Monday, December 31, 2018
Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr
author: John Crowley
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/31
date added: 2018/12/31
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
John Crowley is a great writer. Unfortunately, his writing style is not the potboiler mega-thriller type pace. His writing is paced and deliberate.
When my online book club picked 'Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr' by John Crowley, I knew it might be a problem, but I had hope that there might be renewed interest in the writer. Perhaps there will be.
A man in a world winding down finds an unusual crow. The crow and the man begin to understand each other, and the crow tells his story. The crow has a long history with humans, living and dying alongside them. The book spans different relationships from early man to medieval monks to the civil war to the industrial age and beyond.
The beauty of this novel is how well the author seems to get the sounds and actions of crows. Early chapters as the Dar Oakley learns to communicate are difficult because the crow is not able to express itself so we can understand. This was a bit offputting to me and may throw readers off, but stick with the book for a beautiful and melancholy read.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2Tfur5o
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Convenience Store Woman
author: Sayaka Murata
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/30
date added: 2018/12/30
shelves:
review:
'Convenience Store Woman' by Sayaka Murata with English translation by Ginny Tapley Takemori is about an unusual woman who works in a convenience store.
Keiko Furukura has always been strange. She has to take her social cues from others. In order to make her way, she holds a job in a convenience store. She likes the order and rules. She adopts the personalities and mannerisms of her co-workers. When a male coworker can't seem to follow any of the rules of the store, Keiko invites him home. This becomes a bit of a misunderstanding and Keiko realizes the people around her are happy that she has a man in her life, but what will Keiko do?
This was an odd little story, and I liked it. I liked Keiko's odd mannerisms. Had the story taken place in the U.S., Keiko would have probably been a serial killer, but instead she is just someone trying to understand the rules of her society.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Grove Atlantic and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2EXT57q
Saturday, December 29, 2018
Undead Messiah 02
author: Gin Zarbo
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/29
date added: 2018/12/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Undead Messiah Vol. 2' by Gin Zarbo is a manga with zombies. I enjoyed the first volume, so I thought I'd try the second one.
In the first volume, we learned that Tim is a fan of zombies until zombies are real. He and his baby brother have been rescued by a mysterious bandaged stranger, and that where this story starts. In this book, Tim finds out about the mysterious stranger. He also learns where all the zombies came from. his little brother Elian exhibits weird characteristics and Tim joins a group of people who are suspicious of the strangers motives.
The story is full of tropes from other fiction: Zombies who may be able to think or have superpowers, a powerful, well-meaning scientist who may be out of control, etc. While I was reading this, I kept getting distracted by other things. That's never a good sign. I enjoyed the first volume well enough, but this one was kind of a mess.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2SpP9zj
Not-So-Brave Penguin
author: Steve Smallman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/29
date added: 2018/12/29
shelves: childrens
review:
'Not-So-Brave Penguin' by Steve Smallman is a storybook about a little penguin who is afraid of a lot of things.
Percy and Posy are friends, but while Percy is brave, Posy is cautious. He slides down icy slopes while she scoots on her bottom. She doesn't like loud noises or the dark. One day, a huge iceberg shows up nearby, and Percy wants to investigate. Posy is scared and doesn't go, but when it starts to get dark and Percy isn't back, will Posy find the courage to help her friend?
It's a good story about being scared and being brave, and the lessons are pretty clear. The illustrations are pretty cute and I think young readers will like this story of penguins that may remind them of themselves.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-QEB, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2Tksp41
Batman, Volume 8: Cold Days
author: Tom King
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2018/12/29
date added: 2018/12/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Batman, Volume : Cold Days' by Tom King with art by Lee Weeks, Tony S. Daniel, Matt Wagner and Mark Buckingham shows that Tom King is such a good writer for the current Batman book.
In the first story, 'Cold Days', Mr. Freeze is on trial for the murder of three women. Batman found the evidence and got a confession out of him. All but one of the jurors believe he is guilty. That juror is Bruce Wayne. His opinion is that after recent events, Batman may have gone too far.
In the second story, 'Beast of Burden', KGBeast targets someone close to Batman and we see to what lengths Batman will go to get his vengeance.
