pandaintheshelves's reviews
116 reviews

Very surreal, kinda like a fever dream. Loved the slow-burn, atmospheric horror and the reflective tone

Cute as a button, and the characters are adorable, but where was Pride & Prejudice?! I feel scammed 😭 

Except for a couple references and the time period, there's not much of it on this story. I appreciate the clever alliteration on the title as much as the next bookworm, but as a hardcore fan of the Austen novel I feel like a kid who was promised cake and got fruit for dessert 😖 Good, sweet, sure it can be a dessert, I guess, but it doesn't hit the spot that well, you know? 

AAAAAAHHHHHHH! The cuteness! This is all kinds of adorable 

The whole "marry me/why the heck would I do that?!!"

has to be one of the funniest I've ever read. 

"To all the sprouts facing big changes and uncertainty" 
This graphic novel feels like a warm cup of tea in a rainy afternoon. Wholesome, cozy and heartwarming

Cuteness overload! 

I've got to be honest; initially, I didn't connect well with the story. While I enjoyed the narrative style, it was difficult for me to get immersed at the beginning of the book. But little by little, this was changing. By the end of the book, I was very much invested in this novel about friendship, love, betrayal, and relationships in general.

The setting (Japan during the 1970s) was captivating. I appreciated the cultural insights, as always. The character development, self-reflection, and the mystery surrounding Sayako's disappearance kept me engaged until the end.

The story touches on some heavy topics. The author handles these with compassion and care, but please, be mindful of your mental health and check for trigger warnings.

TW: suicide, cult, sexual assault

 

Queer fantasy featuring witches, a magical island, evil fae, and family/community feels? Count me in!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy.

I gotta clarify, I didn’t read the first book in the series. That wasn't a problem in the end because we're provided with enough context to understand the story and the characters. But I think it's important to mention.

Loved the social commentary! The author handles heavy topics like racism and discrimination while thoroughly developing the magic system and creating a complex, layered world. That's no easy feat!

The romance was cute, and the relationship between the main pair has a very healthy, mature pattern of "we work through our issues" that I appreciated. Though I gotta say, the chemistry wasn't always sparking for me. But hey, perception is a tricky, very personal little monster. So, who knows?

Also, I think it's important to mention this is a slow-paced story. Pas de problème on my side, but I know this is relevant to some readers.

Overall an interesting reading experience with social and psychological insight, angst, "one for all and all for one", healthy romance and LGBTQ+ rep.

This book is the embodiment of working your grief through art and creating something beautiful in the process. I loved the beautiful writing style, in a stream of consciousness, kinda private journal style. It provides a sense of closeness, an intimate atmosphere, inviting you to explore this ode to her family, their resilience, and ultimately, the pain of parting with loved ones. All this accompanied by amazing pictures and great artwork.

There's no straight path out of grief and loss. We choose whichever ways resonate with us better. It was interesting to see how healing can happen through art, storytelling, and even astrology. The blend of emotions associated with the author's family history, social commentary, and spiritual guidance made this a unique reading experience for me. Bittersweet, but filled with hope and ultimately life-affirming.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing access to a digital copy. 

If you're looking for a heartfelt, touching sort of reading with a non-traditional structure and a lot of family feels, this might be the book for you.