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wrenl's reviews
1072 reviews
New Waves by Kevin Nguyen
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.0
I feel like I should have liked this book more as someone who works in the tech industry and generally enjoys characters who are as socially aware as Margo. But sadly I felt a bit lost by the meandering story. I did enjoy the sci fi bits and the plot points about the tech industry, but I wanted more about Lucas, and it felt like he was always aloof, even to the reader.
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Somehow, this book is able to capture childhood-like wonder and magic within its pages. It’s amazing.
I love the plot and the puns. I love the riddles and the romance. I love Lucy because she’s an unexpected protagonist who has a lot of heart. I love Hugo because he’s a cranky old man who isn’t that old (unless you consider 30 old. And to that I say, ageism is so overrated). I loved how this book depicts motherhood. I love how this book shows how messy it can be (says the person who isn’t a mother and doesn’t plan on being one haha.) I cried like three times, and yes I use that as a barometer for how good a book is.
This book is beautiful, magical, and captivating in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. Bravo
I love the plot and the puns. I love the riddles and the romance. I love Lucy because she’s an unexpected protagonist who has a lot of heart. I love Hugo because he’s a cranky old man who isn’t that old (unless you consider 30 old. And to that I say, ageism is so overrated). I loved how this book depicts motherhood. I love how this book shows how messy it can be (says the person who isn’t a mother and doesn’t plan on being one haha.) I cried like three times, and yes I use that as a barometer for how good a book is.
This book is beautiful, magical, and captivating in a way I haven’t seen in a long time. Bravo
Is Love the Answer? by Uta Isaki
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I sometimes struggle with Japanese manga about queer topics. Are they educational? Are they for people of that community? I can’t say where this manga lands. It leans more educational than not, but in a way, all manga that leans more educational also has elements that ring true with that community.
I love that a manga about an aromantic asexual exists, but I wish there was more beyond the main character discovering her identities. I do love how it ties in society’s expectations of men/women and relationships.
It was still really weird that they compared bisexuality and asexuality to liking BL. Weird comparison.
I love that a manga about an aromantic asexual exists, but I wish there was more beyond the main character discovering her identities. I do love how it ties in society’s expectations of men/women and relationships.
It was still really weird that they compared bisexuality and asexuality to liking BL. Weird comparison.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Sexual assault, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Supper Club by Jackie Morrow
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love love love stories about food bringing people together. It makes me so happy. Especially because I bake. While the story was a bit teenage angst, I still appreciated the friendships and bonding moments. Super heartfelt and sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cancer
Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 3 by Adachitoka
fast-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
What We Don't Talk About by Charlot Kristensen
emotional
sad
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
I love this book. It speaks truth about the hideous ways racism can hide in relationships. As someone who has been in interracial relationships in the past, it’s something I’m always a bit cautious about. I love that this book shows how harmful and painful racism can be; it’s very raw and honest. And I love how Farai stands up for herself too. More power to you, girl!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Islamophobia
マッシュル―MASHLE― 18 by 甲本一
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
(A review of the whole manga)
To be honest, I first found this story through clips of the anime popping up on my Instagram. It seemed fun and light, and I decided to pick up the manga since it was finished.
It is very fun and very light and hilarious. I was laughing out loud often in the first few chapters. Mash has such a deadpan expression with such intense power; the difference is hilarious. And I love how he collects friends and allies like Pokemon.
And the pacing is amazing. There aren't long fight scenes. Things are over in a chapter or two. I appreciate how succinct this plot is.
While the story attempts to form meaningful moments when Mash drops a one-liner or two, they don't hit as strongly because of the generally light atmosphere and tone of this story.
If you're curious, Dot is my favorite. Love a hot-headed dork. And I really love how the Ames' brothers story ends up. Super sweet.
If you wanna check out other stories similar to this, Mob Psycho 100 and One Punch Man come to mind! I've never read those manga, though, so this is more about their anime counterparts.
To be honest, I first found this story through clips of the anime popping up on my Instagram. It seemed fun and light, and I decided to pick up the manga since it was finished.
It is very fun and very light and hilarious. I was laughing out loud often in the first few chapters. Mash has such a deadpan expression with such intense power; the difference is hilarious. And I love how he collects friends and allies like Pokemon.
And the pacing is amazing. There aren't long fight scenes. Things are over in a chapter or two. I appreciate how succinct this plot is.
While the story attempts to form meaningful moments when Mash drops a one-liner or two, they don't hit as strongly because of the generally light atmosphere and tone of this story.
If you're curious, Dot is my favorite. Love a hot-headed dork. And I really love how the Ames' brothers story ends up. Super sweet.
If you wanna check out other stories similar to this, Mob Psycho 100 and One Punch Man come to mind! I've never read those manga, though, so this is more about their anime counterparts.
Aces Wild: A Heist by Amanda DeWitt
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have a whole intro planned, but if you want the too long didn’t read, this book didn’t have enough hijinks but it has some really fun characters. Plot meh characters yay!
But now my intro.
So I love the show Leverage (OG season, I haven’t seen the new one). I love people with corrupted morals tricking the bad guys into giving them all their money. Antiheroes but without war crimes. So I was so excited for this book. Asexuality and heists? Count me in! But I feel like I didn’t get enough of the heist. I think partly because the characters are just normal, not spies or soldiers or even geniuses. I couldn’t get into the story because I wanted more drama and stakes.
But the characters are all very fun. Lucky, Gabe, and Jack really steal the show with their antics, personality, and past. I love Jack as a character but wanted more from him. More insight, more depth, and more inner thoughts.
So while I love that this book exists, I wanted more from it.
But now my intro.
So I love the show Leverage (OG season, I haven’t seen the new one). I love people with corrupted morals tricking the bad guys into giving them all their money. Antiheroes but without war crimes. So I was so excited for this book. Asexuality and heists? Count me in! But I feel like I didn’t get enough of the heist. I think partly because the characters are just normal, not spies or soldiers or even geniuses. I couldn’t get into the story because I wanted more drama and stakes.
But the characters are all very fun. Lucky, Gabe, and Jack really steal the show with their antics, personality, and past. I love Jack as a character but wanted more from him. More insight, more depth, and more inner thoughts.
So while I love that this book exists, I wanted more from it.
Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Honestly, a way more heartwarming tale than I thought it’d be. And that might be because I’m a bit jaded about my own hometown. But I admit defeat and mushy gushy feelings when I feel them. And this book definitely has those.
My biggest gripe has to do with the competition plot itself. Kinda boring. And I’d a bit tired of these magical competitions. More curses and hexes please! (Although you can argue that we have enough of those in the other books in this series)
But Emmy does have a pretty great character arc. You go girl
My biggest gripe has to do with the competition plot itself. Kinda boring. And I’d a bit tired of these magical competitions. More curses and hexes please! (Although you can argue that we have enough of those in the other books in this series)
But Emmy does have a pretty great character arc. You go girl
The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This is a curious look into Nigerian expat culture that feels disconnected. I didn’t feel drawn to either character, and I think the back and forth between their chapters made it hard to follow the story. I don’t really get why Nicole does what she does, and it makes it harder to sympathize with her. And Claudine is fine I guess, but I have similar issues with her lack of character development. I wanted to DNF and probably should have, but the tiny whisper of a mystery kept me turning pages even if I wasn’t into the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Rape