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lastblossom's reviews
200 reviews
The God and the Gumiho by Sophie Kim
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Supernatural mystery, and romance featuring lots of banter between a grump and a smart ass.
Thoughts
I feel like I grouse about this for every book written like this, but it gets me every time. I do not get along with third person present tense. I don't know why, but it kills immersion for me, and it took me a couple tries to really get into this one. That being said, I liked what I found once I finally settled in. You've got mystery, a ton of drama, and two strong leads who provide plenty of banter for fans of animosity-to-love relationships. The author is clearly channeling k-drama energy for this part, and I love it. Kim Hani is a very fun read, and I delighted in all her smart ass antics. Seokga is a great moody boy, although I admit there was far less trickery than I would have expected from someone who's a literal trickster god. His passion for coffee is excellent, though. I very much appreciate that the author trusts the readers to either understand the Korean terms, or be interested enough to look them up. Truly, thank you. The ending feels satisfying enough to be a one-shot, although it seems implied that this is the start of a series? I can only hope the next book will be about a certain member of the supporting cast instead, because she deserves her moment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine, Del Rey for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Supernatural mystery, and romance featuring lots of banter between a grump and a smart ass.
Thoughts
I feel like I grouse about this for every book written like this, but it gets me every time. I do not get along with third person present tense. I don't know why, but it kills immersion for me, and it took me a couple tries to really get into this one. That being said, I liked what I found once I finally settled in. You've got mystery, a ton of drama, and two strong leads who provide plenty of banter for fans of animosity-to-love relationships. The author is clearly channeling k-drama energy for this part, and I love it. Kim Hani is a very fun read, and I delighted in all her smart ass antics. Seokga is a great moody boy, although I admit there was far less trickery than I would have expected from someone who's a literal trickster god. His passion for coffee is excellent, though. I very much appreciate that the author trusts the readers to either understand the Korean terms, or be interested enough to look them up. Truly, thank you. The ending feels satisfying enough to be a one-shot, although it seems implied that this is the start of a series? I can only hope the next book will be about a certain member of the supporting cast instead, because she deserves her moment.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine, Del Rey for the advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Toxic friendship
How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Snappy and fast-paced meta-commentary, with a surprising amount of heart. There's also a heavy dose of Adult stuff.
Thoughts
"Irreverent" might be the word here. At least, it certainly starts that way. The blurb says Groundhog Day, but the whole time I read it I kept thinking Re:Zero (an assumption that is confirmed by the author's notes in the back). For those of you not into anime, think Live Die Repeat with Tom Cruise. The hero Davi dies violently and often, until the only thing she has left is cynicism and anger. Her foray into becoming the Dark Lord starts as a lark born from frustration and a desire for novelty, but it quickly turns into more as she gets closer to her goals, and further from her old lives. Most reviews will probably say this book is very funny, very crude, or both. (It's both.) But for something as snappy and flippant as this, it also has a surprising amount of heart, with Davi's hurt melting into care the further she gets on her journey. Is becoming the Dark Lord also a journey of healing? The characters she gathers for her horde are a motley crew with their own interests, and it's incredibly easy to care about them as well. The cliffhanger ending is telegraphed well, but still comes as a real punch to the gut, and I'm very curious to see what happens next. Content-wise, there's a good deal of swearing, front-loaded at the start of the book, but present throughout. People die, often horribly. Sex is had with great enthusiasm, although the descriptions tend to be brief. There's also a load of meta commentary including tons of pop culture references and D&D talk, which will probably resonate with genre-savvy readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Snappy and fast-paced meta-commentary, with a surprising amount of heart. There's also a heavy dose of Adult stuff.
Thoughts
"Irreverent" might be the word here. At least, it certainly starts that way. The blurb says Groundhog Day, but the whole time I read it I kept thinking Re:Zero (an assumption that is confirmed by the author's notes in the back). For those of you not into anime, think Live Die Repeat with Tom Cruise. The hero Davi dies violently and often, until the only thing she has left is cynicism and anger. Her foray into becoming the Dark Lord starts as a lark born from frustration and a desire for novelty, but it quickly turns into more as she gets closer to her goals, and further from her old lives. Most reviews will probably say this book is very funny, very crude, or both. (It's both.) But for something as snappy and flippant as this, it also has a surprising amount of heart, with Davi's hurt melting into care the further she gets on her journey. Is becoming the Dark Lord also a journey of healing? The characters she gathers for her horde are a motley crew with their own interests, and it's incredibly easy to care about them as well. The cliffhanger ending is telegraphed well, but still comes as a real punch to the gut, and I'm very curious to see what happens next. Content-wise, there's a good deal of swearing, front-loaded at the start of the book, but present throughout. People die, often horribly. Sex is had with great enthusiasm, although the descriptions tend to be brief. There's also a load of meta commentary including tons of pop culture references and D&D talk, which will probably resonate with genre-savvy readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual content, Suicide, Murder, and War
Minor: Confinement and Sexual assault
The Girl Who Kept the Castle by Ryan Graudin
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Part cozy fantasy, part magical adventure, and entirely fun.
Thoughts
Oh, this one was fun! I enjoy stories about royalty and chosen ones as much as the next reader, but I especially love a story about the workers who keep the wheels turning behind the scenes. Faye is exactly that - overworked and overlooked, she's smart, competent, and a genuine pleasure to read. Detail's about her daily life spark the imagination, with quick but clear world building, and plenty of magical creatures and plants to fill the world. It would be downright cozy if not for the kingdom-ending threat creeping around the edges of the story. And Faye knows this too, as she has to find a way to defeat the Shadow Queen sometime between gardening, cleaning, and covering up for the Wizard West's untimely death. It's a big adventure for a small girl, but she rises to the occasion. Supporting cast are all fun as well, with a talking cat being the standout for me. Oh hey, did I mention the talking cat? Because we've got one of those too, and he's great.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Part cozy fantasy, part magical adventure, and entirely fun.
Thoughts
Oh, this one was fun! I enjoy stories about royalty and chosen ones as much as the next reader, but I especially love a story about the workers who keep the wheels turning behind the scenes. Faye is exactly that - overworked and overlooked, she's smart, competent, and a genuine pleasure to read. Detail's about her daily life spark the imagination, with quick but clear world building, and plenty of magical creatures and plants to fill the world. It would be downright cozy if not for the kingdom-ending threat creeping around the edges of the story. And Faye knows this too, as she has to find a way to defeat the Shadow Queen sometime between gardening, cleaning, and covering up for the Wizard West's untimely death. It's a big adventure for a small girl, but she rises to the occasion. Supporting cast are all fun as well, with a talking cat being the standout for me. Oh hey, did I mention the talking cat? Because we've got one of those too, and he's great.
Thanks to NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and War
The Curse of Penryth Hall by Jess Armstrong
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A murder mystery dressed up like a gothic novel with a fun, but complicated lead.
Thoughts
Like many gothic novels, this book features a sad, willowy lady in an old mansion that may or may not be cursed. However, this sad lady is not the lead. Rather, our MC is the sad lady's bold, pragmatic friend (and ex-lover), determined to prove there's no such thing as a curse. And honestly? I'm here for it. Ruby's a fun lead, part unruly rebel, part academic thinker. She's got am messy history she'd rather not think about, but she also uses it to propel herself forward into new things. She fits into the genre, but doesn't give herself over to it, and instead we get a nice balance of gothic atmosphere and some solid mystery solving. There are clues to find, and witnesses to interview and a tangle of history to pull at. The middle slows down a bit along with the mystery, with maybe just a few too many people for me to keep track of, but the ending still clicked neatly into place. There's a light smattering of romance here, but it's secondary to the mystery. A good read, owing mostly to how interesting the main character is. It appears she'll be solving more mysteries in the future, and I look forward to reading them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
A murder mystery dressed up like a gothic novel with a fun, but complicated lead.
Thoughts
Like many gothic novels, this book features a sad, willowy lady in an old mansion that may or may not be cursed. However, this sad lady is not the lead. Rather, our MC is the sad lady's bold, pragmatic friend (and ex-lover), determined to prove there's no such thing as a curse. And honestly? I'm here for it. Ruby's a fun lead, part unruly rebel, part academic thinker. She's got am messy history she'd rather not think about, but she also uses it to propel herself forward into new things. She fits into the genre, but doesn't give herself over to it, and instead we get a nice balance of gothic atmosphere and some solid mystery solving. There are clues to find, and witnesses to interview and a tangle of history to pull at. The middle slows down a bit along with the mystery, with maybe just a few too many people for me to keep track of, but the ending still clicked neatly into place. There's a light smattering of romance here, but it's secondary to the mystery. A good read, owing mostly to how interesting the main character is. It appears she'll be solving more mysteries in the future, and I look forward to reading them.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
Minor: Abandonment and War
Through an Emerald Gale by Jordan Riley Swan
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Contrasting leads are very cool, with the chunk of the story leaning more into the fairy tale aspects rather than the land of Oz storyline.
Thoughts
There are two main threads happening here, so I'll hit them one at a time. We'll start with Dorothy's, since this is billed largely as a Wizard of Oz remix. Dorothy is street-smart, wisecracking, and generally a pretty great MC to cheer for. By the time we really get to know her, she's already learned a lot about Oz, so we don't get the wide-eyed lost girl from the books or films, but rather a competent and reasonably angry teen tired of being caught up in someone else's nonsense. She's also got a really nice somewhat romantic rapport with the Tinman that feels very natural and sits pretty comfortably inside the main story without distracting from the plot. Sadly, despite her being an awesome character, we don't actually get much time with her, as this book devotes more time to the other MC: Camellia Snow. Camellia Snow is a girl living in a fairy tale - in both senses of the phrase. She lives a sheltered life by design, pining after true love and waiting for the magic of her first kiss. Instead, she finds herself caught by evil royalty, dark magic, tragedy, and some serious body horror. Her story has way more depth to it, with plenty of plot twists, some really great supporting characters (her friend Vivian is a standout at this point), and a more defined journey of character growth.
Overall, the story is more Camellia's than Dorothy's right now, but I enjoyed the contrasting leads, and I look forward to seeing their stories come together in the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and StoryGarden Publishing LLC for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Contrasting leads are very cool, with the chunk of the story leaning more into the fairy tale aspects rather than the land of Oz storyline.
Thoughts
There are two main threads happening here, so I'll hit them one at a time. We'll start with Dorothy's, since this is billed largely as a Wizard of Oz remix. Dorothy is street-smart, wisecracking, and generally a pretty great MC to cheer for. By the time we really get to know her, she's already learned a lot about Oz, so we don't get the wide-eyed lost girl from the books or films, but rather a competent and reasonably angry teen tired of being caught up in someone else's nonsense. She's also got a really nice somewhat romantic rapport with the Tinman that feels very natural and sits pretty comfortably inside the main story without distracting from the plot. Sadly, despite her being an awesome character, we don't actually get much time with her, as this book devotes more time to the other MC: Camellia Snow. Camellia Snow is a girl living in a fairy tale - in both senses of the phrase. She lives a sheltered life by design, pining after true love and waiting for the magic of her first kiss. Instead, she finds herself caught by evil royalty, dark magic, tragedy, and some serious body horror. Her story has way more depth to it, with plenty of plot twists, some really great supporting characters (her friend Vivian is a standout at this point), and a more defined journey of character growth.
Overall, the story is more Camellia's than Dorothy's right now, but I enjoyed the contrasting leads, and I look forward to seeing their stories come together in the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and StoryGarden Publishing LLC for the review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Classism
Minor: Cursing
The Worst Ronin by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Faith Schaffer
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
tl;dr
Bright and energetic storytelling with messy, but lovable characters.
Thoughts
This has so much "webcomic from the 2000s energy," and I am here for it. The story is fast-paced, and energetic, moving quickly between fun comedy beats and some distinctly emotional hits. It's also packed with tongue-in-cheek anachronisms, namely the use of internet and cell phones, that all play into the story fairly well. The dual leads are both messy, imperfect, and a joy to watch interact as they stumble through from one fight to the next. Art is complementary to the story - sincere, poppy, and bright, with distinct character designs and the world's most expressive horse. Fight scenes tend to be a bit simplified, but they're still readable. If you're looking for a fun and earnest read, give this one a shot.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAlley for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Bright and energetic storytelling with messy, but lovable characters.
Thoughts
This has so much "webcomic from the 2000s energy," and I am here for it. The story is fast-paced, and energetic, moving quickly between fun comedy beats and some distinctly emotional hits. It's also packed with tongue-in-cheek anachronisms, namely the use of internet and cell phones, that all play into the story fairly well. The dual leads are both messy, imperfect, and a joy to watch interact as they stumble through from one fight to the next. Art is complementary to the story - sincere, poppy, and bright, with distinct character designs and the world's most expressive horse. Fight scenes tend to be a bit simplified, but they're still readable. If you're looking for a fun and earnest read, give this one a shot.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperAlley for an advance copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and War
The Charmed by Kylie Fennell
tl;dr
Dedicates most of it's time to the historical romance and the fantasy adventure. Mystery gets a bit lost along the way.