Both stories are good for their own reasons, but Cold Days was the one I loved. It asks a lot of interesting questions about those who protect us and our willingness to believe them. It's about a broken Batman who just wants to do the right thing.
The art varies, but I didn't mind any of it. The Matt Wagner art for the in-between story of Nightwing and Batman is the best. If Dick Grayson were written more like he is in these stories, I'd like him a lot more.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from DC Entertainment and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2BLTWUF
Thursday, December 27, 2018
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (without Cross-References)
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Half-Truths and Semi-Miracles
author: Anne Tyler
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/25
date added: 2018/12/25
shelves:
review:
'Half-Truths and Semi-Miracles' by Anne Tyler is a previously published short story that is available again for the first time since its initial publication.
A woman named Susanna has a healing touch. Through her life it's a blessing and a curse. As she gets older, it's more of a curse. She just wants to be ordinary, and no one wants to view her that way.
I've always enjoyed Anne Tyler's work and this is no exception, even though it's brief. Her characters have a quirkiness and humanity that is hard to find in other writers. I was happy to find this and get to read it.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2EO9viP
The 100 Greatest Moments From The Justice League
author: Robert Greenberger
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/25
date added: 2018/12/25
shelves:
review:
'Justice League: 100 Greatest Moments' by Robert Greenberger is a pretty admirable attempt at the 100 greatest things that have happened to the Justice League.
The 100 items are broken up into 7 chapters starting with the membership of the Justice League. It's changed a lot over the years and yet some of the core members have remained. There is a chapter on headqyarters and we see how the team started on Earth, then moved to the Watchower in Space. From here we get in to the aliens they have encountered, the weird occult situations they've found themselves in, and allies and enemies made along the way. The last chapter deals with their greatest battles, and these range from Kingdom Come to the White Martians to Darkseid.
There are descriptions at the beginning of each chapter except the last. Each major battle gets a more in depth look. There are lots of pages from the comics and full credit is given for writer and artist. The appendix deals with team rosters.
I liked this as a good overview. I've followed the Justice League off and on, but I'm no hardcore fan. It was nice to have an introduction and overview to this superteam.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing Group-Chartwell Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2LxsuOU
Disney Manga: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney Tim Burton's the Nightmare Before Christmas)
author: Jun Asuka
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 2018/03/09
date added: 2018/12/25
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Disney Manga: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas' by Jun Asuka is a manga adaptation of the animated film. It mostly works.
Jack Skellington is the pumpkin king. He is bored with Halloween and wants to branch out to other holidays. He chooses Christmas, but can Christmas survive what Jack and his friends do to it?
The art is pretty good and the characters look like they do for the most part. The movie has lots of music and it's here where the adaptation tries and fails. I almost think it shouldn't have tried at all. For the rest of it, the dialogue has been translated from English, then back to English, and this creates a few odd phrases. For folks who love the film, like I do, this is probably a must collect, and it was fun to see Jack and company in this format.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://bit.ly/2rS359J
Thursday, December 20, 2018
The Pitiful Human-Lizard, Vol. 1: Far From Legendary (The Pitiful Human Lizard #1)
Frankenstein: Annotated for Scientists, Engineers, and Creators of All Kinds
author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.03
book published: 1818
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2018/12/20
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Frankenstein: Annotated for Scientists, Engineers, and Creators of All Kinds' takes the 1818 text of the novel by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley and adds essays and annotations just in time for the 200th anniversary. Along with a few dozen contributors to the annotations, the book includes essays by Elizabeth Bear, Cory Doctorow and others. There is a reference list as well as a list of discussions questions.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this version of this book at this time. The additional material helps to show how relevant this book is, even in our times, and the annotations expanded my enjoyment of the book.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2sdiq7R
Wednesday, December 19, 2018
The Inheritance Trilogy (Inheritance, #1-3.5)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2014
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/19
date added: 2018/12/19
shelves:
review:
'The Inheritance Trilogy' by N.K. Jemisin is a sprawling epic spanning 3 books and a novella. At 1,442 pages, it's the longest book I've read in a while.
The books and novella all have different stories, but the same linked ideas and world at their core.
