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wolfiegrrrl's reviews
236 reviews
Spy x Family, Vol. 2 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this volume, we meet Yor's brother (fair warning for the "siscon" trope here), Twilight's handler, and the friends and adversaries Anya will have to contend with at Eden Academy. Anya's school life promises to be very entertaining between the developing crush neither she nor her mark understand, his posse of wannabe tough guy bullies, and her one genuine friend with a spunky attitude and a fiercely loyal heart. Meanwhile, Loid and Yor continue to struggle through the hardships of parenting and feeling like they aren't enough for this child who already believes so wholly in their capabilities. Their family dynamic continues to grow and shift as they navigate "ordinary" life together, and it's so wholesome how firmly they band together to help each other. The bonus mission at the end, a side story originally created to introduce a new audience to the series, is a prime example of this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Blood, Kidnapping, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Spy x Family, Vol. 1 by Tatsuya Endo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This series has it all - fake relationship, found family, comedy, delightfully over the top spy action, assassination plots, and political intrigue all wrapped up in a little Anya-shaped sci-fi bow!
This first volume does an excellent job of introducing the main players in this story. Loid, Yor, and Anya forge themselves into the aptly named Forger family and begin their journey of precariously balancing work/school life with the unexpected personal bonds they've already started to form with each other.
Although we get to see Yor's and Anya's motivations for needing this family, these first five chapters largely focus on Loid's internal struggle to reconcile the fact that his job has always demanded a "trust no one but yourself" mindset with the reality that he has now been assigned his most important mission yet, which entirely depends on him retraining himself to trust other people to help pull it off.
The developing "will they, won't they" between Loid and Yor is already taking off without a hitch in the suitably chaotic way you might expect from a spy/assassin hook up! Between them lies the groundwork for a solid relationship built on mutual understanding and it appears that the seeds of genuine feelings have already started to sprout. Of course, it helps that Anya is the cutest child they could have possibly found (or who could have possibly found them in this case), as she makes every page she's on a pure delight with her attempts to help their plans succeed.
Together, they truly are a beautiful found family that has already started pulling at the heartstrings. Their secrets are carefully kept from each other to keep each other safe from the dangers of their work, but their hearts clearly crave the normalcy their identities deny them. Even Anya has a dark past she can't tell anyone about lest it tear their family apart.
This first volume does an excellent job of introducing the main players in this story. Loid, Yor, and Anya forge themselves into the aptly named Forger family and begin their journey of precariously balancing work/school life with the unexpected personal bonds they've already started to form with each other.
Although we get to see Yor's and Anya's motivations for needing this family, these first five chapters largely focus on Loid's internal struggle to reconcile the fact that his job has always demanded a "trust no one but yourself" mindset with the reality that he has now been assigned his most important mission yet, which entirely depends on him retraining himself to trust other people to help pull it off.
The developing "will they, won't they" between Loid and Yor is already taking off without a hitch in the suitably chaotic way you might expect from a spy/assassin hook up! Between them lies the groundwork for a solid relationship built on mutual understanding and it appears that the seeds of genuine feelings have already started to sprout. Of course, it helps that Anya is the cutest child they could have possibly found (or who could have possibly found them in this case), as she makes every page she's on a pure delight with her attempts to help their plans succeed.
Together, they truly are a beautiful found family that has already started pulling at the heartstrings. Their secrets are carefully kept from each other to keep each other safe from the dangers of their work, but their hearts clearly crave the normalcy their identities deny them. Even Anya has a dark past she can't tell anyone about lest it tear their family apart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, War, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Lost Heir by Tui T. Sutherland
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Lost Heir picks up where the first book left off and reveals a lot about the sociopolitical climate of the SeaWing kingdom, where Queen Coral literally controls the narrative.
After losing her friends' trust, Tsunami is propelled forward on a personal journey that calls into question her leadership skills and never quite forgets the fact that she is still conflicted about killing that feral SeaWing in Scarlet's arena. She likes feeling strong and intimidating, but she struggles to understand why her friends are scared of that strength when she is just trying to keep them safe in the only way she knows how (in a way that runs interestingly parallel to Kestrel). And after being held prisoner underground for her entire life so far, she had latched onto the childlike idea that being royalty (and a dragonet of prophecy) is a form of freedom where she gives the orders and everyone else follows without question - except now she may end up under the watchful talon of yet another overbearing guardian!
The story sets Tsunami up for a hard lesson about how leadership requires communication and teamwork, and how sometimes talking and really listening is more effective than intimidation tactics. After all, learning to be less impulsive and value working as a group are strengths in and of themselves! The burden of responsibility is much lighter when shared, especially when that burden is a prophecy that has been called into question yet again. This time, readers are prompted to wonder just how authentic this prophecy is when seemingly every party with an interest in upholding it appears to have ulterior motives.
