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wolfiegrrrl's reviews
236 reviews
Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Everything On A Waffle is a quirky story where things just happen and then the main conflict neatly resolves itself on the last few pages. I think it was so charming to me as a kid because it reads like Primrose wrote it herself, so it feels like the story came straight from a child's imagination. As an adult, the nuance of each event is easier to pick up on and I started to understand the more realistic perspectives of the other adults in the story who tried to help her understand that maybe her mother's motives for leaving in that storm didn't necessarily come from a deep love for her child. Overall, this is a book that makes you think - no matter what age you are when you read it - and I appreciate that a whole lot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Abandonment, and Dementia
Minor: Car accident, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Medical content
Persephone: Hades' Torment by Allison Shaw
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
For a book wrapped in plastic at the bookstore, I had been bracing myself for something a bit more graphic than boobs and a sprinkle of tastefully censored sex, but this was just my speed. Persephone: Hades' Torment is yet another webcomic that was compiled into a physical volume, which is noticeable right away due to its episodic nature and rather abrupt ending. And yet, regardless of how it left me wanting more development, the art style is beautiful to look at and the story itself is very wholesome!
The world around the budding Persephone x Hades dynamic is inhabited by allusions to characters from other Greek myths that may confuse you if you don't happen to know them already, but the references aren't so obscure that you would get lost in the plot if you had never heard of them. If you frequent online spaces where people talk about Greek myths - particularly concerning the titular pair - you pretty much already know this adaptation and everything else is just a delightful bonus.
I personally appreciate that Persephone has friends she can rely on outside of the developing romance, that Hades makes a point of admonishing Apollo for using magic as an excuse for his lack of self-control, and that Demeter isn't portrayed as the one-dimensional "controlling mom" character she is so often interpreted as in other retellings. The original myth about Persephone's abduction reflected an all too common practice at the time, so it might have felt like an acknowledgment of women's pain to those who heard it. Rewriting the story to be about Persephone's choice, the importance of self-control, and respecting women's boundaries and autonomy works out surprisingly well here. Demeter isn't a helicopter mom who wants to control her daughter; she is a concerned mother who knows the dangers of the world they inhabit and how important her daughter's role in it really is... and maybe doesn't always choose the best way of keeping her daughter safe or informed. At the end of the day, she is still flawed, but she is given the dignity of nuance and I can respect that.
If any of that sounds good to you, I'd say this is a story that's worth checking out.
The world around the budding Persephone x Hades dynamic is inhabited by allusions to characters from other Greek myths that may confuse you if you don't happen to know them already, but the references aren't so obscure that you would get lost in the plot if you had never heard of them. If you frequent online spaces where people talk about Greek myths - particularly concerning the titular pair - you pretty much already know this adaptation and everything else is just a delightful bonus.
I personally appreciate that Persephone has friends she can rely on outside of the developing romance, that Hades makes a point of admonishing Apollo for using magic as an excuse for his lack of self-control, and that Demeter isn't portrayed as the one-dimensional "controlling mom" character she is so often interpreted as in other retellings. The original myth about Persephone's abduction reflected an all too common practice at the time, so it might have felt like an acknowledgment of women's pain to those who heard it. Rewriting the story to be about Persephone's choice, the importance of self-control, and respecting women's boundaries and autonomy works out surprisingly well here. Demeter isn't a helicopter mom who wants to control her daughter; she is a concerned mother who knows the dangers of the world they inhabit and how important her daughter's role in it really is... and maybe doesn't always choose the best way of keeping her daughter safe or informed. At the end of the day, she is still flawed, but she is given the dignity of nuance and I can respect that.
If any of that sounds good to you, I'd say this is a story that's worth checking out.
Potty by Leslie Patricelli
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The preschooler I read this book to said I should read it to my dog. His favorite part was the sounds the toddler makes while trying to use the potty.
I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Charlie gaslight, gatekeep, girlbosses his sister into eating her vegetables. Imagination is power!
Overall, this is not a bad start to the series. Anyone who has ever lived with a child who turns their nose up at the mere thought of trying new things can relate to Charlie's situation here. The art style is reminiscent of paper dolls occasionally interacting with with photorealistic objects in their hand drawn world, which will likely be eye-catching to the kids this series is for.
Overall, this is not a bad start to the series. Anyone who has ever lived with a child who turns their nose up at the mere thought of trying new things can relate to Charlie's situation here. The art style is reminiscent of paper dolls occasionally interacting with with photorealistic objects in their hand drawn world, which will likely be eye-catching to the kids this series is for.
Chéri, My Destiny! by Okoge Mochino
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There's no point in beating around the bush. Everything was great until chapter 4.
