I’m surprised how much I already love these characters after just one volume. The art is beautiful, and the dynamic between Ms. Tao and Alma as well aI’m surprised how much I already love these characters after just one volume. The art is beautiful, and the dynamic between Ms. Tao and Alma as well as their individual personalities are really fun.
The plot is pretty reminiscent of Chainsaw Man, but Gokarakugai stands out nonetheless because of how quickly it establishes solid side characters and their backstories. I became attached to all of the people Ms. Tao and Alma helped within only a few pages, adoring Yuki and Luka’s sweet bond of friendship, and immediately sympathizing with Isato’s family tragedy. I’m already hooked to the main cast, and knowing that the author is able to make me care for side character so effortlessly, I’m really eager to continue this manga!...more
To everyone who was a part of adapting this into a show: I love you.
I watched the 2 episode premiere last night after finishing this book the night beTo everyone who was a part of adapting this into a show: I love you.
I watched the 2 episode premiere last night after finishing this book the night before and YES I will be rereading it immediately to quell the insatiable anticipation of waiting for next week’s episode. This has the potential to be the best book-to-screen adaptation of a romance novel I’ve ever seen. Shane and Ilya literally jumped off the page because what do you mean Connor Storrie didn’t know a lick of Russian before playing Ilya’s role, and Hudson Williams flawlessly conveyed every single emotion running through Shane’s mind with just his eyes. I’M GOING INSANEEE!!!
Enough about the show but UGH I feel like it only enhanced my love for this book even more. This review is probably going to be a mess because I adore these characters and am incapable of being critical of them.
I’ve read so much hockey romance by this point—both straight and MM—that I feel like I have the formula down packed. Most of the time it's fun and tropey yet forgettable, which is why I love reading it as a treat in between much more complex novels. I never really fault the basic storylines since I already know what I’m getting into.
With that said…. Heated Rivalry somehow managed to completely diverge from everything I’m used to in this subgenre. There was something so endearing about the fact that Shane and Ilya’s story takes place over the span of nearly a decade, with them sometimes only seeing each other once every few months. The pacing made the tension, yearning and anxiousness in their behind-the-scenes arrangement all the more palpable. It was very “distance makes the heart grow fonder” except in their case it amplified every kind of emotion, not just affection. The frustration and fear and achiness of a love that couldn’t be fully acknowledged was all so real I was kind of in awe of the breadth of both their emotions for a lot of this book.
For a story this ‘smutty’, it’s amazing how I’ve come away feeling like it was one of the most sincere romances I’ve read all year. I think because the foundation of Shane and Ilya’s relationship is based around sex, they learn a lot about each other through that and it’s somehow actually very sweet. The conversations they have before, during and after are the perfect mix of raunchy banter and genuine care for each other, even though the latter goes unacknowledged between them for a long time.
There’s also so much depth to these characters which isn’t usually executed well in sports romance. Shane is a ball of anxiety that tries to ignore his troubles by being goal-oriented, and as a really anxious person I related to him so hard in a lot of moments. Reid does a great job portraying the unspoken fear Shane has towards being outed, contrasting this with how Ilya at first appears much more confident because of having more experience with men (despite him actually being much the same). Ilya’s troubled family life and conflicting emotions towards his home country added so much substance to his character, it was impossible not to become enamoured with him and Shane as they tried and often struggled to work through all of their hangups.
I just love these two so much. I still can’t believe they actually got a TV show that I just witnessed with my own eyes and it was PERFECTLY cast with great music, lighting and scripted with lines pulled straight out of the book. Even though I’m suffering now, I’m kind of ecstatic that the show is releasing episodes weekly, since that means we’re getting Hollanov content all through the holidays!!! This was just so fantastic. Time to reread and then rewatch the new episodes!...more
This manhwa has to feature one of the best bl love triangles of all time because I swear I've never been so seamlessly dissuaded from my ride-or-die pThis manhwa has to feature one of the best bl love triangles of all time because I swear I've never been so seamlessly dissuaded from my ride-or-die pick to end up with the protagonist. I don't know how I've jumped ship to become a ride-or-die for the other male lead while also not hating my old fav (since a lot of authors love to nerf one love interest to uplift the other) . At this point I'll always have a strong favourite, but be ultimately satisfied with whoever Ian ends up with since all of these characters have such amazing depth to them. Doyak is such a great storyteller.
