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| 1250754062
| 4.23
| 290
| Aug 13, 2024
| Aug 13, 2024
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really liked it
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Could you survive on your own in the forest? I’d like to think I could, but let’s be real, I am a big fan of running water and having other people aro
Could you survive on your own in the forest? I’d like to think I could, but let’s be real, I am a big fan of running water and having other people around when I want them to be. But for Ash, life in the wild might be the best chance to truly embrace who they are and prove to themselves that they are valid. A trans coming-of-age tale amidst wilderness survival while chasing your roots drives the moving plot of Jen Wang’s gorgeously illustrated Ash’s Cabin. Frustrated by familial resistance to their new name and identity and a lack of agency to protect the planet in the face of procedures and apathy, Ash is entrusted to skip a family trip to say goodbye to their vacation cabin as long as they have the family dog and cousin with them. But deep in the woods might be a long lost cabin their grandfather would escape to and Ash plans to call it home. Heartfelt and brought to life through mesmerizing watercolor art, Ash’s Cabin is a riveting graphic novel of wilderness, family and identity exploration. [image] Having been a huge fan of The Prince and the Dressmaker, I knew I needed to read this. This one hits hard and is full of a lot of creative and unique storytelling. I loved the way this is written much like a graphic memoir, existing as Ash’s diary full of his thoughts and plans that seamlessly seeps into an outer perspective of storytelling. I really loved all the overhead art of their organization and plans that nudged some real Wes Anderson vibes: [image] This book makes you really feel for Ash, who is bravely taking first steps into a trans identity and feels very alone in the world. The use of blacked out words in the dialogue that imply when a character would deadname them was a well crafted technique that shows the carelessness of others but also how jarring it is for Ash. Though at least we have Chase, the amazing dog companion, to keep Ash secure: [image] I also really liked the juxtaposition of Ash with the grandfather, both feeling a bit lost and misunderstood in the world and looking for a quiet corner to call their own. Ash’s adventure really keeps the plot moving, surviving the elements and the threat of wild animals while dodging the helicopters always looking for them. Then there is the cabin that requires a LOT of work to fix up: [image] There is a really cool survival element to this one that reminded me a lot of why I enjoyed books like Gary Paulson’s Hatchet as a kid. Moving and gorgeously illustrated, Ash’s Cabin is a lovely little book for of hardship, heart, and the determination to make one’s own way in a world that resists them. A marvelous little read and a perfect one to have kept me company while camping this past weekend. 4.5/5 [image] ...more |
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not set
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Aug 19, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0062020579
| 9780062020574
| 0062020579
| 4.07
| 56,535
| Feb 07, 2012
| May 28, 2013
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Buddy read with best friend and best person
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Aug 14, 2024
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not set
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Aug 14, 2024
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| 006298151X
| 9780062981516
| 006298151X
| 3.70
| 724
| Apr 04, 2023
| Jul 18, 2023
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liked it
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Opposites attract in this queer coming of age YA graphic novel, written and gorgeously illustrated by Sunmi. Firebird interlaces the lives of girls, t
Opposites attract in this queer coming of age YA graphic novel, written and gorgeously illustrated by Sunmi. Firebird interlaces the lives of girls, the reserved sophomore Caroline who is already prepping for college, and the outgoing senior, Kim, who are brought together when Caroline begins tutoring algebra. Disoriented by Kim’s teasing and disheveled ways, Caroline can’t stop thinking about her…but is she frustrated or is she flustered? [image] Character driven and full of a wide variety of nuanced issues from fraught family life, friendship dynamics, anxieties, queer questioning, and identity as a second generation Korean immigrant, Firebird does well to balance a lot of introspective elements that make for a slow but cozy pacing. Moving and cute but with a bit of a misfire of an ending, this was a fun read that plays on some rather lovely tropes in interesting ways. The illustrations are fantastic here and while I was initially a bit disappointed it was only black and white with some clever use of red unlike the full color cover, I ended up REALLY loving the style. It looks like the sort of thing that you would doodle in your notebook in class…well, that is if I was actually good at doodling: [image] I enjoyed the use of red to denote times of emotional discomfort, be it anxieties or a flood of painful memories, and the book spends some time deep diving into each of the character’s respective personal lives to show how their private life informs upon their personalities in their public lives. [image] Both girls are Korean immigrants each with various family dynamic struggles, such as Caroline grappling with the absence of her father living back in Korea or Kim who tends to be parentified and takes a lot onto her plate. While Kim seems cool and collected, she too has a lot of anxieties and complex emotions to work through, something that is surprising to Caroline who feels like she is often spiraling in her issues of family, identity and body image. The way the two come closer, with Caroline stressing about having feelings for another girl the whole way, is rather adorable and its shown how empathy and reassuring one another without belittling anxieties can help love blossom and be a very healthy and helpful way to care for each other. There are some really touching moments of sharing and intimacy, like allowing Kim to cut her hair, though this sparks a large fight between Caroline and her mother over having short hair and the mother’s concern about Caroline not being properly feminine presenting. Though there is something moving about how Caroline realizes the way she expresses herself as a person when around Kim is the “her” she feels is the best representation of herself. [image] Firebird has a lot of good things going for it and I really love the dynamic of the awkward girl and popular girl falling for each other and realizing that once the social labels and expectations are swept aside, they aren’t all that different and Caroline might just be what Kim wants and needs. Unfortunately the end sort of tumbles out and will make you wonder if you might be missing some pages. I was reminded a bit of the graphic novel If You’ll Have Me which I really enjoyed and had a similar relationship dynamic, so fans of this should definitely check that out as well. Cute but a bit clunky, I still quite enjoyed Firebird and I hope you will too. 3.5/5 ‘I don’t want to be defined by those relationships anymore. I don’t want to be defined by absence, by my fears, resentment, regrets… I want to be someone new. I want to feel openly and passionately like the firebird.’ [image] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 12, 2024
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Aug 12, 2024
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| 1368081118
| 9781368081115
| 1368081118
| 3.31
| 423
| Feb 06, 2024
| Feb 06, 2024
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liked it
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King Lear but make it queer. And set in a moderately magical modern day high school with apparently....Team Rocket? [image] King Cheer the second i King Lear but make it queer. And set in a moderately magical modern day high school with apparently....Team Rocket? [image] King Cheer the second in the series from the team of Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm and illustrator Jamie Green who introduced us to Arden High with Twelfth Grade Night is back with more Shakespeare retellings as cheer team captain Leah decides to step down from her role and give the cheer throne to whomever can show her the most gratitude through a single cheer. Taking the complexities of King Lear and adapting it into teenage politicking over which teams get to use the gym and high emotions over dating, this is a fun retelling with stunning artwork that is rather playfully successful with the source material. Convoluted for effect, it might not balance the large cast quite as effortlessly as the original but it makes for a fun read that feels like a honest and heartfelt tribute to one of the greatest stories ever told. [image] Tensions are high when Leah bestows power upon the cheerleaders who shower her in praise but cuts Cora from the team for refusing to put up with such a ridiculous task for power. It fits quite well into the Lear story with Cora as Cordelia and Rae and Gabe as Regan and Goneril, though we also have the Gloucester’s in the mix as power plays amongst the basketball team intertwine with the cheer team. The art really drives this story as well, keeping the pace quick through excellent framework that breaks up the heavy dialogue and some great character design. It makes great use of the source material and while the story can get fairly convoluted, it is still in keeping with the original tale. There are A LOT of characters but the art helps differentiate though its sort of easy to forget who they all are. It does, however, successfully hit the right notes and show how the thirst for power can really throw everything into disarray and I enjoyed the political elements that center on who gets to use the gym space. [image] Oh, and don’t worry, France makes a small appearance even if it doesn’t become a full out war… [image] A cute story with a really wonderful amount of queer representation across a large variety of sexuality and trans identities. The Arden High series has been quite fun and I am excited for more. 3.5/5 ...more |
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1
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not set
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not set
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Jul 31, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0358394740
| 9780358394747
| 0358394740
| 4.32
| 618
| Jun 11, 2024
| Jun 11, 2024
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really liked it
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Fixing up a house is not the same as fixing up a home, but for 14 year old Almudena the three months she spends fixing up an old Brownstone with her f