Thoughts
According to the description, this book is a blend of three genres: historical romance, mystery, and fantasy/fae stuff. I came away feeling like it mostly only hit two of those genres, with the mystery being more of a set piece rather than the core focus. The front of the book read mostly like a Victorian romance, complete with an intelligent lady trapped by societal expectations, and strong historical setting with some well-researched flourishes. The back half read mostly like a fantasy/fae adventure with magic, plot twists, and some interesting time travel(ish) lore. Yes, there is a murder. Yes, occasionally clues are found or suspects interviewed. But through it all, the mystery took a back seat to the developing romance and the much bigger fae plot that comes into focus, so anyone looking for your usual mystery plot might find themselves a bit deflated on that point. Anyone looking for a very romance-forward romp will probably find plenty to enjoy, however. Alice and Cyan's attraction isn't instant, but it is fast-paced and very passionate, with some medium steam and plenty of drama. Writing style is very straightforward, with copious narrative detail, and some compelling supporting cast (the informant in particular is a lot of fun). This is the first in a series, and I hope that future installments lean further into the fae lore set up here, because it feels like there's a lot to mine in there.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lorikeet Ink for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Dedicates most of it's time to the historical romance and the fantasy adventure. Mystery gets a bit lost along the way.
Thoughts
According to the description, this book is a blend of three genres: historical romance, mystery, and fantasy/fae stuff. I came away feeling like it mostly only hit two of those genres, with the mystery being more of a set piece rather than the core focus. The front of the book read mostly like a Victorian romance, complete with an intelligent lady trapped by societal expectations, and strong historical setting with some well-researched flourishes. The back half read mostly like a fantasy/fae adventure with magic, plot twists, and some interesting time travel(ish) lore. Yes, there is a murder. Yes, occasionally clues are found or suspects interviewed. But through it all, the mystery took a back seat to the developing romance and the much bigger fae plot that comes into focus, so anyone looking for your usual mystery plot might find themselves a bit deflated on that point. Anyone looking for a very romance-forward romp will probably find plenty to enjoy, however. Alice and Cyan's attraction isn't instant, but it is fast-paced and very passionate, with some medium steam and plenty of drama. Writing style is very straightforward, with copious narrative detail, and some compelling supporting cast (the informant in particular is a lot of fun). This is the first in a series, and I hope that future installments lean further into the fae lore set up here, because it feels like there's a lot to mine in there.
Thanks to NetGalley and Lorikeet Ink for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Death, Sexism, and Blood
Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
Dual leads and plots with plenty of romance. Not necessary to read the previous series to enjoy this one.
Thoughts
I spent so much of this book thinking "The sister has so much MC energy." Turns out the sister was the MC of the previous series, so, nice. The good news is I had no trouble understanding this book, even with no knowledge of the prior one. (There are, however, significant spoilers for the previous series.)
There are two main POVs and two plot lines running parallel. Jasalyn gets the lion's share of plot and development, with more action and adventure. I found myself caught up in the main mystery, and the reveal with equal parts surprising and scary. Jasalyn herself could probably have an easier time of it if she didn't hate all fae so much, something that other characters point out to her pretty quickly. I understand she'll likely grow out of it, but it was a frustrating roadblock. Felicity is easier to read because she has no such prejudices, although she falls prey to one of my lesser liked plot conceits - instalove. Even with the instalove, her storyline was my favorite, and I want only good things for her. I think fans of two broken hearts finding each other will probably really enjoy her plot.
I have no idea how this stacks up to the previous series, but readers who think this one sounds interesting should be totally comfortable jumping in here.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperTeen for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Dual leads and plots with plenty of romance. Not necessary to read the previous series to enjoy this one.
Thoughts
I spent so much of this book thinking "The sister has so much MC energy." Turns out the sister was the MC of the previous series, so, nice. The good news is I had no trouble understanding this book, even with no knowledge of the prior one. (There are, however, significant spoilers for the previous series.)
There are two main POVs and two plot lines running parallel. Jasalyn gets the lion's share of plot and development, with more action and adventure. I found myself caught up in the main mystery, and the reveal with equal parts surprising and scary. Jasalyn herself could probably have an easier time of it if she didn't hate all fae so much, something that other characters point out to her pretty quickly. I understand she'll likely grow out of it, but it was a frustrating roadblock. Felicity is easier to read because she has no such prejudices, although she falls prey to one of my lesser liked plot conceits - instalove. Even with the instalove, her storyline was my favorite, and I want only good things for her. I think fans of two broken hearts finding each other will probably really enjoy her plot.