After being a TJ truther through yearsss worth of updates (that friends-to-lovers plot had me hooked to him as endgame), I've finally seen the light. I adore Jo. Ian deserves peace, and at this point I can't see how anyone but Jo can offer him a life of that....more
Three love stories uniquely linked to death: an angel and a reaper; a vampire and a ghost; the son of Odin and the godson of Death. Naturally, this waThree love stories uniquely linked to death: an angel and a reaper; a vampire and a ghost; the son of Odin and the godson of Death. Naturally, this was everything to me.
“So then it was a curse, existence. Life was a death sentence, after all, and even the sweetest of loves would still always end.”
Oh how I missed Olivie Blake and her run-on sentences. (Yes I’m being serious). I know a lot of readers find it pretentious, or like some sort of guise for an otherwise empty plotline, but I genuinely adore the type of author that loves their meandering sentences. It lets me sink into the story even more than usual, with the added descriptors helping create a much thicker atmosphere—or in this case an even greater sense of whimsy. What I love about Blake’s prose in particular is that it’s always a bit of a wordy mess yet still manages to build up rich characters that share good banter. What can I say… I love my tasteful word salads, and if there’s one thing Blake will never fail to deliver, it’s that. That and her personal mission to make everybody in her books at least vaguely bisexual.
‘Fox did noy say: I know that given the choice, you’ll only walk away again, unscathed, as you always do, and I cannot bear to watch you do it. “For as long as there is something I need from you, I will not be the fool I was once. I will not be the fool who lets you go.”’
After the questionable way The Atlas trilogy ended, I was pleasantly surprised with how satisfying of a standalone this turned out to be. Master of Death’s pages are filled with so many eccentric creatures, including angels, vampires, reapers, werewolves, godlings, Death himself, and one deeply emotional mortal (who happens to be the godson of Death), yet all of them are well fleshed out, given ample page time plus a number of colourful interactions with each other. There are a whopping seven central characters, yet not a single one feels haphazardly written or thrown in. Some do seem more important than others, but that’s a natural product of most novels, and in the end only helped solidify my favourite character.
Because FOX D’MORA!!! I love that sad little man so dearly. It feels fitting that the only (kind of) mortal in a story full of immortals or undeads would be the character that completely won over my heart. His love story was the one that tugged at my heart the most, with the audiobook narrator Steve West doing a phenomenal job of capturing every nuance in Fox’s endless anger, hurt, betrayal and love towards Brandt. I was genuinely weeping during one particularly weighty scene because of how viscerally I could feel both of their emotions as portrayed by West. I also adored his ease with accents, switching seamlessly between Fox’s english accent to Vi’s american to Brandt’s norse.
Otherwise, all three romances are really lovely in their own way. Each of the main pairings share a very different dynamic, with Vi and Tom starting as rivals that pretend to be annoyed with each other before falling into a really sweet kind of love. Then there’s Cal and Mayra who are already in a really sweet kind of love when we meet them, but can’t be together because it’s forbidden between a soldier of lucifer and an angel. I’ve rambled enough about Fox and Brandt, but they’ve loved each other for centuries, and there’s a whole lot of perceived betrayal and unresolved hurt between them that makes it impossible not to desperately root for their reconciliation.
And then there’s the fact that the meaning at the centre of this book was so well explored. Blake executes a concept we’ve seen done before but in such an interesting way due to the strange whimsy of this cast. Masters of Death is at its core a love letter about what it means to be human. It is a beautiful rendition of how import pain is, and how the ability to feel our wounds so deeply ensures that we may always recognize how precious it is to feel joy or to love someone with your entire self. Fox was a brilliant personification of the human condition, dragged down by the weight of his sorrows and yet still so much more alive than all of the the immortals and undead around him, afflicted with apathy because of their leisurely luxury of forever.
What a satisfying standalone. Incredible audiobook and incredible inside cover art. Masters of Death managed to satisfy my every craving, delivering something that was at times funny, heartfelt, sad and sweet. I’ll definitely be returning to this story time and time again; it might be my new favourite of Blake’s....more
Divine 'rivals' when your rival is a boy that lovingly (secretly) reads all of your writing when you work at the same newspaper company.... chivalry iDivine 'rivals' when your rival is a boy that lovingly (secretly) reads all of your writing when you work at the same newspaper company.... chivalry is not dead. Iris and Roman you are the blueprint.
