competencefantasy's Reviews (912)

that was really cute

Some good existential verse made insufferable by the old guy's intro going on and on about nonmetaphorical grapes.

I think being on twitter for the last few years may have spread out the effect of this for me a bit. However it is still effective and very much needed. It is a very useful starting place and explanation. Other than that, I will try to get out of its way. The one comment I have is it's not a great look on us that we've been so unreasonable to talk to that a white woman writing this in a hey I get it too register was the format from which this took off.

I would have loved this ten years ago. A wise cracking kid uses her reasoning, nerve, and historical chemistry acumen to brazen out the answer to a murder mystery. She's a wise cracking delight. I just feel like real life chemistry grad school has deflated me a bit for this sort of thing. It took longer than it should have to read and felt nostalgic rather than adventurous. There's also a character or two with PTSD and while it wasn't bad represenation really, it took dark cackling to more of a dark sad place. Most of the problems are likely specific to me though.

3.5 round up

I love this. It's so original. I don't think I've ever read a character study with this tone before. It was so clever in what it showed/described verses what it left to the imagination. The effect is fabulous. Go read it.

For me this improved on a second read through. Not expecting it to make time sense helped. So did spending more attention on the beautiful art. I recommend reading the flavor text and just sweeping your eyes over the art, letting your mind wander. I also love the uniqueness of the characters.

Dark, very symbolic, gorgeous art, sometimes unsettling.

There's a whole lot to like here, especially in the author's personal experience with the giant cuttlefish. I also found lots of information that I wasn't aware of as a beginner. Since I was drawn to the evolutionary split and cephlapods as a separate ingelligence, having a philosophical bent was not a deal breaker for me. However sometimes I did find myself wishing for a coauthor that was an expert on cephlapod physiology or social behavior as it often felt like the broader musings only began to connect with the specific. I wanted more elaborate speculation on how the octopus experiences not just if.

It's masculine, fairly inacessible, and full of dense imagery. Plot takes backseat to language, theme, and character. There are almost no women.

I loved it?

I don't know how to explain it l. I just imprinted intensely on several parts of this magnificent incomprehensible mash up. Like how the two leads had such different concepts of masculinity. Or how affection filtered through such different lenses. Or how the prose couldn't care less that it's mixing modern slang with SAT words.

(sings to tune from man of la mancha)
I like him!

Intense imagery to the point of being horror is the backbone of this story. I could tell the references went deeper than I was equipped to understand. It had a legendary feel in a context I hadn't tried before. The art direction is gorgeous and upsetting. My first thought on finishing was where's the next one.

It's really cute. The plot isn't super detailed, but for a short book that's fine. I liked their commitment to the clever little subversions. Overall it was pleasant and wholesome. If you like the cover give it a try.