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tinyelfarcanist's reviews
323 reviews
Hilda and the Troll by Luke Pearson
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'll admit that the art style deterred me from picking up this high-rated graphic novel. It was until recently that I got to watch the Netflix series that I finally got to know this whimsical world.
The animated series has a beautiful art style and the pacing is better. I would recommend the graphic novels as companions to the series. Perfect for family reading.
The animated series has a beautiful art style and the pacing is better. I would recommend the graphic novels as companions to the series. Perfect for family reading.
Boys Run the Riot, Vol. 1 by Keito Gaku
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I like the representation of a trans MC without focusing too much on him being trans, but wasn't a fan of him validating his identity with heteronormative in the lines of "I'm a guy, I like girls".
The friendship between the two MCs is so wholesome and I would love to see them learn more from each other. This first volume is more of a layout for the upcoming story of these guys' endeavours to follow their dreams.
The friendship between the two MCs is so wholesome and I would love to see them learn more from each other. This first volume is more of a layout for the upcoming story of these guys' endeavours to follow their dreams.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Transphobia
L'Esprit de L'Escalier by Catherynne M. Valente
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I wasn't a fan of the purple prose and I'm not really into the pop culture references, so I'll justify my rating with: This story just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol
Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A group of continually hangry teenagers fight predatorial behaviour... without addressing their inner misogynistic issues.
Squad operates on the premise of a new mixed-race student trying to fit in by joining an all-girls gang with "Mean Girls" mechanics. It misses being the feminist commentary it tries to be when the protagonist and her abused peers by a Regina George figure are portrayed solely as victims. You can't sympathise with them as they are still toxic to others when not in the presence of their aggressor.
In the end, most problems aren't solved and are kind of played down when the main obstacle is sorted out.
Squad operates on the premise of a new mixed-race student trying to fit in by joining an all-girls gang with "Mean Girls" mechanics. It misses being the feminist commentary it tries to be when the protagonist and her abused peers by a Regina George figure are portrayed solely as victims. You can't sympathise with them as they are still toxic to others when not in the presence of their aggressor.
In the end, most problems aren't solved and are kind of played down when the main obstacle is sorted out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, Toxic relationship, Blood, Lesbophobia
Squire by Nadia Shammas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Lately, I've been reading very problematic works and this is a breath of fresh air. It confronts issues like gaslighting and colonisation appropriately while keeping it simple.
For such an easy-to-read graphic novel, the characters are well-developed.
For such an easy-to-read graphic novel, the characters are well-developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Emotional abuse
Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake Mathematical Edition by Natasha Allegri
This comic is brilliant and I just wish there was more of this.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
- Gender bent ✔
- Adventure time ✔
- Hot bois ✔
- Fabulous villain ✔
- Cuteness overload ✔
This comic is brilliant and I just wish there was more of this.
The Merchant Prince by Johan Faire
I was ready to shower praise on this debut indie novel. I could easily believe a more experienced author wrote this; the world is richly fleshed out with multiple religions and customs. It could do with a little more editing but I can overlook it.
Its most recurrent problem was sexism, which I tried to ascribe to the setting of the story. But it's more than that:
Ableism is heavy, and although the character is put in a good light, other characters have strong opinions about people born with certain deformities. This character doesn't seem to be relevant apart from being a world-building tool, but I expect him to be more prominent if the story is continued.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Note: Did I buy this book because Timothée Chalamet is on the cover? Yes. Do I regret it? No.
'Venocia is a city that can't feed itself.'
I was ready to shower praise on this debut indie novel. I could easily believe a more experienced author wrote this; the world is richly fleshed out with multiple religions and customs. It could do with a little more editing but I can overlook it.
Its most recurrent problem was sexism, which I tried to ascribe to the setting of the story. But it's more than that:
- Most female characters had to be described by their beauty or their weight.
- The protagonist keeps patronizing his wife even after she complains about it.
- It makes light of rape and the protagonist even exposes a rape victim making her tend to a man who's shown interest in her.
Ableism is heavy, and although the character is put in a good light, other characters have strong opinions about people born with certain deformities. This character doesn't seem to be relevant apart from being a world-building tool, but I expect him to be more prominent if the story is continued.
What I couldn't stand was the blatant homophobia. Gay men are portrayed as nasty pedophiles with daddy issues and prone to anger. I won't repeat the slur mentioned in one character's thoughts about one of them.
It all gets a little bit preachy when the most lauded character at the end is a religious zealot.
When I started this book, it had the potential to be a 5-star reading and the author to become one of my favorites. By the time I got to the last chapter, I was infuriated. I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt as I really enjoyed his writing style and hope all these problematic postures are just an oversight on his part and not a reflection of his views.
It all gets a little bit preachy when the most lauded character at the end is a religious zealot.
When I started this book, it had the potential to be a 5-star reading and the author to become one of my favorites. By the time I got to the last chapter, I was infuriated. I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt as I really enjoyed his writing style and hope all these problematic postures are just an oversight on his part and not a reflection of his views.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Sexual content, Excrement
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's a cute queer story perfect for bakery lovers. The art is beautiful, but the main character is simply annoying.
The Prince And The Puppet Thief by Justin Arnold
It pains me to not give this book 5 stars. This gay fairytale is witty and funny and picked my interest by making me laugh from page 1. But, for all the speech on breaking society's expectations, there's a problematic depiction of the female characters still waiting for the men to save them. The princess was toxic to her handmaid and their relationship was romanticized.
The interactions between the MCs were my favorite, but the rest of the characters were a little underdeveloped. I wanted so much to love the prince! He's got the recipe to be one of my favorite characters, but he was so self-absorbed and insensitive to others that I can't get past it.
Another HUGE issue is that the only non-binary character is THE VILLAIN. While those traits aren't related, it's a harmful representation the queer community has suffered and I expected more from this type of story.
Despite the previously stated problems, I really enjoyed The Prince And The Puppet Thief. It's a charming (and queer) tale of found family and following your dreams, and I hope to read more from this author.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Do you want to be a hero?" Bloody Fingers asked. "Or would you rather be the blank line between the words of those silly stories you're always poring over?"
It pains me to not give this book 5 stars. This gay fairytale is witty and funny and picked my interest by making me laugh from page 1. But, for all the speech on breaking society's expectations, there's a problematic depiction of the female characters still waiting for the men to save them. The princess was toxic to her handmaid and their relationship was romanticized.
The interactions between the MCs were my favorite, but the rest of the characters were a little underdeveloped. I wanted so much to love the prince! He's got the recipe to be one of my favorite characters, but he was so self-absorbed and insensitive to others that I can't get past it.
Another HUGE issue is that the only non-binary character is THE VILLAIN. While those traits aren't related, it's a harmful representation the queer community has suffered and I expected more from this type of story.
Despite the previously stated problems, I really enjoyed The Prince And The Puppet Thief. It's a charming (and queer) tale of found family and following your dreams, and I hope to read more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny
Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
While being a little text-heavy, this cute graphic novel manages to stay light on themes and it's a quick read. I appreciated the depiction of the NA's struggles in searching for jobs and friends' quarrels. But for a romance story, it lacked some development of the relationship with the love interest.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia