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brittmariasbooks's Reviews (1.45k)
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Oil. Extremists. An affluent nation thinking it knows better than the 'savage' one.
Gene Luen Yang is not backing off from 'adult' topics in a comic that has children as their main audience. I am glad that he does because for children growing up in this world this particular trilogy shows that the world - whether it is ours or the Avatar world - is not black and white. And I think it is important to acknowledge that. It also shows that a small group of extremists does not represent a whole nation. It shows that some beliefs are grounded in reasonable standpoints but when taken to the extreme... it goes completely off the track.
However, sometimes the art threw me off and scenes were quickly changing, which confused me. Still, I am very glad about this more grown-up turn of the story because it makes it more enjoyable for me, too.
Gene Luen Yang is not backing off from 'adult' topics in a comic that has children as their main audience. I am glad that he does because for children growing up in this world this particular trilogy shows that the world - whether it is ours or the Avatar world - is not black and white. And I think it is important to acknowledge that. It also shows that a small group of extremists does not represent a whole nation. It shows that some beliefs are grounded in reasonable standpoints but when taken to the extreme... it goes completely off the track.
However, sometimes the art threw me off and scenes were quickly changing, which confused me. Still, I am very glad about this more grown-up turn of the story because it makes it more enjoyable for me, too.
I am a bit sad because I believe this is the last Avatar the Last Airbender comic so the Gaang's story is really over. It makes me want to rewatch and reread everything again. I feel like this story could go on and on but that would make it, for me, somehow lesser because who wants to listen to a never-ending story?
As for this conclusion of this trilogy, I felt like it was less strong than some of the others. The final showdown was not that impressive to me. However, I am glad that Avatar never backs down to tell stories which are difficult and still very relevant in real life. I think I really noticed that in this trilogy.
The Southern Water Tribe, after the Air Nomads, was hit the hardest during the Hundred Year War. Now after the war, they are debating how to rebuild. The Northern Water Tribe wants to help but some of them have nasty plans in store to exploit the South Pole's oil (see how relevant?). After a century of war, the South Pole looks at her culture and what she wants to preserve and which new technologies she wants to use.
Of course, not everyone agrees. After the nasty Northerner's plans are revealed xenophobia because to raise among some of the civilians (see the relevance) and start to protest other foreigners too, thus, the Fire Nation (thus more understandable, Zuko agrees, since the Fire Nation's crimes) and the Earth Kingdom. "Foreigners Out"
There wasn't full closure on those problems which I understand since everyone in the real world here hasn't figured it out either. So I don't think it would have been that convincing if Yang would give a magical solution for these problems.
I think Guri Hiru always did a good job with their art and since this is the last comic, I just wanted to point that out. Gene Luen Yang did a good job with the characters' essence. So even though he did not create them, he portraited them well.
As for this conclusion of this trilogy, I felt like it was less strong than some of the others. The final showdown was not that impressive to me. However, I am glad that Avatar never backs down to tell stories which are difficult and still very relevant in real life. I think I really noticed that in this trilogy.
The Southern Water Tribe, after the Air Nomads, was hit the hardest during the Hundred Year War. Now after the war, they are debating how to rebuild. The Northern Water Tribe wants to help but some of them have nasty plans in store to exploit the South Pole's oil (see how relevant?). After a century of war, the South Pole looks at her culture and what she wants to preserve and which new technologies she wants to use.
Of course, not everyone agrees. After the nasty Northerner's plans are revealed xenophobia because to raise among some of the civilians (see the relevance) and start to protest other foreigners too, thus, the Fire Nation (thus more understandable, Zuko agrees, since the Fire Nation's crimes) and the Earth Kingdom. "Foreigners Out"
There wasn't full closure on those problems which I understand since everyone in the real world here hasn't figured it out either. So I don't think it would have been that convincing if Yang would give a magical solution for these problems.