Hell's kitchen but instead of Gordon Ramsay screaming at you it's a head chef that makes his pet pig taste test your food to decide if you'll still beHell's kitchen but instead of Gordon Ramsay screaming at you it's a head chef that makes his pet pig taste test your food to decide if you'll still be employed tomorrow. Plus: three fun roommates, pining for a coworker, and art that makes you irrationally hungry for seasonal fall dishes (of which Ben makes many)....more
GRIMMJOW <3<3<3 He walked so other glorious blue-eyed kings could run....
The snippets of backstory regarding Ikkaku and Kenpachi were unexpected but GRIMMJOW <3<3<3 He walked so other glorious blue-eyed kings could run....
The snippets of backstory regarding Ikkaku and Kenpachi were unexpected but really interesting. I didn't think I'd care much for Ikkaku based on the previous volume, but his connection to Kenpachi is enough to change my mind completely. A great volume with AMAAAZING fights. The first Grimmjow vs Ichigo showdown was so so so good....more
I was so focused on the Nichoji crumbs in the last Fence issue—given that there wasn’t much actual fencing going on—that I nearly lost sight of everytI was so focused on the Nichoji crumbs in the last Fence issue—given that there wasn’t much actual fencing going on—that I nearly lost sight of everything else I love about these comics. Sweet Sixteen sees that the story finds its footing again, though, highlighting some interesting bouts as King’s Row aims to make it to finals and win.
With the excruciatingly slow publication pace of this series, I was really happy about all that happened in this issue. The last one felt like buildup while this one was all action. I can’t wait for King’s Row to take home the title so Nichols and Seiji can have a celebratory “appointment”…...more
A korean-inspired (six pov) heist novel featuring a poison maiden, street thief, exiled prince, strongman, royal spymaster and the son of a count—throA korean-inspired (six pov) heist novel featuring a poison maiden, street thief, exiled prince, strongman, royal spymaster and the son of a count—thrown together to kill a god king—and they don’t even like each other! We all cheered!
“He thinks I'm the villain of our story. That I'll betray him simply because I have before. Because I lie as easily as I breathe. And that all seems like terribly unfair character assassination to me. Accurate as it may be.”
Mikail my manipulative king you’re so funny please don’t die…
Six Broken Blades was above all else a really, really fun read. Just what I needed after being in a severe fantasy drought, rendered near incapable of reading anything but mind-numbing romance during exam season. The six audiobook narrators were equally enticing in their portrayals of each protagonist, with Royo’s narrator kicking off chapter one in a way that really captured my interest. The gruff voice was perfect for his street-hardened character, made even better in the moments of softness that slipped through his tough exterior. While his character didn't remain my favourite, Royo certainly didn't waste time capturing my intrigue from the start.
I’ve read a ton of reviews, good and bad, some calling this book ‘Walmart Six of Crows’ and criticising the romance, while others adored the mix of passionate romance, betrayal and action. While I can see the aspects that might turn some people away from this book, none of them affected my reading experience very much. Corland’s writing isn’t super complex, but for a debut novel, it served its purpose well. I recognize that the audiobook also deeply enhanced my experience, making it much easier to overlook more simplistic patches of monologue or dialogue due to how expressively the narrators voiced each line.
The thing I love about Bleach is that I get just as much enjoyment out of the mundane moments as I do the intense battles.
I loved seeing Chad and OriThe thing I love about Bleach is that I get just as much enjoyment out of the mundane moments as I do the intense battles.
I loved seeing Chad and Orihime do their best to fight the Arrancar’s despite knowing they weren’t the strongest; their unspoken little partnership and dedication to protecting each other is really sweet.
And then there’s our boy Ichigo!! He really stood out in this volume, especially now that he’s dealing with rising tensions from so many different directions (with the hollow inside him, as well as Shinji and the Arrancar’s affiliated with Aizen). It’s always so nice to see the soft, sweet side of him that he only ever seems to show to Orihime after a gruelling battle. I can’t help the soft spot I have towards their potential budding relationship; while it’s easy to be critical towards Orihime for her lack of power or persistence involving Ichigo, I find her one of the most genuine characters in Bleach. I love her pure heart, and how much she cares for Chad, Uryū, Ichigo, and Rukia despite not always being able to help as much as she wants to.
