hermusings's Reviews (303)

I can honestly say I would have never gravitated towards this classic novel if it wasn’t for it being turned into a comic. I think this is a great and accessible way for classics to be read. 

In terms of the plot itself… it was a bit lackluster & scattered. I felt no real attachment to any character — I would say due to their selfishness. It just felt like watch something descend very slowly.

The illustration was great and I enjoyed the brief insight into George Sand.

Thank you to Europe Comics and NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review. 

I don’t know but this book was written for me. It being from the POV of June was a wild ride, but I honestly felt seen within the stories of those she and/or other white people in power, wronged.

It did feel a bit longer than necessary and June is exhausting but overall it was so unhinged it was… enjoyable?

This was cathartic and encouraging as someone who’s recently been awaken to the injustice happening in Palestine. 
Davis has been fighting for freedom for a long time and it’s encouraging to read (hear, in her own voice, since I listened to the audiobook) how she has not given up and what she’s learned!
Also, her emphasis on global freedom and how the oppressions in one place is interconnect with another across the globe.

This was insightful and resourceful as well. Immensity glad I read it.

Captivating & devastating. 
Will be thinking about this book for a long time.

You’re telling me when she finally gets the courage to leave she finds Adam at the train station and has to pretend it’s a picnic for the girls and then he beats her to death that night?! 😭😭
And still in present day NO ONE truly knows that she decided to be brave bc no trace of that is left!!! Isra’s story hurts my heart the more I think about it.

Also the way that Sarah facilitated Isra’s wish for her daughters years later!!😭

And Deya’s courage facilitating the healing of her family by having Fareeda & husband acknowledge and explain to her what happened with her parents & Sarah !!! 

This books was actually too heavy for me to fully dive below the surface ngl

Quick, engaging and enjoyable.
Swanson’s goal of creating a novella for a post Xmas dinner is actualized. 

The tone was set from the start and all characters and cultures felt honest. It had its Christmas elements, funny moments and of course a good murder mystery.

Jensen has built such an incredible world that I easily fell back into the politics of these fictional lands. Aren and Lara started it all and it’s always great to see them pop up — however this time their dynamic felt a bit more cringe.
This also fueled my theory that we will get an Ahnna duology in Harendell. 

Lara & Aren retiring after this is bittersweet but I do feel like they’ve had their time in the sun. And I applaud Jensen for knowing when to stop before it looses value.

This is my first memoir comic book and it was insanely cute!! As an illustrator Gallagher is incredible at portraying beyond her words.

This is her memoir but the overall theme is self-acceptance when battling body dysmorphia for years … among other things.

I think a lot of this book will be cathartic to those who’ve dealt with similar things as Gallagher (internalized fatphobia, depression triggered by change, low self worth, etc.) 

However, my biggest critic is that the whole book felt like a stream of consciousness.

We would be in the teenage years and a random story about her being 11 would show up that never really tied in again. 

At times it worked when it felt like a friend telling you a story but most of the time it just felt like a roller coaster.

Thank you to Andrews Mcmeel Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

lol this was quirky & predictable but overall a good short story. 

Shout out to capitalism & meddling mothers 

Returned early to Libby -huge wait list and I’m having the hardest time reading it rn. Will come back to it later.