I have no idea how this stacks up to the previous series, but readers who think this one sounds interesting should be totally comfortable jumping in here.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperTeen for an advance copy! All thoughts in this review are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Sexual harassment
Scenes of the Crime by Jilly Gagnon
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
High drama, bad blood, and toxic relationships are the building blocks of this twisty mystery. Takes a few chapters to pick up momentum.
Thoughts
There are no heroes in this story. It's not a book where you find someone to cheer for. Rather, it's the kind of book you read when you want to see how much trouble terrible people can get themselves into when they're stuck with each other, and it nails down that mood perfectly. Messy women, toxic friendships, and high drama rule the day, as our less-than-noble MC brings all her friends(?) together ostensibly to bring closure to trauma, but secretly to mine them for plot points on a script she's stalled out on. Everyone has secrets. Everyone's lying, most of all our POV narrator who - like all good writers - knows to never let the truth get in the way of a good story. What does get in the way, unfortunately, is the pacing. The setup takes time, and there were several moments where the plot felt like it meandered in the beginning. The second half of the book moves decidedly faster, bolstered by some clever writing and lots of cut-ins to the MC's "WIP script," of the events she's currently experiencing. It's a neat way to move things forward, as well as keep the reader guessing, and I liked all the reveals they included (or didn't!). Read it for the drama and allll the wine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
High drama, bad blood, and toxic relationships are the building blocks of this twisty mystery. Takes a few chapters to pick up momentum.
Thoughts
There are no heroes in this story. It's not a book where you find someone to cheer for. Rather, it's the kind of book you read when you want to see how much trouble terrible people can get themselves into when they're stuck with each other, and it nails down that mood perfectly. Messy women, toxic friendships, and high drama rule the day, as our less-than-noble MC brings all her friends(?) together ostensibly to bring closure to trauma, but secretly to mine them for plot points on a script she's stalled out on. Everyone has secrets. Everyone's lying, most of all our POV narrator who - like all good writers - knows to never let the truth get in the way of a good story. What does get in the way, unfortunately, is the pacing. The setup takes time, and there were several moments where the plot felt like it meandered in the beginning. The second half of the book moves decidedly faster, bolstered by some clever writing and lots of cut-ins to the MC's "WIP script," of the events she's currently experiencing. It's a neat way to move things forward, as well as keep the reader guessing, and I liked all the reveals they included (or didn't!). Read it for the drama and allll the wine.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Vomit
My Lovesick Life as a '90s Otaku, Vol. 1 by Nico Nicholson, Nico Nicholson
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
tl;dr
A slice of life packed with nostalgia that should sit will with manga fans, no matter what age.
Thoughts
It's a good time to be an otaku. Anime and manga get theatrical releases, place of pride on shelves at big name bookstores, and Netflix adaptations. So it's weird to think that less than a generation ago, liking anime officially made you persona non grata in society. Single mother Megumi is working through these weird feelings as she reminisces on her high school years and her first crush. It's a bittersweet story tinged with nostalgia. Classic series, otaku penpals, and other fandom essentials from the 90s feature heavily. Older readers will reminisce. Newer readers will probably find parallels between current fandom practices. But at its core, everyone will understand. Public opinion on anime might be different these days, but the ache of trying to fit in in high school never changes. And that's where the heart of this lies. It's a sweet high school slice of life, with a hint of romance, and a heap of self discovery. Tying it in with her current day helps keep the story in focus, and I'm really curious to see if her past and future will ever line up - especially given some of the threads that are in here. Art is bold and expressive, with plenty of energy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a review copy. All thoughts in this are my own!
A slice of life packed with nostalgia that should sit will with manga fans, no matter what age.
Thoughts
It's a good time to be an otaku. Anime and manga get theatrical releases, place of pride on shelves at big name bookstores, and Netflix adaptations. So it's weird to think that less than a generation ago, liking anime officially made you persona non grata in society. Single mother Megumi is working through these weird feelings as she reminisces on her high school years and her first crush. It's a bittersweet story tinged with nostalgia. Classic series, otaku penpals, and other fandom essentials from the 90s feature heavily. Older readers will reminisce. Newer readers will probably find parallels between current fandom practices. But at its core, everyone will understand. Public opinion on anime might be different these days, but the ache of trying to fit in in high school never changes. And that's where the heart of this lies. It's a sweet high school slice of life, with a hint of romance, and a heap of self discovery. Tying it in with her current day helps keep the story in focus, and I'm really curious to see if her past and future will ever line up - especially given some of the threads that are in here. Art is bold and expressive, with plenty of energy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for a review copy. All thoughts in this are my own!