I really do have such a soft spot for these cheesy older canon books. The plot and action in this book are both kinda crazy and far fetched, but honesI really do have such a soft spot for these cheesy older canon books. The plot and action in this book are both kinda crazy and far fetched, but honestly no sillier than what is going on now in SW. I love it all, and I don’t think silly former canons are a bad thing at all.
Some highlights and thoughts: -Callista and Luke are actually a really great couple, albeit a bit strange 80s movie in vibe, but I really do love them. Their original meeting was great, and the moment he saw her laughing at Palpatine’s death were particular standouts. -Maybe it’s just the scoundrel lover in me, but I’m always her for Han/Leia romance. -Why does every SW story have to reference Tatooine? I thought it wasn’t important?! -Imperials having to be told the war was over is a great reference that reminds me of the WWII generals who didn’t believe it was true either. -The whole subplot with the Ismaren’s was, in a way, an interesting wink at idea of palpatine having children, which is, of course, very present in the current canon. Love seeing these through lines. -I’ll always be sad that we didn’t get to see Leia as a teacher. ...more
I love this series. It’s so silly and fun and really just a nice reprieve from everything else I’m reading.
As always, my major standout is the translaI love this series. It’s so silly and fun and really just a nice reprieve from everything else I’m reading.
As always, my major standout is the translations of Chewbacca’s lines. In particular, his final monologue, when receiving the medal. That brought genuine tears to my eyes, not going to lie.
I really enjoyed Palpatine in this as well. He is already such a grand and over the top villain that he made total sense as the Shakespearean evil he was here.
I can’t overstate how much I just find this whole concept to be really fun. ...more
I loved this so much. As a huge Star Wars and Leia fan, this was the adaptation I was hoping for.
The art did an excellent job of finding a balance betI loved this so much. As a huge Star Wars and Leia fan, this was the adaptation I was hoping for.
The art did an excellent job of finding a balance between the action and scale of Star Wars and the humor and lightness of the source material. It also featured so many great callbacks to iconic moments and shots from the films.
The nods to the saga were really wonderful, and what kept me engaged. I’m also super nerdy for the senate side of SW (I know....) so this was WAY up my alley. The characters in the apprentice legislature were standouts, especially Amilyn Holdo, a fave of mine.
Leia as a character in this was really nuanced. Her frustration at the actions of her parents and how she feels their neglect is palpable, and the moment she learns she undid her father’s work with refugees is an important highlight for me, as it was an eye opener for her that can definitely be traced through her career in the saga as we know it.
I have to say, I loved it. The message was so clear: spread beauty and love. She felt like an old soul and I love that. The art really helped transferI have to say, I loved it. The message was so clear: spread beauty and love. She felt like an old soul and I love that. The art really helped transfer this into a bigger deal. Loved it. ...more
After reading I’m Thinking of Ending Things, I was ready to expect the unexpected. That being said, I didn’t expect this. This book had a really cool After reading I’m Thinking of Ending Things, I was ready to expect the unexpected. That being said, I didn’t expect this. This book had a really cool plot and a really big sense of “uh oh what’s next� that I enjoyed, but the lack of a likable character, at least in my opinion, held me back. I felt sorry for Junior1 when it appeared the Junior2 was a dick, but other than that, the most likable person was Terrance and that’s mostly because I found him amusingly unnerving. The writing was phenomenal , just as in the other book, and I really loved the way he described locations. I really felt like I could see the corn, smell the fire, and live in the house he described. I was also bested by this book, if that’s the right word. I guessed the twist, but I guessed it too late. I had the swap placed at the burning barn, but that was totally the intention. I have to say that I’m pretty sure the ending that I kinda wanted is what happened (Terrence and Hen) but also think he might’ve been just facilitating her way out. Either way, WOW, the ending surprised me. And I was surprised with how mad at it I was. It’s so obvious but he’s so oblivious. But I guess that’s just this writer’s ability. It wasn’t as overtly scary as the last one but I did really like this one. ...more
God I miss Darwyn Cooke. His art will always have a spot in my heart, and this was a shining example. Everything from Catwoman’s flashy action to the God I miss Darwyn Cooke. His art will always have a spot in my heart, and this was a shining example. Everything from Catwoman’s flashy action to the menacing Batman psyche-demon was impeccable and I truly love his art. At times, the stories felt familiar, but in a way that flirted and toyed with reference, rather than being direct copies. Examples include how Selina’s story was essentially a Spirit heist, or how the first story was very reminiscent of Mask of the Phantasm. However, they just WORKED. Everything just felt well crafted, and this is the Batman I fell in love with. This just made me think how I’d love to see Cooke’s take on Bond, and how he’d balance the less than ideal aspects of that character. A particular highlight for me was tugging at our heartstrings in one story only to shed them in a terrible light later. What a fun reversal! Also, this may be the only time I’ve cared for the whole “I need to give this up� Batman....more
Yes, I’m aware of the twitter thread with the poorly cut photographs. Maybe it’s because I love coffee table books, but I wasn’t bothered by it. This Yes, I’m aware of the twitter thread with the poorly cut photographs. Maybe it’s because I love coffee table books, but I wasn’t bothered by it. This may also be because the photos were my least favorite part.