After losing her friends' trust, Tsunami is propelled forward on a personal journey that calls into question her leadership skills and never quite forgets the fact that she is still conflicted about killing that feral SeaWing in Scarlet's arena. She likes feeling strong and intimidating, but she struggles to understand why her friends are scared of that strength when she is just trying to keep them safe in the only way she knows how (in a way that runs interestingly parallel to Kestrel). And after being held prisoner underground for her entire life so far, she had latched onto the childlike idea that being royalty (and a dragonet of prophecy) is a form of freedom where she gives the orders and everyone else follows without question - except now she may end up under the watchful talon of yet another overbearing guardian!
The story sets Tsunami up for a hard lesson about how leadership requires communication and teamwork, and how sometimes talking and really listening is more effective than intimidation tactics. After all, learning to be less impulsive and value working as a group are strengths in and of themselves! The burden of responsibility is much lighter when shared, especially when that burden is a prophecy that has been called into question yet again. This time, readers are prompted to wonder just how authentic this prophecy is when seemingly every party with an interest in upholding it appears to have ulterior motives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Seven Days: Friday → Sunday / セブンデイズ by Rihito Takarai, Venio Tachibana
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
This second volume ties up all the loose ends, even for the side characters, as Yuzuru and Seryou come to terms with their feelings for each other.
What's really nice about their relationship is that, even though they are both flawed individuals, they aren't made to completely change themselves despite the fact that their actions also aren't entirely excused. They are allowed to be flawed and still be figuring things out as they learn to understand each other's needs and how to communicate. In that way, they feel like high school students overwhelmed by what they're feeling.
Overall, "Seven Days" is a tender story with a satisfying ending and characters you can't help but relate to.
What's really nice about their relationship is that, even though they are both flawed individuals, they aren't made to completely change themselves despite the fact that their actions also aren't entirely excused. They are allowed to be flawed and still be figuring things out as they learn to understand each other's needs and how to communicate. In that way, they feel like high school students overwhelmed by what they're feeling.
Overall, "Seven Days" is a tender story with a satisfying ending and characters you can't help but relate to.
Seven Days: Monday → Thursday by Venio Tachibana
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
A huge selling point for Seven Days is that the usual "but we're both guys!!" type of homophobia that seems to be a staple of a lot of other stories in the BL genre isn't present here, which makes it very refreshing to read. Aside from a few offhand comments from hopeful girls who don't believe Yuzuru and Seryou are dating, their relationship and feelings are simply accepted as perfectly natural if not confusing to navigate. So, the focus of the story becomes the process they undergo to identify and resolve the obstacles that pop up between them, both internally and externally.
This first volume perfectly showcases what it's like to fall in love where you least expect to. It starts with a curiosity or an interest in spending time with someone, then you start to notice little things about them that make you feel a certain way you don't have words to describe yet, and gradually develops into lingering stares and little touches and awkward fumbling moments that you quickly try to brush off or explain away - but deep down underneath it all, you're feeling your heart flutter in a way that feels both good and a little scary... and you're left wondering if the other person feels it too because you're not brave enough yet to ask outright in case the answer is a resounding "no".
The "seven days" premise serves as set dressing for Yuzuru and Seryou to experience all of these firsts after a string of failed relationships that had left them feeling hopeless. It is extremely sweet and wholesome to watch them try to navigate their feelings. The major conflict in the story is the misunderstanding hanging between them about this "expiration date" on their relationship and Seryou's ex-girlfriend who is most definitely taking advantage of him.
This first volume perfectly showcases what it's like to fall in love where you least expect to. It starts with a curiosity or an interest in spending time with someone, then you start to notice little things about them that make you feel a certain way you don't have words to describe yet, and gradually develops into lingering stares and little touches and awkward fumbling moments that you quickly try to brush off or explain away - but deep down underneath it all, you're feeling your heart flutter in a way that feels both good and a little scary... and you're left wondering if the other person feels it too because you're not brave enough yet to ask outright in case the answer is a resounding "no".
The "seven days" premise serves as set dressing for Yuzuru and Seryou to experience all of these firsts after a string of failed relationships that had left them feeling hopeless. It is extremely sweet and wholesome to watch them try to navigate their feelings. The major conflict in the story is the misunderstanding hanging between them about this "expiration date" on their relationship and Seryou's ex-girlfriend who is most definitely taking advantage of him.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
The content warnings are about a pair of side characters for mentions of cheating on each other and one character forcing a kiss on a main character in one scene. The main relationship itself is extremely wholesome and sweet.
Tarot of the Little Prince by Rachel Paul, Martina Rossi
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
In order to understand the connection between The Little Prince and tarot, one needs to be familiar with both. The booklet offers a very brief outline of each card, making sure to leave room for interpretation and exploration of the symbolism in Martina Rossi's art so each interaction with the cards becomes personal to the person using them. The story asks you to connect with your inner child and ask yourself how that can help you navigate the complexities of adulthood.
This deck is gorgeous and overflows with symbolism from both Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic and the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, though it leans much heavier on the former than the latter. I would highly recommend Tarot of the Little Prince to anyone who collects decks as art pieces, fans of The Little Prince story, and veteran tarot readers alike.
This deck is gorgeous and overflows with symbolism from both Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic and the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, though it leans much heavier on the former than the latter. I would highly recommend Tarot of the Little Prince to anyone who collects decks as art pieces, fans of The Little Prince story, and veteran tarot readers alike.