Fixing up a house is not the same as fixing up a home, but for 14 year old Almudena the three months she spends fixing up an old Brownstone with her father might be the opportunity to make both happen. An adorable coming-of-age graphic novel centered on family and identity, Brownstone from Samuel Teer and artist Mar Julia is a heartwarming hit. When her mother has to leave for a dance tour for the summer, Almudena is sent to stay with her father for three months, the catch is that she has never before met him. Suddenly immersed in a Guatemalan culture she was previously unaware of and unable to speak Spanish, Almudena navigates the frictions of her new community in this excellent story with plenty of space to breathe and let the nuance shine through explorations of community, gentrification and family. [image] A big shout out to Hope and their review for inspiring me to read this as they are always correct when recommending a book. This was an adorable graphic novel and I was pleased to see how much space it gave to exploring the topics within while keeping the pace comfortably forward moving. Mar Julia’s artwork is wonderful with excellent depictions of city life and characters that are able to display a wide range of emotions quite effectively. In a story where the main character is outside the culture and language and must rely on visual cues and translation, the book using a strong sense of visual literacy to tell the story was nice. Suddenly dropped into a culture she had no idea was her own is a lot to Almudena, struggling to not feel like a fraud while her neighbors teasingly call her “off-brand” and trying to make sense of her new identity. It is empathetically presented with a good use of humor, particularly around her finding the food too spicy and being told she needs to check the “white people aisle” of the grocery store. [image] There is an excellent cast of characters here that allows the story to wind through a lot of other examinations of identity, such two characters coming to terms with their queer identities in a community that isn’t always the most accepting or supportive. There is also the issue of gentrification closing stores and whitewashing the predominantly Guatemalan area as well as her father’s backstory of coming to the United States. It makes for a very well-rounded story that gives a lot of room for character development and understanding that I quite enjoyed. It does occasionally feel like issues or disputes are resolved rather quickly, though with a cast of teenagers it is easy to dismiss, especially as it is the collective cast coming together and interacting that makes this such a charming story. [image] Brownstone is a gorgeous tale of family and identity and quite a heartwarming read. Almudena spends much of the story trying to fix not only the house with her father, but also everyones problems and relationships and has to learn she can’t do everything herself. But her efforts and the changes she can make mean a whole lot A cute read that will charm readers of any age. 4/5 [image] ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jul 29, 2024
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Jul 29, 2024
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Jul 29, 2024
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Paperback
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| 0439023483
| 9780439023481
| 0439023483
| 4.34
| 8,921,810
| Sep 14, 2008
| Oct 14, 2008
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it was amazing
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In around 100 A.D., Roman poet Juvenal wrote that ‘everything now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.’ How t
In around 100 A.D., Roman poet Juvenal wrote that ‘everything now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.’ How true and terrifying these words are to remain relevant through the ages and how succinctly they get to the heart of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. Published in 2008, this novel introduced the world to its harrowing heroine, Katniss Everdeen, whom Collin’s has describes as ‘a futuristic Theseus’ volunteering herself to be sent in sacrifice for the entertainment of others in order to protect her sister and taking not only it’s fiction world of Panem by storm but the real world as well. The novel launched into a trilogy and subsequent prequels with the newest slated to arrive next year, has been translated into 56 languages and by the time the first film adaptation arrived in 2012 it had already sold nearly 18 million copies. Yet somehow I have never managed to read the books until now despite rather enjoying the films though after some prodding by my daughter I have finally entered Collins arena and I have to admit…this was incredible. This book practically launched a decade of dystopian novels as popular fiction and helped bring the YA genre to prominence, though I wouldn’t even say this is a teen novel but a novel simply anyone could enjoy across the spectrum of ages. Perfectly plotted for maximum tension and intrigue and quite brilliantly written, this is practically impossible to put down as it brings hit after hit of action, terror and sharp social criticism. A novel of an obdurate authoritarian government and wealthy class upholding power through propaganda, division, lack of resources and public displays of violence, The Hunger Games shows the ripples of unrest begun through the actions of a bold heroine with ‘just the perfect touch of rebellion,’ to break through the public control of Juvenal’s ‘bread and circuses.’ May the odds be ever in her favor. ‘Here's some advice. Stay alive.’ At this point the story to The Hunger Games is practically common knowledge and culturally embedded the way one need not give a description of what, say, Star Wars or Harry Potter is about. Collins perfectly amalgamates narratives explored in stories such as Theseus and the Minotaur or The Most Dangerous Game with early 2000s channel surfing and rise of reality television into a violent, dystopian world. I’ve always said marketing is simply the marketable term for propaganda and The Hunger Games takes this to an extreme level. Their futuristic gladiator-esque battles pitting children from each District of Panem in a brutal contest of survival becomes a sort of reality-television yearly event that keeps the districts in line reminding them of the cost of rebellion while also keeping them at odds with one another, broadcasted as entertainment in such a way as to make one think of Noam Chomsky’s warning that ‘he who controls the media controls the minds of the public.’ The Game’s have a sinister marketing mechanism to them, the ‘circus’ half of Juvenal’s prophetic words. ‘Why am I hopping around like some trained dog trying to please people I hate?’ Plucked from their impoverished conditions and brought to the Capitol and put on display for people to pick favorites and become sponsors for (not unlike politicians begging for donations and trying to get corporations to fund them since in the US a person is capped at around $3k in donations but corporations can give endless money), not for the sake of humanizing them but, more insidiously, to give the impression of humanizing them while actually making them into a character. The sort of character you can become attached to without having to feel any authentic sadness over their death, the type of character you can enjoy from afar without having to confront the reality of their mortality and personhood. ‘It’s all a big show,’ Katniss has to grapple with, ‘its all about how you’re perceived.’ Which hits hard in the age of algorithms and brands pretending to be people on social media, but in the Games it means if the children aren’t murdering each other sensationally enough they’ll send a fireball at Katniss so the slogan “the girl who was on fire” gets a little more traction to sell sponsorships. Little did they realize that very slogan could take on a double meaning of resistance… ‘Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.’ Perhaps this is from having seen the whole arc before reading the book but this read was a fascinating exercise in well-plotted foreshadowing with Katniss as a fairly unreliable narrator that has yet to become aware that her character building has been subverted as one of rebellion. Madge, the mayor’s daughter, giving her the Mockingjay pin is just the start of her transformation into a symbol and the slow-burn of scripted romance and showmanship is all aimed at showing ‘I'm more than just a piece in their Games.’ As my daughter pointed out, Panem is a total surveillance State and the randomness of the Games lottery—something that feels vaguely akin to Shirley Jackson's The Lottery (read in link)—is likely more marketing than actuality the way reality TV vet’s their contestants and the Capitol is far too horny for control to not hand-pick contestants for maximum profitablility under the fake guise of chance. The District 12 handlers have also had time to devise a quiet plan and use the flow of entertainment as a way to enact it as long as it is keeping ratings high and the public glued to there television. This, like all marketing (I have a degree in this almost entirely for the purpose of shit talking it), is best done by appealing to emotions (fear and religion, the latter of which is absent in Panem, being the two with strongest resonance) and employing psychological manipulation to make viewers/customers/etc feel they are making their own choices instead of being corralled, and by creating the character of Katniss they are playing into the marketing needs of the Capitol and the entertainment factors of The Games while also planting their own seeds of subversion in the highly fertile soils of public option. Here is where Juvenal’s ‘bread’ comes in. ‘District 12. Where you can starve to death in safety.’ Collins pays special attention to food throughout the novel with bread having a very symbolic purpose. [Big Dad Joke Voice] more like the HANGRY Games, am I right!? **elbows you in the ribs until you are assured therapy is in your future** Katniss’ own name and her father’s quip that ‘As long as you can find yourself, you'll never starve,’ is key here too, as she becomes the symbol that gives hope in districts that are quite literally being starved while we see the juxtaposition of the Capitol’s wealth mainly portrayed through their absurd and frivolous fashion and lavish meals. Compared to the Districts, ‘they have no cause to rebel,’ when being fed and entertained is part and parcel of their access to wealth while being constantly reminded that those outside the Capitol are famished and those who betray them become an Avox with their tongues cut out serving out in the public eye so all can see and internalize the punishment. The public shows of violence are part of the way the Capitol keeps the masses down, coupled with their refusal to let the Districts communicate, dividing them and only allowing them to interact as rivals during The Games. As Juvenal said, control oomes from the circus—not unlike the way Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World was a world that, under the systematic drugging and entertaining by the State, controlled itself in order to avoid pain—but also bread and keeping a population starving in order to feed them as a reward is a fast way to ensure they line up and keep their heads down in order to receive the “good graces” of the State and look out for themselves to avoid punishment only further dividing them. Make life a “every person for themselves” situation and punish anyone in proximity to any crime and people will not unite. It is a union busting tactic and a reminder that family is on the line if you step out of line. When Katniss shoots an arrow at the onlookers out of frustration she is less scared for herself than what they might do to her family as punishment. ‘Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there's nothing you can do. If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you.’ This isn’t just in dystopia either and there are a lot of real world examples in the US of this sort of thing. Look at the 1913 Italian Hall Disaster in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula, my own state, where management shouted “fire” in a hall being used for an employee christmas party to trigger a panicked stampede to punish workers for collective action—59 of the 73 people killed were children, the youngest being 2 years old—to send a message that uniting against the powers that be meant death of your family. Or, even more insidious, simple glossing over violence by distracting with gestures that seem positive but cede no power. Llook at how the creation of Labor Day was a way to put a good government marketing spin on lip service to the working class without any actual action in response to police opening fire and murdering strikers during the Pullman railroad strike in 1894. Such tactics is exactly what the Capitol does, commit violence and then spin it to hold power. This becomes rather pertinent during the Games when we see how the strong form collective action in order to mop up the weak. It’s like corporations, rallying together and funding politicians to ensure tax reform and policy that benefits them and only betraying each other “in the spirit of competition” once they are the last ones standing. Yet here we see a subversion. Peeta joins with The Careers in order to protect Katniss (trust issues are on high throughout this book) and there are some amazing moments when District 11 realizes they are far more aligned with 12 than the Careers. Its like the sayings on class solidarity people like to posture but rarely enact about how the middle class is far more aligned with the homeless and poor than billionaires but, as the Capitol propagates, all attention is turned towards serving the rich in hopes of being able to survive. I need to give a quick shoutout to District 11 though because they are wholly underrated in the series. Thresh is a real one and my favorite character and Rue is such a little sweetheart who deserved better and Katniss’ realization of this is quite a spark on the fires of rebellion. And how does District 11 thank her? Bread. ‘What must it be like, I wonder, to live in a world where food appears at the press of a button? How would I spend the hours I now commit to combing the woods for sustenance if it were so easy to come by?’ Let’s talk about bread. Bread comes bearing a long history of symbolism. Breaking bread has a connotation of togetherness and unity. We have Jesus in the Bible making five loaves feed the masses, or breaking bread with his apostles as a symbol of unity. And this unity is present here too. Peeta, the sweet little Peeta who is FAR more interesting than the meek version of him in the films, brings Katniss bread when she, like Theseus, volunteers ‘as tribute’ to fight in the Games. It is an early symbol of unity replicated by the gift from District 11 after she places flowers on the body of Rue to humanize her death and show that even the deaths of the poor carry emotional weight. It is also a direct fuck you to the showy fashions of the Capitol to adorn the body of the poor with bright colors–bright flowers that will wither and die like the Districts are under their control. Unity becomes key here, and Katniss and Peeta’s collective action to eat the berries becomes the action that allows them to live. It will also become the action that President Snow fears is a spark of rebellion in Catching Fire but I’ve not finished it yet so more on that later. They lived by giving a marketable narrative the Capitol couldn’t spin fast enough. It is interesting to note, however, that the act of rebellion once again involves food and eating. Katniss earlier shoots an arrow through an apple, the apple in the mouth of a pig that fairly represents the way the children being sacrificed for the entertainment of the State, to ensure the Capitol pays attention to her. Even Haymitch’s alcoholism (beer being a product of yeast that nudges the symbol of bread yet again) is a show of indulgence in a world where indulgence is denied to the Districts, can be viewed as a small private rebellion. It also keeps the horrors of his past quieted, not that this condones alcoholism as a coping mechanism but you can see where Collins is going with that. Especially with lines like ‘They're already taking my future! They can't have the things that mattered to me in the past!’ and how we can hold on to our own small personal resistance. ‘I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do there is a part of every tribute they can't own.’ The Hunger Games was an utterly fantastic book and engaging read far beyond what I had imagined it would be. It is fiery, it is relevant, it is smart, it is a whole lot of fun without sacrificing depth and insight. I liked it a lot better than the movies too, which tend to focus more of the action whereas the book kind of reminded me of the Gary Paulsen books I read as a kid where it focuses more on the survival aspects. It is a smart little book on the perils and powers of propaganda, the bread and circuses that keep people in line, but also a story about pushing back using their own tactics against them. A fascinating and fantastic book that lives up to the hype. 5/5 'And may the odds be ever in your favor.' ...more |
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Jul 17, 2024
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Jul 18, 2024
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Jul 17, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 3.90
| 1,911
| Mar 25, 2020
| Mar 25, 2020
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really liked it
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**insert punk guitar riff "Kicking ass Being gay Saving the world From Y2K! YEA!"** I’m going to just assume those are lyrics from Volcano Girls in the del **insert punk guitar riff "Kicking ass Being gay Saving the world From Y2K! YEA!"** I’m going to just assume those are lyrics from Volcano Girls in the delightful second volume to Heavy Vinyl where our teen vigilantes are now rocking ears when they aren’t punching faces. This series is a bit silly but it’s also high energy, adorably sapphic and so much fun. [image] The crew is back as the 90s are barreling to a close and everyone is concerned about Y2K while assured that computer programmers have got it covered. Yet computers are crashing and maybe those burned cds aren’t as safe like everyone’s mom was worried about? This volume is a lot of fun, really making the period piece element work for the story better than in the first. I especially liked the element of slow dial-up issues when trying to buy concert tickets. This issue however lacks some of the romantic tension and all-around joy of the original that makes it feel a tad sophomore-slump. Not that it’s bad, and there’s plenty of new dynamics: Chris and Maggie are so cute together but dating is full of anxiety, D might have romance on the horizon with a girl possibly even more hip that her, Logan is leaving town and more…because now they have a battle of the bands to win. And a lot of asses to kick. [image] The artwork continues to be amazing and possibly even stronger in this volume. I particularly like how well it captures action and big montage moments. Honestly, even if this is a bit lacking in story compared to the first one, it’s still just awesome to look at. [image] I love Heavy Vinyl and I hope Carly Usdin makes good on the promise at the end for a third volume. These characters are so fun to read about and I just want Chris and Maggie to be adorably in love forever. And make sweet music. Heavy Vinyl: Y2K-O is a lovely continuation of a thrilling graphic novel series. 3.5/5 ...more |
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not set
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Jun 16, 2024
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Kindle Edition
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| 150672812X
| 9781506728124
| 150672812X
| 3.61
| 1,274
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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liked it
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With her kingdom in financial disarray, pirates on the assault and potential war on the horizon, Princess Amelia must give herself in marriage to a sm
With her kingdom in financial disarray, pirates on the assault and potential war on the horizon, Princess Amelia must give herself in marriage to a smart, political alliance to protect her family and homeland. But instead of a prince, Amelia finds herself betrothed to the recently coronated Queen of a mysterious nation, the very woman Amelia finds herself unable to look away from. Unfortunately, with the pacing and underwhelming but convoluted storyline, The Marble Queen is one from which you might find yourself too easily able to look away. A rather promising graphic novel from author Anna Kopp and illustrator Gabrielle Kari, there’s still a lot to enjoy with the sapphic tale filled with swordplay, swooning, and betrayal by the bucketload. While rather bland in terms of art and story, The Marble Queen is still a worthwhile read with a constantly twisting tale of palace intrigue and a rather adorable romance. [image] This may have been a better novel to give all the elements room to breathe and coalesce, though that said this reads as a bit overly long still. There’s a lot of moving pieces and players in this, and unfortunately the artwork often doesn’t quite uphold the narrative and occasionally some of the characters are difficult to distinguish from each other. There are several nations in the political mix and a lot of plotting, secrets and backstabbing which is rather fun however. Though the pacing just never finds a groove and it goes from being a bit of a slog to suddenly being action-packed but then rushing through those scenes into rather cumbersome info dumping. And the art, which is often flat background or low-detail, just never quite lives up to the cover and the rather gorgeous scenes are few and far between. Still, one can’t be too disappointed as it does feature some awesome women doing awesome swordplay, so don’t be too quick to dismiss it. [image] I rather enjoyed the love story here, which also came with many twists and turns. Amelia has feelings for Salira right away, but represses them and is uncomfortable with the concept of marrying a woman. But she knows it is what she wants. I liked how the kingdom of Iliad was shown as being a very accepting nation in terms of sexuality and there were many queer pairings amongst the people. An aspect of the artwork I really enjoyed was the representation of anxiety, with Amelia having anxiety attacks depicted as thorny roots reaching for her and mocking her. While Salira is also shown to be haunted by her anxiety, this plot line sort of fizzles out and is never actually addressed despite being rather important early on and leading to one of the major plot twists. It’s frustrating it just gets discarded after that. [image] Ultimately, this feels disjointed and trying to juggle too many elements. The part about the magic of Iliad was cool, but under utilized other than convenience to the narrative. It probably would have been better in prose honestly, which I usually find the combination of art to be a lovely added element but here it just didn’t do much. I still enjoyed it well enough though and I would recommend giving it a read if it interests you. The Marble Queen is flawed, but still good sapphic fun. 2.5/5 [image] ...more |
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1
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not set
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not set
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Jun 15, 2024
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Paperback
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| 133901131X
| 9781339011318
| 133901131X
| 3.87
| 897
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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liked it
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Imagination can be a great weapon against anxieties and awkwardness, but as troubles add up for Boo Meadows she might just need a friend to help carry
