What can I say? It's just a feel-good rom-com with light mystical elements that totally play toward getting these people to say what they really mean What can I say? It's just a feel-good rom-com with light mystical elements that totally play toward getting these people to say what they really mean and feel. Other than that, it's a pretty average YA manga that's mild and yet still charming....more
Trouble in romance land -- light stuff, really minor, and there's very little of the quirk to mess with them this time. It's just normal people stuff.Trouble in romance land -- light stuff, really minor, and there's very little of the quirk to mess with them this time. It's just normal people stuff.
But communication breakthroughs are the biggest subject of these mangas, and that's right on target.
We're in full rom-com territory now. A few snags, miscommunication, and challenges. It's still sweet and I think these goofballs need to get it togethWe're in full rom-com territory now. A few snags, miscommunication, and challenges. It's still sweet and I think these goofballs need to get it together already....more
When I saw a recommendation for this, with a panel out of context, I thought for sure this would be ecchi. Weirdly, while it does dance around ecchi, When I saw a recommendation for this, with a panel out of context, I thought for sure this would be ecchi. Weirdly, while it does dance around ecchi, it's certainly not focused on it.
It's oddly wholesome, about making and keeping friends when you feel like an outcast and try to avoid others. In other words, it's pretty damn sweet. I had quite a few awww moments....more
First of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black boxFirst of all, if you love roadtrip novels, then perk your ear up.
The black box of doom needs a little road-time.
Of course, exactly WHAT that black box of doom is will be a major bone of contention throughout the novel, but it should be safe to say that there are several.
Probably, the more interesting black box of doom is the author's willingness to let it all hang out. We've all had some seriously hard years, be it with societal craziness, fractured people, loneliness, online echo chambers, and, let's face it, FEAR and the greater uneasiness we all have about opening up to others.
After a fairly delightful meet-cute involving a bit of kidnapping (honestly probably the only way this basement-dwelling dude might have agreed to this bit of wildness), this novel doesn't hesitate to jump right in and say the things that might start tons of arguments.
Oddly, however, there's a bit of interesting open-mindedness, which was pretty delightful, even if it didn't go overboard.
The rest of the novel was almost slapstick in how the Reddit boards went cuckoo or how conspiracy nutters became weekend warriors. It was pretty funny.
It may not be my favorite of Mr. Pargin's, but I do appreciate the courage to put these other ideas out there and treat them with a little respect even if they may be a sore point for many. (Think any of the contentious things that are on Reddit, and you'll get the idea.)...more
Color me surprised to learn that Django Wexler is writing an Isekai!
I've been loving the genre for years now, right alongside its idiot twin, LitRPG,Color me surprised to learn that Django Wexler is writing an Isekai!
I've been loving the genre for years now, right alongside its idiot twin, LitRPG, but I never really considered this kind of thing anything more than plain fun popcorn fiction -- and that's exactly what Django Wexler delivered.
We've got ourselves a Groundhog Day scenario in another world, where Davi had died for like a thousand years trying out every little thing this kingdom can offer, but when a big change comes -- and Davi is meant to become the Dark Lord, it all becomes a cool little adventure to get all the monsters together, build a hoard, have a lot of sex, and go through the trials set up by the Old Ones to officially become THE DARK LORD.
I didn't even have this on my radar for years after having read Grady Hendrix. But here I am, going back to the start and laughing with the rednecks aI didn't even have this on my radar for years after having read Grady Hendrix. But here I am, going back to the start and laughing with the rednecks as they build Rocket Jesus out of the scraps in their back yard.
I immediately started pointing at the book (in my head) and said, "OMG it's Rocketship Galileo but with a wildly different cast of characters and saucy -- and sauced up -- language!"
And indeed, it is.
It's fun and funny. And let's face it, I think I'd rather have these guys have rockets over Branson or Musk....more
Of course, it's extremely topical and has been extremely topical ever since I was a kid, too. Power plays by little people who probablyPitch perfect.
Of course, it's extremely topical and has been extremely topical ever since I was a kid, too. Power plays by little people who probably haven't cracked a book in 30 years trying to limit everyone else's choices is so common, by this point, that we call them busybodies, Karens, assholes, and little-minded jerks.
Yes, this book is set in a small town full of people trying to just get along while a hateful vocal minority tries to squash everyone else's minds. You know the type: those who ban the Diary of Anne Frank or Judy Blume. Any book that tries to tell the truth about history, especially black history, that contradicts their sense of entitlement. It's writ small here because it's enormously painful everywhere else.
This book just hit all the right spots. A clandestine, deliciously naughty book lending circle gives so many of these peeps hope.
It's not an original story, of course. I've been living this tale since the 80's, in my own school, beset by small-minded assholes, and I used to get just as much enjoyment out of getting these banned books as I did out of sharing them.
I am a book lover, after all. This kind of tale is me. And more importantly, if you're reading this, then it's probably you, too. Enjoy!...more
I'm surprised that this little comedy of SF errors, with boorish family members and boorish ideas of parties ACTUALLY turned out to be an SF XMAS taleI'm surprised that this little comedy of SF errors, with boorish family members and boorish ideas of parties ACTUALLY turned out to be an SF XMAS tale.
*takes note*
An XMAS SF, mildly humorous, customs-humor on a backwater world.
