timefliesaway's Reviews (588)

So, it literally ends in the middle of the event. They didn't get to the 2nd round. Was the manga cancelled? Because that does not feel like an ending of a series, much rather a cliffhanger for another volume. 

There still is absolutely no world-building explained and I haven't even seen a teacher. Makes me wonder if that whole event is just a student thing, and the teachers are completely unaware of that. Might also explain why there were 20+ people on a high tower, with absolutely no safety measures. Nagisa was about to fall to her death even, had someone not rescued her.
Seriously, what kinda school is that? No, what world is that? I'm just confused.

Maybe, if I'll ever feel like I need some answers to this, I might check out the anime, but other than that, probably not.

(This is a review to the manga.)

Similar to "Yuri is my job", the concept is a catholic/christian setting with only girls, who are calling each other "sisters" and that's somehow an intimate way of saying you're together, basically. 
I don't really know what's up with that combination for yuri stories... I don't mind the religious part, but the incest-kinda-stuff is a bit concerning?

I'm just confused on the world setting, though. It seemed at first that they're normal teenagers, who like to experiment out together. However, there's a competition in July, which is really important and everyone takes it serious and it's all about giving the school a good reputation... but it's so gay. Is it in a world where everyone is gay and it's normal too for christians? Like an AU? Or are the teachers simply completely oblivious to the fact, how gay this competition is? Because they literally are called couple, have to win together, there are no boys, they will get the status of a Prince & Princess afterwards and serve as idols for everyone else. 
I need a bit of more world-building. 

Also, there's a lot of sexual assault going on...

It ended on a cliffhanger though, and only has 2 volumes anyway, so I might as well finish it. 

Nice episode again, although it was just about their relationship. I would’ve at least liked more mythology/world-building/astronomy.
But I do like that they talked about what's bothering them. Communication is important, kids~

So technically I’d rate this 4 stars, but since the art is so beautiful, it’s 5 stars again!✨

Episode 5:

Ugh, that one character...

Sad to see Raziol missing him.

I'm curious about Sulvain's job though. Generally want to know more about the spirituality/magic.

Also, I really need that hoodie!!

~

Episode 6:

I think I haven't mentioned that yet, but I really love the way they're communicating. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why this comic feels so undescribably beautiful and slow-paced, but in a very positive way.
I hope he'll teach him sign language or there will at least be a part, where he'll talk through SL (to someone else for example). I just love SL!

Another nice episode though, and I'm still so in love with the art~
I want to know more about his past though, even if it's traumatic and will probably hurt.

Love the art so much!!!

Oof...
While I am glad it was the power of gay, and not hetero, to break the curse, it was very cliché and flat. Nothing new. Besides, I still see no "love" between them. Yes, they do have a clear crush (mostly lust tho) on each other, but that isn't deep love. And Aria continues to be toxic.

I actually kinda like Ghika (the villain), because she's honest. Sure, her r*ping a student isn't cool, but so did Ayakuza and everyone forgave her (bc she's one of the good guys, right).

And Yanyan not telling her best friend in one form and lover in another form, Khara, that she's able to transform into a human is just as bad as how Aria is treating Ichika. Seriously, Ichika & Khara should just end up together. They're treated the same by the people they love, while they love deeply and healthy – why not give them a happy ending? They're, like, made for each other.

Also, there are witches/vampires with magic abilities now here too?

A cute volume, again.

That chapter with the hopping in crayon drawn circles on the road thing, was so nostalgic!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an anime/manga character with achondroplasia and I love it a lot! The positive representation in this manga series is absolutely amazing.

Wonderful! I loved every second of it. 

Just like »Little Women« by Luisa May Alcott, these four sisters and their dog never have a quiet day. In the best way possible. Each of them always brings some excitement to the table, and you can’t help but love them.
Unlike »Little Women«, the kids aren’t older than 13 and it only spans 3 weeks. And it’s their father talking care of them, not their mother. And of course it’s a different decade. But other than that, if you liked »Little Women«, you’ll love this too, for sure!

When Jeffrey was introduced, I was a bit afraid that it might end up cliché, but it didn’t. Very happy about that, which also made the read more fun and cozy. 
Jeffrey’s mother and her boyfriend were quite annoying, but at least it has a happy ending. And it’s also the only characters that I didn’t like; it’s fine because they weren’t the main characters, and every story needs an antagonist. Although a bit typical, it works, and didn't bother me. 
Maybe also because the friendship between Jeffrey and the sisters is so amazing!

The writing style is very gripping; easy to read for children & adults alike, very humorous and exciting. I didn’t want to put the book down at all. 
And i didn’t want it to end. I love the Penderwicks so much, I could read 10 volumes of them and their adventures! I hope there’s a sequel. 

~

My only issue was that they called their dad “daddy”. Wouldn’t be so much of a problem in English, but I read the book in German, and for some reason that was the only word that wasn’t translated. Why? No kid in the German language says “daddy”. It sounds so wrong and cringe... 🥲

~ 07/09/23

A nice little book with a positive message, especially when it comes to living with disabilities.

