sarahdm's reviews
156 reviews

I have absolutely no desire to continue reading this. While reading it I just kept thinking, "Man I really wanna read more of Blue Period." I think for me chapter 5 really solidified my opinion. It was just a weird chapter. The artist bad, the story isn't bad, I just wasn't invested at all. 

"A mouse is small and can go unnoticed: but there is no limit to what a brave heart and a fearless spirit can achieve."

Just finished Red Wall. Absolute banger. I understand why its a children's classic. Not totally sure if it deserves the title of "the children's LOTR" like I have seen elsewhere, I think I would have to read a few more books in the series to confirm that. But I still really loved this.

The descriptions were so good. Anytime the author stopped to describe scenery or food, it was always a big treat. Reading the PDF I found it says "He wrote Redwall for the children at the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind in Liverpool. Because of the nature of his first audience, he made his style of writing as descriptive as possible, so that the children could see the stories unfold in their minds." I think its also really interesting that Jacques didn't actually seek publishing at first, that an old teacher took the story to a publisher for him. Jacques really seems like he would have a been a kind person.

Characters were so vibrant and alive. Was really surprised at the diversity of characters. There were even cool female warriors like Jess, Constance, and Warbeak. Side note: I think it is so funny that Jess's husband straight up does not have a name, eh is just Mr. Squirrel. Both Cluny and Asmodeus were great villains and added a bunch of tension between chapters. I also really love the big personalities like Basil, Log-a-log, and Matthias. And the fact that there are lots of different animals was nice. At once point I did have to look up what an Adder and Shrew were.

Despite the pretty run of the mill story line, this still felt like an epic adventure to me. The themes of courage and compassion are throughout. We got visions, riddles, quests, legendary swords, grand battles (also pretty gruesome). Its a perfectly wrapped up traditional fantasy novel, the only difference is it stars a little mouse.

Its something I feel like would be a great read for children and adults. Definitely gonna pick up the next book soon. 

DNF at 9%. I'm so disappointed. I loved "A Taste of Gold and Iron" and was seriously looking forward to a new book from this author. But "Running Close to the Wind" is VERY tonally different. You could tell me it was written by a different author entirely and I would believe you.

The crude humor, constantly sexual innuendos, and the MC constantly calling himself a "sexy little slut" unironically. The MC is also REALLY annoying and unlikable.

I don't think the book is bad, its just not for me. :/

This is okay. The book mostly talks about cult adjacent groups like MLMs and social fitness clubs and how they use similar language to cults. But it doesn't really lean into the language angle enough. 

I'm surprised. This one was a little boring. Still good though. 

Interesting to having a book from Ax’s point of view. But I’m not 100% I enjoy the goofy behavior he does.

This one as the Ellimist and a bunch of weird time travel stuff. I feel like it wasn’t as fun. Also I feel like it didn’t really dig into Rachel’s love of violence as much as I wanted it to.

The PTSD and POW book! Fun! Gloom! Wildly dark! Torture! We've got it all!

This is Jake's 2nd book and it was pretty good! I really like his character.

 Reading Notes

This manga reminded me so much of K-on. This is definitely a "Cute Girls Doing Cute Things" type of manga. There is really not a lot going on, just information, girls hanging out, and scenery. I think you either love this type of Slice of Life or completely hate it.

This manga uses a lot of full page/double page panel lay out. There are 3 just in chapter one. I think it works really well for the landscape shots.

Also every time they eat in this manga its just perfect. I know in chapter one, page 25 when Kagamihara is eating the ramen, I can just feel those panels.

Here is a link to refresh your mind: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-one-ramen-scene-3JTeXtF

And Here it is again in chapter 4 with the hot pot: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-4-hot-pot-kXpvPDg

The steam. The lines showing that its dark outside. The close up on the hands, mouth, and food. It just perfectly conveys that feeling of eating or drinking something warm when its cold outside and that cozy feeling you get. Its just perfect. Loved it so much! After reading these chapters I wanted ramen or hot pot so bad, I settled for instant ramen since hot pot is kind of pricey in my area. Would have been better if it wasn't 90 degrees outside.

The four-panel comics at the end of the chapters were cute. Very Azumanga Daioh. A lot of the humor in these chapters is very much like that manga too. (Lots of word play going on). I see that the creator's other manga is a four-panel. I think the panel layout in Laid Back Camp makes a lot of sense knowing the creator comes form four-panel. Not a lot of dynamic panel layouts. Reminds me a lot of early Yotsuba (square, non-dynamic paneling with lots of full page illustrations).

On MangaDex there are translation and travel notes with lots of info about the locations. Not sure if its in the official book too but I found this super fun to read through.

I also really like the dialog between the characters, especially when they text each other.

Here it is in Chapter 3: https://imgur.com/gallery/laid-back-camp-chapter-3-texting-pXC8l0m

The way that they are joking and teasing each other is really realistic dialog. Teasing banter showing that they can joke like that and still be friendly, its almost like siblings.

I like how animals (dogs) are drawn in this series. They all look so cute!

I think the only thing I don't like are the Outdoor Club chapters. They are way more slap stick and info dumping than the outdoor/camping chapters are so laid back and cozy and I just don't get that vibe when they are at school. I know they have to have events in between camping but it just kind of disrupted the flow/the mood.

Other Notes

I read the wiki for this series. Apparently the manga/anime increased tourism in the places that are featured which I thought was really cool. (Its like how figure skating viewership went up after Yuri on Ice aired).

I also saw that there is an anime and a live action! I feel like a live action could really work with this story, especially if they got to film on site for some of these locations. Though I am not sure if the food scenes would still work in live action. Manga really has a way of romanticizing food better than real life, lol. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the live action online. I might have to keep digging or maybe try out the anime.

Final Thoughts

Overall, very cute manga. Might keep reading it and might check out the live action (if I can find it!). I think my only concern is usually with this type of manga (Cute Girls Doing Cute Things) the charm usually wears off and I get bored of nothing really happening. Guess I'll see how far I get.  

I can't believe this is a grumpy/sunshine, friends to lovers, secret identity/royal, second chance, hurt/comfort, double unrequited love, forbidding romance, reunion love, LGBT+ trans romance. I was kicking my feet and squealing. I was "crying, screaming, and throwing up" as the kids say. The book is very melodramatic and very overwritten, which I think can be big turn offs for people. It wasn't really an issue with me. The one thing wrong with this book that really brings it down to a 4 star is the weird subplot at the very end involving Gracewood's sister. It literally came out of nowhere and was really not needed. 

I had a great time. I might even pick up something else by Alexis Hall.