In 'The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms' we meet a young woman named Yeine who has deity in her bloodline. She is sent to the strange city of Sky to challenge her cousins for her grandfather's rulership. She becomes entangled in the Arameri, a race of gods that have enormous power. The three beings have aspects that should probably be in check, but are at an imbalance through most of the series.
In 'The Broken Kingdom' years have passed since the events of the first book. Those events birthed an enormous tree called the World Tree which overshadows Sky. The main character this time around is a blind artist named Oree Shoth who is able to paint beautiful pictures and see magic. She finds herself with a man named Shiny who turns out to be one of the main gods, Itempas.
'The Kingdom of Gods' main character is Sieh, a trickster god in the form of a young boy. Many, many more years have passed since the second book. Sieh is made human, loses his power and begins to age. He is faced with the consequences of his actions of the lives of two humans he interfered with.
The Awakened Kingdom is a novella that takes place hundreds of years later. It feels a bit like an odd epilogue as it is different in tone.
I really liked this series, but it was by no means a quick read. There are really dense plots happening and rich worldbuilding. I'd say the second book was probably my favorite of the series, but there is merit in each of them for quite different reasons.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Orbit Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
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Sunday, December 16, 2018
The Sky Is Yours
author: Chandler Klang Smith
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.26
book published: 2018
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/16
date added: 2018/12/16
shelves:
review:
'The Sky Is Yours' by Chandler Klang Smith would seem to have lots of elements I would like a story: a decaying futuristic city, a group of characters from different social structures, and dragons. When it was all done, it felt like lots of ideas that didn't really go anywhere.
In the futuristic city of Empire Island, things are not going well. Dragons circle overhead, a reality star named Duncan is sitting in the remains of her crumbling empire, and a young girl named Abby is trying her best just to find food and shelter.
The ideas and setting were grand. The writing was decent. I just didn't actually care what happened to these characters in the least. When the book was done, I felt like I would remember the interesting setting, but soon forget anything that happened.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Hogarth, Crown Publishing, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2S09FGt
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Joylandia
author: Tronchet
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/15
date added: 2018/12/15
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Joylandia' with art and story by Tronchet is a darkly comic story about a town run by a dystopian government where every day is Christmas.
In Houppeland, every day is Christmas because the government says so. Gift giving, holiday dinner parties and cheerfulness are all enforced and checked. A bad gift or attitude can lead to oppressive prison sentences. A man and a woman meet, but are separate when she is inprisoned for sneezing in a department store. A resustance overthrows the government, but now the new leader gets to decide the next holiday. Welcome to a town where it's always Mardi Gras.
This book has some interesting things to say about oppressive governments, and even the kind of false cheer we feel like we need to have during the holidays. I liked the art and story. I felt it ran a bit on the long side, but the ending didn't disappoint.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SPbbvq
Watersnakes
author: Tony Sandoval
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.53
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/15
date added: 2018/12/15
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Watersnakes' with art and story by Tony Sandoval is a weirdly beautiful book, but somewhere along the way lost coherence for me.
Mila is a loner. One day during summer vacation she meets a strange girl named Agnes. She is attracted to Agnes, but Agnes is a ghost who has a mouth full of teeth that used to be the guardian warriors of a king. Mila follows Agnes on a quest to return a strange octopus back to the sea and fight off other evil.
The book has a sort of dreamlike look and story, and if I'd been able to stay in that place, I might have liked the book a bit more. I think the story loses it's way, then tries to be more important than it is. Still, that art by Tony Sandoval is probably better than anything else I've seen him do, and that's saying something.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2QQ6moc
Spirou - Le journal d'un ingénu
author: Émile Bravo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/14
date added: 2018/12/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Spirou: The Diary of a Naive Young Man' with art and story by Emile Bravo is a new story of a classic character by a new artist.
Spirou is an orphan who works as a bellboy in a hotel. He heads up sports with other boys and has a pet squirrel. The hotel job keeps him busy and the hotel is full of interesting people. There is a famous boxer and a famous fashion designer having an affair. There is also a negotiation between a Nazi and some folks from Poland. The outcome of these talks could mean war is coming, but could it come for Belgium as well?