Imagination can be a great weapon against anxieties and awkwardness, but as troubles add up for Boo Meadows she might just need a friend to help carry that weight. Rainbow! Volume 1 from graphic novel team Sunny and Gloomy is an adorable and quirky story launch of queer coming-of-age and budding romance trying to blossom amidst the struggles of life. Teenage Boo struggles with the cruelty of classmates and an anxiety at work that often keeps her in the back room instead of serving tables but can’t even find peace at home as she inevitably must care for her alcoholic mother. But when new girl Mimi shows up at school and starts throwing punches on day one, Boo might have found a friend with the grit she needs against the world. Or is there something more on the horizon? A cute graphic novel with some gorgeous art that doesn’t shy away from the darker moments in life Rainbow: Volume 1 is a promising beginning. Rainbow! began as a web comic on Tapas Media, and you can read this and the next issues HERE. This is a cute little coming-of-age story that, as it is just the first volume, only begins to hint at the directions this story will take and does end rather abruptly. While I think for the sake of a bound volume there could have been a better stopping point, this is hardly an issue and I will be looking forward to reading more. Especially as Boo and Mimi are delightful together with Boo more or less shocked that Mimi would even hang out with her as Mimi is so cool (for those who enjoy this trope I highly recommend the graphic novel If You’ll Have Me by Eunnie). I also really enjoyed Boo’s imagination here and how that granted a lot of free roam for the artwork. Though while Boo has a great imagination, it often gets her into trouble and as this story progresses Boo’s fantasies occasionally become more of an obstacle than a productive outlet. [image] I enjoyed the ways that this story dives into some fairly gritty territory and shows that sometimes our quick coping mechanisms aren’t enough and can become their own problem altogether. Such as how the mother’s escape is drinking but is now a larger issue. Something this book does quite well is address the problems teens may be facing and the struggles of growing up when you have to essentially parent your own parent. [image] Overall this was a solid start to what looks like it will be a lovely series. Some of the fantasy elements of Boo’s rampant imagination seems to take up a bit more space than they need to, since its just kind of repetitive and doesn’t add much once we are already aware she does this often, though I wonder if this will start to become a larger part of the plot? Either way, this was quite cute and queer and I can’t wait to see what comes next. 3.5/5 ...more |
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Jun 11, 2024
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| 1684151414
| 3.97
| 7,004
| Apr 10, 2018
| Apr 24, 2018
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really liked it
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Sapphic book lovers: plug in and turn the dial all the way up because this a hit! Welcome to Vinyl Destination, the coolest vinyl shop in 1998 where t Sapphic book lovers: plug in and turn the dial all the way up because this a hit! Welcome to Vinyl Destination, the coolest vinyl shop in 1998 where teen girl Chris has just landed her first job. Awkward but determined to be cool, she’s blissfully immersed in a land of amazing music and hip women coworkers, especially Maggie who is ‘literally the cutest.’ But something is amiss and this new girl suspects her coworkers are up to something when they send her home after close… [image] Author Carly Usdin blends the love of music with the fight for justice in Heavy Vinyl, a rocking good time of a graphic novel with wonderful artwork from Nina Vakueva and Irene Flores. When bands start going missing, its up to a gang of tough teens to save the day and..oh wait, yea, I should probably mention that this record shop is just a front for a music loving gang who love to punch up at the patriarchy and stand up for justice. [image] This is such a fun graphic novel full of action, music, queer romance and features a lovely inclusive cast of characters. Chris is suddenly ushered into this new world of post-close crime fighting and will have to keep her confidence up to keep up—made all the more difficult when D., her “arch enemy” (D’s words), is resentful of her being included in the group. But when the singer of the hardcore band that is supposed to play their shop disappears right before a new album release and her bandmates seem pre-programmed with polished, interview friendly marketing replies to any question, it’s going to take all of them to crack the case. Chris is so much fun to follow as we are treated to the chaotic anxiety running through her head, made all the more high-strung when she cannot stop thinking about Maggie who is always so sweet to her and can really land a kick. [image] I enjoy how well this captures the adorableness of Chris and Maggie very blatantly having mutual crushes on each other but the accuracy of teenage anxiety that makes Chris scared maybe Maggie isn’t into her or even girls at all. Aww you adorable little crime fighting dorks, just kick the bad guys ass and kiss already. But for real, this is super fun and…okay the plot is a bit ridiculous involving mind control record labels with a plot to take any social justice messages out of music but its also a pretty timely evil villain idea as book censorship is rampant and queer stories or marginalized identities are often the primary targets. [image] Is it all kind of dumb? Maybe. But is it super cute and fun? ABSOLUTELY. This is a joyous ride full of music and mayhem and I had a blast. Extra special shoutout to my assistant director who recommended this to me today when we were supposed to be talking about library programming. Heavy Vinyl is a blast. ⅘ [image] ...more |
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Jun 07, 2024
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| 0358464935
| 9780358464938
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| 4.00
| 525
| May 21, 2024
| May 21, 2024
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really liked it
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The mythology around samurai often centers living by a code of honor, but what good is honor when those in power whom they serve have no interest in a
The mythology around samurai often centers living by a code of honor, but what good is honor when those in power whom they serve have no interest in any moral code themselves, merely propping themselves up with false words and dangling ideas of honor as a title to convince others to die for them in a quest for power. Enter the brutal world of The Worst Ronin from author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, brought to life with the boisterous and bold artwork of Faith Schaffer for a bloody good time. [image] Feeling trapped in a society where most doors are closed to women, Chihiro answers a call in her father’s stead to prove herself worthy of the title of samurai. Begrudgingly alongside her is Tatsuo, a once notable samurai who always left behind her a trail of dead though now she’s mostly just dead drunk. A comedic and rather zany tale where old world adventures collide with modern day technology like cellphones and internet, this is quite a quirky ride but theres so much heart to it that taps into each character’s deep seeded traumas and motivations that it pulls together for a rather captivating read full of kick-ass women doing kick-ass things. [image] The Worst Ronin blends past and present—the two time periods easily distinguishable due to color palette changes that were quite welcome—to show how the shame and guilt of the past casts a long shadow on the deeds of the present. While Chihiro always comes out blazing despite a lack in experience and still unable to take a life, Tatsuo kills without batting an eye but is jaded from years of bloodshed. The backstories wind into nicely, adding a lot of depth to this story where betrayal lurks around any corner and the things people believe in often become a web to ensnare them. It is a fun adventure though as the pair set off to fight a monster that may hold a key to Tatsuo’s past. [image] Maggie Tokuda-Hall once again displays a curious dexterity for blending various offbeat elements into a satisfying whole. So much of this story seems like it should clash, yet the rather eccentric and goofy humor somehow works alongside a rather dark storyline filled with some blunt looks at violence and rejection of surface level social honors. The whole thing feels a bit like that old anime Samurai Champloo but with texting (though the rest of technology doesn’t match, such as single shot pistols being the most advanced weaponry) and it just works. I felt similarly about Tokuda-Hall’s horror graphic novel, Squad, which also did well blending the dark with the comedic. [image] While this isn’t necessarily gory, there is a lot of violence and it does not shy away from the harshness of a life spent taking other lives to survive. Which is part of the point and the art going from seemingly aimed at younger readers to sudden moments of bloodshed shows how quickly violence can strike and how empty it feels even when it is necessary. Still we get some great humor even in the violence, such as Tatsuo mouthing off ‘ I may work for hire now, but I'll kick your ass for free.’ [image] This is a fast paced, offbeat and heartfelt story with a lot to cheer for. Especially Tatsuo’s horse. I love that horse. And I quite loved The Worst Ronin. 4/5 [image] ...more |
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May 28, 2024
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May 28, 2024
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May 28, 2024
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| 1250314852
| 9781250314857
| 1250314852
| 4.38
| 1,691
| May 07, 2024
| May 07, 2024
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it was amazing
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If I were a mermaid I too would only eat the sexiest fishermen. Dive into Vera Brosgol’s underwater adventure full of magic and maritime menace where If I were a mermaid I too would only eat the sexiest fishermen. Dive into Vera Brosgol’s underwater adventure full of magic and maritime menace where the toxic beauty standards are just as dangerous as the toxic sea creatures. Plain Jane and the Mermaid is as eye-catching as it is engaging, being a rollicking YA graphic novel full of high-stakes action and hilarity as Jane must set off to rescue the boy of her dreams from the carnivorous mermaids who have stolen him away. Riding a fast-paced narrative current and filled with quirky characters both friend and foe, Plain Jane and the Mermaid is also a heartfelt critique of patriarchal society and stigmas to address issues of body image and self-worth. Will Jane rescue Peter before he becomes a mermaid’s feast or are the secrets of the deep too fierce to face? [image] This is such a fun aquatic adventure from the artist and author who brought us the spooky Anya’s Ghost. Plain Jane and the Mermaid brings us to a drab, Victorian-era town where recently orphaned Jane has discovered her wealthy parent’s estate will be transferred to her uncle as women cannot own property. Jane feels pretty drab herself, always mocked for her looks and weight-shamed by her mother. But when her plans to marry Peter, the bumbling but beautiful boy she has always loved who just might agree in order to leave his hated job for a life of luxury, is thwarted by a mermaid, she finds herself equipped with magic and three days to bring him back. This is a wild, comedic ride where Jane’s is not only fighting emotional battles, but now deep sea scaries: [image] And a whole lot of toxic masculinity: [image] Learn some chill, Downton Abbey Plankton… The cast here is excellent, such as Mr. Whiskers—a begrudgingly helpful seal…or is he?—and the mermaids themselves which all have fairly complex emotions and storylines that culminate to make this story greater than the sum of its parts. It’s also just gorgeous to look at and I’ve long been a big fan of Brosgol’s lovely artwork. It’s all very bold and beautiful and the character designs convery a LOT of personality. Honestly, I’d love to see this as a film with this exact art style. [image] ‘Authors often write the books we wish we had as kids,’ Brosgol writes in the afterword, ‘and little me would have really loved this one.’ She discusses how she found it important to depict a heroine who was thought of as ‘ordinary’ and not particularly much to look at as it would have been ‘a great antidote to all the Disney heroines I was ingesting.’ That the art feels vaguely Disney adjacent is also plausibly pointed towards subversion. Its rather moving to read her thoughts on why this is so important to her for the story to address troubling beauty standards and the ways society often conflates beauty with goodness and worth. ‘We need to be careful which stories we tell. Think of all the fairy tales where the heroes are handsome and the villains are ugly. So much misery comes from clinging to something as flimsy and subjective as beauty, but that’s often our shorthand for good and evil.’ We also see how fleeting physical beauty can be. It connects quite effectively to the criticisms of patriarchy as well, and how women are expected to conform to beauty standards to be thought of as valuable but even then they are objectified and denied real social agency. ‘'Beauty is not good capital,’ writes Tressie McMillan Cottom in her book Thick: And Other Essays: ‘It constrains those who identify as women against their will…it can never be fully satisfied. It is not useful for human flourishing. Beauty is, like all capital, merely valuable.' I found it well done how with Peter, even having the beauty Jane seeks, he is still not respected because he’s seen as incapable. When he is seen to be valued solely on his looks by the mermaids, however, it isn’t the positive social capital he hopes for but a death sentence. With Jane we see how her smarts and determination make her much more than looks could ever achieve, and I love how empowering this book can be. ‘Someone somewhere made up all these stupid rules and we’re all just going along with them! Even if it makes us miserable! Well, I don’t want to be miserable. I’m sorry. Actually, no I’m not.’ There is so much to love here and I’ve barely scratched the surface on all the little plot threads and character arcs. Charming and cinematic, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a joyful graphic novel that is easily appropriate for middle grade readers but just as delightful for adults. Filled with sharp social critiques and flowing through a zany adventure plot, Plain Jane and the Mermaids is a real winner. 4.5/5 [image] ...more |
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May 19, 2024
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| 0063319586
| 9780063319585
| 0063319586
| 4.43
| 1,918
| Apr 25, 2024
| Apr 23, 2024
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really liked it
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‘We are all just trying to find a place to call our own,’ writes author and artist Theo Parish and across their empowering graphic memoir they explore
‘We are all just trying to find a place to call our own,’ writes author and artist Theo Parish and across their empowering graphic memoir they explore how this place to call your own might just be a journey into discovering who you are in your own body. Aptly titled Homebody, this memoir traces the journey to ‘discover what it means to be me’ around concepts of gender and identity that take us from childhood to the present all told through rather adorable and whimsical artwork. There is such a warmth to this rather comforting book that, while telling Theo’s very individual journey towards embracing themselves as non-binary, can be beneficial and affirming for anyone on a similar journey as Theo opens the conversation up to remind readers that there is not a narrow expression of identity. Homebody celebrates the variety of expressions that can help build a more inclusive and supportive community while also looking at the importance of language and stressing self-love as ‘living authentically in a world that takes every opportunity to squeeze you uncomfortably into a box of someone else's design is the most radical act of self love.’ Charming, comforting and full of succinct, but well thought out and nuanced ideas of identity, Homebody is a marvelous graphic novel on trans identities. [image] [Text: Coming home…to myself…wherever that may be.] Author and artist Maia Kobabe has referred to this "all ages version” of their own book, Gender Queer and it does indeed make a great companion read that covers similar subject matter while also having its own unique perspectives. Similarly, this reads well alongside other trans graphic memoirs such as Sara Soler’s Us or Rhea Ewing’s memoir mixed with interviews with others on gender expression in Fine: A Comic About Gender. What is key here is that Theo shows their own individual journey but presents it in a way that can be affirming or instructive for others without trying to say there is only one way to process or express these concepts. [image] [Text: This journey is mine to take as I please one step at a time.] ‘They say that ‘your body is a temple,’’ Theo writes, ‘but mine has felt more like a rental.’ I quite enjoy the metaphor of the body as a home threaded through here and the adorable artwork of people with houses as bodies, but it makes a good point on the idea that who we are is more than just our physical features. They work through part of their journey trying on different personas much like we all do during their teens and drawing inspiration and empowerment from musicians they enjoy (there are some shoutouts to Lunachicks here), but I found it helpful to show that their struggles with gender identification went beyond “trying things out.” The book follows Theo from grade school, through college and beyond in a way that shows the journey can be a lifelong process and can’t merely be dismissed as “just a phase” as some often do. It also shows how one’s own engagement with their expression of gender can change over time or how we are faced with different social situations or obligations (like how to present at work when still unsure of one’s own identity, pronouns or name) that might affect that. They go through ideas like why choosing a name is empowering, why deadnaming is harmful, and more to show how one has individual reasons for what constitutes self-love or important to their journey and we should respect that. Overall this book is about being respectful and giving space for people to grow and be loved, especially by themselves. ‘We are ALL just trying to find a place to call our own. We are ALL deserving of comfort and safety…a place to call home.’ I really liked the emphasis placed on language here. ‘Words are important,’ they tell us, especially when understanding yourself comes from using language as a tool to do so and how rewarding it is when ‘finally grasping the language you’ve been reaching for, to explain this complex and perplexing thing.’ This was a moving point in Lewis Hancox’s graphic memoir Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure how the author was experiencing eating disorders and gender dysphoria but lacked the language to express it or comprehend what it was at the time. In Fine: A Comic About Gender, Rhea Ewing discusses how a large issue with book bans targeting primarily LGBTQ+ stories or pushing back on that language being used in schools is that it is an erasure of language people need to decode their own identities. Understanding the words is like ‘finally being able to articulate this thing that for so long you had no idea how to express.’ While it is very different, but still seems adjacent, I was recently reading about actor Adam Driver’s program Art in the Armed Forces which is intended to bring artistic expression to those in the military in order to help give them the language and forms of expression to deal with issues like PTSD and other traumas because the service ‘has acronyms for acronyms but no language for expressing anything abstract.’ Basically having language helps us to understand ideas more deeply and we can use words like tools to pick apart concepts, figure out how they function and assess what to do about it. Not the most comparable maybe but I still like this idea of focusing on language as a tool for self-care. [image] [Text: There is no one way to be transgender…just like there is no one way to be cisgender.] The emphasis on there being more than one way to be transgender is really key. Theo identifies as non-binary (as do I) and spends a lot of time in the book trying to figure out not only what that means but where that fits in on the spectrum of identity. This is a really important issue for author Kit Heyam in their recent book Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender which looks at different forms of trans expression and argues that ideas around being “trans enough” or gatekeeping identity ownership is rooted in capitalist thought that creates a false idea of scarcity for identity that can be harmful. For that reason they write ‘we're unlikely to share every aspect of our experience with every member of our community, but we have enough in common to create solidarity,’ and this solidarity is important to Theo as well such as their experience at their first Pride where they feel seen, safe, valued and valid amongst ‘a community of those who understood.’ They want that for everyone. Homebody is a really lovely graphic memoir that is accessible and just as valuable for adults as it is for teens. It handles a wide variety of topics in a graceful manner with an emphasis on being welcoming while also being vulnerable to tell their story in a way that can be very affirming. A quick read with rather lovely artwork, I very much enjoyed and would recommend Homebody. 4/5 [image] ...more |
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May 13, 2024
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| 1250828511
| 9781250828514
| 1250828511
| 3.62
| 1,554
| Mar 05, 2024
| Mar 05, 2024
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liked it
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An adorable adventure awaits in The Baker and the Bard from author and illustrator Fern Haught, a queer and cozy graphic novel about friendship and th
An adorable adventure awaits in The Baker and the Bard from author and illustrator Fern Haught, a queer and cozy graphic novel about friendship and the importance of living sustainably with nature for the benefit of all. When baker Juniper and Hadley the Bard set off to gather mushrooms for a major bakery order, they stumble upon a mystery of monster and mayhem and decide to take up the task. Short and sweet—though perhaps a bit saccharine in the absence of much else to balance it out—The Baker and the Bard is as fun as it is gorgeously illustrated. [image] While shelved as a YA graphic novel, The Baker and the Bard would be just as at home in middle-grade, though adults will still find this tiny little fable to be quite lovely as well. The story is cute though the real star here is Fern Haughts cozy and eye-catching artwork that brings the fantasy world to life. The book will likely garner a lot of comparisons to works like The Tea Dragon Society for its warmth, quiet and food-related coziness as well as a fun similarity to K. O'Neill’s lush art style. [image] I really enjoyed the focus on nature and the importance of not disturbing animals habitat as well as learning to live sustainably with the land. The inclusion of non-binary representation was lovely, too (shoutout to my fellow Nonbinary friends) with a cute but brief discussion between Hadley and the fae about how the fae do not have a strict sense of gender and how empowering that was for Hadley. Also Hadley has an adorable snake named Fern. This whole this is just cuteness overload. [image] All in all, The Baker and the Bard is a quick and cozy good time. Its a bit light on story and perhaps a bit too sweet for some readers tastes, but it is just pure good mood and good reading full of lovely messages and art. 3.5/5 [image] ...more |
