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saramdeuri's Reviews (310)
incredibly fast-paced and a little anticlimactic, A Magical Girl Retires presents it's central issues with Korean society and the world at large, and then does nothing much at all to come up with a solution, or even say anything much about them except "that really sucks."
was this book a fun read? yeah, kinda. I'm a big magical girl enjoyer, though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, cause I was gonna enjoy imagining these scenes out regardless. also, it's sapphic! so of course I was going to find something worthwhile here.
was this also a little disappointing? yeah, unfortunately. the page count isn't enough to delve into our characters and their thoughts enough to make me feel like I know or care for them, and ironically time flows so so quickly that it all feels over in a flash. it would have benefitted from more scenes of introspection and bonding or clashing between characters.
[TW: SUICIDE]
on a more personal note, the suicide attempt scene at the beginning is. well. I'm not going to say it doesn't reflect lived experiences, because I'm not every single person whose attempted suicide before, but I am one of them, and I'm friends with a considerable number of them. it feels a little undercooked, even with all the faffing about her reasoning for it.
at least, that's what I thought when I was reading it, but on reflection, actually this is rather well-done. it reflects to me that blasé attitude that sometimes comes with severe depression and suicidal intent: thoughts like "I might as well kill myself now since I'll be a failure later anyways. come to think of it, why didn't I kill myself before?" it's a bit tmi, but I wasn't thinking particularly emotionally when I was attempting either - it was rather clinical. by that time, you've already made your peace. this scene is thus more accurate to my lived experiences than all those silly drama/movie scenes where characters put their head through a noose snorting sobs. even the arguably silly reasoning of "I've too much credit card debt" is accurate - what a mentally healthy person might think is a stupid reason to kill yourself over is something entirely reasonable to someone already considering suicide. they pile on top of each other until you've forgotten the first, most "meaningful" reason, and the reason you're standing there ready to get it over with is because someone you care about called you stupid for having a hobby. I hope Park Seolyeon is doing well.
was this book a fun read? yeah, kinda. I'm a big magical girl enjoyer, though, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, cause I was gonna enjoy imagining these scenes out regardless. also, it's sapphic! so of course I was going to find something worthwhile here.
was this also a little disappointing? yeah, unfortunately. the page count isn't enough to delve into our characters and their thoughts enough to make me feel like I know or care for them, and ironically time flows so so quickly that it all feels over in a flash. it would have benefitted from more scenes of introspection and bonding or clashing between characters.
[TW: SUICIDE]
on a more personal note, the suicide attempt scene at the beginning is. well. I'm not going to say it doesn't reflect lived experiences, because I'm not every single person whose attempted suicide before, but I am one of them, and I'm friends with a considerable number of them. it feels a little undercooked, even with all the faffing about her reasoning for it.
at least, that's what I thought when I was reading it, but on reflection, actually this is rather well-done. it reflects to me that blasé attitude that sometimes comes with severe depression and suicidal intent: thoughts like "I might as well kill myself now since I'll be a failure later anyways. come to think of it, why didn't I kill myself before?" it's a bit tmi, but I wasn't thinking particularly emotionally when I was attempting either - it was rather clinical. by that time, you've already made your peace. this scene is thus more accurate to my lived experiences than all those silly drama/movie scenes where characters put their head through a noose snorting sobs. even the arguably silly reasoning of "I've too much credit card debt" is accurate - what a mentally healthy person might think is a stupid reason to kill yourself over is something entirely reasonable to someone already considering suicide. they pile on top of each other until you've forgotten the first, most "meaningful" reason, and the reason you're standing there ready to get it over with is because someone you care about called you stupid for having a hobby. I hope Park Seolyeon is doing well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse
It's ... fine.
This sequel doesn't have as much charm or mystery in it as the first installment, but it's still a bit of fun, and it's lovely to be with the characters for a while. Still, whatever Stewart put in the first one is missing in this one, and it feels somewhat lackluster at the end for it. I'm not sure I want to read the rest of the series.