Rowena, or Ro for short, is a mute girl, who lives with her Dad in Australia (her mother died at her birth, her dad is single). They recently moved to a small town and Ro is the new kid at school. Technically her disability doesn't affect her life at all, since she talks in sign language with her dad and writes on paper with others, however, the kids at her new school aren't so happy about it and like to turn her school days into bad memories. And her dad isn't much of a help, as he constantly embarrasses her.

While it may sound like just another school bully story with a protagonist who's disabled, it isn't. Ro knows how to stand up for herself, and, other than hiding in a closet, she doesn't let her classmates' comments bring her down.
Even when she was at a "disability conference", she made sure to not let others control her because they think she's helpless; she told them how disabled people are humans as well and should be treated as such. I really liked that little speech, especially when the president got angry.
And she also stood up to her friends' father, when he wanted to cut off the friendship, just because he didn't like Ro's dad and was upset about Ro ruining his "heroism".

It got a bit cliché in the middle, with her dad dating Ro's teacher (plus I didn't ship them), but at least didn't have a cliché ending, so that's good.
And also quite emotional towards the end.

Overall it's nice how the book focuses more on Ro's problem with her dad's embarrassing situations, rather than on her being mute. It's a good message, especially for kids, to show that not all disabled people are helpless and have a completely normal life like any other.

Also, Ro has a funny humour and the writing style is smooth. Enjoyable and recommendable for all ages.

(English review below.)

Der beste Band, den ich bis jetzt von der Reihe gelesen habe!
Vor allem das 10. Kapitel ist mein liebstes. "Anwahren" – ein toller Neologismus! Werde ich mir merken.

Die Freunde haben sich immer schnell vertragen und nur wenig geärgert. Und es hatte eine gute message bezüglich Hänseleien – Karo, die nicht mitgeredet hat, sondern Tommy stattdessen versucht hat zu integrieren, und sich zu ihm an den Tisch gesetzt hat, obwohl sich die anderen dann auch über sie lustig gemacht haben.
Am Ende konnten alle zusammenkommen und sie haben sich mit den zwei Mädchen aus Berlin vertragen, weil sie die Wahrheit einander gesagt haben. Kommunikation gewinnt, super Message für Kinder!
Falls ihr Eltern seid und euren Kindern die Reihe laufen wollt, fängt am besten mit dem Band an!

Bisschen nervig ist nur, dass ständig Kommentare bezüglich dem Verknalltsein, Küssen und Heiraten gemacht werden, bloß, wenn sich nur ein Mädchen und ein Junge unterhalten oder gar Blicke austauschen. Warum wird alles sexualisiert bei Heteros? Und warum können Kinder (Grunschulkinder!) nicht einfach nur Freundschaften haben?

~

Hier aber mal wieder noch ein paar Zitate:

S. 5:
"Wisst ihr wer Ostern erfunden hat? Die Zahnärzte! All das süße Zeug sorgt nur dafür, dass wir uns die Zähne kaputtmachen."

S. 36-38:
Der Junge wurde für seine vornehmen Kleider ausgelacht, und dafür, dass er allein an einem Tisch saß und nichts sagte. Die Mädchen (6) machten lustige Kommentare, außer Karo, die genug davon hatte.
Kurz entschlossen packe ich meinen Teller und mein Glas, stehe auf und setze mich dem Jungen gegenüber.
[...]
"Der Junge hat mir nur leid, weil er ganz allein an seinem Tisch sitzen musste. [...] Lasst mich also in Ruhe mit den dämlichen Sprüchen, kapiert?"
Das ist, wie man mit Mobbing/Hänseleien richtig umgeht. Nehmt Karo als ein Beispiel.

~~~

The best volume from this series, that I read!
Especially the 10th chapter is my favorite. "Truthing" is a nice neologism. I'll remember and use that now.

The friends didn't fight often, and when they did, they quickly made up. And it had a nice message regarding bullying – Karo, who didn't talk bad about Tommy, and instead tried to integrate him, and even sat beside him at the table, even though that resulted in everyone laughing at Karo too.
In the end, they all talked about it though and even got along with the girls from Berlin, by telling each other the truth. Communication wins; perfect message for kids!
If you're a parent and want to introduce this series to your kid(s), best to start with this one!

A little annoying is the whole crushes, kissing and marrying thing, though. A girl and a boy can't even talk or just exchange a look, before someone makes a comment. Why do heteros sexualize everything? And why can't kids (primary school kids!) can't have ›just‹ friendships?

~

But, well, here some quotes I liked: (translated from german by myself.)

P. 5:
"Do you know who invented Easter? The dentists! All the sweets only result in us ruining our teeth!"

P. 36-38:
The boy was being laughed at for wearing formal clothes, not saying much and sitting alone at the table. The girls (6) were making funny remarks, except Karo, who had enough of it.
Shortly determined, I take my plate and my glass, get up and sit across from the boy.
[...]
"I only felt sorry for the boy, because he had to sit completely alone at his table. [...] So, leave me alone with these stupid remarks, you hear me?"
That's how you deal with/stop bullying. Take Karo as your idol.