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Apr 30, 2024
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| 0593403223
| 9780593403228
| 0593403223
| 4.44
| 3,526
| Oct 17, 2023
| Oct 17, 2023
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it was amazing
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The early stages of infatuation driving towards dating can be a time of hyper self-conscious anxiety. Especially someone like Momo, the already self-c
The early stages of infatuation driving towards dating can be a time of hyper self-conscious anxiety. Especially someone like Momo, the already self-conscious focal character in Eunnie’s utterly adorable If You’ll Have Me as she falls for PG, a girl who seems to radiate cool and has a long string of admirers. But could PG have feelings for her back, or is Momo setting herself up for heartbreak? As gorgeously illustrated as it is sweet, this sapphic graphic novel is about as heartwarming as it gets in a story about navigating self-doubt and learning to believe that you deserve to be loved. While the miscommunication trope can often be overused in romance stories, Eunnie applies it in a way that becomes a heartfelt investigation into the anxieties and assumptions that that lead towards miscommunication, transforming it from a frustrating plot device into a rather insightful look at the ways we self sabotage or fall into confirmation biases. With an inclusive cast of dynamic characters and warm, lovely artwork If You’ll Have Me will certainly have your whole heart by the time it is over. [image] Momo and PG are just SO cute together There is a fantastic comic shop in Ann Arbor, Mi I used to frequent in my college days—Vault Of Midnight—and on a trip back home last weekend I stumbled across this fantastic recommendation while browsing: [image] Photo Text: >”One of the most ADORABLE LGBTQ love stories you will ever read <3 10/10 LOVE THIS BOOK!” So shoutout to whomever wrote this recommendation, you are awesome and I appreciate you. How could I not pick this up with such a glowing recommendation, and then share this recommendation with you all. Everything said is true, this is simply adorable. While this is shelved as a queer, YA romance, the characters are slightly older than most and attending their first year of college, which really helps bring out the anxious energy as these are young women having to navigate a much larger world than before and only having themselves and friends to rely on as they balance dating, school and trying not to forget about taking care of themselves in the maelstrom of activity. Momo has always been one to keep her head down, avoid parties, focus on school and be there for everyone else, though tends to get walked all over ensuring everyone else has a good time and gets homework done. But when she finally finds the courage to speak to PG on the pretext of seeing if she is okay, it opens a whole new world of having to be herself and be vulnerable that she wasn’t prepared for. [image] Photo Text: “What did you guys do if you didn’t date?” “We passed geometry.” What really made this work is the depth to the rather dynamic characters here. PG, who’s escapades while she skips class might be a bit more R-rated, seems like she has it all together and a sort of stereotypical “bad boy heartbreaker” type but a mid-book reveal into her recent past caught me by surprise and added a fantastic layer of nuance to this story. Eunnie does well by giving a lot of space for the scenes and characters to breathe, expanding on family and friendship circles to give a much more textured perspective on who they are. Miscommunication does become a dominant crux to the various relationships here, but in a way that really highlights why miscommunication can occur and the self-sabotage of each character feels quite realistic where its hard to not be empathetic to them. Centering on Momo was an excellent choice as well, as many of her issues can be seen as tripping over her own lack of self-confidence although both primary characters bash against their own walls of confirmation biases. But I also enjoyed much of Momo’s internal dialogue, particularly how she frantically tries to assess every situation and read into how she thinks she should act. But it makes for some entertaining scenes that also make Momo so endearing: [image] Photo Text: [option box: compliment his face / hair / eyes] Momo: He has eyes. I mean-- Friend: “He does have nice eyes!” Momo is so adorable and leans into being nerdy and I love that for her, but she also lacks self confidence and I think a big theme of this book is learning to believe you DO deserve things. Or, as PG says, to allow yourself to be selfish sometimes. PG: You like being there for people. That’s not a bad thing Momo: What if I’m doing it for selfish reasons, though? What if I’m doing it because…I want people to like me? PG: You care about people because it makes you happy. I don’t see the problem, as long as you remember to care about yourself. So take care of yourself, remember you deserve love and definitely check out Eunnie’s amazingly adorable If You’ll Have Me. It’s just so pure and sweet, has great nuance and depth and plays with themes of misconceptions and learning to love yourself and be loved. A total winner, thank you Vault of Midnight employee for recommending this! 5/5 [image] ...more |
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Apr 29, 2024
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Apr 29, 2024
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Apr 29, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 0062685120
| 9780062685124
| 0062685120
| 3.99
| 1,111
| Feb 13, 2024
| Feb 13, 2024
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really liked it
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A bloodspattered folktale of fox-demons and feminist resistance during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, Robin Ha’s The Fox Maidens is quite the page-turne
A bloodspattered folktale of fox-demons and feminist resistance during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea, Robin Ha’s The Fox Maidens is quite the page-turner of a graphic novel. This queer retelling on the mythology of the gumiho—a nine-tailed fox that can transform into a woman and eats the livers of men—forms the basis of this epic tale that spans several years in the life of Kai, the daughter of a general famed for having rid the countryside of the mythic demon. Raised as a warrior at a time when women were still denied education, Kai wishes to topple the social expectations holding women back…until she realizes her legacy in the story of the gumiho. A dark and rather violent tale that will interest both YA and adult audiences, it is brought to life through bold and beautiful artwork that harnesses various limited color palettes that visually organize each setting and the rather involved story remains as fascinating as it does unsettling even through some pacing issues. The Fox Maidens is an absolute delight to behold through plenty of action packed moments, shocking twists and gorgeous artwork and makes for a fun queer epic. [image] Having been a big fan of Robin Ha’s previous work, Almost American Girl, I was quite excited to check this one out. It does an excellent job of providing historical context and while the opening may feel like a big info-dump it was a good way to launch into this story that balances Korean mythology and history with Ha’s own marvelous take on the folklore. The art is this is absolutely breathtaking as well: [image] The character designs are excellent and convey a lot of emotion through their expressions and the use of color is really wonderful and vibrant. I love the way it moves between various minimal color palettes and how flashback sequences are in a sort of sepia tone aside from the touches of yellow that really pop. Ha makes excellent use of frames in a way that convey action clearly and dynamically while also keeps the story moving by not making panels text heavy (aside from the opening info bits). Aside from that, the landscapes are utterly gorgeous: [image] ‘Only when I faced my demise did I realize how much I wanted to live.’ The story is quite epic and weaves through several plotlines quite well. Unfortunately—especially after such a big, involved story—the ending arc does feel like it rushes in and concludes rather abruptly without giving much explanation (I believe it can be surmised what happens if one pays attention to details throughout but understand the complaints that it is sort of vague and rushed). The pacing can be a bit jumpy and I wonder if this would have read more smoothly if it was done in the individual chapter volumes instead. Still, the episodic nature of the story is pretty fun and does break up the rather robust histories around each character as well as the socio-political landscapes the narrative occurs within. It is a big story with a lot of players but I enjoyed how much of it all leads back to a single moment of kindness and resistance against the patriarchal norms that shoved women aside from society and left them vulnerable to abuse. [image] At the heart of this story is the oppression of women and Kai’s struggle to find her own place as a strong, independent person amidst the patriarchal society that distrusts her even when she shows herself to be fully capable (more so than the men even in combat).The strength of the fox-demon helps, but is also a curse and she learns that even trying to survive through good intentions can have unwanted consequences. Killing an abusive man, for instance, may give a woman the temporary reprieve from blows but leave her without access to money or a home as women could not hold jobs. This does well by diving into situations to show how issues are rather nuanced and morally gray instead of an easy black and white. There are a lot of big twists and shocks here too that will definitely keep you reading. ‘Every living thing gets a chance to love and be loved. I must know what that’s like, or this life isn’t worth living.’ I really enjoyed this story, even with the pacing issues and while it is a bit bulky with a lot of plot threads I liked how it explored a lot of different facets of Kai’s life. The serial killer hunt part did feel a bit like that Dexter show but it made sense in the narrative. Also, for those hoping for action and cartoon violence, this is quite sufficient and pretty bloody. It does not shirk on fox-demon attacks: [image] While occasionally uneven, The Fox Maidens manages to still pull of a very successful queer mythological tale that is fast, fun and ferocious. The art is amazing, the story is gripping and the fighting is intense. I had a blast and I hope you will too. 4/5 [image] ...more |
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Apr 22, 2024
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| 1250857457
| 9781250857453
| 1250857457
| 4.05
| 250,223
| Dec 26, 2023
| Dec 26, 2023
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really liked it
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‘Perhaps we make our own magic with words,’ writes Rebecca Ross in a novel that shows the power of words to be a bright beacon that can push back even
