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readingrobin's reviews
2302 reviews
Goblin by Will Perkins, Eric Grissom
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Some stellar art that just oozes fantasy charm from a lush, magical forest to a laid-in-waste ruin. This story is your typical fantastical revenge story, our hero faces a great tragedy at the hands of a foe and goes on a quest to make himself stronger to take his revenge. There are bumps and lessons along the way and our hero ultimately decides what is best for them which path to take. I like the framing of this as a goblin story, as traditionally goblins tend to be the nasties in this kind of tale, but I wish the story kind of leaned more into subverting that narrative, whether through telling stories of other goblins or how those preconceptions of goblins warp people's perceptions or expectations.
Our foe doesn't really have much depth to him, he's just an obstacle that our hero must rail against to relieve himself of some grief. On the whole, the story could have just used more explanation and exploration of certain characters to really have some messages land home.
It's okay for a quick read and to introduce kids to your quintessential quest/hero's journey, but it's nothing that will shake up the genre.
Our foe doesn't really have much depth to him, he's just an obstacle that our hero must rail against to relieve himself of some grief. On the whole, the story could have just used more explanation and exploration of certain characters to really have some messages land home.
It's okay for a quick read and to introduce kids to your quintessential quest/hero's journey, but it's nothing that will shake up the genre.
Jim Henson's Labyrinth: Coronation Vol. 1 by Simon Spurrier
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The art is pretty engrossing, but I think the story as it starts needs a little bit more mystique. I'm hoping that as it goes on there's some more expansion to this world, like more information about the Owl King and how exactly this Labyrinth might differ from the one we've seen in the film.
I love unreliable narrator Jareth. Wouldn't trust that man to read me the phone book.
I love unreliable narrator Jareth. Wouldn't trust that man to read me the phone book.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club: Roll Call by Molly Knox Ostertag
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
Love, love the use of D+D as a way to both escape, confront, and channel our worries and fears. The character stat blocks, when not in game, were really fun and I just like the idea of them being applied in real life.
Perfect for young readers that love stories about outcasts coming together and bonding through common interests, as well as those that love gaming and RPGs.
Perfect for young readers that love stories about outcasts coming together and bonding through common interests, as well as those that love gaming and RPGs.
The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
Whimsically dark with a touch of macabre humor to it. Bethany gives Horrid Henry a run for his money, all the while sassing off a beast that would love nothing more than to eat her whole.
A good quick book for those that love chaotic plots and humor with a little bit of naughtiness to it.
A good quick book for those that love chaotic plots and humor with a little bit of naughtiness to it.
Look on the Bright Side by Lily Williams, Karen Schneemann
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
What a delightful follow up to Go With the Flow. This comic takes the strong group of friends we were introduced to in the previous volume and puts their relationships and dynamics more center stage. Go With the Flow took more focus with its depiction of activism and its effects on the girls, while this definitely felt more character centric. Though Abby does try to make her school more accommodating through placing tampons, pads, etc. in every bathroom, we spend a bit more time with Christine and Brit's romance woes. Sasha's academic woes feel like the weakest out of the four character journeys we see here, but it still progresses and ends satisfyingly.
I loved seeing these characters again with all the goof and heart they brought before.
I loved seeing these characters again with all the goof and heart they brought before.
Disney Twisted-Wonderland, Vol. 4: The Manga: Book of Heartslabyul by Yana Toboso, Wakana Hazuki
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
Disney's Twisted Wonderland, Vol. 3: Book of Heartslabyul by Yana Toboso, Wakana Hazuki
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
The Adventure Zone: The Eleventh Hour by Clint McElroy
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tidesong by Wendy Xu
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
Hooky by MÃriam Bonastre Tur
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Really loved the art style but I think the multitude of characters/plot lines really weighed everything down. There are so many mini arcs going on at the same time that it's difficult to even follow what the main plot is going on half the time.
I can see how this would be easier to follow through various Webtoon updates, but as a single comic volume, it's a little too weighty and I wish it had been broken up a little better. I think there's an interesting storyline here, but I don't want to be bogged down by six other ones.
I'm currently reading the author's other comic, Marionetta, and I feel like that one has the right amount of polish and consistency for me, so I don't think I'll be continuing this specific series.
I can see how this would be easier to follow through various Webtoon updates, but as a single comic volume, it's a little too weighty and I wish it had been broken up a little better. I think there's an interesting storyline here, but I don't want to be bogged down by six other ones.
I'm currently reading the author's other comic, Marionetta, and I feel like that one has the right amount of polish and consistency for me, so I don't think I'll be continuing this specific series.