Nathan
Very good book. I was incredibly impressed by the first chapter. It characterized the main cast so quickly and well. I don't think I've read many better beginnings.
Felt a bit longer then it really needed to be, I think a decent bit of the middle content could be cut out without too much loss.
All of the character arcs are about choosing to be better people, and helping those close to you also become better. I loved the ending It made sense for everyone, and I like happy ending what can I say.
“however long you may live, I can never wish you a greater happiness than this.” 8.4/10
Interesting book on the renaissance. Reminded me a lot of [b:The World and the Prophets 399217 The World and the Prophets (The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Volume 03) Hugh Nibley https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1418834339l/399217.SY75.jpg 388662] by Hugh Nibley. They even use at least one of the same ancient quotes. Though Nibley is coming from a Latter-Day Saint perspective and Greenblatt some sort of Humanist one. They are both about these ancient sources and what they teach us about the development of Christianity leading us to the modern era.Italians do be like that sometimes 7.5/10
> This was a reread and for the whole series< Such an amazing Graphic novel, very very similar [b:Girls' Last Tour, Vol. 1 32855997 Girls' Last Tour, Vol. 1 (Girls' Last Tour, #1) Tsukumizu https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489618625l/32855997.SX50.jpg 53458767][b:Girls' Last Tour, Vol. 1 32855997 Girls' Last Tour, Vol. 1 (Girls' Last Tour, #1) Tsukumizu https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1489618625l/32855997.SX50.jpg 53458767] in its message, story, art even, honestly everything. They are both some favorites of mine now. Also very similar to [b:The Road 6288 The Road Cormac McCarthy https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1600241424l/6288.SY75.jpg 3355573] by Cormac McCarthy.The art is stellar, it's use chaos to illustrate distress is especially notable, and it's use of color is brilliant, it is used sparingly but that causes it to be able to provide such impact when it is used.Very harrowing story, on what humanity can be, but still doesn't give up on us. It believes both in the evil and the good of humanity. That there is tragedy but there is also joy.I didn't remember the Christian turn it took at the end at all. It as amazing though. It shows the hope that the love of Christ, and the promise of the resurrection can give us.The physical release of this is also fantastic. The colored pages came out great and it feels great to hold. It being a brisk 3 volumes is also welcome, and leaves you wanting more.“All I can do is believe in love.”Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 9.6/10
This is a isekai power fantasy. It is also absolutely hilarious. It made me want to laugh probably every chapter. One of the main jokes is how ugly he is when he is being a thug. The distortion on his face keeps increasing as webtoon goes on. It is amazing.
The story ain't bad either. You get to see meaningful development from many characters. It is formulaic, but the comedy is so good that it doesn't matter. I also liked the romance.
It is also like totally shilling for free market exchange, which I love to see. It is actually so good this would be some economists favorite webtoon.
The power of a benevolent social planner, and free exchange of goods and services. 8.6/10
A fun take and commentary on the hallmark romance movie. The romance felt believable, and their chemistry was very fun to read. Good literary references sprinkled through as well.
More into the physical aspect then I enjoy reeding. But not to difficult to skip over the most intense sections.
The appeal of the Neurodivergent man. 7.7/10
>This a for a reread of the series<
Second series of my Cosmere reread. Mistborn is great, it is also a very ambitious project in its own right independent of the Cosmere, with a planned 16 books across 5 time periods, I'm excited for them all.
I enjoyed Sazed even more this readthrough. Vin's story of trust learning trust great as well.
I appreciate more now that the “gods” of the Cosmere, they are these forces because they are supposed to represent different aspects of humanity, and the dangers of excess in any attribute. Mistborn is about the importance of harmony.
Heavy Metal positioning rules. 8.7/10
[a:Brandon Sanderson 38550 Brandon Sanderson https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1721927489p2/38550.jpg]'s first novel and the start of the Cosmere. An epic of huge proportions, begins with this charming novel.You can definite feel the more amature writing compared to his latest works. I realized that his mode of preachiness was actually also in this book and is not just a recent practice. I loved how the plots interacted. The priest character I related strongly too, and really liked his arc. Sanderson's style is just so fun. Elantrians forget how to use maps, chaos ensues. 8.6/10 >this was a reread<
Actually a very depressing view on the life of most people. I find the idea, that everyone has one thing the universe wants them to do, and if they fail to do that they will be forever unfulfilled, to be terribly sad. As well as untrue, I believe that a persons potential never ends.Though this book is still trying to do a parable about the importance of following your dreams. Which, with some balance, isn't a terrible thing.Reminded me of [b:A Wizard of Earthsea 13642 A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1) Ursula K. Le Guin https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353424536l/13642.SY75.jpg 113603].He got some seer stones just like my man joseph. 6/10
Disappointing in comparison to the previous volume. Similar length, but it felt like so much less was accomplished in this book.
The different plot lines felt irrelevant to each other. One of them didn't interact with the other 2 at all only setting up for the sequel.
I did really like the whimsy of the lunar court, and how they do ridiculous things out of tradition. Really added a fun flavor to the world.
7/10
Fun near future sci-fi. About some space trashmen. Yukimura was learning his craft in this one. But still does a great job.
Good art, great characters and story. Very philosophical about our role in the universe.
“I learned that I couldn't stop loving people.” 8.8/10
Also the English release of this is one of my favorite physical manga releases, it has such a nice weight to it, and the paper is so pleasant to read.
>This was a reread<
What is it to be Human?
