Scan barcode
wends_nblw's reviews
95 reviews
Tombs: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Another one to add to the pile. All of these stories, sans Tombs itself, felt incomplete. It felt like they were all short of a fulfilling ending.
I'm less interested in the story aspect of Ito's books, but I'll continue reading simply for the beautiful art and interesting concepts.
I'm less interested in the story aspect of Ito's books, but I'll continue reading simply for the beautiful art and interesting concepts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Car accident, Gore, Blood, Death, Self harm, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicide
Where I Keep My Spoons by Ben Fitts
3.0
Thank you, Ben Fitts. This short story pushed me to complete my 2023 reading goal.
I think this story is cute as far as creepy stories go. It's one of those urban legends that'd be whispered around schools that kids swear they're not scared of but would secretly fear of it being real.
I think this story is cute as far as creepy stories go. It's one of those urban legends that'd be whispered around schools that kids swear they're not scared of but would secretly fear of it being real.
The Bride Was a Boy by Chii
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.75
I absolutely loved it. There's just something about queer nonfiction manga. I cannot help but love them dearly. Perhaps I'm a little biased since I'm a trans person engaged to a cis man; it just reminded me so much of ourselves. Their relationship is cute. The end pages with Husband-kun's art?? Amazing.
Besides, the art is adorable. The forward was in full color and in slick feeling pages. I'm ecstatic over it, but oh how I wish that the whole manga was like that </3
Besides, the art is adorable. The forward was in full color and in slick feeling pages. I'm ecstatic over it, but oh how I wish that the whole manga was like that </3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Dysphoria, and Homophobia
Sadako-San and Sadako-Chan by Kōji Suzuki, Noriaki Sugihara
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I wanted to like this much more than I actually did. The translation is just.. rough. I know the slang was supposed to be funny, but I just thought it was out of place. The art was cute and I Loved the mother daughter dynamic they had going on.
[[But if you put sad neglectful parent plot in it and don't show a payoff please God make one]]
[[But if you put sad neglectful parent plot in it and don't show a payoff please God make one]]
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Abandonment, and Child abuse
Lemon Bird: Can Help! by Paulina Ganucheau
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Oh so cute. The art style is absolutely adorable and I loved seeing all the fruitimals (fruit + animal) . They were so cleverly done with great designs.
This is a very simple kids graphic novel, but I wanted to see more of the world. It would've been fun to have a mini series or something similar. I was a little sad to see LB learn to fly at the end. I know. It's a kids' book with a common trope. I just cannot help but to hope for it to be a disability metaphor. My fault.
Overall, super cute book!!
This is a very simple kids graphic novel, but I wanted to see more of the world. It would've been fun to have a mini series or something similar. I was a little sad to see LB learn to fly at the end. I know. It's a kids' book with a common trope. I just cannot help but to hope for it to be a disability metaphor. My fault.
Overall, super cute book!!
Portus by Jun Abe
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This story concept is a mixture between the urban legend of Polybius and the movie Ring. That being said, it isn't very good.
The art style is gorgeous, but the story was flat and should've been more fleshed out. I think if it had been longer, perhaps i would've somewhat enjoyed it.
They tried to make me sympathize with Takashi in the end (perhaps similar to how some sympathize with Sadako), but it just wasn't working for me. Not to mention the ending itself. A typical horror twist that makes you question why they'd add that in when it's a one-shot, but you'll never get the answer (because it's a oneshot).
Hopefully this author has other works that I'll enjoy more because the art style is genuinely amazing.
The art style is gorgeous, but the story was flat and should've been more fleshed out. I think if it had been longer, perhaps i would've somewhat enjoyed it.
They tried to make me sympathize with Takashi in the end (perhaps similar to how some sympathize with Sadako), but it just wasn't working for me. Not to mention the ending itself. A typical horror twist that makes you question why they'd add that in when it's a one-shot, but you'll never get the answer (because it's a oneshot).
