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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
177 reviews
My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness by Nagata Kabi
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
5.0
As a lesbian I felt very validated by this manga. It’s very sad, but Nagata Kabi’s strength is admirable. I think she’s very strong and I would love her to know that she’s one of my idols 💛
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Incest
Just One More Thing: Stories from My Life by Peter Falk
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Very easy read, and one that you can hear Peter reading in your mind. A lovely insight into his life.
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
emotional
funny
informative
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A retelling of the Iliad from Penelope’s view. What starts as a very interesting and insightful view into life of such a unique character unfortunately comes to a halt once the story of the Iliad takes place. It starts out very promising, but slowly becomes Penelope’s maid’s story. Which is fine I guess, but it becomes a jumble of things and comes to an unsatisfying end. Shame, because the first half/first two thirds are really impactful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Akira, Volume 1 by Katsuhiro Otomo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Tetsuo deserves better 😤 amazing, spectacular, deserves way more hype!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, and Murder
House of Secrets by Chris Columbus
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
World building is nice! Characters are reminiscent of the Spiderwick Chronicles. Three children, who are sent into the books written by the previous inhabitants of the house they moved into, have to rescue their parents who’ve been kidnapped by a witch, with the help of a lost WW1 pilot, a rebel girl, a giant, and some pirates.
However it’s clear that the authors have never written a well-rounded woman in their life. Penelope is there for Cordelia to get jealous of and die three chapters later. Cordelia goes from being level headed to making stupid decisions in seconds. Not to mention, her relationship with Will is played like an enemies-to-lovers but they can’t create meaningful drama between the two characters. Instead they make Will a misogynist - which comes out of nowhere!
However it’s clear that the authors have never written a well-rounded woman in their life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Short stories which build on the feeling of tension, and manage to unnerve the reader, ending with the Lottery. One of the most disturbing stories of our time. An excellent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
The Wize Wize Beasts of the Wizarding Wizdoms by Nagabe
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
A series of comic drabbles about anthropomorphic animals in love in a magical boarding school. The art is lovely but the cute is overshadowed by the bad.
The bad:
- semi assault (character is kissed while unconscious) also features a love potion
- relationship between student and teacher
This book is very sweet, but those are unnecessary plot points that could have been left out for a much more enjoyable read
The bad:
- semi assault (character is kissed while unconscious) also features a love potion
- relationship between student and teacher
This book is very sweet, but those are unnecessary plot points that could have been left out for a much more enjoyable read
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Sexual assault
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Short, sweet, incredibly good!!
Her Royal Highness by Rachel Hawkins
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very fluffy book! Don’t go into it looking for plot though. This is an enemies to lovers slowburn-ish set in the highlands between American Millie and Scottish princess Flora.
I have a few nitpicks;
1. Despite being wlw the word “lesbian” is never mentioned in the book- despite Flora identifying as such. Just say the word lesbian. It’s not bad.
2. I don’t think the author has ever been to Scotland. As someone who is Scottish, it was a very weird look at the culture. Edinburgh was weirdly and vaguely described, not to mention when they go to a pub it’s filled with jokes about inaccurate stereotypes (sheep-shagging is an offensive Welsh stereotype).
3. No mention of Scots, leaving me feeling as though this is the most English book set in Scotland ever.
I have a few nitpicks;
1. Despite being wlw the word “lesbian” is never mentioned in the book- despite Flora identifying as such. Just say the word lesbian. It’s not bad.
2. I don’t think the author has ever been to Scotland. As someone who is Scottish, it was a very weird look at the culture. Edinburgh was weirdly and vaguely described, not to mention when they go to a pub it’s filled with jokes about inaccurate stereotypes (sheep-shagging is an offensive Welsh stereotype).
3. No mention of Scots, leaving me feeling as though this is the most English book set in Scotland ever.
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Perfect for fans of Columbo! This is a howdunnit of the highest calibre. After murdering her abusive husband with the help of her daughter, Yasuko fears for her and her daughters lives. Unbeknownst to her, the crime was witnessed by her next door neighbour Ishigami, a genius maths teacher who happens to be in love with Yasuko, who offers to cover up the crime and help her escape the police.
This is a great thriller mystery. Yasuko’s paranoia is palpable, and her relationship with Ishigami becoming more strained, yet more intimate, really sells the fear and dread. Ishigami and detective Galileo are old friends, and have similar personalities. There were certain aspects that left me really sad, and the ending was so tragic. It’s a game of cat and mouse that had me hooked!
This is a great thriller mystery. Yasuko’s paranoia is palpable, and her relationship with Ishigami becoming more strained, yet more intimate, really sells the fear and dread. Ishigami and detective Galileo are old friends, and have similar personalities. There were certain aspects that left me really sad, and the ending was so tragic. It’s a game of cat and mouse that had me hooked!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Murder