It very much has the feel of better-times and celebrations for no particular reason. Sometimes this is exactly what we might need in these dark days. :)...more
The continuing adventures/misadventures of Mercury, the angel, leans hard into multiversal time-hijinx and Satan-defeating humor sprinkled with supermThe continuing adventures/misadventures of Mercury, the angel, leans hard into multiversal time-hijinx and Satan-defeating humor sprinkled with superman-movie references.
Sound odd? It's light humor, goofy, and slightly satirical fun. I didn't mind it for passing entertainment, but it wasn't my favorite of the series....more
These are consistent books, funny and satirical, and this one didn't disappoint. The sights were put upon a certain American Revolution this time and These are consistent books, funny and satirical, and this one didn't disappoint. The sights were put upon a certain American Revolution this time and our interesting cherubim really got in the mix. Of course, there was also the generous help of Satan and Tiamat and a bunch of hapless modern and revolutionary chaps thrown in, but that's how the revolt goes!
I admit I HAD to read this book based on practically nothing more than the cover. I'm not usually so shallow, but it SCREAMED to me. And then, when I I admit I HAD to read this book based on practically nothing more than the cover. I'm not usually so shallow, but it SCREAMED to me. And then, when I read that Tidhar and he collaborated, it bacame a done deal.
Upon reading, I feel vindicated. It's a very Catch-22 kind of novel, funny, SF space-fleet, and it glorifies all Second Class Idiots everywhere.
First Class Idiots aren't quite official. It's an honorary title.
Clever, subversive, and refreshingly old-school military humor. Everything, at all times, is perfectly functional. Sometimes it's even more functional than the other times when it is perfectly functional, but that's kinda always the point.
Scalzi did it again. Humor, smart SF commentary, and a classic "I can't believe my enemies are this stupid" storyline.
It starts out deceptively normalScalzi did it again. Humor, smart SF commentary, and a classic "I can't believe my enemies are this stupid" storyline.
It starts out deceptively normal, but when news of his rich uncle's death evolves into one increasingly crazy situation after the next, we wind up with a great bond-villain smorgasbord that includes a great unionization of non-human assets, a realization that most billionaires are NOT all that smart, and a home run for anyone wanting some wholesome humor in their lives.
And, of course, there are the cats.
I loved this book. Easy, fun as hell, and delightful through and through....more
For those in the rear seats, let me make this very clear: Vampires don't exist. They have never existed. If you see something like a vampire, it's reaFor those in the rear seats, let me make this very clear: Vampires don't exist. They have never existed. If you see something like a vampire, it's really some kind of super powerful supernatural taking a piss on you. So let me repeat: Vampires don't exist.
This continuation of the Stranger Times series is, I think, even better than the first. Why? Because it's a chaotic mess. Indeed, it feels like a total pantser novel written by a magpie with a penchant for warped sensibilities and a need to fire blunderbusses and curse up a storm.
That, and this b-rate rag by the name of Stranger Times, far from just suckering the easily gullible, keeps getting embroiled in some weird-ass supernatural adventures. It makes it kinda hard to make stuff up when the real thing keeps intruding on their lives.
Quite funny. The characters are a real hoot, too. ...more
I've read a few other novels by Kroese and I thought they were nicely quirky, fun, and funny. And then, for some odd reason, I never revisited the autI've read a few other novels by Kroese and I thought they were nicely quirky, fun, and funny. And then, for some odd reason, I never revisited the author. That makes me an idiot.
Fast forward a few years and I pick up Mercury Falls, suddenly realize it's a nicely snarky UF with nicely snarky omniscient narration to go with Mercury, and I'm rolling with the multiple skewering (mostly commentary) of apocalypse cultists.
And then I realize Mercury is a lowly and mostly ignored Cherub, one of the lowest of all the angels, and this is a funny UF novel of ultimate bureaucracy, contract breaking, and the antichrist.
So, yeah, I'm surprised and very, very pleased.
And then there was one quote that made me stop reading and chuckle for something like 15 minutes. It killed me. “Look, my personal philosophy is this: if you can make at least one person laugh, you’re still doing better than John Calvin.”
What an utterly delightful, murderous book. Truly charming. After all, it's couched on true morality, or rather, considered morality, aided by higher What an utterly delightful, murderous book. Truly charming. After all, it's couched on true morality, or rather, considered morality, aided by higher education and intelligent design.
I love the writing. It really is charming and reserved and deliciously murderous. I may not have been laughing out loud, but I found myself grinning quite a bit. Bosses, true jerks, rapists, life-destroyers, and deplorables all get their just deserts thanks to these intrepid scholars.
Plot wise, I loved all the complicated setups and preparation for each murder. I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters and their motivations. Very self-aware, wonderfully period-set, and genuinely kind. You know, if you're part of the school. No one else might not get a taste of kindness... but some do. :)...more
Missing my old Dexter vibes, I've been loving both the books and the tv series for years. It's really a no-brainer. Love and obsession goes bad... theMissing my old Dexter vibes, I've been loving both the books and the tv series for years. It's really a no-brainer. Love and obsession goes bad... the only thing that we have to look forward to is how the bystanders and the primaries kick it.
It's a great formula. But that's just it: formula. Fortunately, this one is a snide little jab at other writers and, beautifully, at all us GoodReaders. I thought that was pretty delightful. Us vapid babies babbling about baloney because we obviously can't recognize the good meat when we see it.
Right? Right.
I'm not saying this was a particularly bad book, but it felt a little bit circlejerkbookish even to me, and I'm also a writer.
Even so, I did have a few laughs, so not all is lost....more
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