zagfros's reviews
380 reviews

The Cull, Volume 1 by Kelly Thompson

adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The comparison of The Goonies meets Something Is Killing The Children immediately got my attention and The Cull didn't disappoint when compared to those two. I'd also say fans of Super 8 & Monsters should check this out. The art style is really unique which I appreciated & when they were all in the liminal space, the use of colour was fantastic & the sense of scale in certain scenes really helped bring everything together.

I didn't expect where the story was headed whatsoever after they went into the liminal space and it just continued to improve per issue whilst really building up the tension. It was also a surprise how much character backstory could be weaved into just a few issues but this really helped flesh out the group and I'm glad for it.

Whilst the ending works fine as is.... I wouldn't say no to more!

Thanks to Netgalley & Image Comics for the arc.

Fathomfolk by Eliza Chan

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book! The world building & city of Tiankawi brought this book alive, every part of the city & it's people were fascinating. The urban fantasy setting within a partially submerged city alongside all these aquatic mythical creatures was just so unique and riveting! Having the pov characters take us to different parts of the city and show us it's people really helped paint a vivid and detailed picture of life in Tiankawi.

The characters have such range in their personalities, it really helped build my attachment to them & even the minor side characters stood apart. I hope we see more of Nami & Eun in the future (and less of a certain kelpie 😤). I look forward to seeing Mira's next steps and more growth from Nami after the ending of this story.

The ending is great and sets up the rest of the series perfectly, I can't wait to learn more about the world, gods and what happens next to the city, let alone all the characters and the folk who live in it.

Thanks to Netgalley & Little Brown Book Group for the arc!

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

4.0

Voyage of the Damned by Frances White

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Danganronpa meets Murder on the Nile with a dash of magic. Voyage of the Damned was a nonstop adventure with Dee, Wyatt & Grasshopper investigating the murder of the Emperor's daughter.

The clues are there from the very start of you're observant enough to get them! Once the reveals were made everything clicks into place, the added mystery of the other Blessings really helps add to the mystery. You might have suspects but tying up murders to blessings was an added layer of complexity.

Overall, I really liked this book! The characters were all amazing and Dee's sense of humour was brilliant and helped lighten up some of the darker parts of the book. The unique world & magic system really helped flesh out the story & the mystery was well tied up and as mentioned before the clues are all there for you not just for the murder but for the blessings + other altercations on the ship. 

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

Grace Curtis has done it again! Floating Hotel is her new cosy sci-fi novel with a unique structure. The multiple points of view showing us snippets of backstory and the roles of the passengers & crew of the Abeona was wonderful and I loved seeing all the different perspectives & personalities.

Some of my favourites were Ooly & Azad's work on decryptic a code, Dunk's hunt for an Ox, Reggie's film nights & Uwade's search for the sonnets. Throughout it all there's an over arching plot which is full of secrets and helps propel the story along.

Overall, this is another fantastic novel from Curtis and once again shows she knows how to write such unique characters & craft amazing settings. Looking forward to her next novel and a big thanks to Hodder & Stoughton + Netgalley for the arc!

A Haunted Girl #3 by Ethan Sacks, Naomi Sacks

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious tense 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

5.0

A Haunted Girl will resonate with many even with it's supernatural elements. We follow Cleo exiting the hospital & her return to a daily routine whilst battling depression. The scenes at school will strike a chord with many, as Cleo tries to make it through the day despite everything. Let alone her part in a prophecy to take down Izanami! 

So much is packed into this graphic novel in backstory alongside the current timeline and it really helps bring everything together. Hiro's identity was also a real gut punch...

The art style & in particular use of colour was fantastic and really amplified the horrors that Cleo had to face.

Overall, A Haunted Girl was a great read that dealt with heavy subjects against a supernatural backdrop. It'll also resonate not just with teens but adults as well and is worth picking up. I'm so glad that Ethan & Naomi were able to write this story together!

Thanks to Image Comics & Netgalley for this arc.

Parasocial by Erica Henderson, Alex de Campi

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

5.0

Parasocial was absolutely amazing, a snapshot into post COVID conventions and dialling the parasocial relationships between fans & celebrities to the absolute max. Super unhinged & brilliant.

The art style + use of phone conversations, social media even AO3 (that ebony darkness username 😂) was the icing on the cake of a fantastic graphic novel.

Thanks to Netgalley & Image Comics for the arc!

Your Blood, My Bones by Kelly Andrew

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Ninth House meets Starling House. Your Blood, My Bones pulled together the best of both books into a brilliant mix. The synopsis alone pulled me in and the novel lived up to my high expectations! It was a terrific atmospheric read full of loveable characters & a thrilling backdrop. Witchcraft, rituals, cryptids & protective goats abound, the pages flew by and  Wyatt & Peter were just perfect. I regret we didn't get more time to spend with the main trio!

Thanks to Netgalley & Orion Publishing Group for the arc.

The Combat Codes by Alexander Darwin

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious 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

The Combat Codes was an absolutey fantastic read. Both Murray & Cego's stories grip you from their 1st pages and won't let you put the book down. Fans of Red Rising should definitely check this out.

The combat is fast paced and Darwin writes in such detail that you can visualise each move and it works so well it never feels like a chore. It was like watching a fight from a movie.

The concept of Grievars fighting on the behalf of other people and nations in televised fights is brilliant and the academy, codes and Grievars + Daimyo really help bring this world together.

I'm just glad I don't have to wait & can immediately pick up the sequel after the revelations in the last couple chapters!