You know, for someone who spend the years 2014 and 2015 obsessed with the anime, it's surprising that I have neverHak, you will always be the loml <3
You know, for someone who spend the years 2014 and 2015 obsessed with the anime, it's surprising that I have never read the manga! Actually, is it? My library never had the manga and books are expensive....
Comparing the anime and the first volume, I 100% prefer the anime so far but I might continue reading it if I do come across the rest of the volumes... until then... I might... rewatch.... ...more
No thoughts, head empty; I love Laurent, my genius little son <3
....I am also warming up to the slowburn... I usually don't like that at all... C.S. No thoughts, head empty; I love Laurent, my genius little son <3
....I am also warming up to the slowburn... I usually don't like that at all... C.S. Pacat you are a genius as well...
This book also felt a lot problematic? Is that the word I am looking for? I am not sure I have slept three hours because I had to wake up ridiculously early to buy concert tickets... where was I? Oh, yes. This was a lot more comfortable book to read? But I also feel like it was bit unnecessary to split the first two books into their own books? I think it would have worked just fine as one big book - maybe even all three books in one? I am not sure about that yet, still haven't got my hands on the next one. I am 3rd on the line for it in the library and I fear I might go insane before holding it in my arms 3...more
The past few weeks no matter what I have read and no matter how good the book has been my thoughts have been mostly; "...well, it was alright? I guessThe past few weeks no matter what I have read and no matter how good the book has been my thoughts have been mostly; "...well, it was alright? I guess?" So, I have been in a bit of a reading slump. This book though - I devoured it on one sitting.
I love the world of the Charm of Magpies and it brings me so much joy to be able to be back here. I am thinking about reading the books or at least Jackdaw bc it is my favourite... I gotta see if there is a crazy line for it in the library!
Anyways to this book; I love Crispin. He is literally just a little man in a situation. I love books where there is just a little man in a situation. He is also a better person than I am bc if I learned magic and then someone told me I am doing it wrong I would probably just give up and walk away.
Ned, my beloved, I want to bite at his ankles. Like I get it he is doing and saying things because he cares for Crispin but sometimes he was just straight up mean in my humble opinion. I do understand that it would be scary to suddenly find out magic is real and having to deal with it but that's Crispin's world.
Overall, I do really enjoy their relationship and I think they are very cute.
The mystery aspect in this one was also excellent! When Crispin figured it out, I might have audibly gasped because I realised I was an idiot - it was so obvious if I had just thought about it a bit more!
K.J. Charles, I am on my hands and knees, please I need more books in the Charm of Magpies world....more
Let me preface this review by saying that when it comes to books, I don't usually like science fiction. In movies? Yes, sign me up! But in books? Not Let me preface this review by saying that when it comes to books, I don't usually like science fiction. In movies? Yes, sign me up! But in books? Not so much. Lord of the Empty Isles, though? This book changed my life.
Five years ago Remy's brother died by a withering - a dead curse. Now Remy finally has everything he needs to return the favour. There is one major problem. When he casts the withering, it rebounds onto him, which means he is fatebound to his brother's killer. Just a regular Tuesday, am I right?
It gets even better! The only way to slow the curse for long enough to find a cure is to join forces with Idrian and his criminal crew. Expect it turns out Idrian is the sole provider of life-saving supplies to tens of thousands of innocent people and when he dies, they'll die with him.
Bad news is; the only way to get rid of the withering is to kill the person who cast it...
I loved this book! It has so many interesting and incredible characters and I couldn't get enough of them. You set out to get revenge with Remy for his brother and then you learn alongside him that the world isn't what he thought it is. With him, you get to know everyone else's story and rage and grief that blinded you and Remy starts to lift. Idrian, the self-proclaimed Lord of the Isles, is a morally gray character who does anything and everything for the people he cares for - quite literally no matter the cost. And the more you read, the more you understand him and his reasons and you cannot even fault him for the things he has done. (Or at least I couldn't.)
There is no romance in this as Remy is aroace(!!!! a win for me!!!!) but it has connections so much deeper than that in my opinion. It has queer platonic relationship, friendship and found family. The book is all about finding yourself and your self-worth, forgiving and growing. And I think most importantly; healing.
“Remy would never cut Cameron away. Pain is a small price to pay for keeping this last piece of him close.” — it's about realising that sometimes healing means letting go and understanding that those who care about us would never wish for us to hurt.
But then it's also about understanding how much healing hurts and how hard it is. “Healing feels like betrayal, like releasing a fragile, precious thing kept from crumbling only by the pressure of his hands.”
Lord of the Empty Isles is absolutely a rollercoaster of emotions. It made me laugh and then it made me cry. At times, it is heartbreakingly brutal and dark but it is also filled with hope and light. Please, listen to me, you need the tissues, be prepared.
