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thelilbookwitch's reviews
498 reviews
Restart by Gordon Korman
3.0
Full review [here].
Overall, this is an easy middle grade read, and I think it will be one I’ll hand to kids in the future. It’s feel good in the right ways, since Chase doesn’t seek forgiveness for his past self, nor does he feel like the world owes him anything either. He simply seeks to be better and so does better, and that’s a great takeaway.
I read this book for Battle of the Books this year, and I honestly didn’t feel like it was a waste of my time which has happened in the past. It might be in part to being on the book selection committee, but nonetheless, I found Restart to be enjoyable, and even a little compulsive towards the end.
Overall, this is an easy middle grade read, and I think it will be one I’ll hand to kids in the future. It’s feel good in the right ways, since Chase doesn’t seek forgiveness for his past self, nor does he feel like the world owes him anything either. He simply seeks to be better and so does better, and that’s a great takeaway.
I read this book for Battle of the Books this year, and I honestly didn’t feel like it was a waste of my time which has happened in the past. It might be in part to being on the book selection committee, but nonetheless, I found Restart to be enjoyable, and even a little compulsive towards the end.
Takane & Hana, Vol. 10 by Yuki Shiwasu
4.0
If you haven't already read Takane & Hana #1 (my review here) you should really start this adorably subversive age difference shojo romance.
The antics continue in this volume, as Takane's birthday rolls around. The not-quite-a-pair celebrate in their customary style, and Shiwasu gives actually helpful perspectives on love. While their hijinks are fantastical, and the age difference still a little weird, the romance and love in this manga is still highly realistic.
I wish I had been able to have this manga when I was growing up; books and media gave me such a skewed idea of what love is like, and Shiwasu continues to show what love *really* feels like in the highs and lows. Sometimes a little melodramatically, but that's sort of the package deal for manga.
The antics continue in this volume, as Takane's birthday rolls around. The not-quite-a-pair celebrate in their customary style, and Shiwasu gives actually helpful perspectives on love. While their hijinks are fantastical, and the age difference still a little weird, the romance and love in this manga is still highly realistic.
I wish I had been able to have this manga when I was growing up; books and media gave me such a skewed idea of what love is like, and Shiwasu continues to show what love *really* feels like in the highs and lows. Sometimes a little melodramatically, but that's sort of the package deal for manga.
Refugee by Alan Gratz
5.0
full review [here]
Refugee collects the stories of three tweens seeking refuge from their respective oppressive governments. Josef is a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in the 1940’s, Isabel is a Cuban girl escaping hunger and Castro’s oppressive regime in the 1990’s, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy escaping his home of Aleppo as his president bombs his own people in the near present day of 2015.
I usually shy away from the phrase “mandatory reading” but I can’t with this book: it is mandatory reading. It is a hard read, and it will probably make you cry, but it is important.
Gratz does an excellent job with keeping the plot moving-almost too quickly, but nothing it feels cliche. Especially since everything that’s mentioned in the book has historical support for actually happening. The characters, while not completely fleshed out, induce empathy easily. Gratz doesn’t victimize or create martyrs out of them which is a fine line to walk.
Take the time to read this book, you will be glad you did.
Refugee collects the stories of three tweens seeking refuge from their respective oppressive governments. Josef is a Jewish boy escaping Nazi Germany in the 1940’s, Isabel is a Cuban girl escaping hunger and Castro’s oppressive regime in the 1990’s, and Mahmoud is a Syrian boy escaping his home of Aleppo as his president bombs his own people in the near present day of 2015.
I usually shy away from the phrase “mandatory reading” but I can’t with this book: it is mandatory reading. It is a hard read, and it will probably make you cry, but it is important.
Gratz does an excellent job with keeping the plot moving-almost too quickly, but nothing it feels cliche. Especially since everything that’s mentioned in the book has historical support for actually happening. The characters, while not completely fleshed out, induce empathy easily. Gratz doesn’t victimize or create martyrs out of them which is a fine line to walk.
Take the time to read this book, you will be glad you did.
Our Dreams at Dusk: Shimanami Tasogare Vol. 1 by Yuhki Kamatani
4.0
Full review [here.]
TW/CW: suicide (not completed)
In this contemporary manga Tasuku Kaname may have just been outed at school, thanks to forgetting to clear his browser history and a nosey friend with a big mouth. On the verge of killing himself, Tasuku meets a mysterious woman who leads him to a group of people at a local Drop-In center that are dealing with similar problems. Slowly Tasuku becomes a part of the group, and learns that he isn’t alone...
Of the few other explicitly LGBT themed mangas I’ve read, I think I still prefer That Blue Sky Feeling since it is much lighter than Our Dreams at Dusk. Both are important though. For someone looking for something with a lesbian coming to terms with her identity, I recommend checking out Kase-san and… It’s a really sweet series that doesn’t need to be read in order, but I think it adds extra flavor if you do.
