timefliesaway's Reviews (588)

A very short 1st volume, but the story is written quite well and serves as a good teaser that leaves one wanting to continue reading. 

I like the gems-based superpowers and am curious to find out more about it.

The drawings seem very amateurish at first, though the passion of the artist can be felt, and I didn’t mind the beginner-like style. It’s clear what’s happening in each picture and that’s the most important part in a comic. Which also makes the book stand out from the “perfectionism” or “highly-professional” style crowds.

Looking forward to the sequel(s).

~

Thank you to the author on BookSirens for a digital review copy. The book was released on April 27, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 04.06.25

A story that portrays our current overall world situation, except there’s dinosaurs too. (Someone should’ve shown the Witch the Jurassic movies before she got the idea ... but I can’t blame her for wanting them back.) (Was a bit random, though, as dinosaurs didn't die because of humans or anything. Would've made more sense if she brought back species that died because of humans – or stopped endangered species (such as the Vaquita) from dying.)
Very realistic portrayal of Earth’s humans and their leaders. (Unfortunately.) Considering how mostly the young generation is fighting for the climate, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Whispering Witch was real – and this book a memoir.

Accompanied by lovely illustrations with a confident line-coloring style, giving it a moving and active vibe. Fitting the story and message.
I love how the witch (probably Mother Nature or Mother Nature’s daughter) doesn’t have a round face like Disney Princesses – like you’d expect her to look. Instead, she has a more diverse face shape, making her rather look like someone who’s been formed from mud. (That’s a compliment.)

Not so much a fan of the writing style, though. It's good enough for children, the message is clear and all, just that the sentence structure and word diversity is rather poor. 

But other than that tiny bit, very recommended. For both young and old. Please listen to the whispers of the Witch and save your own home.

~

Thank you to the author on BookSirens for a digital review copy. The book was released on December 27, 2024.

-Ayxan Solongo, 08.05.25  

More review platforms: Pending Plays | Instagram | YouTube 

One of the most wonderful picture books I've ever read. 

The illustrations are so LOVELY. Even though the focus is on the hands (sign language), there's a whole story going on in each page. So many diverse characters as well! I'm genuinely in love with the art style. 

The signs are easy to follow, but in case you don't quite understand them, there's a summary at the end, as well as written descriptions of each vocabulary. 

Sweet idea with the rhymes as well. Makes it easier to remember, especially for young kids! 

Totally recommended to everyone. Its main demographic might be children but anyone who's interested in ASL or sign language in general can and should check this out! A perfect gift for anyone at any occasion. <3 

~

Thank you to BooksGoSocial on Netgalley for a digital review copy. The book was released on April 8, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 07.05.25  

More review platforms: Pending Plays | Instagram | YouTube 

An action-packed DnD adventure that actually has a lot going on, and, when looking back at the volume, has filled its pages quite some. Yet, while reading, feels like drinking your morning tea/coffee on the veranda and checking the newspaper. It is quite slow-paced. I personally don’t mind this at all, there are far too few slow life fantasy stories out there. And even though there is action and a few battle scenes, it’s not the main focus. Love some exploration first.

However, even though it is so slow-paced, which would serve as a perfect opportunity to fill the reader in on the different world, it stays very mysterious throughout the whole volume. Instead of giving some info, more and more plots and worlds and characters and the mysteries around them are thrown in.
On one hand, it shows us how our protagonist must feel like – he’s never been outside his little town after all. On the other hand, he does know at least a little about the world, such as whether there are humans or whether it’s a KFP-like world. Whether it even plays on earth. There’s interstellar travel and aliens after all.

I’m totally interested in continuing, also because Fantasy x Sci-Fi with a medieval setting and non-human characters is a neat combo. But I can see how too much mystery can throw some readers off. And as much as i like to play detective and uncover riddles myself, it wouldn’t have hurt to answer a few questions. 

If not for the plot, a lot may want to read this for the art. It has a sketchy line style, but is very detailed. Perfectly fitting the DnD fantasy genre.