I think Guri Hiru always did a good job with their art and since this is the last comic, I just wanted to point that out. Gene Luen Yang did a good job with the characters' essence. So even though he did not create them, he portraited them well.
I love Becky Albertalli's contemporary stories so I could not wait to listen to The Upside of Unrequited when I saw it on Storytel.
This book is great in diversity so that is also a plus :)
Molly was a very relatable character. I understood her doubts because many were ones I have faced or because they are doubts I am facing right now. I just totally got the wanting for a boyfriend and I am glad that the message of this book was that that is totally fine.
This love triangle was understandable for once (yay) so I did not mind it as much as I normally do.
The story is set during the summer of 2015 when gay marriage finally is legalized in the US. To the joy of Molly and Cassie, whose moms are finally able to get married. And this joy that their parents could finally get married was new for me because I live in the Netherlands, where gay marriage has been legal since April 2001. Thus, for me, it is very normal that this is a possibility.
The relationship between Molly and Cassie was also something I could relate to, having a sister of my own.
I definitely would recommend this book.
This book is great in diversity so that is also a plus :)
Molly was a very relatable character. I understood her doubts because many were ones I have faced or because they are doubts I am facing right now. I just totally got the wanting for a boyfriend and I am glad that the message of this book was that that is totally fine.
This love triangle was understandable for once (yay) so I did not mind it as much as I normally do.
The story is set during the summer of 2015 when gay marriage finally is legalized in the US. To the joy of Molly and Cassie, whose moms are finally able to get married. And this joy that their parents could finally get married was new for me because I live in the Netherlands, where gay marriage has been legal since April 2001. Thus, for me, it is very normal that this is a possibility.
The relationship between Molly and Cassie was also something I could relate to, having a sister of my own.
I definitely would recommend this book.
this was an okay read. I learned some of the things I wanted to learn. I like the over all message: stay true to yourself and be yourself.
however, this book did not meet my expectations and I am thus somewhat disappointed.
however, this book did not meet my expectations and I am thus somewhat disappointed.
I think this book will be one of those which you think a lot about.
This book is about standing up for democracy and making your own stand else well. While reading I felt like it is highly relevant for the time in which we now live.
This book is about standing up for democracy and making your own stand else well. While reading I felt like it is highly relevant for the time in which we now live.
I really wish I could have enjoyed this book more. The concept of following different ancestors seemed really cool to me.
However, the book felt more like a collection of short stories with characters who are related. Because of the small time spend with each character and the fast pacing, I couldn't really connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to.
On the other hand, this book gives a good view of what slave trade and colonisation has done to African Americans and Africans in general. I think it is important to know and it gives a good insight in how things like racism came to be. For me, it even feels more important knowing that the Dutch played a big role in this.
The things the characters went through were mercilessly described and I am glad that it wasn't sugar coated. I think Yaa Gyasi really tried her best to write these stories as realistically as she could. And I don't think that was easy.
I would recommend it if you like short stories or if you want to know more about 'the Black experience'.
However, the book felt more like a collection of short stories with characters who are related. Because of the small time spend with each character and the fast pacing, I couldn't really connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to.
On the other hand, this book gives a good view of what slave trade and colonisation has done to African Americans and Africans in general. I think it is important to know and it gives a good insight in how things like racism came to be. For me, it even feels more important knowing that the Dutch played a big role in this.
The things the characters went through were mercilessly described and I am glad that it wasn't sugar coated. I think Yaa Gyasi really tried her best to write these stories as realistically as she could. And I don't think that was easy.
I would recommend it if you like short stories or if you want to know more about 'the Black experience'.
It was nice to return to Lara Jean's story again. This trilogy has some nice writing and very cute scenes. The pacing was quite fast and I wish we could have had a longer story. However, I enjoyed it a lot. I thought there were a lot of relatable moments with the college applications, leaving high school and relationships between family. I definitely recommend this series if you are in a mood for a YA contemporary romance. I bet you will finish them in no time.