emmaprew's reviews
530 reviews

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

So many feelings. Lyria is the best. Need more Lyria still. I was back on board with Darrow’s POV in this book compared to the last. And it was great to have Sevro there too. And Cassius! I didn’t think I liked Cassius but it turns out I did.
So of course he had to go and have a dramatic death. For real this time.
There were things in this book I didn’t like so much, things I’m feeling about this second part of the series in general, but overall it’s good stuff. Dark, sad, bleak, twisty stuff, so much back stabbing and side switching, but yeah, good stuff.
Alone in Space: A Collection by Tillie Walden

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challenging emotional inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

As my first introduction to Tillie Walden this was pretty good. Definitely a big fan of the Ghibli-vibes, with many of the comics being weird and wonderful. The artwork was wonderful, and quite varied. As this was a collection, I definitely liked some stories more than others. I’ll be interested to read Spinning or On A Sun Beam next.
The Wrath of Vajazzle by Barry J. Hutchison

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I’m marking this one down from the first basically just for the stupid title / character name. Otherwise, I loved this silly space story.
They must get Splurt back pronto! He’s the best.
Tall Tales by Tom Sniegoski

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Quite a fun little Bone story. Actually would have liked it to be more of Smiley Bone and Bartleby than the stories they were telling. Or if the main story at the end was told by Smiley as well, with breaks in between. Basically I’m craving the cast from original Bone!
Oksi by Mari Ahokoivu

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Such a beautiful book. The watercolour-style artwork throughout is stunning and so creative in how the story is told – there’s no grid like many graphic novels, simply hundreds and hundreds of individual illustrations. There were long stretches without any words at all and yet the story flowed so well. Ranging from monochrome illustrations – which match the honestly quite dark tale – to more colourful scenes. Not knowing anything much about Finnish mythology, some parts were lost on me but, once again, I cannot express just how beautiful the illustrations are. 
Bone: Rose by Jeff Smith

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Not a bad story by any means but not nearly as impressive as the main Bone series – which I absolutely loved last year. It was kind of weird reading a book in this world in colour. And also there were no bones from Boneville in this one.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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emotional informative inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Very thought provoking read. I can’t really put into words how this book made me think and feel. I can’t say that I relate to Keiko’s life a great deal, aside from the obvious of being a 30 something year old woman, but it certainly made me think about all the expectations that are put on us as humans.
Dark Age by Pierce Brown

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

For me, and like Iron Gold, the best part of this book was Ephraim. I didn’t really get on so well with Darrow and Lysander’s chapters (although the latter’s chapters certainly made me hate him). Lyria, Volga, Virginia and Victra were great. I loved Pax and I hope there is more of him in the future books, there has to be – also, I kept forgetting he’s only 11. Also, need more Sevro.

Spoiler thoughts:
I was so upset and angry when Ephraim was killed. Maybe if he’d managed to defeat more of his enemies whilst getting caught in his own explosion it would have felt more worthwhile, but then getting his heart eaten… well, I certainly feel like I’ve had my heart ripped out! At least he gets to go and see Trigg now. 😭
Assassin's Apprentice Volume 2 (Graphic Novel) by Ryan Kelly, Jody Houser, Robin Hobb, Robin Hobb

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adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Ahhh I love this story so much. I don’t love the comic as much as the original book but it’s still wonderfully delivered. Great to see more of The Fool in this book. Love them.
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 3 by Ryoko Kui

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Another very fun instalment. I love Chilchuck.