‘Perhaps we make our own magic with words,’ writes Rebecca Ross in a novel that shows the power of words to be a bright beacon that can push back even the darkness of a world ripped apart by warring gods and enchantments. A magic spell usually requires reciting an incantation and while we seal a marriage with a kiss the spoken vows are what unites us. Words are the closest thing to magic we have in this life and Ruthless Vows, the second and concluding volume of Ross’ Letters of Enchantment series certainly champions the written word as a force of hope, courage, or even ‘a shield to protect me.’ Jumping in just days after the shocking conclusion to Divine Rivals, Ruthless Vows brings us a story of the strength, sorrow, sacrifice but also of love that can ‘burn with splendor’ and might be enough to bring an end to a vicious war writ large by divine forces, or are the immortal powers too great to contend with? Ruthless Vows is an emotional labyrinth of twists and touching character development that effectively reverses the roles in its predecessor novel and guides it towards a shocking yet satisfying conclusion. This is a love story built on language as much as it is a love letter to language and it filled my heart with bliss to read this lovely second half of an epic adventure. ‘The sun would continue setting and rising , the moon would persist in waxing and waning , the seasons would bloom and molt , and the war would still rage until one god or both fell to their grave.’ Admittedly, I found Divine Rivals to be a stronger novel if we take each separately in their own context, though Ruthless Vows does bring a great conclusion to this tale while still leaving just enough to speculation to give our minds a reason to continue wrestling with these stories as if in perpetuity. It is once again framed around the charming and heartfelt romance between Iris and Kitt who’s ‘souls weren’t mirrors but complements, constellations that burned side by side’ that gives us a marvelously strong emotional handhold to weather the tumult and turmoil of the war raging across the narrative. Their love story is beautiful and pure and you can’t ask for a better pair of characters to root for. Especially when they deliver tender lines such as: ‘May your hand be in mine, by sun and by night. Let our breaths twine and our blood become one, until our bones return to dust.’ Essentially these books are two people thinking “wow the way you write stirs me into the blossoming of love” which is pretty charming and they fall for the mannerisms of the mind before they even know the poetry of the body. I love the union of language to be a bond that transcends the physical, and enjoy the beauty of the ideas ‘I would love to see your words catch fire with mine.’. But the language of love and epistolary romance is what drives this book and this is a book ‘for anyone who sought a different realm through a wardrobe door,’ as Ross writes, a book for those ‘who wrote a letter and is still waiting for a reply, Or who dreams of stories and bleeds words.’ Which is always something I can root for. Especially coupled with the framing that it is their words reaching out across space and time ‘that your words found me here, even in the darkness,’ and become an emotional compass to guide one another through the hardest moments. As if it was meant to be, cosmically ordained and bestowed upon them through their shared love of making the world more beautiful one perfect phrase after another. A feat they can only accomplish together. ‘[H]is best words emerged,’ Roman realizes, ‘when he was with her.’ ‘ was only thinking how strange it is. To think how many people we cross paths with in our lives. How someone like me has found someone like you.’ What logophile wouldn’t swoon, as many did in the first volume. And Here, however, the roles are reversed with Kitt uncertain who is writing to him—Iris using her middle name was a nice touch as it recalled Roman’s use of Carver but also fit her need for secrecy as this is war and loose lips sink ships as they say—and it manages to keep the romantic tension high without feeling recycled either as the dramatic events keep rolling in. ‘Did you think I would let him steal this last moment from me? When I surrender only to you, take you in my hands and burn with you before the end comes?’ While Divine Rivals was more slow-burn character development, Ruthless Vows really hits the ground running through a more plot-driven narrative that is, admittedly, still sort of a slow-burn. Personally I prefer the interpersonal dramas over the war drama but this does drive towards a rather satisfying conclusion that pulls all the small threads from the first book into a brilliant and dynamic full picture. The book plays with a lot of dualities that really make the plot sing too, with Forrest and Kitt’s “condition” due to Dacre’s magic (no spoilers but the uneasiness about Forrest lends an uneasiness about Kitt that reminded me a bit of Peeta from Mockingjay), but also the duality of relationships like Iris/Roman, Forrest/Sarah or Attie/Tobias juxtaposed with the fallout from Dacre/Enva makes the reader contemplate how each is better together but always at the risk of collapse or tragedy. ‘Keep writing. You will find the words you need to share. They are already within you, even in the shadows, hiding like jewels.’ That duality extends further into the craft of the duology itself. You can’t have one without the other, which is why the novels hinge at such a cliff-hanger moment. You have to combine them for them to make their magic, like ingredients in a potion, like Roman and Iris. It is also perhaps why Iris seems the strongest character in the first and we stretch out in her head a bit more whereas in this volume it is more Roman’s struggle in his captive state and emotional turbulence to keep aloft. And, as this is a war novel, sacrifices will unfortunately befall our merry band of lovers. Though this also gives a necessary weight to the story and all the twists and tragedies make the pay-off land with a greater blow as Ross reminds us that war always comes at an all too great of cost. ‘I see the beauty in what has been but only because I have tasted both sorrow and joy in equal measures’ is a line just as applicable to the experience of reading this series. Ideally one should think of this as the second half of a story rather than a sequel and I’d be curious how this book would read if it were bound as one full volume. That said I think taking a bit of a break between them was beneficial for my own reading habits and I didn’t find this one quite as engaging so I took forever to read it, but it almost feels more like, say, how the recent Dune films are just two parts to a continuous story not a sequel. But I did like how this fleshed out the world, especially the magic realms. Though I also wish this had a map of Cambria. Who doesn’t love a good fantasy world map. Maps even come up. A lot. ‘Tuck my words into your pocket. Let them be your armor.’ For those who found the world building a bit flat in the first, rest assured a lot of the little ideas that pop up get much more grounding here. The enchanted buildings, for instance, play a larger role in this novel and have a rather well-executed explanation that makes sense to have saved until later. But as we get more detail about what we already know, we also discover the world is much more vast and layered than we initially thought as well. An intricate magic system around how the gods function and move about the works is unveiled and it threatens the Cambria as the characters know it as much as if reorders the readers own understanding of it. ‘I would betray you a thousandfold for her.’ While this is more a personal preference than a criticism, I did like the gods more when they were offstage and still potentially more metaphor than physical presence. Or even a halfway point may have been preferred, something like a Sauron that is menacing and omnipresent without having to interact much. Once we have Dacre moving through the text it was nice to have him humanzied but it also reduced his menace, sort of how Randall Flagg is more menacing as an idea than a character with flaws, foibles and finicky temperament in King’s The Stand. Also Enva was cool but it was almost too little and too late with her character compared to Dacre. I did, however, really enjoy the way she shifts the closure of the story in ways that don’t need a sequel, though a prequel would be welcomed. Better yet short stories about the gods, who we learn more of but only get half histories. The overall ending was mostly satisfying if a bit predictable and aiming more for a happy ending instead of an emotional impact with a message, but it still managed to pull off both for the most part. ‘I look forward to the next chapter. The one you will write in your story, as well as the one we write together.’ Overall, I found the Letters of Enchantment duology to be a delightful time full of magic and marvel where the charming romance truly carried the weight brilliantly. Ruthless Vows gets into some pretty intense territory with war crimes and and the fallout of choosing sides (Kitt’s story also enters some pretty gritty aspects of being caught between a rock and a hard place that has echoes of Kurt Vonnegut’s undercover broadcaster in Mother Night). There’s some gripping tales of betrayal and cloak and dagger maneuvers as a war rages on and information is worth more than gold. I greatly enjoyed the importance of language too and how Ross shows the importance of journalism in framing conflict and how this can quickly be weaponized into propaganda. But most of all, I loved the love story that burns brightly in all the darkness. A fantastic read that is greater than the sum of its two parts, a moving story, and one I won’t soon forget. 3.5/5 ‘Write me a story where there is no ending, kitt. write to me and fill my empty spaces.’ ...more |
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Apr 14, 2024
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May 28, 2024
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Apr 14, 2024
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Hardcover
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| 035814180X
| 9780358141808
| 035814180X
| 4.14
| 1,555
| Jan 02, 2024
| Jan 02, 2024
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really liked it
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*Cue Ghostbusters theme song* I ain’t afraid of no ghosts… Especially when they are this cute and heartwarming *Cue Ghostbusters theme song* I ain’t afraid of no ghosts… Especially when they are this cute and heartwarming ...more |
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Apr 11, 2024
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| 0698408152
| B015NTIXS8
| 3.57
| 21,863
| Jan 26, 2016
| Jan 26, 2016
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liked it
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Had the young Emily Henry, writing this story about time travel, been able herself to travel in time to the future, she’d see herself now dubbed “Quee