I listened to the audiobook and I think that made the book only more emotional. In my opinion, the reader did a fantastic job. Especially this part; "Sleep my child. May earth protect you, deep and wild the forest green. Sun will rise and paths direct you, stars will guide you home to me." I think that's correct, I didn't write it down anywhere, I just listened it so many times that I think I learned it word to word. I don't know what it is about that part but it made me sob my eyes out.
I think this book might have just convinced me to give a chance to more science fiction books. I absolutely adored this one.
And here is one more of my favourite quotes, which I didn't know where to put: "Why did he ever think more death could pay for a life?"
You know, I like historical fiction. I like some fantasy and some romance on the side too. And I love foxes. The Yearning Fox Lies in Wait has it all.You know, I like historical fiction. I like some fantasy and some romance on the side too. And I love foxes. The Yearning Fox Lies in Wait has it all.
It is a stand-alone manga - which I don't usually really like. I prefer at least a few volumes but because this has all my favourite things I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did because I loved it!
The year is 1920 and Kiyo Fukasaku is excited when he's admitted into the Imperial University and can't wait to start his new life in the capital... until he gets lost. Luckily, he runs into Ozaki, an eccentric, seemingly well-off man who invites him to stay in his mansion. Turns out Ozaki is a fox spirit who knew Kiyo's grandfather!
It's really sweet and gentle story. It's fast-paced but not too fast. I wouldn't mind reading more about these two... this is why I don't read stand-alone's. Also the grandfather part was a bit off-putting but I can live with it
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC!...more
This book may have just changed my opinion on short story collections. Usually I get so annoyed when I have finally got into the story and then it jusThis book may have just changed my opinion on short story collections. Usually I get so annoyed when I have finally got into the story and then it just ends. I want to know more than just a few pages. And don't get me wrong, I did want every single one of these stories as full length books of their own. I just did love these little historical queer stories more than I got annoyed when they ended.
Very short review because I already had to return my copy to the library and I have the memory of a goldfish and I cannot make a sentence without the book here.
Some of the stories made me even cry!! In few pages!! They made me cry!! I love fiction <3...more
Like what do you mean; "There was something impossible about his beauty. He suited the sunset, as if he was part of the light that James, I love you.
Like what do you mean; "There was something impossible about his beauty. He suited the sunset, as if he was part of the light that was slipping from the world. Will thought, The land would be cold and dark if you were gone. Seeing him now, Will felt lost forever to the knowledge that James was all he had wanted in his past life, and could never possess in this one." ????? I am going to be super normal about this.
If I thought that the first book was okay, this was amazing. I listened all 16 hours of the audiobook in less than 24 hours. It's delicious. Morally gray characters are morally gray and I love them. The slow burn romance is finally starting to catch a fire.
Let's talk about the plot I so desperately was looking for in the first book. It is here, I see it - a bit too well. I am reading other's reviews and surprised that they were surprised by the plot twists. I saw them coming miles away?? I mean... I also do make a great effort to try to guess plot twists because I like being right. Sometimes plot being too easy to guess ruins it for me but not this time. I was so giddy every time I was right. One thing did drive me insane; the characters always learnt useful information too late. It was _shocking_ the first few times but then it got rather boring.
I am going to be completely normal about James St. Clair again. What do you mean?????? "‘I can’t look away.’ James said, ‘I could close my eyes and know you.’ You do know me, he couldn’t say. You were mine in a past we can’t remember." Anyone else who immediately thought of Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and “I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” I am normal about this. So normal.
There were a bit too many POVs in my opinion and some of them completely unnecessary and brought absolutely nothing to the story in my humble opinion. And again, in my humble opinion, there were characters who deserved a lot more parts told through their POV *cough* James *cough*.
Like I said in my review of the first book; Will is like a piece of plain toast. Good but gets boring on its own after a while. But now we have butter! I have a feeling we will get some cheese in the next book!
Also; "You think the war was the hard part? The war was nothing." I hope Will goes full Dark King in the next book. I think I deserve an evil little man as a treat. Especially because I have to wait for the next book - this is why I normally never read ongoing series....
I am so normal about James. Lord, I need at least four business days to recover from that ending.
Ok, I will stop rambling now. This was amazing - hoping the next book will be a five star!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: death, murder, child abuse, confinement, violence and some blood etc. - very mild in my opinion !...more
So. Simon is probably the worst villain name I have ever come across.
Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. He is told to fighSo. Simon is probably the worst villain name I have ever come across.
Will is on the run, pursued by the men who killed his mother. He is told to fight beside the Stewards against the dark. Sounds fun, sign me up!