The panel of Orihime thanking Rukia at school was so cute, I hope to see more of their friendship going forward! I’m excited to have Rukia and Ichigo reunited again too! I missed their rowdy sibling-like dynamic, always fighting despite loving each other deep down.
This cliffhanger was probably one of my favourite in the series. Tōshirō’s explanation leading into the final panel of Aizen and the shadowed Arrancar’s?? I felt the dread. Things are getting really good!...more
Skipping formalities and whatnot: doctor Kenzo Tenma I’m deeply in love with you!
I can already see why Monster is hailed as one of the best psychologSkipping formalities and whatnot: doctor Kenzo Tenma I’m deeply in love with you!
I can already see why Monster is hailed as one of the best psychological thriller mangas of all time. This was an outstanding first volume, and I’m so glad I’ve avoided spoilers for this many years, preserving every bit of shock value possible aside from what our dear killer looks like. I’ve been itching to read this ever since I came across a snippet of the anime (the scene where Tenma is trying to snipe a certain someone in a lecture hall) and am as expected, awestruck by how good this already is.
Sending one request into the universe while I’m still at the beginning: Kenzo Tenma please don’t experience a downward spiral over the course of the series where you slowly lose your mind <3 (it’s inevitable isn’t it…)...more
Sibling love (mixed with some tragedy) never fails to make me an emotional wreck. Following two older brothers after their parents are killed and theySibling love (mixed with some tragedy) never fails to make me an emotional wreck. Following two older brothers after their parents are killed and they're thrust into caring for their 5 younger siblings—Westly becoming emotionally unavailable and Asher hiding his pain by instigating fights to push people away from him—made my heart ache so badly.
After only getting to see the cocky side of Asher in book 3 (which we knew was facade), I was so eager to learn the true depths of his heart through a book dedicated to him. It was so beautiful to see Asher find someone that he could finally open up to, that he could cry and be vulnerable with. The fact that Kole saw the real Asher behind all the armour from the very beginning when they met in the park made me love them even more. It's undeniable how much Asher wants to be seen and loved, so seeing him stop pretending to be an asshole, letting the barbs around his heart fall away, was everything to me. His chemistry with Kole was palpable; I loved them together even more than my previous favourites Beck and Jacobs, with this easily being my favourite book in the series.
The scene where Asher apologized to Westly.... if I weren't listening to the audiobook on a bus the tears would have been flowing freely. Brothers reconciling their hurt and admitting they love each other ftw!...more
In my last CU hockey review I mentioned not rating the book super highly because of the more juvenile writing style, but heOkay okay I'm a hypocrite!
In my last CU hockey review I mentioned not rating the book super highly because of the more juvenile writing style, but here I am now, willing to forgive the cheesy writing because the chemistry between Jacobs and Beck was so good. I'm almost surprised at how much more I enjoyed them compared to the first couple, but there's always something so enthralling about a romance between hockey teammates rather than a player and someone on the outside. Their rivals to lovers dynamic made things even more enjoyable considering how they tended to dive into things with each other before considering any of the future implications. Kiss first and deal with what that means later!
It was a bit strange hearing the same audiobook narrators that voiced Foster and Zach now also voice Jacobs and Beck, but I quickly got over the similarities and started really enjoying it! This series has been so much fun to get through, especially on audio. I'm curious to see how Cohen's story will go next!...more
Sports romance is quickly climbing the ranks as my favourite brand of romance novel, and Pole Position was testament to that. While I've read countlesSports romance is quickly climbing the ranks as my favourite brand of romance novel, and Pole Position was testament to that. While I've read countless hockey romances, this was my first about professional race car driving, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
I absolutely loved the audiobook! It was the perfect thing to keep me motivated through the stress of exam season. Harper and Kian aren't exactly enemies-to-lovers, but they are shoved-together coworkers (racing partners) who start off disliking each other. Their opposites attract dynamic was enticing from the beginning, with Harper being the fleeting, afraid of romance type while Kian was ready to lock someone down for life. Their banter was everything! Even the miscommunication between them was more entertaining than it was frustrating, honestly adding to the overall fun of this reading experience. The audiobook narrators definitely contributed to my enjoyment as well! I always love having separate voices read each respetive POV; it really personifies all of the characters, and brings the story to life in a way a single narrator might struggle to.