It's done in a clever style. There are TinTin jokes, but they run a bit thin. Spirou is pretty naive about a lot of things in this comic, so the title fits well. I liked the adventure and humor of this title.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SJKqYY
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Summit Vol. 2: Price of Power
All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1
author: Hiroki Endo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2009
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/09
date added: 2018/12/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'All-Rounder Meguru Vol. 1' with art and story by Hiroki Endo is a sports manga about mixed martial arts.
When Meguru Takayanagi was young, he made friends with a boy named Takashi Segawa. They both had some things in common, but Meguru finds that wasn't really true. Years later, Meguru lives in another city and he decides to get in to martial arts fighting. He's surprised to meet his old friend in the ring, but things have changed. Events in Takashi's life have made him angry and focused.
I'm not sure where this story will eventually go, but I can imagine. It's still different enough from other sports stories I know to make it interesting. The art is solid, and the characters are interesting.
I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2QHZ99r
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Summit Vol 1: The Long Way Home
author: Amy Chu
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.44
book published: 2018
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/08
date added: 2018/12/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Summit Vol. 1: The Long Way Home' by Amy Chu with art by Jan Duursema is, so far, the best title I've seen out of the Catalyst Prime universe. That's still not saying a ton, but it gives me hope.
Val Resnick-Baker is the sole survivor of the space mission that spawned The Event. She is found on Earth, having fallen from space. She also has some interesting energy casting powers now, if only she can figure out how to use them. With the help of her friends at M.I.T., she creates a suit to help her manage things. She is plagued by ghosts from the past, but they seem to help her free her powers, so maybe that's not a bad thing.
This whole series is really bad with time jumps. It's hard to tell what is now ans what is the past. I'm still not crazy about the latter third of these books and the story about The Event. The story hasn't held my interest and feels really repetitive. I'd rather have had more Summit storyline in the present. What I did like quite a lot is the art by Jan Duursema. It's the best of the line so far.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Lion Forge, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2rtSG40
Bérézina, Vol. 1: The Fire
author: Frédéric Richaud
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/08
date added: 2018/12/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Berezina, Vol. 1: The Fire' by Frederic Richaud with art by Ivan Gil is a historical fiction graphic novel about Napoleon in Moscow.
In 1812, Napoleon decided to try to invade Russia. Three months in to the campaign is where our story starts. The troops haven't met much resistance because the Russians have been fleeing and destroying crops along the way. This means by the time Napoleon's army gets to Moscow, they are tired and starving. What they find in Moscow is an empty city, but it's not really. It's really a carefully laid trap by an enemy willing to sacrifice their own city to defeat Napoleon.
This was a boondoggle of a campaign with an opponent who used their vast land to exhaust troops. I liked this story of what happened in Moscow. The writing is good as well as the art.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Europe Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SBJKF8
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
The Snow Queen
author: Hans Christian Andersen
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.78
book published: 1844
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/10
date added: 2018/12/05
shelves: childrens, classics
review:
'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Anderson, translated by Misha Hoekstra, with art by Lucie Arnoux is similar to another translation I very recently reviewed, but while that one was more of an art piece, this is the one I'd want to read to a child.
The book is comprised of seven short chapters or stories. They are all linked, so I prefer chapters. The Devil has made a special mirror. It breaks and scatters aroudn the world. If the shards get in you, you don't see beautiful things, you see dark things. Little Kai and Gerda are very good friends and nothing can separate them until Kai gets a splinter of mirror in his eye. From then on, he isn't a very nice boy and sees ugliness in the world around him. He is taken away by the Snow Queen, and Gerda goes looking for him. She has adventures talking to crows and with a bandit girl. Will she ever find Kai and can they be reunited?
Each chapter has one pen and ink illustration. They are good illustrations. The story is a really readable translation. It reads like a good fairytale and this was missing in the other version I recently read. Translation can make all the difference. It may be that the other translation is more authentic, but, for me, this is more readable.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Pushkin Children's Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2SuUwgl
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1)
author: Gail Carriger
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2009
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/04
date added: 2018/12/04
shelves:
review:
'Soulless (Parasol Protectorate #1)' by Gail Carriger is a book that was an alternate pick for my book club a few months back. I'd heard good things about the series, so I thought I'd read it.