"Ancient world is gone and forgotten" yeah yeah I get that, what about the plot? - me for the first 50% of this book. I really do not have the patience for this much world building, I need it to happen alongside the plot or I start jumping on the walls. I did get plot - eventually! And I have yet to decide how I feel about it! What C.S. Pacat did with the Stewards was very brave but it is not the path I would have chosen. Which is probably why I didn't write this book. I also saw the plot twist at the end coming a long time before it happened. Lady of the Light? Dark King? Will? That's all I am going to say.
Another thing, I also do not like is slow burn - because you guessed it! - I don't have the patience for it. But enemies to lovers? I don't think there is anything better than that. And if there is one thing I would trust my life with, it's C.S Pacat's ability to write good enemies to lovers. The tension was through the roof.
James, my beloved, I will protect him at all cost. What about the war crimes, you may ask? And I would like to ask if you have considered the fact that he is my little meow meow. Another silly little blonde sad boy to my collection of silly little blonde sad boys.
...Will on the other hand had the personality of plain toast. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, quite the opposite, actually. It just does get a bit boring after a while. I have already started the second book as I type this and it does get a bit better, there is now some butter on the toast as well.
Violet though, my girl, she was done so dirty. She felt more like a side character, even though the story was told as much through her POV as it was told through Will's. She had absolutely no character development and flavour, despite being one of the most interesting characters in the whole book. I want to tuck her in a bed, give her a kiss on the forehead and read her a bedtime story. I feel like she deserves that.
I am waiting for my bravest person ever medal for not giving up on this book despite being bored out of my mind in the beginning. The last 30% or so nearly made it all worth it. But I also feel like this book thought I am stupid because it kept explaining things in such great details even though I got it the first time. Was that just me?
I also listened to the audiobook in basically two sittings. I sewed myself such a pretty skirt. So my experience was basically; the ancient world is no more, magic, Will this and that, the ancient world is no more, *sewing machine noises*, James-, *sewing machine noises*, WAIT JAMES WHAT *skips back*
Anyways to sum it up; I had a great time. And I get it, the ancient world is no more, I feel like we could have toned that down a bit. James <3333
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Violence, death, murder, kidnapping, blood and some gore, branding (If you have read Captive Prince, this is rather light compared to that in my opinion!)...more
Even though I am Finnish, I don't read a lot of Finnish literature because I have always had this idea that Finnish literatur...what did I just read?
Even though I am Finnish, I don't read a lot of Finnish literature because I have always had this idea that Finnish literature is extremely weird. These books I have had to read for school have not been helping at all because either people have just managed to choose the most random books ever or Finnish literature is actually generally just really weird. So, I will ask again; what did I just read?
Mikael is a young gay photographer who finds a small man-like creature, a troll, from the tales. He brings the troll home. And everything goes wrong.
Okay, so, this book is told from multiple different perspectives and I honesty couldn't care less about any of them. I kept mixing up the people because I did not care about them. I am unsure how some of these people were relevant to the story because none of them get a real ending? The story just ended and I was like?? okay so what happened to them all?? We may never know and I honestly don't care.
I know this book is supposed to be disturbing in a way. But uhhh I kinda want to throw up. The book's name comes from a children's song. The troll is described as a child-like creature. And the man as parental figure of kind? The direction that their relationship takes is just... please I don't want to even think about it.
I know, this is not a children's book. But of course, I associate it with the children's song and I am disturbed. I am not sure if it is in the way the writer expected.
I just want to forget the existence of this book but sadly I will have to discuss it in class on Thursday. I honestly don't know how I am supposed to do that as I absolutely hated this one. I mean I did hate the previous ones I had to read for class too but this is just next level. One star feels like too much.
....okay it wasn't as bad as Tamara was if my classmates are reading this ...more
Pre-reading thoughts: just found out there is a graphic novel about me: I am in fact a princess and grilled cheese sandwich is my safe food!
Post-readiPre-reading thoughts: just found out there is a graphic novel about me: I am in fact a princess and grilled cheese sandwich is my safe food!
Post-reading thoughts: I LOVE THIS!!!!!!! I am going to be so normal about this book, like the normalest anyone has ever normaled. So normal.
Lady Camembert wants to live of her own without a husband but the law doesn't allow her to inherit without a husband. So, obviously she disguises herself as a man and becomes the Count Camembert. She meets Princess Brie, eats a lot of grilled cheese sandwiches and falls in love.
It's amazing!
The art is so beautiful and colourful and the story is so funny and good that it made me giddy. I devoured this book on such a speed that I nearly forgot to eat my grilled cheese sandwich. I love grilled cheese sandwiches and they are the only thing I have been able to eat the past.... few weeks? I love cheese. You know, I have been vegetarian for eight years now, I am pretty sure. The only reason I am not 100% vegan is that I cannot give up cheese.