I loved it. The forward by Bong Joon Ho and the piece be Leslie Jamison were both impeccable, and brought to mind the heart of this film’s effectiveness, family trauma.
Ari Aster’s shot list was amazing! This is exactly how I communicate (and souls block scenes), so to see that translated here was so interesting.
My biggest takeaway is that I need to rewatch the film. Several things popped out at me reading this that I didn’t notice and I would love to rewatch it with that in mind.
Definitely a fan of the book format here, issues aside, and going to break open my copy of The Witch next. ...more
This was EXACTLY what I wanted it to be, and sometimes that is the best feeling. The majority of this book is fan service and allusion to favorite movThis was EXACTLY what I wanted it to be, and sometimes that is the best feeling. The majority of this book is fan service and allusion to favorite movies/moments in the Godzilla canon, but that only serves to bolster the story here. It felt great to see the cameo appearances of the various creatures, and see how their individual personalities shown through. Ota is such a great Everyman to follow, and his emotional journey towards acceptance of his “rival� added the heart that makes so many of the original Toho movies so successful. Particular shout out to a few moments that made me smile: - “Get ‘me Mother Mothra!� - two Godzillas are better than one - how much focus Hedorah got - Ota’s partner - Ota’s final chapter in arctic - the art the art the Art! ...more
It’s been a long time since a book really grabbed me like this one. If I wasn’t always tired, I definitely would’ve devoured this in one sitting. The It’s been a long time since a book really grabbed me like this one. If I wasn’t always tired, I definitely would’ve devoured this in one sitting. The other obstacle to that is much more notable; I was afraid to read this at night. Something about the way this book described fear made my hair stand on end, which is funny because I was experiencing exactly the sensation that the book was describing: that of being watched. I found the whole thing to be abnormal, and totally strange, yet the voice was so familiar and conversational that it flew by. I can definitely see how this is being adapted into a movie, and I wish I’d stayed away from the trailer before reading it, as I wish I had no preconceived ideas of how this looked. I totally understand how this book is not for everyone. The final act is a free fall. Reading it, I was confused and scared and tense, barely able to go fast enough, like I was barreling around the corners of the building with the narrator. I am so excited to read the next book by this author....more
I really loved reading this book. As someone relatively new to tabletop gaming, but obsessed with Star Wars, this was really fun to delve into. Right I really loved reading this book. As someone relatively new to tabletop gaming, but obsessed with Star Wars, this was really fun to delve into. Right off the bat, I noticed a few things that really intrigued me. Firstly, the use of a wide varying style in terms of the artwork felt like a really cool choice, and made it exciting (although some didn’t read the descriptions too well, I noticed). This was also written between Episodes II and III, as they don’t include the races or events from RotS. I found it strange that there was such a huge number of primative races.
Some races were stacked in terms of statistics: ikotchi, givin, sludir, krevaki, balosars, and whiphids.
