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endemictoearth's reviews
3727 reviews
Be My Love, My Lord by Adumi Nagano
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
Breath of Flowers Volume 1 by Caly
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 2 by Mokumokuren
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.25
Icarus by K. Ancrum
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Grief, and Death of parent
Sweet for Sweets and Foreigners: Volume 2 by Marina Sano
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Let's Eat Together, Aki and Haru: Volume 1 by Makoto Taji
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Not not normal by Peter E. Fenton
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
I'm a young adult librarian, so I went into this knowing it is aimed at a younger audience, specifically as a hi-lo title for readers who might be struggling to tackle more complex material and have tried to rate/review it as such. I think this is my third or fourth book from this particular line from Lorimer Publishing and while this one not my favorite, I do think it has some good points.
My favorite thing was the book group, X-Libris, and their journey to find a new space. Mr. Jenkins was an awesome role model (love non-teacher adults who have hidden depths). Jordan's dad was also a nuanced character who we can see trying to be a good dad, but also dealing with his own grief. (Speaking of dads, I feel like Nathan's backstory was given short shrift, but it didn't bother me too much.)
The main thing that I think may stop kids from immersing themselves in this book is Jordan himself. Not because of his quirks or panic attacks, but because I just didn't get a good sense of why he was so anti-technology. Kids use phones and computers and I think having a character who is so young and deliberately avoids tech needs to be given more on page explanation. It stood out more than it had to, and I wondered if maybe the book should have been set in an earlier decade.
To end on a positive note (because I truly did enjoy the book overall), I liked that there was a sprinkle of romance between Jordan and Nathan, but to me, the friend group was the shining star of this book.
My favorite thing was the book group, X-Libris, and their journey to find a new space. Mr. Jenkins was an awesome role model (love non-teacher adults who have hidden depths). Jordan's dad was also a nuanced character who we can see trying to be a good dad, but also dealing with his own grief. (Speaking of dads, I feel like Nathan's backstory was given short shrift, but it didn't bother me too much.)
The main thing that I think may stop kids from immersing themselves in this book is Jordan himself. Not because of his quirks or panic attacks, but because I just didn't get a good sense of why he was so anti-technology. Kids use phones and computers and I think having a character who is so young and deliberately avoids tech needs to be given more on page explanation. It stood out more than it had to, and I wondered if maybe the book should have been set in an earlier decade.
To end on a positive note (because I truly did enjoy the book overall), I liked that there was a sprinkle of romance between Jordan and Nathan, but to me, the friend group was the shining star of this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Death of parent
The Fox & Little Tanuki, Vol. 1 by Mi Tagawa
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Nina the Starry Bride, Vol. 4 by Rikachi
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The art is beautiful and colorful, I think kids will really respond to how intricate the backgrounds are, and the the little details and jokes in the chapter headings. It's a pretty standard fish out of water tale of being new to a country/language and finding your friends. It ends kind of abruptly, so I hope this is the start of a new series and we get to see Lia and her friends again. I especially liked the depiction of painful periods, since this is something we don't see often in fiction for this age group, but it is a reality for a lot of young girls.
I've enjoyed this artist's comics for years, super glad to see her take on a more expansive project!
I've enjoyed this artist's comics for years, super glad to see her take on a more expansive project!