twistingsnake's reviews
288 reviews

Deadpool & Death Annual by Joe Kelly, Steve Harris, Reggie Jones

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-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? Yes

4.5

I think this is the best Deadpool comic I've ever read. He really is best when he's philosophizing about being the universe's full-time luckless wonder. His relationship with Death is one of my favorite aspect of his narrative and their story is so thematic and satisfying in a way that comics don't usually have the heart for. 

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

well first, she’s SEVENTEEN. The world building is incredible as it is in all of Roberson’s work but the romance is the weakest part of a story that is exclusively romance driven. Also she’s SEVENTEEN. 

The People of the Abyss by Jack London

challenging dark emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

A damning look into the realities of the slums and also an introspective in the ways that poverty and classism haven’t changed. I read this as a research material for writing and I found it applicable and helpful in regards to detail and perspective. 

Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 2 by Ryoko Kui

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

Nobody can truly understand what a monster is thinking. 

I really appreciate how quickly and effectively Dungeon Meshi endears you to its characters and worlds. The fact that this is only volume two and already everyone and everything feels so lived in. If the first volume was charming if not a little lacking, this volume really has an excellent balance of character work and intriguing story beats. I'm reading this while waiting for new episodes, and it's fun seeing little details I missed in early episodes and seeing how they come up later within the greater story. 

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-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

Nightfall by Isaac Asimov

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Interesting short story that captures the slow, crawling dread of the unavoidable very well. A very biblical exploration of humanity and nature. 

To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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? No

5.0

It's about humanity, at the core. Our curiosity, our communities, the itch underneath our skin to understand and the tether that keeps us from ever drifting too far from home. It's the type of book that made me cry and keep crying until the end because of how beautiful it really was. I hope this sticks with me for a bit. I could use the company. 

Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui

adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

I've been keeping up with the anime, so I decided to finally give the manga itself a try! The art style is a lot more dynamic than I expected, and I love all the author's little splash pages with the character trying on monster armor or interacting with the different things they come across. There's clearly so much heart and whimsy in this. I think so far I'm enjoying watching it vs. reading it, but I look forward to catching all the little details and conversations that weren't able to be included in the animation. A solid first volume for sure! 

Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo
Did not finish book.

This was well written, and the world building was interesting, I just never got hooked by it in a way that made me pick it up for a second time.