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kwichris's reviews
126 reviews
Frontera by Jacoby Salcedo, Julio Anta
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Picked this up while perusing offerings at the library. This story is gripping from start to finish, and it's a sad but realistic view of one the mostly hotly debated issues in politics these days. With a touch of magical realism, this story should be told to anyone willing to hear it, so they truly understand what everyone seems to leave out of the equation. Highly recommend this, but do note it is has some touch subject matter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Police brutality, and Deportation
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
Check, Please! Book 2: Sticks & Scones by Ngozi Ukazu
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Once again, I'm so sad this is the end of such an incredibly powerful story written and illustrated so beautifully. Kudos again to the author and illustrator! (If someone wants to make a TV series of this story, I would be elated!) Bitty's story is relatable on so many levels, and, having gone through college myself, can attest that you really do grow in the brief time you're there. Jack and Bitty are so wholesome, it just makes me happy to see this volume really build on the relationship teased in the first volume. Everyone, and I mean, EVERYONE has character growth and their own moment to shine in the main or subplot, which many slice of life stories fail to get right. I'm here to say, this by far an away is among the greatest little graphic novel series ever, and I highly recommend anyone even with a fraction of interest in this story pick it up! Besides, there's plenty of humor in here to keep you engaged even if you roll your eyes at Bitty baking another pie. Lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.75
I cannot express how blown away I was by this graphic novel. I picked it up on a whim, thinking I would probably DNF it due to my dislike of sport and baking focused writing and stories. All I can say is WOW. The author did her research, really crafted a meaningful, colorful, and relatable story with characters than you just can't stop thinking about. Even the subplots all had relevance to the story, which is rewarding for those who enjoy the extra details. The comedic writing is also hands down some of the best I've read in a while, so kudos to you Ngozi! I immediately picked up volume 2 (and cried seeing that only two volumes were ever made because this story is exceptional). I didn't give this a 5 star due to small personal nitpicks, but overall this should be a must read graphic novel for anyone who's ever experienced the struggles of life and want to know if others truly do go through what you do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Blackwater by Jeannette Arroyo, Ren Graham
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The outline of this story is very intriguing, and it has some great moments and writing. The stories woven into this supernatural mystery are all too real for many people. That being said, I think that the "relationship" between our two leads isn't developed enough before it's basically just "they're together now" in the book. Even the mystery I think could've used more fleshing out. The backstories of the characters are very emotional, but again, I think a lot was left out that should've been shown or written. A nice chapter with the two guys bonding over their home life issues would've done a lot here. I really did enjoy this for what it was, but i think it could've used another 50 pages to flesh out details, give more relationship binding time, and make the mystery even more fantastical.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, and Death of parent
Spy x Family, Vol. 8 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm so glad this volume is more focused and JAM PACKED with action, suspense, and thrills. I do enjoy when the characters get a chance to really dive into their emotions; Yor, while sometimes ditzy, has very intriguing motivations and thoughts. I generally find it funny how often I prefer less of Anya and more of Twilight & Yor, but they really do have the more intriguing backstories given Anya's has been teased and never really revisited. Can't wait to see the conclusion yo their cruise adventures in the next volume; we'll hopefully also get back into the meat of Operation Strix at school.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Alcohol and Classism
Spy x Family, Vol. 7 by Tatsuya Endo
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I still enjoy this series, but I wonder if the author is losing steam or focus as they continue adding volumes. The main plot seems mostly forgotten here aside from the initial chapter. The last chapter is intriguing with a look into Yor's job and her feelings about it. Everything else, while cute and filled with nice moments is 100% filler. I like slice of life but when the series has been so focused and suddenly it's not, it's just an odd switch. The next volume looks more intriguing with a solid plot, so fingers crossed that one reels me back in for more of this world.
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Bloom is a very sweet story, and it's honestly quite relatable to how many of us feel when we're getting older but not entirely sure what drives us at the moment. The choice to use blue scale for the entire graphic novel took so getting used to, but the artwork was rather nice. I appreciated the depiction of a toxic friendship because often times one person overlooks it for so long even with people trying to make it clearer, so that was a nice realistic touch. Glad I found this on a whim at the library and would recommend it! Ari (Aristotle) and Hector are too cute though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying
Escape from the Czar: A Novella by Paula Bilyieu Velho
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For someone's first novella, well the second edition, it's not bad. It's got a good story for its basis and anyone who appreciates historical novels will enjoy this quick read. Now, that said, it does use generally straight-forward verbiage that at times is evident of a more simplistic writing style. At times the descriptions of scenes seemed a little too rigid, but overall I won't be too harsh on someone's first publication. I did appreicate this being a local author from where I live, so kudos to them! The best thing about the writing would be the choice to have Pavel's internal thoughts italicized, I really liked that choice to differentiate it from the general text. It also made it seem as if it came directly from the magazine article the author used for some of Pavel's actual history and thoughts. I wish the writer much luck with their first full-length novel!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Spy x Family, Vol. 6 by Tatsuya Endo
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume actually had me laughing out loud a few times, so kudos! The stories and hijinks were fun albeit a tad disjointed. Fiona is more enjoyable in this volume by leaps and bounds but I like the unrequited love and jealousy angle better than when she outright wants to usurp or off Yor. I still can't get over why they have a 6 year old pining for a 30 something year old man, it's just wrong. Damian continues to intrigue and Anya is less annoying in this volume (seeing as there's less of her); it's still sad even she doesn't see her ability to learn improving ever, but I guess that's how it's going to be sadly. Overall, much more enjoyable than volume 5!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, and Stalking
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Sexism
Spy x Family, Vol. 5 by Tatsuya Endo
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Okay, so after 5 volumes, I still find parts of the story humorous or specific missions intriguing. However, it's not okay to have a 6 year old pining after a grown adult, that's inappropriate no matter the context. (Plus it kinda ruins Becky's character since the won't drop the topic in this volume.) Bond isn't used all that much, which is kinda sad. The Damian vs Anya storyline wasn't bad, and thank God they made her slightly improve her grades, but it's still frustrating at her complete lack of ability, seriously give her like one area she's at least moderately decent in, it doesn't even need to be good just average, which would be more believable. A lot of these missions seem more disjointed than the prior volumes. I also really don't care for Fiona; she's not really adding anything besides unneeded tension in a story with plenty of that already. Plus, her trope of being the secretly jealous love interest is just overdone. I hope the next volume is better than the drop in quality for this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Stalking
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Self harm, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Classism