Sure, there was a singular incident where one character kissed another character without asking and that didn't feel too good to read, but it led to a conversation about biphobia and bi acceptance which I felt was pretty solid despite how rushed it was. Honestly, the pacing isn't super great in general, but I was willing to accept that for the first three chapters simply because I can understand the limit to telling a whole story in that short amount of time and what I did get to see caught my interest.
And then chapter 4 starts with a character stating upfront that he doesn't want to consume alcohol. Great! A boundary has been established! But unfortunately, his partner is horny and anyone who is familiar enough with the tropes of the genre knows exactly where this is going. His partner makes the entirely grotesque decision to spike some chocolates with the specific intention of getting him drunk enough to coerce him into sex. That did not have to be the plot of this chapter. They could have had a conversation about it. Heck, if the spiked chocolate had been a mutually consensual part of their foreplay, even that would have been fine! While I can't say that the way this trope was executed here is as bad as other BL my eyes have had the misfortune of seeing, I also can't say it's excusable and it spoiled the experience of an otherwise sweet relationship for me.
Aside from that, the characters are mostly fun and likeable, the art style is very cute, and the sweets really make me wish I could see those pages in color! Even the few side characters we see are pretty enjoyable. My favorite is Miyamori, who seems super invested in his boss' life and well-being. The plot of the first three chapters and the bonus one-shots at the end is cute, mostly sweet, and a good balance of light angst and fluff. It cannot be overstated just how jarring the tonal shift of chapter 4 really is. So, brace yourself... or just skip it and enjoy the lighthearted story beats leading up to and following it like I plan to do upon any further rereads.
Sure, there was a singular incident where one character kissed another character without asking and that didn't feel too good to read, but it led to a conversation about biphobia and bi acceptance which I felt was pretty solid despite how rushed it was. Honestly, the pacing isn't super great in general, but I was willing to accept that for the first three chapters simply because I can understand the limit to telling a whole story in that short amount of time and what I did get to see caught my interest.
And then chapter 4 starts with a character stating upfront that he doesn't want to consume alcohol. Great! A boundary has been established! But unfortunately, his partner is horny and anyone who is familiar enough with the tropes of the genre knows exactly where this is going. His partner makes the entirely grotesque decision to spike some chocolates with the specific intention of getting him drunk enough to coerce him into sex. That did not have to be the plot of this chapter. They could have had a conversation about it. Heck, if the spiked chocolate had been a mutually consensual part of their foreplay, even that would have been fine! While I can't say that the way this trope was executed here is as bad as other BL my eyes have had the misfortune of seeing, I also can't say it's excusable and it spoiled the experience of an otherwise sweet relationship for me.
Aside from that, the characters are mostly fun and likeable, the art style is very cute, and the sweets really make me wish I could see those pages in color! Even the few side characters we see are pretty enjoyable. My favorite is Miyamori, who seems super invested in his boss' life and well-being. The plot of the first three chapters and the bonus one-shots at the end is cute, mostly sweet, and a good balance of light angst and fluff. It cannot be overstated just how jarring the tonal shift of chapter 4 really is. So, brace yourself... or just skip it and enjoy the lighthearted story beats leading up to and following it like I plan to do upon any further rereads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
While I'm pretty sure the use of alcohol to coerce someone into sex counts as rape here, it is framed in a way that really doesn't want you to think it's rape. So, I'm not adding the tag, but just be aware that there is the uncomfy implication that neither character really reacts to because the plot wants the readers to just accept that they were both okay with what happened.
Phantom of the Idol, Volume 1 by Hijiki Isoflavone
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Given that the author is a self-proclaimed lover of the idol world, this series doesn't seem to be making any plans to deeply explore idol culture beyond the "idols give their lives/love to their fans and their fans' love in turn keeps them moving forward" narrative that is often already perpetuated by idol media... but there could be so much potential for it down the line if the story ever becomes brave enough to address it. For the time being, I can at least appreciate the acknowledgement of how hard idols work at their job just to survive in their career.
As it is right now, the first volume focuses on introducing the main characters and the ways their clashing personalities are somehow a surprising fit for each other. There is very little development in between the establishment of the idol ghost as a plot device, the comedic ways their polar opposite personalities confuse Yuya's few loyal fans, and the brief acknowledgment that he and his partner should work on building up their relationship.
It very much seems like the goal of the plot will be to slowly develop Yuya's motivations for his current career path with each experience encouraging him to grow into an idol who wants to put in the effort for his fans, and maybe even for Asahi and Kazuki as well. The bonus panels at the end make it very clear that neither Yuya nor Asahi have any interest in romance... and yet, I find myself craving love geometry in this series.