The protagonist is very cute and nice. Not your typical lead, even though he’s not a child. And by that I mostly mean he’s neither lusting after every body nor overpowered with a harem-to-come. Instead, he’s a bookish nerd who always wanted to go on an adventure but because he’s been kept closed off the world, he’s a bit naive. Similar to Disney’s Rapunzel, he’s also very helpful, prefers honesty and even though he attracts trouble by a mile, he’s quick at making friends. Which also comes from his good-hearted nature.
Definitely someone I’d like to follow. 

~

Thank you to Mad Cave Studios on Netgalley for an eARC. The book is set to be released on May 6, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 06.05.25

It started so wonderfully. I loved the multilingual speech bubbles & dialogues, as well as the translations underneath. I only know a few basic words in French and never learned Cantonese, so this was nice to expand my vocabulary a bit. Especially the way they both started to learn the other’s native tongue, through pantomime and hand gestures, the way Ping explained some letters and James visually illustrated it. Beautiful.
I grew up bilingual, and with English being my third language, could relate to Sarah a lot. Also because I’m learning around 4 languages at the same time at the moment (well, not actively and with a lot of breaks, but still). 
- How awkward small talk can become with a language barrier. 
- How you struggle to find words in all languages you know because nothing describes what you’re feeling or you just forget them all (#byelingual) at once. 
- How you forget your native tongue when you haven’t spoken it in a while. 
- How your mind expands and the type of feeling you experience, once you’re on that level that makes you think & dream in that language. It’s quite indescribable, something one needs to experience it themselves, but James managed to find resonating words and pictures on how he at least perceives it.
Generally, James has a talent to describe and illustrate certain experiences and emotions. Poetically abstract, yet at the same time so greifbar (tangible).

I found it a bit sad when Sarah reached a level of almost-fluency where the overlapping bubbles weren’t needed anymore and it was only English. I prefer when dialogue is written in the original language they’re speaking in. But I guess it would’ve been too much for some readers, since at some point they only speak Cantonese.

As for their relationship, I loved how realistic their first meetings were kept. None of the “I’ll bump into you now because I’m the main character and I’m thinking of you so you’ll magically appear” which never happens in real life, no matter how close you live to each other. 
It was very sweet how they got to know each other. Since Ping already spoke a bit of English, it was mostly Sarah learning Cantonese. And quite incredible how fast she picked up on it. (Although it’s mostly Ping’s Cantonese she learned, as later seen with Ping’s friends. ;))
I really adored the slow slice of life, living in the moment, enjoying the little things. How their friendship slowly became something romantic. How Sarah slowly realized she’s sexually/physically attracted to Ping, not just friendly/platonically. Very smooth transitions, thanks to the slowness, because we could get to know the characters at the same pace as them. So beautifully done.

However, then there’s a turn, a bit of a drama towards the end. The homophobia came a bit unexpected, although not surprising given their age. Still, the way it was handled was so cliche and such an overused trope ... so contrasting, alienating to the first half. There’s a happy end at least, but in-between their kiss and that ending there weren’t many pages, yet still could’ve been done so much better. More mature. Felt like I was suddenly reading a YA rather than (N)A. And I would’ve liked a deeper explanation from Ping – or any.
That‘s unfortunately the reason why it got a 0.75 star less. 

Other than that little part, I do love it. Definitely a book I’d like to have in my shelves. 

The art style is very nice too, fits the story. The way the colors have been used as part of storytelling, especially the complementary contrasts in the first few pages (i.e., blue surroundings, while Ping has a yellow jacket). Amazing how it’s all drawn on paper with watercolors too. In today’s digital age, that’s a love letter in itself.
I liked the pink lineart sometimes too. Which is technically the actual skin color of white people, so should be used more often. :P

Ps. Love languages become a small topic when they’re discussing how love is expressed in those 3 languages. I really do find it interesting how most asian languages don’t use the direct “I love you”, whereas that’s so common in the west.

~

Thank you to IDW Publishing on Netgalley for an eARC. The book is set to be released on May 6, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 05.05.25

I expected a lot, but definitely not this. While I don’t mind dark turns at all, especially such themes in stories that are marketed towards children, this was rather confusing. It had a really great start, however, the ending was disappointing. Not that I need happy endings – given the themes and writing style, I wouldn’t have wanted one –, but it’s so uneven to the first half. The last chapter was so rushed.

