ridleyreadsthings's Reviews (789)

I didn't necessarily hate this instalment but I didn't love it as much as the rest of the previous issues. While the artwork was still outstanding, it felt a little janky and all over the place, along with Harley. She just felt too manic in this issue, a complete 180 from all her growth and more like Harley when she was with the Joker, but more dry, and less funny.

Everything also felt too wrapped up neatly and easily, even for Ms.Quinn 

It took me a little bit to get into this because, as I mentioned earlier, there wasn't alot of descriptions and it felt like this should have come with a Wiki page BUT as time went on I actually started to enjoy the fact that it wasn't full of info dumps. If it stopped to explain every monster (or Mal) or every spell or rule, this would have gone on for hundreds and hundreds of pages. It also added to the tension and pace of the story as at any minute you could be killed so you, along with out somewhat unlikable MC is constantly moving from one point to the next, not looking back. An almost hunger games of magic, the title is incredibly appropriate in a school where any moment can be your last. If you don't have a mana supply, street smarts, wit, people to watch your back or an alliance, your pretty screwed. It's so action packed with survival being thought about every second of the day that there's hardly room for anything else. Every single character is living with a noose around their neck so to them, every single person is seen as only assets, regardless of their race or sexual orientation. I enjoyed the running theme of privilege and inequality throughout - which El often comments on and stands up against; if your not part of an enclave going in (a sort of Magic community set up in different cities around the globe) or align with one, your considered cannon fodder. (Think the Career packs from the hunger games. I thought it was hilarious, fast paced, and incredibly intriguing. Even though El comes across as unlikable, you can't help but fall in love with her. She is incredibly antisocial, can be cold and is to the point - mainly due to the abuse she has suffered in her life and how people seem to shy away from her, even adults. The side characters were amazing too, and I enjoyed that when a deal or a trade was stuck, it was honoured, which was almost refreshing in an environment so cutthroat. Although you won't catch me at that school, magic or not.

As always I enjoyed the art, and the story but this did fall a little flat to me, compared to the other issues.It was fun to see Harley take on some of the Batman villians and the pop culture reference to Mr Freeze about Arnold Schwarzenegger made me laugh.  I didn't really feel the single issue "mad max harley" was necessary though. It was kind of weird and pulled me right out of the story that's been going on for the last 6 issues. 

The build up and tension between Harley and the corrupt Mayor of new York finally hits it's peak. This volume was a little more on the emotional side, but still jam packed with wit, humour and action. I enjoyed the third wall breaks with the artists and writers, and I enjoyed seeing more of Ivys relationship with Harley. It's refreshing to see someone genuinely care for Harls, with no ulterior motives at heart. 

Words cannot describe how dear this series is to me. As something that I originally wrote off because "pfft werewolves," Klune captured my heart with Wolfsong and shreaded it multiple times and handed it back to me fuller than ever, through Ravensong, Heartsong and now Brothersong. 

Green Creek feels like home. I know these characters and they feel like family. I hurt with them. I laugh with them. I cry with them. I bleed with them. Klune has this magical way with words and has pulled into a world of Magic and wolves, of love and pack and I'm not ready to say goodbye to it.

This was a thrilling conclusion to an incredible journey and I don't think I've cried so much reading a book. 

Always, the Bennett Pack will have my heart. Packpackpack. 

As Gillian says in his essay at the end of this, this volumes arc is all about tearing down the tower the other two volumes built up, with the world of DIE is playing it's own game and by the end of it you can't tell who is a player and who's being played. 

The characters are well fleshed out and we dive into more layers of their psyche, as they try to balance what is right for them and what is right for die. 

Hans work is as beautiful and graphic as ever, and I enjoyed the use of historical characters such as H.G Well's and the Brontë sisters. 

I did feel it was a bit rushed towards the end, espeically in part 15 but I'm looking forward to seeing what the consequences are in the next issue - but it still delivers on its story telling and plot twists. 

The story continues, and evolves - biilding the world futher and digging deeper into the characters past in the game. The story jumps around a bit as the party has split but it's brought in some interesting characters that are sure to change character dynamics as it goes on. 

Im enjoying the meta narrative and I particular enjoy the fact that Ash (who is a man in the real world) is a woman in this world, and has a child - I'm interested to find out more about that and how Ash is dealing with their sexuality as they aren't really forthcoming with their feelings. 

DIE is dungeons and dragons meets Lord of the rings meets steampunk meets jumanji. 

Six teens, Ash, Chuck, Angela, Matt, Sol and Isabelle are sucked into a game by a magical D20, and suddenly reappear 2 years later - one of them missing an arm, and the other just missing. 

Flash forward 25 years and the now grown adults, the group find themselves sucked back into the world of DIE after the magical D6 mysteriously  turns up on Ash's doorstep covered in blood. 

They then discover that their missing friend who was presumed dead, is now the new Grandmaster of the realm, and he has a brand new game to play. 

This had so many interesting elements to it, that I found myself hooked from the start. The characters didn't have your typical D&D classes and each had their own limitations and conditions on which their abilities could be used which I found so intriguing. 

It was a volatile world, ravaged by war - fantasy and steampunk blending nicely to create a dangerous world. The character development is great and it is so relatable to aging gamers, with 5 40 somethings suddenly sucked back into a world where there teenage fantasies could come true

The art is outstanding and so beautiful- setting this wonderful fantasy and macabre tone that any fan of d&d or rpg games will enjoy massively. 

I jumped straight into this after finishing the bridge kingdom. I've binged both in two days and I am not okay. 

The first book was good. This was astounding. I struggled to put it down. There was so much tension and emotions running on high, incredible character growth and twists. It felt like I was experiencing an episode of game of thrones. 

This had me gripped on the edge of my seat from the first chapter. It was full of tension and honestly had my anxiety running riot. Danielle has created such a beautiful and interesting world, full of danger and politics that wasn't difficult to get on track with and understand. 

I loved all the characters, and their banter together,  especially Lara, who reminds me of Aelin from Throne of Glass and Alessandra from The Shadows Between Us. It wasn't too focused on the romantic aspect of it, and when it did i felt it had a natural flow to it. 

There were so many twists and turns it was hard to keep my head on straight and it honestly wasn't what I was expecting from this book at all. I did find certain plot lines predictable though so I knocked off half a star but, still I loved it so much I jumped straight into the sequel.