I've seen a few people complain about the pacing, but I thought it was well done! There's a good deal of buildup and tension through the first half, and enough time with Kian and Harper actually in a relationship that I wasn't left wanting for more. Both characters had pretty well developed backstories, with Kian's sister and Harper's best friend acting as significant supports through most of the book. Things were wrapped up nicely, too! I had such a great time with this book, and will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperAudio for providing me with an audiobook arc!...more
Fujimoto has an uncanny talent for making seemingly mundane events so gripping, tinged with hard to pinpoint oddity. By the final third, I was lost inFujimoto has an uncanny talent for making seemingly mundane events so gripping, tinged with hard to pinpoint oddity. By the final third, I was lost in the storytelling, and left kind of confused by the ending. Strange thing is, I think that’s kind of the point.
Now having read two of Fujimoto’s standalone stories, I’m starting to believe he’s a master at them. His scratchy art style adds an incredible charm to whatever tale he is unraveling for the reader, and I couldn’t get enough of it in Goodbye, Eri. I love the way he was able to capture the style of seeing everything through a camera, with character forms seeming shaky with an almost double silhouette.
This was just so so good, I can’t even think of what to say. At this rate, Fujimoto is quickly becoming one of my favourite mangaka....more
Molly Mendoza needs to quit making graphic novels and start submitting her works to museums. This is one of the rare times where I think the cover artMolly Mendoza needs to quit making graphic novels and start submitting her works to museums. This is one of the rare times where I think the cover art doesn't do proper justice to the gorgeous work inside; I'm so used to cover arts being more beautiful that the actual contents!
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This is by far the most jaw-dropping art style I've ever seen in a graphic novel, and I don't say that lightly. As someone who paints as a hobby, I'd kill to be able to adopt her clever usage of colour. The overall abstract quality to Skip, and the stylistic choices used to convey emotion were phenomenal. Mendoza's art reminded me faintly of the paintings done by Canadian Indigenous Peoples that are hung up in galleries here. I read Skip front-to-back while sitting in a bookstore, and ended up so awestruck by the art alone that I had to buy it and give it to my sister (who wants to pursue art). I think it's the first graphic novel I've ever actually purchased, too!
The story itself felt like a hazy dream. There were some elements of realness tied up in an otherwise experimental fantasy realm, and it felt like I didn't really know what was going on while also loving the strange ride. I will definitely be returning to this graphic novel again and again. I need...more
Witnessing the same pair fall in love twice through different means, when both times they are oblivious to each othDramatic irony, how I love you so.
Witnessing the same pair fall in love twice through different means, when both times they are oblivious to each others feelings? Truly a recipe for success. And the protagonist Wren Martin is a nerdy, awkward, sometimes unintentionally rude teenager! His narration was effortlessly humorous (especially listening to the audiobook), though full of so much heart when the circumstances called for it. There was truly so many great messages sprinkled throughout what on the outside, can seem like just another lost high school senior.
The closest thing I've read to this book is Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and I can confidently say I enjoyed this more. I adored the concept of the Buddy app, and how it allowed Wren to let go of his insecurities and create a meaningful connection with someone free of trivial real-life hangups. His character development and slow-growing emotional maturity made for a heartening journey to follow.
Leo was the sweetest, but that goes without saying. Loved this book!...more
I love these characters so dearly that I put off reading the last 10% for five months. Because this only ends when I want it to end (i cannot fathom wI love these characters so dearly that I put off reading the last 10% for five months. Because this only ends when I want it to end (i cannot fathom waiting a currently indefinite amount of time for the finale). RTC!
Before reading I can’t believe Jerejean is returning to us in 12 days… Nora I need you to please let Jean Moreau (and us) be happy time around ...more
We're really leaning into the horror now with more spirits making their way down the mountain and into the village. And that cliffhanger! I reacted juWe're really leaning into the horror now with more spirits making their way down the mountain and into the village. And that cliffhanger! I reacted just like Yoshiki with how oddly attached I've become to 'Hikaru'.
The changing dynamic between our protagonists is one of my favourite things about the progression of this manga. It's obvious Yoshiki is starting to grow fond of 'Hikaru's' company, beyond just his fear or forgetting the real Hikaru. It's even more interesting now that more people know about him amidst the escalating supernatural presence in the village.