This sequel doesn't have as much charm or mystery in it as the first installment, but it's still a bit of fun, and it's lovely to be with the characters for a while. Still, whatever Stewart put in the first one is missing in this one, and it feels somewhat lackluster at the end for it. I'm not sure I want to read the rest of the series.
cute and fun at points, but was a bit of a drag at others. the action scenes weren't written as well as the emotional ones, which is a little frustrating for a plot as adventurous as this one. I could see the twists coming from miles away, which is also fine, if a little boring. regardless, we need more lgbtq+ rep written by lgbtq+ people, and this is frankly one of the better young adult pieces I've read for this.
the characters are likeable for the most part, and their relationships feel well-founded. I enjoyed the breaks in between every few chapters for the "reports". the message is of course important as well, and thecoming out scene was comforting and well-delivered.
the characters are likeable for the most part, and their relationships feel well-founded. I enjoyed the breaks in between every few chapters for the "reports". the message is of course important as well, and the
not exactly enjoying the writing style or the characters in most of these short stories, and I really just... have other stuff I want to read.
Excellent translation, incredibly atmospheric and emotional writing.
To me, there's something so unsettling about the way Han Kang writes men. I can't quite pin what it is, but it always feels like they're thinking something more sinister underneath what we can see on the page — not sure at all if this is what we're meant to feel in Greek Lessons specifically, but something I felt regardless.
To me, there's something so unsettling about the way Han Kang writes men. I can't quite pin what it is, but it always feels like they're thinking something more sinister underneath what we can see on the page — not sure at all if this is what we're meant to feel in Greek Lessons specifically, but something I felt regardless.
lacked the academic thought I was under the impression it had, but a decent overview of Yuri regardless. the bits of interviews with Yuri authors was especially enlightening.
I'm finding it hard to come up with words to put here. This was a deeply emotional and well-woven representation of fandom life as a young woman, living with a disability, chronic illness, addiction, and identity.
As I sat reading it, I had my phone open on ads to gather points to vote for my current oshi's group on music shows. The irony did not escape me. I felt vile and yet so alive at the same time. As my oshi's group wins their fourth trophy this week, I feel a single spark of joy that quickly fizzles out into the air. But if there's anything at all that keeps me on this earth I must grasp it with two hands. I have learned this with too much difficulty to let myself renounce any of the love I give freely. But maybe next round of promotions I'll click on one less ad, buy one less CD.
As I sat reading it, I had my phone open on ads to gather points to vote for my current oshi's group on music shows. The irony did not escape me. I felt vile and yet so alive at the same time. As my oshi's group wins their fourth trophy this week, I feel a single spark of joy that quickly fizzles out into the air. But if there's anything at all that keeps me on this earth I must grasp it with two hands. I have learned this with too much difficulty to let myself renounce any of the love I give freely. But maybe next round of promotions I'll click on one less ad, buy one less CD.
well, I think my time with this webnovel has come to it's end. I'm unstanning Testar lmfao
It's fallen a little bit into the classic webnovel curse where the author can't seem to find somewhere to stop - arguably, there was no good place to stop, since the whole game-like sent back to the past premise doesn't come with a built-in or suggested end, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to come up with a decent way to finish it. just look at love interest zone for a start!
anyways, it really quite lost me with the slightly telenovela reveal ofchungwoo being moondae's cousin and actually it being all his fault that moondae's parents died which was absurdly funny when it probably shouldn't have been. I do think that moondae should have had more emotionally heavy moments with the members and with VTIC's leader, also, to have it be that much more impactful at the climax of the award-or-die arc. otherwise, it was a very normal webnovel.
It's fallen a little bit into the classic webnovel curse where the author can't seem to find somewhere to stop - arguably, there was no good place to stop, since the whole game-like sent back to the past premise doesn't come with a built-in or suggested end, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to come up with a decent way to finish it. just look at love interest zone for a start!
anyways, it really quite lost me with the slightly telenovela reveal of