Besides cheese, another great love of mine is FASHION! Oh, this is just stunning! My little fingers are itching to start sewing but I don't have beautiful enough fabric to make a princess dress.
Lord, this book is everything I could have ever dreamed of and even better. It's a princess story with grilled cheese sandwich! And it's queer!
I am currently using every ounce of will power I have to stop myself from grabbing scissors and cut myself Princess Brie's bob haircut. That's how much this book changed my life. I love my long hair and I usually cry when I have to get a trim.
Deya Muniz, I love you. You have changed my life. I hope your pillow is always cool on both sides. I am going to be SO normal about this book. SO normal. *Narrator; Suvi was in fact not normal about this book*...more
Well- that was a bit disappointing. I feel like this did not offer anything new to Azula or her story. Did you know Azula was one of my favorite charaWell- that was a bit disappointing. I feel like this did not offer anything new to Azula or her story. Did you know Azula was one of my favorite characters as a kid because I love evil women?
Also I have completely given up on trying to figure out in which order these comics are supposed to be read. ...more
5/5 love pirates. I actually wanted to become a pirate for the longest time until my teacher at 7th grade said that’s not good enough plan for the fut5/5 love pirates. I actually wanted to become a pirate for the longest time until my teacher at 7th grade said that’s not good enough plan for the future, hoping to prove her wrong one of these days ...more
What a delightful story! In this volume we learn a bit more about the curse which was really interesting but I actually now have only more questions. What a delightful story! In this volume we learn a bit more about the curse which was really interesting but I actually now have only more questions. Absolutely heartbroken that my library does not have the next volumes, I am on my hands and knees hoping they will grant my suggestions and get them asap!
Also I finally figured out why the art style felt such comfortingly familiar! It reminds me a lot of Tove Jansson’s Moomin art <3...more
the art in this is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life - stunning!!!!!
the story is about Shiva, a little girl living on the Outsidethe art in this is some of the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life - stunning!!!!!
the story is about Shiva, a little girl living on the Outside, and Teacher who is an Outsider. The Outsiders are cursed and evil? They spread the curse anyway. And yet, Teacher seems to be the kindest thing.
Very excited to continue this series - and I am very sad to report that my local library only has the first two volumes TT...more
If there is one thing you need to know about me, it's that I am a Winx Club fan first and human second. I devoted most of my younger years to the tv sIf there is one thing you need to know about me, it's that I am a Winx Club fan first and human second. I devoted most of my younger years to the tv show, I spent all my pocket money to buy the comics and me and my friend used play and pretend we are a part of the Winx Club. I nearly wept tears of joy when my request for the ARC got approved - thank you NetGalley and Papercutz!
This is a delightful collection of three stories with full colors and it made me so nostalgic! If you have seen the tv show, the first story, A Fried for Bloom, is rather familiar to you - it's about how Bloom ends up at Alfea. The second story, Prisoners of the Dark, deals a lot with Bloom feeling homesick and feeling like she doesn't fit in which I loved reading about! I always felt like she got used to her new life unrealistically fast?
The third story in this collection, The Swamp Monster, is my favorite of the three! Firstly, there is a lot more action which I enjoyed greatly. But we also get to see a lot more of the guys from Red Fountain and the Trix trio! I always found them really fascinating and I loved reading about them a bit more!
Truly a great book for any Winx Club fan out there! I loved this one very much and I hope to fave the chance to read more of my favorite girls in the future! <3...more
You had me at Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars only made it better! This is a fun picture book about witches and their animals. I really enjYou had me at Wacky Witches and Their Peculiar Familiars only made it better! This is a fun picture book about witches and their animals. I really enjoyed the wide range of animals included but even more I enjoyed how diverse the witches were!
It's filled with fun rhymes, and I found myself smiling through the whole book. I loved the illustrations, they were not only very whimsical and beautiful but also really detailed. I know I would have loved flipping through this as a child and I am sure many young readers will enjoy this greatly!
Thank you NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for the advanced copy!...more
A small town with a creepy mystery and a family secret? A horror podcast with like 12 fans? And they are gay? What more can one want in a book? Quite A small town with a creepy mystery and a family secret? A horror podcast with like 12 fans? And they are gay? What more can one want in a book? Quite literally nothing, and that is why I am so disappointed that I didn't love the story as much as I thought I would.
I did like the story but it didn't "wow" me and I did guess the plot twist at the end so that also kinda ruined it for me. Also I think the ending was rather rushed. There were also pages with so much text that I got a bit overwhelmed.
Overall, a fun little creepy queer YA graphic novel! Even though I didn't love it I am sure many other's will. ...more
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