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wends_nblw's reviews
97 reviews
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!!
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: Gore, Suicide, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
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, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicide, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, 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.