Are they really 12? I read the blurb and they do look all fairly young, especially the way they interact and all gives pre-2010 primary school vibes. However, when it got to the part with Peter‘s “badass alone time” (best way I can describe it spoiler-free) and no one asked him about it, I was very confused about his age. Thought he must be at least 18. Because wtf? That came out of nowhere. Is that genuinely a thing in NZ? Especially the casualty?
All the time I thought it’s gotta be just a dream. Aliens landing any time would’ve made more sense.

The title promises too much. Although it does work as a metaphor, it was more of a short domino row. Not bad, but too promising. The message is quite clear, though it could’ve been more fleshed out. As said, the second half felt very rushed.
I feel like it could’ve gotten a better rating if a better title was chosen. Together with the cover, I expected more of a supernatural/alienated story.

I think that also comes from the writing. I’m not sure whether the dramatic scenes were meant to be read and felt as dramatic, but the way the characters’ reactions are written, made it seem so nonchalant and apathetic. Certainly the opposite of tsunami-like emotions.

The art style: surely unique. Not entirely my cup of tea – simplistic styles can have their charm and it does look cute + also fits the age group, but sometimes was a bit too simplistic. I couldn’t always tell what they were doing.
Although kudos for choosing that style to contrast that much with the plot. Perhaps that was the point, so good job on that. (I mean, they look like dolls and dolls are (most of the time) creepy.)

Do I recommend it? Mixed feelings. 
On one hand, the message is good and important, and this type of ending to bullying plots is tackled far too rarely. On the other hand, it’s nothing new, the characters are quite basic. The only originality comes from the twist with Peter and him letting his intrusive thoughts win, which adds to the domino message.  
But if you were expecting a tsunami-like story, whether with a literal tsunami or as a metaphor, lower your expectations. As much as I love slice of life as well as nonchalant/absurd/enigmatic stories, I wasn’t feeling this very much. It‘s missing a certain something. But perhaps that’s the point...

~

Thank you to Pow Pow Press on Netgalley for an eARC. The book is set to be released on May 6, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 04.05.25  

More review platforms: Pending Plays | Instagram | YouTube 

A great collection of poems 
that remind us 
poetry doesn’t have to be rhyming, 
one only needs to know 
the art of language, 
and how to weave the words 
in a way 
that touches the reader’s soul.

And it’s clear, 
that Ted Virts indeed 
mastered that art, 
as it touched 
my soul 
at least.

Particularly 
the “write an ‘I am’ poem” 
poem 
was really good.
Made me think 
and wonder 
and let my thoughts 
wander 
—I think.

Quite inspiring.
Indeed so much, 
it might be how I choose to express 
my inner world 
the next few days.

~

Thank you to Atmosphere Press on Netgalley for a digital review copy. The book was released on April 8, 2025.

-Ayxan Solongo, 03.05.25  

More review platforms: Pending Plays | Instagram | YouTube 

(It’s my first book of the series, but I believe they’re episodic and can be read on their own.)

Very cute!
I love that It’s bilingual. Wonderful for me, who’s learning Spanish at the moment, but also anyone else learning Spanish or English. 

The illustrations are sooo sweet, I‘m in love with the style! Toddlers with no interest in the text will definitely be lured by it – and it can also be understood without the text (which is scarce anyways).

A little unnecessary was the addition of religion – well, particularly human religion. And the sentences got too repetitive (that comes from someone who didn't like those repetitions as a child already).
Also, I hope it’s a vegan/vegetarian farm, otherwise that would make for a traumatic revelation growing up.

Overall recommended.

I also loved the summary of all the pigs races featured at the end. Didn't even know there were so many different races. 

~

Thank you to BooksGoSocial for an e-RC.

-10.04.25

A short picture book for children around kindergarten age, to learn about germs and how quickly they spread.
The art is cute and colorful and will surely draw in kids and parents/caretakers alike.

My only criticism:

But hey, I loved the variety of skin colors – both for the children and adults.

Thank you to BooksGoSocial for an e-RC.

-10.04.25