The art is top notch. So expressive, with some great visual metaphors and action. Definitely one of the selling points of the manga.
The character development of Ken is very good as well.
The story to me is about the conflicting needs we have. Who should be able to do what they want? When and why? There are the two sides of Ghoul and human. They both have evil and good people. But they cannot coexist. How can these forces be reconciled. Or is it impossible.
“The bird, fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born, must first destroy a world” 8.6/10
A good short read. I did not buy this expecting a horror/thriller. That made it more effective for me because it took a couple chapters for me to realize which made it more exciting. The twist was good.
I got it because Nobuyuki Fukumoto, is one of my favorite authors so I wanted to to support his English releases. It had lots of tone and characterization he is great at. Unfortunately didn't have his iconic art. But Kaiji Kawaguchi's was still quite good.
Don't hike when a blizzard is going to happen. 7.2/10
“THIS WAS ALL HIS FAULT! HE SHOULDN'T HAVE MADE ME!!”
>This review is for the whole trilogy<A really fun series. It was like a mix between [b:The Blade Itself 944073 The Blade Itself (The First Law, #1) Joe Abercrombie https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1747782133l/944073.SY75.jpg 929009], by [a:Joe Abercrombie 276660 Joe Abercrombie https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1421267339p2/276660.jpg], and [b:Mistborn: The Final Empire 68428 Mistborn The Final Empire (Mistborn, #1) Brandon Sanderson https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617768316l/68428.SY75.jpg 66322], by [a:Brandon Sanderson 38550 Brandon Sanderson https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1721927489p2/38550.jpg]. In it's world it was kind of like a mix, and the tone was kind of halfway. Not as dark as the First law series but more violent then Mistborn.I really enjoyed almost all the main characters. The magic the powder mages used was so cool. Naya usually the least interesting plot unfortunately.“The age of kings is dead” 8.3/10
Emma joins a Kabbal.There was some character web development in this one. I'm hope to see all the characters of saint Crispians interact in increasingly complex and interesting ways. Like in the animes “[b:Durarara!!, Vol. 1 24409126 Durarara!!, Vol. 1 (Durarara!! light novel, #1) Ryohgo Narita https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431851926l/24409126.SY75.jpg 6608105], and [b:Odd Taxi, Vol. 1 213052740 Odd Taxi, Vol. 1 Kazuya Konomoto https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1737042077l/213052740.SX50.jpg 90158486].“The wheat in the field is ripe” 8.8/10
This book was very good. Lots of very tragic events and situations. But a very endearing main character. Great language used in the book. I was a little surprised with how neatly it ended. Now I want to read [b:David Copperfield 58696 David Copperfield Charles Dickens https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461452762l/58696.SY75.jpg 4711940].This is why we follow the Word of Wisdom kids. 8.5/10
I enjoyed this one even more then the first one. It actually reminded me of some reverse Harem anime, like [b:Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1 1087204 Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1 (Ouran High School Host Club, #1) Bisco Hatori https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388328993l/1087204.SY75.jpg 2192688] . I loved all the characters that were more involved in this book.Jane Eyre was a major plot point, which I was very cognizant of as I had just finished reading Jane Eyre. So I could appreciate the parallels and understand why the book was important to them.Intriguing men abound. What's a charming young woman to do. 9/10
What is a Man? What is integrity? These are some of the questions asked by this wonderful novel.
Ove is so great. He is hilarious in his obstinance. He's seems to be written to have some sort of neurodivergence. People don't expect a man of such quality they are blinded by the ruff first impression. And despite his many character flaws, he is always helping others and doing what he thinks he ought.
I actually feel that men like Ove are very real. People who do their duty and help others when they're needed. And it shows what he thinks he needs to do as a man. And all the other characters show different ways of being a man.
Don't underestimate the power of some gold ole black mail. 8.4/10
“Men are what they are because of what they do. Not what they say.”
A very fun read. A mature children's book for sure. Nice and quick. The main girl was kinda annoying in retrospect but it's kinda that point for her to be a angsty confused teenager.Reminded me a ton of the [b:Space Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet / Perelandra / That Hideous Strength 30628 Space Trilogy Out of the Silent Planet / Perelandra / That Hideous Strength C.S. Lewis https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386924691l/30628.SY75.jpg 964542], by C.S. Lewis. Especially with the heavy Christian imagery. The villian of “That Hideous Strength is super similar to “it” in wrinkle of time as well.Go eerilly intelligent children go!7.5/10“Like and equal are not the same thing at all.”
I enjoyed Jane Eyre even more then I though I would. The romance felt like it made sense to me they both had legitimate reasons for being interested in each other.
I think the story is in large part about the duties we have to each other and to God. How people fail in them and how they succeed in them. Which Jane excels at, her stand out trait is her integrity to say what she believes and do what she believes is right and fair in spite of passions, temptations, inconveniences, or tragedies that may come to her. I think every character touches on this theme.
The novel used the word interlocutor a lot. 9/10
“He saw that God again had tempered justice with mercy”
Basically a more Machiavellian [b:Anne of Green Gables 8127 Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1) L.M. Montgomery https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615094578l/8127.SY75.jpg 3464264]. Which is a compliment. But more supernatural whimsey going as well.The ending felt very abrupt. Which is fitting because that's how real journals usually work; one day without a climax they just end.Don't leave your daughter's inheritance in the care of a scoundrel. 8.5/10“You do have the shade of machiavelli following you most days.”