Several Highlights jumped out at me: -Adarian sonic boom -Anomid curiosity +4 knowledge on species -Anx anatomical awareness -I love the baragwin -Cerean magnetic blades -Feeorin stronger with age! -Koorivar rolling with extra money is really cool -Love myneyrsh technophobia -Neti shape changing is cool -Southern nikto all the way -Ortolans loving food is great -Didn’t know quermians were telepathic -Snivvians are interesting, between their history and multi classing -Thakwaash multiple personalities is interesting -Toong anxiety is so funny -Love the woostid holocron database -Troiken sounds like hell -Loved the zabrak homeworld -Big game hunters ignore damage reduction is so cool, as is bodyguards blanket protection...more
I’ve wanted to start this for a long time, and figured it was time to revisit some Star Wars comics. I’ve been really curious about the new canon seriI’ve wanted to start this for a long time, and figured it was time to revisit some Star Wars comics. I’ve been really curious about the new canon series, and especially about this character, a queer roguish archeologist. So fun! I particularly loved all the supporting characters (shout out to the best droids since the original duo), and in particular am curious to see if the imperial commander makes a reappearance in later issues. Loved the world building with her father’s mission as well. Very Indiana Jones, which allowed for the juxtaposition between them Can’t wait to read the others. ...more
One of the best comic reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. Part Sugar Hill, part Anita Blake, entirely Elena. Abbott is one of the hands down One of the best comic reading experiences I’ve had in a long time. Part Sugar Hill, part Anita Blake, entirely Elena. Abbott is one of the hands down coolest characters I’ve read, and I would love to see this grow and expand. Tv? Movies? More comics? Any and all please. The tone was exactly what I wanted, feeling like an old school Scorsese movie mixed with an episode of Buffy and then given a heartfelt center and the backdrop of racial prejudice. It felt so timely. Two huge highlights for me were Amelia (shout out to my new fave queer character) and the layout of the pages. Wow was the art beautiful. I particularly loved the layout of Elena visiting her ex-husband at work, which was laid out over panels spread to look like polaroids. So so good....more
As I’m a huge sucker for anything Elizabeth, this was a must read and I have to say, this may be my favorite Elizabeth in theatre that I’ve read. The As I’m a huge sucker for anything Elizabeth, this was a must read and I have to say, this may be my favorite Elizabeth in theatre that I’ve read. The dialogue alone was wonderful and really pulled you in, and I loved the way the roles were broken up. At the beginning, with Elizabeth’s constant praying and fear of the dark, it almost read like a horror movie, before falling back into the traditional courtly dramas. All in all, I think the vibe was Dark Shadows in a way for me (and that is a compliment, believe me). I particularly loved the entire episode with the Seymour/Parr family. Her budding savvy, combined with some of the best dialogue in the entire piece, made this the highlight for me. The younger Elizabeth is, to me, the most intriguing character, as she fluctuates between afraid and tender to icy and official so easily that it’s jarring. Favorite line I’ve read in a long time: “Don’t use your intellect on me. I gave it to you.�...more
It took me a few chapters to really get into the swing of things, but once I did, I loved that it just kept going. The momentum within the story was wIt took me a few chapters to really get into the swing of things, but once I did, I loved that it just kept going. The momentum within the story was wonderful, and I can totally see how it would keep younger audiences engaged. One thing I’ve noticed with the last few YA novels that I’ve read is that the stakes feel so much higher, and the scenes feel so much darker. I’d be really interested in seeing someone do a rewrite (reboot) of certain passages of YA from “my time� and embrace this tone. In particular, I found this book to not be afraid to go there. It was very open about slavery, and the monsters (particularly the Brand Flies) were horrific. Also, the fact that they were not willing to shy away from grief, guilt, and shame was amazing, and something I truly wish more books had tackled when I was younger. The main highlights for me were the narration, which was cinematic, fun, and very off the cuff, and then, of course, Gum Baby. Well, all the characters, but I have to shout out Gum Baby, who surprised me, as I normally HATE those kinds of characters. I also enjoyed that even I, with my limited understanding of his work, could clock this as a Riordan-adjacent work. It had a really familiar tone that blended the modern world and the mythological seamlessly. All in all, I can’t wait for the sequel....more
Loved it. I really loved it. I found reading this, probably due to the structure, to feel like an event, almost like a game. I got caught up in the noLoved it. I really loved it. I found reading this, probably due to the structure, to feel like an event, almost like a game. I got caught up in the nonlinear formatting and the description. The tone and humor also made this one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. A particular highlight to me was the vocabulary and language chosen. So fun! My personal favorite sections were Eroica, an interlude with Beethoven enjoying nature, and the below passage describing an organ:
“Understand, all music is physical Bassoons rattle bones; a violin tweedles And like a tooth biting down on a sweet pierces the brain. But the organ climbs into your chest, squeezing as it shudders-a great lung hauling it’s grief through the void until we can hear how profound the world has failed us.�...more
Wow. Maybe it's because I am currently playing D&D seriously for the first time, but this really hit home. I enjoyed it so much, and would LOVE to be Wow. Maybe it's because I am currently playing D&D seriously for the first time, but this really hit home. I enjoyed it so much, and would LOVE to be involved in a planning a production of this. I found the exploration of the relationships within the context of a campaign to be really well done, even if the ending reveal felt a little on the nose. I definitely teared up a few times as well. While I originally thought the scenes outside of the campaign took away from it, namely those with Miles, the boyfriend, I found myself coming around to them. This was probably aided by the fact that I loved the character of Vera. A particular highlight for me was the lack of detail in the stage directions. "He gets eaten by a gelatinous cube and it spits out his bones" or "They rip out her heart and lick it" leave SO much room for interpretation that I can see why this is such a popular play to produce. Agnes herself was pretty tough to get behind, I found myself yelling like you do at the tv when your main character keeps getting in their own way, but I can understand where the playwright was going in terms of her arch, so that redeemed it to me. Wow, run on sentence......more
I was in an admittedly rough mood while cleaning and found this. Knowing I hadn’t read it before, I did!
