raenyreads's reviews
332 reviews

Goodbye, Eri by Tatsuki Fujimoto

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I really enjoyed this volume. I think the story is really creative, it had me hooked from start to end. I like how it makes you question the perspective you are seeing. Would recommend.
Monotone Blue by Nagabe

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emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The art is great, I'll start with that. I also think the overall plot was well told and a cute story. However, the unnecessary addition of SA at one point and also a pretty irredeemable move by a MC that gets glossed over made the whole thing just not hit for me. It's not going to be memorable overall.
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Pod by Laline Paull

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a really interesting book. As a marine biologist I really enjoyed the marine setting and characters. It really brought nuance and an interesting perspective to the issues being tackled. It's also really well written.
My only negatives are subjective as it's just a really sad book. I wanted something to make the story feel cathartic at the end but I didn't really get that. So I was left feeling a little like something was missing for me.
Overall still a great read though and would recommend as long as you don't mind a largely quite sad story.
Oh and definitely check the content warnings if you need to.
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a good sequel and a really fun read. I can see why some people are disappointed by it as the focus characters shift a bit from the first book but I ended up liking the journey this book took us on and felt the ending was satisfying. Not the best thing I've ever read but definitely worth the read!
Boy Meets Maria by PEYO

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Yeah as others have said in reviews, the content warnings need to be heeded! This book went in a much darker direction than I thought, goddamn. Though it did give a lot of impact to the story. The art was overall amazing, and I really appreciated the lighter moments. However, I think some of the conversations and ideas needed a bit more time and depth to be fully explored.
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I really loved this. The character development is absolutley expertly done. The plot was really engaging and had so many twists, I couldn't put the book down. Gave me 'Blood Over Bright Haven' by ML Wang but in space vibes. Highly recommend!
Falling in Love with a Traveling Cat: Mofusand's 1st Illustration Book! by Mofusand, Juno

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lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This is just adorable. I'm obsessed with Mofusand and this is a great art book. What's not to love.
Black Paradox by Junji Ito

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As always with Junji Ito this is a weird, horrific, twisty trip. The end is so far from the beginning it's impressive it was coherently achieved in around 200 pages.

The art is amazing as always. The plot was interesting, I never could have predicted where it would go and there were some good twists along the way.

Overall not my favourite from Ito but worth a read.
DallerGut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee

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emotional hopeful relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was a nice read. I read it in basically one sitting (on a long train journey) as it kept me intrigued throughout. The concept is definitely unique and I liked how the author used the whimsicalness of the world within the plot. 

For me personally I think I'm a little burned out on these slice of life kind of magical realism books at the moment and so it felt a little too similar in structure to others I've read.

I don't think the book does anything totally mindblowing but honestly I will be thinking about dreams differently from now on. So it did have an impact on me. For that and the very unique world building, I'd really recommend it!
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

I read through this book so quick it must be doing something right. It didn't blow me away like it seems to have for a lot of people but I did enjoy it.

I think the world and magic system is unique and interesting. The characters, though a bit predictable, have enough charm to keep me invested. I felt the plot moved at a good pace and the ending left off on enough of a cliff hanger that I am excited to pick up the next instalment soon!