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rnbhargava's reviews
411 reviews
Perfect World, Volume 9 by Rie Aruga
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume’s main conflict is focused on feelings and motivations of characters, whether they’re justifiable or not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The main conflict this volume has to do with ableism, coming to terms with your own mortality and making the best of the life you do have. Ableism shows itself even while seemingly understanding and sympathizing with a disabled person. One interesting choice in the storytelling is a brief visit with some former major supporting characters. Overall this is a generally happier volume though which is a nice change of pace.
Perfect World, Volume 8 by Rie Aruga
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume brings about significant realizations and hints at new challenges. I personally found the way that certain ongoing relationship storylines from the last few volumes resolved themselves to be a bit too tidy and quick. One was handled marginally better than the other. However, most of the character work and disability depictions in the book remain top notch. Particularly good are some flashbacks used which perhaps could have been more hinted at in earlier volumes to make certain secondary characters be a bit more relatable. Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing how the last 4 volumes play out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism
There is a graphic depiction of a car accident that happens to a significant character in the book. There is also a confrontation where one character threatens to punch another character. There is also different types of ableism shown in the attitudes of 2 different parental figures to certain characters. There are also depictions of hospital/medical settings and post accident rehabilitation situations that might be triggers to some.
Perfect World, Volume 7 by Rie Aruga
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume is quite thrilling as there’s an earthquake so they feel like they gotta articulate and get out all of their feelings about each other in the heightened natural disaster time and in the aftermath. It is a bit irritating that some of the characters still are so ableist despite the natural disaster. Also, how selfish some of the characters can still be is a bit irritating but I get that it’s for conflict. I still ding this volume down to 4 for that. It’s amazing how selfish some of the characters remain.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Confinement, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
You do see the disabled character in distress during a disaster situation along with the imperfections with disaster assistance response that frankly don’t consider disabled people. I’m trying to keep it as general as possible.
Perfect World, Volume 6 by Rie Aruga
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a really good volume where our estranged mains reconnect in a new manner, maybe they’ll be able to find a new connection between them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Gaslighting, and Classism
There’s certainly some jealousies and lies from Nagasawa and Koreda. However, most of the tension is from whether Tsugumi and Itsuki can smoothly work together on Keigo and Kaede’s House/Restaurant. The ending of the volume sure is something too. Another very good volume in this series. I keep relating to it more as it progresses.
Vinland Saga, Volume 12 by Makoto Yukimura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This volume is slightly lighter in tone and storytelling than most other volumes. It’s like the relative calm before the final storm of getting to Vinland. Thematically, it’s about how Thorfinn has become a lot like his Father. Some local foes are shown to be a lot more fair than you might expect, even giving valuable insight. Some new characters challenge Thorfinn’s philosophy, potentially becoming new foes.
The character work is really at the forefront here and I love it. Obviously, you don’t continue reading into book 12 without a good love of a series. I can’t wait to read how it ends in December. History repeats itself in fun ways in this volume.
There’s a new character that is or might be best described as transgender that is repeatedly called by her male birth name rather than her preferred female identifying name, that’s suggested to have a familial connection to one of our main characters. Please be aware if reading this material might be triggering. I would say it’s treated relatively respectfully in depiction in the story but others might disagree, be forewarned.
The character work is really at the forefront here and I love it. Obviously, you don’t continue reading into book 12 without a good love of a series. I can’t wait to read how it ends in December. History repeats itself in fun ways in this volume.
There’s a new character that is or might be best described as transgender that is repeatedly called by her male birth name rather than her preferred female identifying name, that’s suggested to have a familial connection to one of our main characters. Please be aware if reading this material might be triggering. I would say it’s treated relatively respectfully in depiction in the story but others might disagree, be forewarned.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Transphobia, Blood, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and Classism
The above mentioned material about a new transgender character, be forewarned if you feel that would be triggering to see a transgender character’s identity to be disrespected. Also, the recurring haunted by death nightmares continue into this volume. This volume is mostly about philosophical differences and taking a breather to prepare for the final big push of the series story.
Vinland Saga, Volume 11 by Makoto Yukimura
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
This volume was straight amazing. It starts off as a rescue heist, then it turns into a sort of character study amidst this mission where everything goes wrong. Thorfinn learns things that make him recontextualize the past and thus also his resolve to no longer kill. Garm continues to be a delightful antagonist with his twisted Warrior’s purpose. You really come to understand him more fully in this volume. Floki’s grandson Baldr is an interesting character in this volume as he’s someone born into the power structure figuring out his place in it and his articulation of it is very interesting. Sigurd remains a very interesting character who’s sense of duty is so sincere that it’s kind of hilarious yet you still respect him. Gudrid is given a lot of good material in support of Thorfinn. Hild is a reliable lieutenant of course with that pre-existing twist still ever lingering. Thorkell is as wild as ever in this volume and it’s just as entertaining. This manga continues to be my favorite for good reason.