Unsurprisingly, it seems the theme of “incompeI was in an admittedly rough mood while cleaning and found this. Knowing I hadn’t read it before, I did!
Unsurprisingly, it seems the theme of “incompetent ruler who wants to be special and makes a mess of things� has been around for a while. It felt all too real, especially his refusal (no matter how brief) to apologize.
I also loved the art, but then, I always do in Dr. Seuss books. However, the grey and green, with nothing else, was really striking.
Highlight of the book was definitely how Bartholomew Cubbins keeps abandoning people stuck in the ooblek because they are of no use to him. ...more
Wow, I really really enjoyed this book! The writing really drew me in, especially the descriptions she used. A huge standout for me is the final climaWow, I really really enjoyed this book! The writing really drew me in, especially the descriptions she used. A huge standout for me is the final climax, with the oranges, the language used was so vivid I really felt like I was there. The characters were a team you instantly wanted to get behind. I particularly loved the fact that they all came from different family lives, and how the book used this to show the various ways people will approach a problem, even at a young age. I definitely clocked the recurring trend of "your people" and the sense of belonging, which didn't feel clunky or forced at all, which is refreshing in books for this age range. Also, just gotta say, I love Dru. She's definitely my favorite character. One thing that really shocked, but excited me, about this book was the fact that it was not afraid to get DARK. The jumbies were legitimately scary, especially the main villain, Severine. She was the perfect YA villain, equalling my two faves (Kerrigor and Voldemort) in their ferocity but also the almost "fun" quality of their egomaniacal theatricality. While at first I loved the quick pacing, and found it fun, I did find that this became my only "negative", per se. I really wanted there to be more room to breathe in the final moments, as the back almost felt like it was snowballing and hurtling towards the end. I am really excited to check out the sequels though. One thing I loved as a young reader was the idea of looking for clues about what came next in the series. Knowing this has two followup books, I'm excited to see if any of the things I noticed come back, as it felt like they were clues for future points. In closing, I just loved this book. It was such a fun read for me, and really needed. ...more
All I can say is that this book both disturbed and fascinated me. This no holds barred, gritty yet still sexy memoir, which then transitioned into a hAll I can say is that this book both disturbed and fascinated me. This no holds barred, gritty yet still sexy memoir, which then transitioned into a heart wrenching memoir of the AIDS crisis, broke me. Stand outs for me are: 1- the truck stop scene. Felt so real, and without a doubt I’m sure it’s verbatim from the real episode. 2- the incredibly upsetting image of a person wasting away from AIDS but wanting their teddy bear and getting happy when it‘s given to them. I cried. 3- wanting to hit someone post hookup when you are the younger, less experienced one and you know they are taking advantage of you.
The artwork was really stunning, especially when it moved from paintings to more graphic novel/comic style.
A quote that stood out to me was “architecture grows around my body like stone vegetation�....more
Don’t get me wrong, I love the new Star Wars canon, but wow does the nostalgic in me miss the old EU. This story, which starts moments after the end oDon’t get me wrong, I love the new Star Wars canon, but wow does the nostalgic in me miss the old EU. This story, which starts moments after the end of Return of the Jedi, felt so close to the original Star Wars that I fell in love with. From strange, otherworldly villains to characters who existed solely in the grey area between good and evil, it hit all the notes of the books that got me interested in this universe in the first place. What drew me to this I particular was the cooperation between members of the empire and the rebels who we grew to love over the course of the original films. I also found myself loving the body horror elements of the villains, with their entechment procedure, and the vibrant cast of Bakurans, from the sinister Kraven-like governor to the senator Luke finds himself falling for to my personal favorite, the elderly force adept who awakens from her coma to aid in civil unrest towards a ruthless regime. Such a fun read. Special highlight: really interested in how Leia dealt with the news of Vader being her father. This inner conflict was highly interesting to read, especially in a book from so long ago....more
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