seawarrior's reviews
1659 reviews

While the magical underground fighting plot for this manga is intriguing, the romance elements are incredibly disturbing. The younger boy is stated to be eleven, while the older boy is stated to be twenty. I have a difficult time understanding how this series has been so popular for two decades in spite of the shameless way the creator approaches their relationship. 

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is a bittersweet story that amplifies the themes of friendship and bravery from the previous novel. The writing in this book is also significantly improved, making it easier to connect to the characters and the tragic and fantastical maze of confusion that is rattling them. There is a type of sadness present in this story I cannot quite describe, but has to do with growing older and losing innocence and longing for joy that is no longer simple. It is no wonder that a generation of children has identified so strongly with these characters. 

Although I enjoyed the start of this book, I didn't feel up to finishing it right now. I will definitely pick it up again some other time. 

Dead Voices is an atmospheric and foreboding horror novel for young readers. In this novel, Coco is the lead and must build her self-confidence as she works to cleverly rescue her friends and family from a mysterious villain. I enjoyed the setting of the story and the message for children that they are often more capable than they, or their peers, realize. This is a promising series written to both thrill and inspire.

The Shape of Water is a deftly plotted novel that weaves together the lives of several characters who are headed for violent collision. Even if you've already seen the film, the dramatic tension in the novel is taut and rewarding, and the characters are even more memorable. The greatest success of the book is how it details the thoughts and values of a diverse range of people, and humanizes even the most despicable among the cast. Often times villains like Strickland are reduced to one note, but del Toro is masterful in displaying how regular human emotions and desires sour and rot inside those who decide to raze their humanity and express only their most brutal self. The novel also provides us with more insight into Elisa's deep well of intelligence and passion, and how her bravery inspires and and sets free more people than she realizes.