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wends_nblw's reviews
100 reviews
Solitary Lady, Season 1 by Mingsung, Kin, Yong Doosik
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
[Review for manhwa ver]
I'd heard of this manhwa offhandedly numerous times in the comments of other titles I've recently read, but I'm underwhelmed in the worst way possible.
The art is gorgeous. The change of artist between season one and two didn't bother me very much to be honest. My main issue is with the story. Firstly, this is the most bland romance I've ever encountered. It seems the manhwa didn't know whether to highlight its complex plotline or the romance entangled within the plot so it tried doing both and failing. The story jumps from one life to the next in complete disarray. And the ending. You get perhaps one glimpse into the affermath and that's it. No side stories. Not much on what everyone is doing or how much has changed.
I enjoyed the overly complex plot though. And I liked the antagonists. It felt less like some great evil and more like a group of people who fell into their own despair. I really felt for them (aside from the dad + brother). However, this isn't enough to cover the disjointed storytelling, lackluster ending, or underwhelming romance.
I'd heard of this manhwa offhandedly numerous times in the comments of other titles I've recently read, but I'm underwhelmed in the worst way possible.
The art is gorgeous. The change of artist between season one and two didn't bother me very much to be honest. My main issue is with the story. Firstly, this is the most bland romance I've ever encountered. It seems the manhwa didn't know whether to highlight its complex plotline or the romance entangled within the plot so it tried doing both and failing. The story jumps from one life to the next in complete disarray. And the ending. You get perhaps one glimpse into the affermath and that's it. No side stories. Not much on what everyone is doing or how much has changed.
I enjoyed the overly complex plot though. And I liked the antagonists. It felt less like some great evil and more like a group of people who fell into their own despair. I really felt for them (aside from the dad + brother). However, this isn't enough to cover the disjointed storytelling, lackluster ending, or underwhelming romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death and Incest
Just Roll with It by Veronica Agarwal, Lee Durfey-Lavoie
emotional
medium-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
This was a completely random purchase. I went to Half Price Books, thought the cover was adorable, and snatched it up. Luckily, not only was it really good, but also super cute; a perfect read after playing Baldur's Gate 3 for .. looking over at my screen ... 305 hours. Anyways.
The way it's drawn and written really does bring me back to my 6th grade days. Nostalgia hit hard this read. I adore the art and the way it handles mental health. I wish I'd had this back in middle school.
I may have teared up multiple times while reading this. Its depiction of metal health is so well done and personal. I don't have OCD so I can't vouch for the compulsion depictions, but I deal with impulsive thoughts and anxiety and the way it's shown is so damn good.
The way it's drawn and written really does bring me back to my 6th grade days. Nostalgia hit hard this read. I adore the art and the way it handles mental health. I wish I'd had this back in middle school.
I may have teared up multiple times while reading this. Its depiction of metal health is so well done and personal. I don't have OCD so I can't vouch for the compulsion depictions, but I deal with impulsive thoughts and anxiety and the way it's shown is so damn good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Vomit
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm heartbroken. I wanted to love this. I so desperately wanted to love this story. But I didn't.
Maeve as a character left me rolling my eyes. Her entitlement and edginess was underwhelming at best and annoying at worst. I understand what the author was trying to do with her, but it only reminded me of a tumblr-esque femcel whining in her trash filled nest of a bed. Maybe it's because I understand Maeve in a way, and it just frustrated me that I could somehow relate to such a whiny character. I will note that she becomes more likable as the story continues, however.
A lot of people label this as "unhinged woman", but it just seemed more like a mentally ill woman’s spiral into madness.
I didn't like the ending either. I felt Maeve's plotline with Kate was unfinished in the worst possible way. The plotline with Gideon? It was quite satisfying until the very end reveal; a reveal that I thought was really obvious until the random red herring halfway through.
I even read this In Disneyland. I read parts of the story in the exact lands she'd describe. I watched Elsa and Anna in a parade while holding this book. Yet I couldn't find any love to give to this story. It's not even a bad book. It's just not for me.
Maeve as a character left me rolling my eyes. Her entitlement and edginess was underwhelming at best and annoying at worst. I understand what the author was trying to do with her, but it only reminded me of a tumblr-esque femcel whining in her trash filled nest of a bed. Maybe it's because I understand Maeve in a way, and it just frustrated me that I could somehow relate to such a whiny character. I will note that she becomes more likable as the story continues, however.
A lot of people label this as "unhinged woman", but it just seemed more like a mentally ill woman’s spiral into madness.
I didn't like the ending either. I felt Maeve's plotline with Kate was unfinished in the worst possible way. The plotline with Gideon? It was quite satisfying until the very end reveal; a reveal that I thought was really obvious until the random red herring halfway through.
I even read this In Disneyland. I read parts of the story in the exact lands she'd describe. I watched Elsa and Anna in a parade while holding this book. Yet I couldn't find any love to give to this story. It's not even a bad book. It's just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.25
I'm very indifferent about this book. I enjoyed hearing Gregor's thoughts, but I wasn't fond of the writing. I wouldn't say it was a depressing read, but it was very melancholy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Death
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, Death, Gore, Self harm, Blood, Car accident, 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: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria
Sadako-San and Sadako-Chan by Noriaki Sugihara, Kōji Suzuki
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: Child abuse, Confinement, and Abandonment
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!!