There isn’t a Big Positive message here, and I think that’s okay. The “it gets better” movement shows the After of coming out, not the During. Our Dreams at Dusk shows the during, and the hurt both internal and external that Tasuku experiences at the hands of himself and his peers.
The Drop-in Center doesn’t function as a clinic or a therapy group, but as a community center. Something that is even more important. It gives connection to Tasuku, and the other members too.
This first manga tactfully explores Tasuku’s inner struggles, as well as some other character’s lives from the Center. There are many stages of being Out to people, and many ways people feel about it. Kamatani does a great job at centering those scenes on how Tasuku and other LGBT characters feel.
Overall, I think I’ll keep this manga in my YA collection, and the right reader will probably find it. It’s definitely heavy, but in some ways, I think that might make it more relateable. This manga isn’t for everyone, and I’d definitely recommend it for readers 13+, just because of the suicidal portion.
TW/CW: suicide (not completed)
In this contemporary manga Tasuku Kaname may have just been outed at school, thanks to forgetting to clear his browser history and a nosey friend with a big mouth. On the verge of killing himself, Tasuku meets a mysterious woman who leads him to a group of people at a local Drop-In center that are dealing with similar problems. Slowly Tasuku becomes a part of the group, and learns that he isn’t alone...
Of the few other explicitly LGBT themed mangas I’ve read, I think I still prefer That Blue Sky Feeling since it is much lighter than Our Dreams at Dusk. Both are important though. For someone looking for something with a lesbian coming to terms with her identity, I recommend checking out Kase-san and… It’s a really sweet series that doesn’t need to be read in order, but I think it adds extra flavor if you do.
There isn’t a Big Positive message here, and I think that’s okay. The “it gets better” movement shows the After of coming out, not the During. Our Dreams at Dusk shows the during, and the hurt both internal and external that Tasuku experiences at the hands of himself and his peers.
The Drop-in Center doesn’t function as a clinic or a therapy group, but as a community center. Something that is even more important. It gives connection to Tasuku, and the other members too.
This first manga tactfully explores Tasuku’s inner struggles, as well as some other character’s lives from the Center. There are many stages of being Out to people, and many ways people feel about it. Kamatani does a great job at centering those scenes on how Tasuku and other LGBT characters feel.
Overall, I think I’ll keep this manga in my YA collection, and the right reader will probably find it. It’s definitely heavy, but in some ways, I think that might make it more relateable. This manga isn’t for everyone, and I’d definitely recommend it for readers 13+, just because of the suicidal portion.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 2 by Kamome Shirahama
5.0
If you haven't already devoured Witch Hat Atelier #1, go do so immediately! The inky goodness in #2 is just a continuation of the Miyazaki vibes evoked by the first volume. Plus, where #2 picks up will be extremely jarring if you haven't read #1.
Coco finds herself in more trouble than an apprentice witch can safely handle. Good thing she has Richeh, Tetia, and Agott with her!
More of the world gets fleshed out, and we get to meet another important character. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. So far, while the solutions the girls come up with have been imaginative, everything has been balanced with the fact that this is a "real" world with consequences.
Another fantastic cliff hanger ending as well. I'm itching for Volume #3!
Coco finds herself in more trouble than an apprentice witch can safely handle. Good thing she has Richeh, Tetia, and Agott with her!
More of the world gets fleshed out, and we get to meet another important character. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out. So far, while the solutions the girls come up with have been imaginative, everything has been balanced with the fact that this is a "real" world with consequences.
Another fantastic cliff hanger ending as well. I'm itching for Volume #3!
Magus of the Library #1 by Mitsu Izumi
3.0
Full review [here].
If it weren't for the art, this would have 2 stars.
This first volume feels more like a prequel or an extended prologue than anything else. You could read the blurb above and feel like you read the story, honestly. Most of this first volume is spent waxing poetic about the inherent amazingness of books and librarians. I couldn’t decided whether I wanted to cringe or be flattered by the representation (since I am a librarian).
The magic system of this world isn’t given much of an explanation, and I’m uncertain how it works. The divisions of the librarian department jobs make sense, but then Izumi tries to do an overlay of magic and add *~drama~* to it.
Trust me, repairing a book is not that fast or high stakes, but I appreciated the time put in to making archival work look cool.
My other small gripe with this book is it conflates libraries with archives, and perpetuates the idea that all books are sacred. As a librarian I have to weed my collection regularly to keep it growing and relevant. This manga gets a slight pass from me because it appears to be occurring in the time before mass produced popular fiction, and more rigorous reading was the rule of the day.