Content Warnings
They’re Vikings, many of them drink excessively and fight with reckless abandon. One character, Garm, delights in violence and treats it like a game. Thorkell is much the same way. Violence is an addiction, entertainment, escape from peaceful monotony. Sigurd, doesn’t really care at all what Gudrid wants, he’s tracking her down essentially to possess her as a wife. It’s absolutely problematic but it’s a big part of his arc. His goofy morality is oddly endearing in portions too. Thorfinn gets tempted a lot to give into violence again in this volume. The character chosen for the attempted suicide is quite shocking. Thorfinn takes a child hostage at one point too and frankly he’s a bit too convincing in possibly harming the child. That could trigger some.
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book, a fantasy, fictionalized variation on China in WWII with the aftermath of the Opium Wars also in the mix, is frankly amazing. The writing becomes more dark and elaborate as the protagonist Rin ages and becomes less innocent through fighting in war at much too young of an age. The mythological aspects are very inventive and refreshing. The Cike is like a sort of Thunderbolts from Marvel or Suicide Squad from DC, if you’re familiar with these comic book teams. All of the characters that Rin is mentored by and/or befriends brings different aspects of her developing personality to the fore. I can’t wait to see what choices Rin makes in “The Dragon Republic” for better or worse. All of the characters are so intriguing and many of them easily could have been protagonists in their own rights. I got quite attached to everyone. This book is an experience. My only slight gripe is that many characters that the protagonist knows have a sort of low key plot armor so that they can be used to illustrate certain aspects of war later in the novel despite it seeming that they shouldn’t have survived some earlier world building regarding how the war is playing out in different fronts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
All of these triggers are evident in this narrative whether they’re something that happens to the main character, someone she knows, or is just generally part of the world. It is a brutal world that is in the midst of war and the protagonist is part of a group that’s kind of feared. All of the brutality is mentioned quite specifically in increasingly dark detail as you progress in the novel. Be aware, it doesn’t hold back.
Perfect World, Volume 5 by Rie Aruga
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume is very well done. There’s more tension in our main characters’ current status quo. There’s some other new characters that are like character foils to our mains as well that are well done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism
There is clearly a lot of shaming and bullying around whether disabled people should have relationships at all. This is a core theme of the book, including all the feelings of medical trauma and potential suicidal thoughts because disabled characters feel or are made to feel like a burden on their able bodied partners and family members. This is ableism, misogyny, classism, medical content, potential self harm, body shaming, etc.
One of the main characters has a parent that is undergoing cancer treatments. There is also a sex scene involving one of the main characters that could be read as sexual harassment because she possibly goes through with sex in the scene because she feels like she “owes” the guy sex because it’s “normal” for people in a relationship together to have sex and he goes out of his way to get to her during a tough situation. It read and was drawn to be an uncomfortable situation, at least it seemed that to me. Be forewarned.
Perfect World, Volume 4 by Rie Aruga
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume is about a radical shift in the 2 main characters’ relationship. The tensions are palpable. This volume is about tough growth. The main characters aren’t perfect. The rivals also are humanized a bit. Going with 4 because while this is really good, you want more of the leads together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Body shaming
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Alcohol is from some scenes of going out with friends, ableism and classism is throughout the whole narrative in some manner as one of the leads is physically disabled, blood is from medical situations, panic attacks is relevant to one of the leads, Misogyny to a degree is certainly evident in how one of the rivals comes across to the reader in relation to the female lead though he does get relatable to a degree in this volume. Though one could argue he’s quite toxic and misogynistic toward both leads. Confinement is relevant in a literal sense and in a metaphorical sense as the leads struggle to figure out relating to each other in new ways.
Perfect World, Volume 3 by Rie Aruga
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This volume is really good, the main couple are trying to persevere in their relationship despite physical distance and through their own respective health struggles. Also, rivals for their individual affections really make themselves more present in this volume. You kind of end up in a love/hate relationship with these rivals as they are given character dimensions too. Some character choices in our mains are a bit frustrating hence I dinged it down to 4 but the story is excellent throughout and I can’t wait to see what’s next for them all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Stalking, and Car accident
These themes on the triggers are all there, much of it is kind of passive aggressive, only between certain characters in technically somewhat private settings and they all directly inform the plot. The main couple is getting threats to their relationship from all sides despite the volume starting on a fairly positive note. It gets a bit frustrating seeing how they don’t clue into all these threats to them a bit faster but I guess there’s a certain amount of realism in that. Loving this series so far.