Asahi and Kazuki have some absolutely adorable chemistry. They understand each other's feelings and insecurities about being idols, and their one sort-of date got off to a very sweet start. Plus, Kazuki already gets blushy whenever he contemplates how cool he thinks Yuya is. The potential for Asahi and Kazuki to develop feelings for each other and the shenanigans that could ensue with Yuya in the middle is too great. It is unlikely that this will happen, but there's probably fanfiction for that, so my interest is piqued.
As it is right now, the first volume focuses on introducing the main characters and the ways their clashing personalities are somehow a surprising fit for each other. There is very little development in between the establishment of the idol ghost as a plot device, the comedic ways their polar opposite personalities confuse Yuya's few loyal fans, and the brief acknowledgment that he and his partner should work on building up their relationship.
It very much seems like the goal of the plot will be to slowly develop Yuya's motivations for his current career path with each experience encouraging him to grow into an idol who wants to put in the effort for his fans, and maybe even for Asahi and Kazuki as well. The bonus panels at the end make it very clear that neither Yuya nor Asahi have any interest in romance... and yet, I find myself craving love geometry in this series.
Asahi and Kazuki have some absolutely adorable chemistry. They understand each other's feelings and insecurities about being idols, and their one sort-of date got off to a very sweet start. Plus, Kazuki already gets blushy whenever he contemplates how cool he thinks Yuya is. The potential for Asahi and Kazuki to develop feelings for each other and the shenanigans that could ensue with Yuya in the middle is too great. It is unlikely that this will happen, but there's probably fanfiction for that, so my interest is piqued.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Car accident
A Gift to Last (includes Angels Everywhere #4) by Debbie Macomber
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
There wasn't anything wrong with the book. I had enjoyed another book by the same author and decided to pick this one up next, but I just couldn't get into it. I like the concept, just had to finally accept that I was never going to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Grief
Dino-Boarding by Lisa Wheeler
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
There isn't much in the way of real plot for this Dino Sports series, but the rhymes are fun.
It's a nice way to introduce different types of dinosaurs to kids who are interested in learning their names. But aside from just listing names, showing basic size differences, and categorizing the dinosaurs as meat-eaters and plant-eaters... it's very surface level.
I can't even say these books are that great at explaining the sports these dinosaurs are participating in. It's pretty clear that this series is for kids who already know the terminology well enough to understand what's happening in the story. Older kids will probably have an easier time of parsing it out, but younger kids are definitely more invested in looking at the pictures and learning whether the meat-eaters or the plant-eaters are going to win this time!
I will say that the concept of this dinosaur fantasy world is fascinating. Dodo has abandoned the world of competition for a well-earned vacation and Diplodocus probably drowned that poor tiny dino so carelessly buried on that beach, facing zero consequences as usual. This certainly isn't Diplo's only offense, but I do have to wonder if Dodo would have made sure proper precautions were taken by the onlookers during that stretch of the competition if he'd been there.
It's a nice way to introduce different types of dinosaurs to kids who are interested in learning their names. But aside from just listing names, showing basic size differences, and categorizing the dinosaurs as meat-eaters and plant-eaters... it's very surface level.
I can't even say these books are that great at explaining the sports these dinosaurs are participating in. It's pretty clear that this series is for kids who already know the terminology well enough to understand what's happening in the story. Older kids will probably have an easier time of parsing it out, but younger kids are definitely more invested in looking at the pictures and learning whether the meat-eaters or the plant-eaters are going to win this time!
I will say that the concept of this dinosaur fantasy world is fascinating. Dodo has abandoned the world of competition for a well-earned vacation and Diplodocus probably drowned that poor tiny dino so carelessly buried on that beach, facing zero consequences as usual. This certainly isn't Diplo's only offense, but I do have to wonder if Dodo would have made sure proper precautions were taken by the onlookers during that stretch of the competition if he'd been there.
A Man and His Cat, Volume 7 by Umi Sakurai
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Geoffrey and his litter of kittens with my whole heart and I would live for them in a heartbeat. The exploration of his complicated relationship with his father and the way that he projected his fears onto animals were so well done.
Also, we love to see the Word of God confirmation at the very end that Moriyama fell for Kanda at first sight!
Also, we love to see the Word of God confirmation at the very end that Moriyama fell for Kanda at first sight!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
A Man and His Cat, Volume 6 by Umi Sakurai
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moriyama admits out loud that he thinks Kanda is a silver fox! His brother having no chill and thinking of Kanda as a god just proves that strong feelings for Kanda run in the family, so perhaps this was inevitable in the end. Honestly, the sibling rivalry and feelings of betrayal caused by years of favoritism and high expectations from their parents hit hard. So many characters have terrible parents in this series, so Fukumaru and Marin having such a close family bond is such a breath of fresh air when we get to see them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief