing. I’m a slice of life fan after all, especially when it’s rather slow-paced and focused on the most normal, ‘boring’ plot-points. I especially loved the panels with an excerpt of the sci-fi novel, where environments were shown, perfectly encompassing the passing of time, as if Azar has placed a camera outside the house, to not miss anything of the outside world, while she’s in another world. 

 

I was surprised by a lot of characters, their developments and the relationship to each other. Tristan was that cool best friend at first, that helps their gay bff to get a gal, but carries actually a lot of weight on their back. Shannon is that chill uncle who feels more of a roommate, open to Queerness and, as an author, fluent in subtext. You can talk to anything about him. (Which was really nice, I loved the uncle-like relationship Azar had to him!) But he too has his baggage. Azar’s mom seemed at first pretty toxic with her subtle gaslighting, but got more development in the end than I expected. Her dad too had some unexpected secrets. 

 

Just like the character designs. Kazimir Lee is not afraid to show edges, curves, fat and different/unusual proportions. While some background characters may have gotten the “simplistic” design treatment, making them look picture-perfect sometimes, most look very realistic, in a beautifully ugly way. (Human.) 

For example, I may have not had a picture of Jodi first, but I expected her to rather look like the usual lesbian crush. But nah, she’s fat, loud and piercings. And so is our protagonist, except she’s rather neutral in gender-expression, but mostly comfortable fashion style, with wiggly socks and pretty small, sometimes looking squished. No fat-phobia, which is also a plus. 

And disability rep with a wheelchair user. 

 

Definitely recommended. 

The ending turned a bit melancholic, in a tender, the-future-is-unknown way, which is also a plus, cause I’m a sucker for melancholy. Overall a cozy and happy read, humorous in-between and all in all light-hearted. 

 

~ 

 

Thanks a lot to IDW publishing for an e-ARC. 

 

-09.03.25 

You Wish by Jeff Victor

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“This place could use a little magic, that’s all I’m sayin’.” 

And magic she shall get. 

 

Cool idea with cute art, mesmerizing fantasy world and nice, diverse character designs. Plus the funny ‘denglish’ (or so they sound like) words in the genie language! 

 

I would’ve liked to have a bit more of the “magic card tricks” described in the blurb, as there are cards in the beginning, but not many card tricks. Still, her loneliness, living in the middle of nowhere, was shown quite well. 

 

Characters: I loved the loving & caring dad, the pet-to-be Gribblet, the relatively relatable Vulgarin, the mysteriously majestic Arbiters, and, of course, magic-loving Avery. Her mom, Caressa, only fell a little flat and was a cliche damsel-in-distress character. 

 

But overall it was fun, and I’m sure lots of kids in the target group will love this! 

 

Looking forward to volume 2, I want to know more about Gribblet. I have my theories ... 

 

~ 

 

Thank you to IDW Publishing on Netgalley for a digital review copy. 

 

-09.03.25 

Junkyard Joe, Volume 1 by Geoff Johns

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.5

Das war mein erstes Buch vom Autor sowie Künstler, und ich wusste auch nicht, dass es Teil einer größeren Serie ist. Bis auf ein paar kleinen Verwirrungen, wie technisch fortgeschritten die Welt ist (obwohl es nach 2022 spielt, denk ich? Der cliffhanger/teaser am Ende schreit jedoch high-sci-fi), konnte ich es dennoch gut verfolgen und die Story hat mich neugierig auf mehr gestimmt. 

 

Die Idee ist wirklich gut: Ein Killer-Roboter, der helfen soll, einen Krieg zu gewinnen, dort dann aber die Horrorszenarien des Krieges live erlebt und sich selbst abschaltet, weil das zu viel für ihn ist. 

 

Durch diesen Switch wirkt er damit natürlich viel menschlicher als maschinell, aber dadurch, dass er nicht sprechen kann und blechstark ist, bleibt dennoch eine gewisse Distanz zwischen ihm und den Menschen um ihn herum. Besonders dass er stumm ist und nur mit einfachen Bewegungen kommuniziert, fand ich gut umgesetzt. Er ist mir ziemlich schnell ans Herz gewachsen, genau wie’s Muddy und den Kindern wohl ging. 

 

Die erste Hälfte war relativ langsam erzählt, vor allem die Zeit in 1972, ich mochte den slice of life Aspekt. Gegen Ende nimmt es aber echt in Fahrt auf, was ich, besonders während dem Finale, doch etwas zu schnell fand. Obwohl es rührend war. 

 

Abgesehen von den Zeitungscomics aus meiner Kindheit, war das glaub ich mein erster amerikanischer "Superhelden"-Comic in dem typischen Tintenstil aus den USA. Jetzt verstehe ich auch, warum die so beliebt sind – fast realistisch gezeichnet, hat aber dennoch einen fiktiven Flair. Detailgetreu und vor allem anatomisch genau mit einigen großartigen “Stunt”-Posen. 

 

~ 

 

Danke an den Cross Cult Verlag auf Netgalley für ein digitales Reziexemplar. 

 

-08.03.25 

Sunflowers by Keezy Young

informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

5.0

 Bipolar/borderline disorder has really interested me for a while, and thus I’m glad I found this graphic novel, especially that’s it’s free to read on the publisher’s website. 

 

It’s short, but relatively informative. Wonderful art, which gives a good insight in how Keezy feels and lives with her disorder. Not that much new info for me, but was still a perspective worth reading. 

 

-08.03.25