elliel_nook's Reviews (601)

Disclaimer: I requested and received this book free from Book Sirens. The cover and description really pulled me in I just had to read it. My review is voluntary.

Three Meant to Be by M.N. Bennet is the queer magic school book I've always wanted. It has similarities with other magic/superhero school media. But in my opinion it is also incredibly unique and complex. The world and magic system M.N. Bennet has crafted is fascinating. I don't like rereading books but I want to reread this one. I want to take notes on the magic system and be a total nerd about it. I want to do a deep dive into the world and how well the classism (and more) is written into the story. However, I won't say that I didn't struggle to read this book. I did struggle, it took me a month to read it. It probably wasn't my best idea to read a book with a grieving main character after suffering my own loss. I found Dorian Frost (the main character) painfully relatable. I saw a lot of myself in Dorian Frost and I don't like myself (I'm working on it). So, it was a bit hard to read at times. But I was so invested in the characters and the story.

I recommend this book if you're into superheros, magic, interesting world building, the bullshit bureaucracy that comes with them. However, if you read it be prepared to have your stepped on. There are some very dark moments in this book abuse, death, graphic injury, and more. There are also some truly heinous characters. But if I get into that I will spoil the book. However I do want to and think its fair to say that chapters 27-34 dragged me by my heartstrings all the way through turmoil to a very satisfying ending.

Overall I truly loved Three Meant to Be it made me emotional, it made me think, and it creatively inspired me. I want to get better at drawing people so I can make fan art of these characters. I loved the characters Dorian included and I loved their queerness. As I said above this is the queer magic school book I've always wanted. And it is very queer, it feels almost queernormative if not for characters I want to kick in the head and sweet under the rug. There are so many queer characters including a transgender student whose dead name never appears in the pages of this book. As a trans person I greatly appreciated this and Dorian's commentary about the school roster and outdated policies. I also loved the way Milo and Dorian's texts were included in the book, even Milo's sexts and failed attempts at flirting. Dorian and Milo's relationship is complicated there is a pain between them that needs to heal, and that doesn't get resolved in this book. Three Meant to Be is only the first book in the Branches of Past and Future. There are two more books as of right now. That I am mildly afraid of because of their titles and M.N. Bennet's ability to rip my heart out with his writing and lovable characters.

Final Note: If you were an emo kid and are now a goth adult you too might see yourself in Dorian. Also there are two sassy cats in this book which is just another reason to read it.

I love the humor in this series. Even the miscommunication, caused by technology and language barriers, is delightful. It's such a fun read and so far a fun series!

 

I have a special place in my heart for Makoto Shinkai's films. However, "Suzume" is one I have yet to have the opportunity to watch. I have read a bit of and enjoyed the manga adaptation of "Your Name" (one of Makoto Shinkai's films). So I was so excited to see Suzume Vol.1 by Makoto Shinkai with art by Denki Amashima on Net Galley. I jumped at the chance to read it and finally experience the story. I am so invested in these characters. I can already tell this series is going to break me. 

The characters and the story set up several themes that I think will carry through the series. Themes of abandonment and letting go that tie into the overarching theme of loss. However despite these darker themes there is also humor and hope. The characters work so hard and have already grown so much. Honestly this story is shaping up to be both heartbreaking and bittersweet. I just want to state here before I continue. As I said above, I've not watched the film so please don't ruin the story for me. 

Overall, Suzume Vol.1 was a good read with beautiful are and unconventional characters. Who knew a chair could be so expressive? I loved the way this manga ended with a cliffhanger that left me on the edge of my seat. I'm so excited for volume two. I wonder if any of the side characters will reappear later in the story? 

The Ghost Keeper by Johanna Taylor is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. I want to start this review with a personal note. I recently lost someone I greatly cared for. I greatly appreciate the content warning the author included at the beginning of the book. It gave me the opportunity to make an informed choice and to prepare myself for the story ahead. I cannot say that I did not struggle to read this graphic novel. Because I did struggle (caused by my recent loss), but it was worth it. There are so many things I loved about this book. The characters, the story, the accurate portrayal of mental illness, the softness, the ideas around death, and the satisfying ending. 

Dorian, the main character, was so easy to love. He is soft and kind much to his own detriment. Johanna Taylor did an amazing job with his depiction as a therapist. It was so accurate he even at some points sounded like my own therapist. I sympathized with him and wanted nothing more than to see him succeed. He was absolutely my favorite character. Aside from Muffin who was my favorite side character. 

Other than the characters the world itself was fascinating. A lot of the world is built around fear of the unknown and the different, as well as actions and choices. Every action taken and choice made had a profound affect on the world and the characters both living and dead. Something I greatly enjoyed about the world and story was its grayness (the idea of grey vs black and white thinking). It seemed there was no good verses evil but rather understanding verses unknowing. Or understanding and kindness verses fear and rash action based on lack of knowledge. I would love to see more books with this type of grey thinking. I found it very thought provoking. 

Overall, The Ghostkeeper by Johanna Taylor was a delightful and emotionally challenging read. However, it also helped me process my own grief. The way death was portrayed and the ambiguity of the afterlife brought me an odd peace. It was also a surprisingly soft read. But that could be caused by the romance. This graphic had a soft and slow queer romance, with longing looks and sweet moments shared between the chaos. And I truly think I will be reminded of this book every time I am grieving. I like the idea of meeting again behind deaths door despite the lives we live. I don't think the ending will be leaving my brain anytime soon. Lastly. I have yet to try it but I loved the inclusion of "Fife's Fantastical Scones" recipe. 

I think you should read The Ghostkeeper you might like it.