Ultimately, I probably won’t continue reading this series. The art is its saving grace for me, and is in a similar realm to Witch Hat Atelier, but the other elements of the story are lackluster at this point.
I may give Volume 2 a try to see if it improves, but I’m inclined to believe it won’t.
If it weren't for the art, this would have 2 stars.
This first volume feels more like a prequel or an extended prologue than anything else. You could read the blurb above and feel like you read the story, honestly. Most of this first volume is spent waxing poetic about the inherent amazingness of books and librarians. I couldn’t decided whether I wanted to cringe or be flattered by the representation (since I am a librarian).
The magic system of this world isn’t given much of an explanation, and I’m uncertain how it works. The divisions of the librarian department jobs make sense, but then Izumi tries to do an overlay of magic and add *~drama~* to it.
Trust me, repairing a book is not that fast or high stakes, but I appreciated the time put in to making archival work look cool.
My other small gripe with this book is it conflates libraries with archives, and perpetuates the idea that all books are sacred. As a librarian I have to weed my collection regularly to keep it growing and relevant. This manga gets a slight pass from me because it appears to be occurring in the time before mass produced popular fiction, and more rigorous reading was the rule of the day.
Ultimately, I probably won’t continue reading this series. The art is its saving grace for me, and is in a similar realm to Witch Hat Atelier, but the other elements of the story are lackluster at this point.
I may give Volume 2 a try to see if it improves, but I’m inclined to believe it won’t.
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
3.0
I'm so torn on this book... Dimple is "not like other girls" and if you read my updates as I was rereading this book, her abusive behaviors are major red flags for me. And then, it's like she's suddenly a completely different character. A different book altogether. I don't know if I can look past all the faults of the writing either... basic inconsistency problems... I didn't find the book enjoyable until I was 180+ pages in, and if I didn't *have* to reread this for Battle of the Books, I probably would have DNf'd in the first chapter.
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
2.0
True rating: 2.5 stars, I didn't enjoy it enough to round up...
Luck luster.
Underwhelming.
Shallow.
Take your pick, all three adjectives apply.
The art, character design, and coloring saved this from a no-star, but the shallow characters, lack luster plot, and underwhelming romance made me feel like this graphic novel was given way more hype than it deserved unfortunately.
I've read fluff, I've read escapist lit, I've read romance. I've even read escapist fluff romance, and this missed the mark for me in all three areas. I think Rowell needed a bit more guidance for her first comic. The majority of the plot could have been done in a montage and then given us a much more well-developed story. In the author's note, Rowell mentioned wanting to keep this story light and joyful.
"Light" reading doesn't have to mean "lacking in depth," and I dislike that I feel capable of critiquing this so harshly (and almost easily) because of how it missed the mark so much. As for "joyful" it didn't feel anything close to that either.
I finished this graphic novel in about 30 minutes, but I won't be going back for a reread. I can see some of my kids liking this story, but it didn't have enough flavor for me.
Luck luster.
Underwhelming.
Shallow.
Take your pick, all three adjectives apply.
The art, character design, and coloring saved this from a no-star, but the shallow characters, lack luster plot, and underwhelming romance made me feel like this graphic novel was given way more hype than it deserved unfortunately.
I've read fluff, I've read escapist lit, I've read romance. I've even read escapist fluff romance, and this missed the mark for me in all three areas. I think Rowell needed a bit more guidance for her first comic. The majority of the plot could have been done in a montage and then given us a much more well-developed story. In the author's note, Rowell mentioned wanting to keep this story light and joyful.
"Light" reading doesn't have to mean "lacking in depth," and I dislike that I feel capable of critiquing this so harshly (and almost easily) because of how it missed the mark so much. As for "joyful" it didn't feel anything close to that either.
I finished this graphic novel in about 30 minutes, but I won't be going back for a reread. I can see some of my kids liking this story, but it didn't have enough flavor for me.
Witch Hat Atelier, Volume 3 by Kamome Shirahama
4.0
Coco's adventure continues in this third volume of Witch Hat Atelier!
A quick read that added a lot of depth to characters, this volume didn't end on a cliffhanger like the previous two, but the plot has definitely thickened.
If you haven't already started reading Witch Hat Atelier, please do so soon. It's a beautifully illustrated mash-up of Harry Potter and Miyazaki vibes, with a fascinating magic system and an adorable main character just on the right side of cute without being over the top.
A quick read that added a lot of depth to characters, this volume didn't end on a cliffhanger like the previous two, but the plot has definitely thickened.
If you haven't already started reading Witch Hat Atelier, please do so soon. It's a beautifully illustrated mash-up of Harry Potter and Miyazaki vibes, with a fascinating magic system and an adorable main character just on the right side of cute without being over the top.