Alexia Tarabotti is a spinster, but that's not all. Due to an unusual condition, she is able to defang werewolves and vampires with her touch. When she accidentally kills a vampire, she sets in motion a whole series of events that includes secret societies and romance.
It's all fun, and I loved how proper everything kind of felt. I've read a few novels set in this era that just feel off, but the author does a great job with the dress and manners of the time. The romance was perhaps a bit over the top for my taste, but it was a grand adventure, and I'm glad I gave it a shot.
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Sunday, December 2, 2018
A Hundred Kisses Before Bedtime
author: Mack van Gageldonk
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.65
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: childrens
review:
'A Hundred Kisses Before Bedtime' by Mack van Gageldonk is a bedtime storybook about a little chick who helps put animals to bed.
Little chick goes around settling all the animals by giving them a goodnight kiss. There is horse, rooster, and cat. There is also giraffe, crocodile and lion. This little chick lives in a very populated place. Little chick finally runs out of animals to kiss goodnight and gets its own kiss goodnight.
This was a cute book and a quick read, but it seemed to go on a bit too long. The illustrations are pretty cute, but chick seems to be out of proportion with some animals. It's a cute enough read, but perhaps a shorter book would be better for busy toddlers. Perhaps I should have taken the title a bit more literally.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2zDViAJ
The Acadia Files: Summer Investigations
author: Katie Coppens
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.20
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'The Acadia Files: Summer Investigations' by Katie Coppens with illustrations by Holly Hatam is about a young girl who is curious about the world around her, and some parents who set her on the path of the scientific method to help her find answers.
Part storybook, part investigative journal, there are 5 chapters that teach different science principals. From missing blueberries, and where sand comes from, to tides and gravity. Each chapter has a story where Acadia tries to figure things out. The chapter ends with experiments to try, new words and concepts that are introduced, and additional questions that Acadia comes up with.
The world of S.T.E.M. has produced a whole plethora of science books for young readers. I've read some really bad ones and some really good ones. This falls in to the really good category. Rather than just beat the reader over the head with "SCIENCE," the author, who is an educator, has created an interesting narrative framework for why science matters.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Tilbury House, Myrick Marketing & Media LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2zFLqX2
Zeroes (Zer0es, #1)
author: Chuck Wendig
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2015
rating: 3
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Zeroes' by Chuck Wendig was my book club's pick for November. It wasn't a bad book, but it wasn't anyone's favorite either.
A group of disparate hacker-types are captured by the government and made to hack for good in a place called The Lodge. Along the way, they uncover bigger things and inadvertently set something loose they shouldn't have. Now this group of misfits must band together and work to stop bad things from being worse.
It's a techno-thriller that moves along fairly quickly. It's hard to like the characters because some of them are pretty unlikeable, and also because there isn't much time for character development at all. There is a lot of action, then, suddenly, it's over. The ending felt abrupt to me, so while I liked parts of it, overall, I wasn't a big fan.
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Blissful Land, Volume 1
author: Ichimon Izumi
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2018
rating: 0
read at: 2018/12/02
date added: 2018/12/02
shelves:
review:
'Blissful Land #1' by with story and art by Ichimon Izumi is a story that takes place in 18th century Tibet and tells a sweet story of two people in the beginning of their relationship.
Khang Zhipa is a doctor's apprentice. He does his job by findin herbs and turning them in to medicines and teas to help people. One day a bride-to-be named Moshi Rati and her wedding party stays at the home he lives in. He learns that she is to be his bride. The stories are of the early adventures they have picking herbs, learning to trust each other, and Zhipa's constant amazement at how capable and smart Rati is.
I really liked the stories in this manga. There isn't a ton of conflict besides Zhipa's insecurities, but the stories won me over with their earnestness and how nice they were. The art is good as well. It's a black and white story, and their is a lot of detail in the scenery and especially the clothing.
I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
via Wayne's bookshelf: read https://ift.tt/2Q89jAT
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