Had the young Emily Henry, writing this story about time travel, been able herself to travel in time to the future, she’d see herself now dubbed “Queen of the Romcom” and a staple of bestseller shelves and beach reads. That’s right, The Love that Split the World is the first novel by Emily Henry from back when she wrote YAs and it is a fun debut. Being told ‘there’s nothing scarier than loving someone’ in a book where a rift in reality opens up a parallel universe that sends our protagonist time-traveling makes love sounds pretty damn scary, but in this aptly titled novel love not only splits but also heals. This is a heartwarming story on family and the power of love and being loved that tries to pack a lot into the story and mostly pulls it off. Indigenous histories and myths weave into the present as Natalie, sent by “Grandmother” who’s unexplained appearance at night makes her and the reader question if this is a supernatural or psychological journey, must team up insta-love companion Beau to solve the mysteries of the past before time runs out. An ambitious debut that feels very indicative of the time it was written but manages to stick the landing, The Love That Split the World is cute and ponderous enough to overcome its own shortcomings. ‘Every moment you live, every darkness you face, they’ll all feel worth it when you’re staring light in the face.’ An aspect of Emily Henry's writing that I feel has been a constant thread through her works is how connected to a sense of place they are. I don't just bring this up because I enjoy that, having went to college in my town, she tends to include the vibes of Holland in a lot of her novels (Beach Read shouts out to our downtown donut shop, for instance). Place is very important to Henry and she has discussed in interiews how she feels place influences the people who are there. 'I want my characters to feel like they grew up in the place where [my books are] set,' she says. Henry spent her childhood in Kentucky and Natalie's sense of place in Kentucky really informs the story beyond her emotions about soon leaving it behind to go to college just like Henry herself experienced. It is also integrated in the magic and slow, steady pace of the story: 'I think that with setting, when I really have a deep love for a place, it’s so easy for me to imagine the magic of that specific place. Kentucky is very humid and it gets very hot in the summer and everything is very lush and sticky. I think the magic in a place like that is going to be a slower magic, a warm, sensuous dripping thing, and I think with time travel it works so perfectly. When you’re in a small humid town like that, you feel like time is moving differently and it really is moving differently than different places.' This comes across quite effectively in the book, and I really enjoyed how in her later YA novel, A Million Junes, she captures the feeling of West Michigan so well too because ' I do think that June is Michigan as a person.' She even set out to write a novel for all the places she had lived and I think that nostalgia and love for location really helps give a lovely texture to her stories. I enjoyed how much Emily Henry’s YAs tend to dive into a lot of social issues around race and racism—the legacy of racial violence sparks the paranormal aspects of A Million Junes—with The Love That Split the World having big discussions on indigenous cultural heritage and stories as well as a look at issues surrounding adoption. This latter aspect touched off a bit of a twitter discussion at the time of publication (you can read about that here) and reading this I couldn’t help but notice how the book seemed very indicative of its time as a moment in the maturation of this type of discourse. Stories often serve as cultural artifacts that give a unique vantage point into a period of time, which isn’t to say that The Love That Split the World has aged poorly but just that it is a fascinating look at what publishing in 2016 look like. It feels very much of the era when paranormal romance was the Big Thing in teen publishing (when I worked at a Barnes and Noble Paranormal Romance was its own section, curious if that will come back with the success of books like Hazelwood’s Bride) because this fun blend of time-travel, parallel worlds and other elements of magical realism along with the large romance plot felt natural under that umbrella term. It is very different than the current “romantacy” label which already has authors offering critiques that the umbrella term can be harmful as a marketing term because fans of Fantasy or fans of Romance have very different genre expectations or that it seems like a diminutive label mostly applied to works from women as if they aren’t “serious fantasy”. Personally I don’t find having labels with strict genre guidelines to be very helpful aside from making library book lists and see it mostly as product marketing terms that center the commodity aspect of a book. Which brings me back to the first point because this book coming out in 2016 probably felt a lot more progressive at the time than it does now. It is cool to see indigenous histories centered in a book, but then its a reminder this came out before the big discourse on who can profit off of who’s stories (we all remember American Dirt and the largely unfulfilled promises of major publishers to be more inclusive) and the #OwnVoices movement that was later criticized for forced-outing authors like Becky Albertalli or making authors feel they had to prove their own identities as marketing pitches. This was a major theme in the novel Yellowface where author Kuang makes the argument that for-profit publishing turns identity into a product and largely leads to tokenism and forcing authors of color into genre boxes instead of being true inclusivity. During a recent talk when an audience member admitted they are stressed their own stories “aren’t queer enough,” Kuang said “there’s no such thing as ‘not queer enough’ because your sexuality isn’t a capitalist commodity driven by scarcity and people who gatekeep that are making identity a marketing pitch not an authentic self.” To be clear, this isn’t a criticism of this book at all. more the train of thought I had reading it as I found it interesting to be able to see the way ideas are discussed in novels and how they can be indicative of a certain moment along the growth of discourse around social issues. ‘Sometimes the most beautiful moments in our lives are things that hurt badly at the time. We only see them for what they really were when we stand at the very end and look back.’ But on to the book. It’s really cute though the romance aspect relies on insta-love that grafts deep emotions onto thin air and relies on it to propel the story. How you choose to process or trust the romance will likely make or break this book for readers, though personally I enjoyed being pulled along with it. Beau is kind of bland as a character so the fact that he is hot and has massive biceps and ‘a mouth that somehow manages to look like a shy kid’s one minute and a virile Greek god’s the next,’ does a lot of heavy lifting in making you believe he’s a romantic interest. Though as someone that values being able to have chunks of solitude lines like ‘being with him feels like a better version of being alone,’ made me think “yea, sure, he seems cool.” What helps is that Natalie is an extremely likable and well-done character. She’s quick, she’s snarky, but she also has a big heart and open mind. There are a lot of strong friendships between women who support each other (Natalie being very supportive of her ex’s girlfriend was rather charming despite him being a bit cartoonishly shitty) and the writing really pulls you along. For a debut, Henry rocks some great lines and solid narrative. Its no surprise she would go on to become a Big Deal. I’m happy for her. ‘No story is truer than any other story that has the truth in its heart.’ I did really enjoy how much indigenous myths are central to this book and I thought Henry did a wonderful job balancing the question if the happenings were paranormal or psychological. I like the stories told and how it shows that life and culture are made up of stories and bind us all together. ‘The thing threaded through all the world and refusing to be reduced to a name or a set of rules and instead winding itself through millions of stories, true and made up, connecting all breathing things.’ It does get very “lets explain the Myers-Briggs” at one point that made me chuckle because Henry had just graduated college and being very “lets talk about the Myers-Briggs” was HUGE in all my classes at the very same time (INFP by the way) and just something people around Holland, MI loved to talk about (she attended Hope College here in Holland, for the record and I could feel it in every page of this book, but in a cool way). It does get fairly dependent on the plot going through an elaborate series of twists like a high-thrill roller coaster, but she pulls them off effectively and it makes for a fun read. ‘No story is truer than any other story that has the truth in its heart.’ Emily Henry has had an impressive career and The Love That Split the World is a lovely debut that kicked it all off. It is interesting to see how much her stories have shifted as she shaped her style so its fun to see the early days. A lovely little story full of a lot of heart that, while imperfect, still manages to be a success. 3.5/5 ‘the world's going to keep right on being terrible and beautiful all at once’ ...more |
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Apr 06, 2024
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| 1662640552
| 9781662640551
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| 4.34
| 2,596
| May 22, 2020
| Sep 19, 2023
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it was amazing
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Change is hard and the transition from into teenage years are a whirlwind of new emotions and experiences as childhood begins to fade into the past. C
Change is hard and the transition from into teenage years are a whirlwind of new emotions and experiences as childhood begins to fade into the past. Cross My Heart and Never Lie from Norwegian author and artist Nora Dåsnes gorgeously captures the highs and lows of this period of metamorphosis through the diaries of 12 year old Tuva as she enters 7th grade. Winner of the 2024 ALA Stonewall Book Award and translate into English by Matt Bagguley, this YA graphic novel is as beautifully told as it is illustrated, with colors that really pop in a loose but playful style that manages to convey incredible amounts of emotions through the color choices and faces. It is a story about how ‘its always hard being in between’ as certain friends have moved into dating and away from childhood games while others have no interest in the games of teenage romance and Tuva feels pulled between friends. This coming-of-age story layers on complex emotions on complex emotions, especially when Tuva discovers she has feelings for the new girl in her school. Brilliantly told through a diary style that captures a whirlwind of feelings and gorgeously illustrated, Cross My Heart and Never Lie is a truly moving and lovely book. [image] I once worked with someone who was a retired Middle School guidance counselor. We all said how difficult that age must be. I mean, I was probably a nightmare and its such a confusing and chaotic age being pulled by different emotions and friends groups as you feel no stability over yourself while trying to figure out just who you are. He admitted it was a challenging age but also an important time to find ways to reach out to kids on an individual level. The real challange, he said, was that half the 8th graders are starting to explore sexuality while the other half are still playing with childhood toys. Dåsnes truly harnesses that dichotomy here as Tuva is caught between a friend abandoning their usual games to see her boyfriend while the other find the idea of dating stupid. And then there is Tuva confused if she should admit she also has a crush and further flustered as she begins to discover she is queer. The whole thing is brought to life in artwork that really shines: [image] I mean look at this! The colors are amazing, its bold and beautiful. And she is able to capture sadness so eloquently through her art as well: [image] This is a big book with a lot of heart. The diary style works marvelously, capturing pre-teen emotions and voice quite well and showing that delicate balance between wanting to act adult and still finding joy and comfort in more “childish” things. The relationship with her single-father is also an endearing aspect of the novel, particularly his acceptance when she comes out and the way he keeps things lighthearted while also being someone she can rely on and get advice from. It’s beautiful, I got teary a few times. This book covers a lot of emotional ground and does an excellent job of looking at how scary it can be to develop romantic feelings and the confusion over discovering your own sexuality. But most importantly, this book is empowering and delightful. [image] ‘Acting like a teenager feels awkward,’ Tuva says, and Cross My Heart and Never Lie is an extraordinary YA graphic novel that captures this feeling perfectly. Well paced, full of dynamic characters and emotions, this is a wonderful coming-of-age story that rings true. It’s also a joy to look at. What a great book. 5/5 [image] ...more |
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it was amazing
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Apr 04, 2024
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