Hopefully this author has other works that I'll enjoy more because the art style is genuinely amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault
Shiver: Junji Ito Selected Stories by Junji Ito
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
As I continue to read more and more of Ito's work, I've come to the conclusion that I just don't get the hype. Don't get me wrong, Ito's art style is gorgeous. The attention to detail, the wonderful shading, the lifelike expressions. It's beautiful, but I need more than just art. I think I'd do better with a full-length manga rather than a collection of stories by Ito.
Now, this one was gross. Not in a bad way either. The oil chapter had my stomach turning and bile tingling up throat; I Hate grease with a passion. It did what was intended. I still feel ill as of writing this review. And I rather liked the hanging story and the puppet one too.
Perhaps I need to find a way to make a collection of my own, filled with the short stories of Ito's I actually adore.
Now, this one was gross. Not in a bad way either. The oil chapter had my stomach turning and bile tingling up throat; I Hate grease with a passion. It did what was intended. I still feel ill as of writing this review. And I rather liked the hanging story and the puppet one too.
Perhaps I need to find a way to make a collection of my own, filled with the short stories of Ito's I actually adore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Suicide, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Medical content, Child death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Medical trauma
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Adventure Time with Fionna & Cake by Natasha Allegri
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Decided to pick this up because of the newly released Fionna and Cake spinoff. Obviously these comics were made Way before the spinoff was conceptualized, which explains some of the weirder lore like the Ice Queen plot twist or Fire Prince's lack of kingdom. Or at least, I thought it was weird haha. Either way, this was a quick, cute read.
Push by Sapphire
dark
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? No
4.25
I picked this up at a local pride event that I recently attended because I recalled that it was banned in some school districts.
Admittedly, it was a bit hard for me to read and sometimes I couldn't properly make out what exactly Precious was writing. Despite that, I think this was a good read. I see many reviews saying it's over the top, blah, blah. I really saw my own experiences in Precious' words and found the portrayal to be incredibly realistic.
I'd say that a lot of these reviews expect a 'perfect victim' trope, but there is no perfect victim. What we go through is complex and our experiences aren't linear. That's what really sold the book for me. Push will always hold a special place in my heart.
Admittedly, it was a bit hard for me to read and sometimes I couldn't properly make out what exactly Precious was writing. Despite that, I think this was a good read. I see many reviews saying it's over the top, blah, blah. I really saw my own experiences in Precious' words and found the portrayal to be incredibly realistic.
I'd say that a lot of these reviews expect a 'perfect victim' trope, but there is no perfect victim. What we go through is complex and our experiences aren't linear. That's what really sold the book for me. Push will always hold a special place in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Racism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Hate crime, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Self harm
Why Socialism? by Albert Einstein
informative
fast-paced
3.25
I'm just starting my journey into political reading, so imagine my shock when I was recommended an article written by Albert Einstein. I had no idea this man was a socialist. Not when capitalist classmates I know hold him on a pedestal.
Onto the article itself, it was quite short. It doesn't offer solutions, but it doesn't have to as I don't think it was his intention. I found the first half to really ramble on, but not really say much at all. It was only when he started talking about society that I perked up (i'm currently in two anthropology classes so i was quite ecstatic to apply what i'd learned).
What Einstein writes is quite simple. He explains capitalism and its faults, pointing to 'evils'. Unfortunately for me, I already knew all this. I didn't learn anything from reading it, but I can see its value in teaching others the basics. All in all, I'm glad I read it, but maybe skip it if you know even a little bit about socialism. It's an introduction, good for those hesitant to engage with socialist works.
Onto the article itself, it was quite short. It doesn't offer solutions, but it doesn't have to as I don't think it was his intention. I found the first half to really ramble on, but not really say much at all. It was only when he started talking about society that I perked up (i'm currently in two anthropology classes so i was quite ecstatic to apply what i'd learned).
What Einstein writes is quite simple. He explains capitalism and its faults, pointing to 'evils'. Unfortunately for me, I already knew all this. I didn't learn anything from reading it, but I can see its value in teaching others the basics. All in all, I'm glad I read it, but maybe skip it if you know even a little bit about socialism. It's an introduction, good for those hesitant to engage with socialist works.