Ghost Town at Sundown by Mary Pope Osborne, Salvatore Murdocca
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
4.0
The tenth book in the Magic Tree House series is every young kid's fantasy about what the Wild West was like, which is a fitting atmosphere for a story that was inspired by a child's fan letter requesting that Jack and Annie help the horses. From the moment you pick up the book, the beautiful illustrations bring to life the childhood wonder of these stories with a softness that is reminiscent of watercolor paintings. This time, Jack and Annie have yet another short and sweet adventure that leaves kids satisfied with their imaginations and adults (read: me) wanting to see them explore for just a bit longer in that world.
A Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray (Scholastic Gold) by Ann M. Martin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Squirrel is such a good dog who lives so many different lives throughout the course of her story and I am not ashamed to admit that I was sobbing through at least half of it.
This truly is a book about the different types of situations stray dogs can encounter out in the world. It teaches about their survival instincts, how they learn and develop relationships with humans through their experiences, and the different types of personalities of the dogs living on the streets. Also, it presents an interesting view of how dogs understand and experience emotions.
A Dog's Life prompts readers to empathize with the dogs in their lives, to treat them with gentleness and kindness instead of violence and anger. The author, like Squirrel, doesn't pass judgement; only hopes that we will be more thoughtful after having read her story. And it is a very good story indeed.
This truly is a book about the different types of situations stray dogs can encounter out in the world. It teaches about their survival instincts, how they learn and develop relationships with humans through their experiences, and the different types of personalities of the dogs living on the streets. Also, it presents an interesting view of how dogs understand and experience emotions.
A Dog's Life prompts readers to empathize with the dogs in their lives, to treat them with gentleness and kindness instead of violence and anger. The author, like Squirrel, doesn't pass judgement; only hopes that we will be more thoughtful after having read her story. And it is a very good story indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Confinement, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
There is some ageism from one character who appears a few times at the end of the book as well.
Saint Young Men, Omnibus 2 by Hikaru Nakamura
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
The introduction for this volume is about Japan's relationship with religion, which applies some interesting context to the interactions Jesus and Buddha have with the humans they encounter on their vacation. The overarching theme of how death is treated in Japan also pops up quite a lot throughout their adventures, delivering plenty of opportunities to juxtapose how the living view it as opposed to religious figures who have already died and dwell among them on a normal work day.
There is a lot to love about the chapters in this collection, but my favorite part is that we finally get to meet the archangels! They're so fun and, after seeing them unleashed, who could blame Matsuda for mistaking them for foreigners throwing a wild party in the apartment back in the first volume. The local yakuza guy features more heavily in the story with his family now too, which of course leads to even more entertaining shenanigans!
As usual, the translation and localization team did an excellent job adapting and explaining the jokes/references. Unfortunately, there are a lot of typos and some of the panels get cut off just the tiniest bit. It's not a huge inconvenience and doesn't make the manga unreadable by any means, but it is a little distracting.
There is a lot to love about the chapters in this collection, but my favorite part is that we finally get to meet the archangels! They're so fun and, after seeing them unleashed, who could blame Matsuda for mistaking them for foreigners throwing a wild party in the apartment back in the first volume. The local yakuza guy features more heavily in the story with his family now too, which of course leads to even more entertaining shenanigans!
As usual, the translation and localization team did an excellent job adapting and explaining the jokes/references. Unfortunately, there are a lot of typos and some of the panels get cut off just the tiniest bit. It's not a huge inconvenience and doesn't make the manga unreadable by any means, but it is a little distracting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Self harm, and Torture
The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
The Wings of Fire series is off to a great start!
The book is prefaced with the in-depth NightWing Guide To The Dragons Of Pyrrhia, which does a good job of establishing the world-building and key players in the story, and as a big fan of maps I was happy to see the double-page spread that greeted me when I first opened the cover. The pacing of the story is also delightfully jarring at times. The prologue immediately dives into the action and lets you know that war does nothing but create a body count. No sooner than we are introduced to the prophecy does one of the leading players in the war throw a wrench in the resistance's plans by committing volatile (and graphic) murder. The blows just keep coming from there. No details spared.
The book is prefaced with the in-depth NightWing Guide To The Dragons Of Pyrrhia, which does a good job of establishing the world-building and key players in the story, and as a big fan of maps I was happy to see the double-page spread that greeted me when I first opened the cover. The pacing of the story is also delightfully jarring at times. The prologue immediately dives into the action and lets you know that war does nothing but create a body count. No sooner than we are introduced to the prophecy does one of the leading players in the war throw a wrench in the resistance's plans by committing volatile (and graphic) murder. The blows just keep coming from there. No details spared.
I really like how Wings of Fire approaches its prophecy from the angle of "but what if we don't want to be part of the prophecy?" and prompts readers to question if it's ethical to essentially kidnap children and hold them hostage all in the name of "the greater good." It was a great choice to start the series from Clay's perspective to really cement in the readers' minds that striving for peaceful solutions to conflict doesn't make one weak or worthless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Torture, Kidnapping, and Death of parent