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feedingbrett's reviews
190 reviews
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The author’s attempt to usher us into a familiarly unique world, while assembling the building blocks that would propel its characters and, potentially, the world forward, is a rather successful one. A hunger for understanding of its building blocks and mechanics was satisfied through its larger and interwoven canvas of characters, and its core mystery that relates to its titular character finds its way to relevance by its end. It speaks on the idea of truth, meaning, and significance, all explored within the domains of spirituality, socioeconomics, politics, and culture. We are treated to a world different from our own, yet it desires to explore why an alternative exists, how it could exist in relation to our own, and knowing of that knowledge and what can be done about it. The clarity of its response to such questions will not satisfy particular readers, but for those that are happy to simply have such questions be pondered and formed towards one’s own hypothesis and impressions, then Philip K. Dick has successfully produced a housing for such rumination.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
Mark Twain places his readers in a state of empathy towards a child that, from the outside looking in, can be easily misunderstood by society and its adult members. While he yet recognises the value of labour, a perceived requirement of maturity in society, he counters such through his innovative ways of assuring completion of his given tasks, as he barters or delegates that would allow protected time for his personal priorities. Speaking of priorities, we get a glimpse of the various passions of his life, whether it may be the heart of Becky Thatcher or the alluring promise of glory through piracy, robbery, or treasure hunting, with these professions marking themselves as more of an aspirational identity rather than just a mere ‘occupation’. Throughout, Twain provides a critique of society and its comprised adults through their impact on our protagonist, while also leaving subtle character parallels in its account, with Injun Joe’s tendering to his wounded pride and thirst for loot being a key contrast for one to ruminate. This was an achievement due to its intention to be unrestricted by plot and provide a focused review of its titular character. We experience its tale like a wayward spirit alongside its characters as we perceive these regular but significant moments of the boy's life as if with an air of coincidence.
2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Princess Jellyfish, Volume 9 by Akiko Higashimura
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A satisfying conclusion in intention, but less so in execution. Everything seems to unpack like a whirlwind, with little time and space for physical moments to linger. The emphasis on sitting within the protagonist's reflective position gives its entirety a warranted warmth, but I wished the plotting and character dynamics were better drawn out as it builds towards a cathartic fulfilment. I admire what the series represents, with evidence of gratitude towards its influence, no matter what criticisms or expectations I brought to the reading, it was never going to get in the way of my general appreciation.
Music: The Definitive Visual History by D.K. Publishing
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Attractive in the breadth of its coverage, but the information is laid out so tediously that it sapped away all my curiosity to proceed.
Princess Jellyfish, Volume 8 by Akiko Higashimura
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I can't seem to formulate an abundance to express my feelings about this volume, but I would like to say that I am pleased that things began to fall back to familiarity by its end. With a conclusion just a volume away, I am eager for what is to come.
Princess Jellyfish, Volume 7 by Akiko Higashimura
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
For the last omnibus volume, the story endured through an excavation of the fashion industry, introduced a new character, and steer our leads into hard choices. It felt like a set-up for something significant, and lo and behold, a new complication is in the mix. With its romantic foundations potentially shaken, and our lead, once again, clueless and dizzy by this sudden development, Akiko Higashimura has foreshadowed a path towards reformation and teases potential catharsis. Volume 7 is a middle-of-the-road assembly of chapters that are only as fascinating when reviewed as a piece of an entirety rather than on its own two feet.
Princess Jellyfish, Volume 6 by Akiko Higashimura
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
The struggles in breaking through the fashion industry continue for them. The series' recent shift in focus towards this complication has finally begun, by this volume's end, to converge and rupture onto the state of affairs between our key characters. Akiko Higashimura allows moments of pondering the significance and meaning behind her characters' decisions, giving reflective thought that fed our hunger for insight and development. Given the manner in which this omnibus volume concluded, I expect shake-ups to later occur that would challenge important relationships and reset the dramatic momentum, perhaps as it treads towards its finale.
Princess Jellyfish, Volume 5 by Akiko Higashimura
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Much like my feelings about the previous volume, we find Akiko Higashimura more settled into the story, characters, and the world she has created. Watching relationships blossom, principles challenged, and businesses thriving, the dramatic pulls here are far more calm, collected, and measured, and may I say that reading through has been a pleasurable ride. The stakes are more significantly established without resorting to an aggressive gradient curve of its plotting for the sake of generating interest. It is here at the series' median that I feel I have been made to swim in the same emotional waters as these characters.