Ich lese auf deutsch und englisch, und bin für alle möglichen Genres offen. Meine liebste Stimmung: liebevoll (besonders naturverbunden oder tierlieb), unhinged (lässig verrückt/gestört mutig), queer, melancholisch, komisch/merkwürdig, sensibel, langsam. (Nicht alles auf einmal, aber wäre interessant, hihi.) Ich lese hauptsächlich Mangas/Comics/GNs, aber gerne auch text-basierte Bücher ab und zu.
I read in english and german, and am open for all kinds of genres. My favorite vibes: lovely (especially nature-loving or animal-kind), unhinged, queer, melancholy, weird, soft, slow. (Not all at once, but would be interesting hehe.) I mostly read mangas/comics/GNs, but occasionally also love to dive into text-only books.
Review of 'Ein Baum voller Geheimnisse' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
Das war toll! Ehrlich gesagt fand ich es etwas langweilig am Anfang, da es teilweise so ganz und gar nicht das war, was ich mir bei dem Cover und Titel vorgestellt hatte, aber ab ca. Seite 50, als Minty dann den Baum entdeckt hatte, wurde es richtig spannend! Zwar war es immer noch nicht das, was ich mir vorgestellt hatte, aber trotzdem nicht schlecht.
Die Message ist super und ich kann es allen empfehlen, die nach Abenteuern und Freundschaften suchen. Es ist ein wenig ähnlich zu "Die Penderwicks" – wer das Buch also mag, der sollte sich dieses definitiv reinziehen! Ich mochte den ähnlichen Vibe sehr, außerdem waren die Charaktere toll, wenn auch nervig manchmal. Jeden konnte ich mehr oder weniger nachvollziehen.
Find die Idee mit den Geheimnissen auch echt gut. Und was Minty am Ende gelernt hat. Zwischendurch konnte man auch immer wieder mitfiebern und überlegen, wem die Geheimnisse …
Das war toll! Ehrlich gesagt fand ich es etwas langweilig am Anfang, da es teilweise so ganz und gar nicht das war, was ich mir bei dem Cover und Titel vorgestellt hatte, aber ab ca. Seite 50, als Minty dann den Baum entdeckt hatte, wurde es richtig spannend! Zwar war es immer noch nicht das, was ich mir vorgestellt hatte, aber trotzdem nicht schlecht.
Die Message ist super und ich kann es allen empfehlen, die nach Abenteuern und Freundschaften suchen. Es ist ein wenig ähnlich zu "Die Penderwicks" – wer das Buch also mag, der sollte sich dieses definitiv reinziehen! Ich mochte den ähnlichen Vibe sehr, außerdem waren die Charaktere toll, wenn auch nervig manchmal. Jeden konnte ich mehr oder weniger nachvollziehen.
Find die Idee mit den Geheimnissen auch echt gut. Und was Minty am Ende gelernt hat. Zwischendurch konnte man auch immer wieder mitfiebern und überlegen, wem die Geheimnisse wohl gehören. Ich liebe sowas.
It's interesting, but feels like the author isn't giving their all, when it comes to the world-building. A bit confusing in the beginning.
The artstyle is... semi-good? I'm not quite a fan of the yandere-style and unfortunately that comes out during lustful scenes. Well drawn in every other panel, though, but I mainly came for the GL, so a bit of a disappointment on that note. Still better than nothing, and I'd rather have edgy yandere queer stories, than hetero ones.
I got one question though... Why is that one lady called "Misery Horror"? Is that just a translation mistake or is that really her name...?
- 12.10.23
It's interesting, but feels like the author isn't giving their all, when it comes to the world-building. A bit confusing in the beginning.
The artstyle is... semi-good? I'm not quite a fan of the yandere-style and unfortunately that comes out during lustful scenes. Well drawn in every other panel, though, but I mainly came for the GL, so a bit of a disappointment on that note. Still better than nothing, and I'd rather have edgy yandere queer stories, than hetero ones.
I got one question though... Why is that one lady called "Misery Horror"? Is that just a translation mistake or is that really her name...?
That went way too fast. Did the author not get a contract for more than 2 volumes? Or didn't want to continue? Because this really had potential for a whole series. So many things happened in the second half all at once and then it just... ended. The epilogue was just suddenly there, a huge time jump with almost no explanation whatsoever.
I'm not even angry, just sad, because it's really good and had the potential. And there aren't enough queer horror stories.
Also, the art, especially the background, improved a lot. As the author mentioned in the afterword: they hired a background artist for volume 2, and you can really see the difference! Not that volume 1 was bad, but there's still some positive difference.
Even with the sad conclusion, I'd still recommend this short manga series to basically anyone who's up for some GL, slight horror, bit …
That went way too fast. Did the author not get a contract for more than 2 volumes? Or didn't want to continue? Because this really had potential for a whole series. So many things happened in the second half all at once and then it just... ended. The epilogue was just suddenly there, a huge time jump with almost no explanation whatsoever.
I'm not even angry, just sad, because it's really good and had the potential. And there aren't enough queer horror stories.
Also, the art, especially the background, improved a lot. As the author mentioned in the afterword: they hired a background artist for volume 2, and you can really see the difference! Not that volume 1 was bad, but there's still some positive difference.
Even with the sad conclusion, I'd still recommend this short manga series to basically anyone who's up for some GL, slight horror, bit of yandere, or all of it.
Its about the T in LGBTQ+, just read it my guys gals and nonbianary pals. …
Review of 'Cemetery Boys' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
It’s not perfect, but certainly really really good, especially for a debut novel. And I totally teared up every now and then, and then full-on cried during the epilogue. This author definitely can write.
~
Dìa de muertos is one of my favorite versions of Halloween (very close to Samhain), but finding a book about that, is, unfortunately, very rare and even rarer to have a queer/gay one. Very happy it exists, and that it was our book club’s pick for this month. 🧡
I also loved the slow-burn romance, and although it ended rather cliche, I didn’t mind that much because everything else makes up for it. 🔥 All characters stand out, not just the MCs, have unique traits and balanced strengths & weaknesses. No character was perfect, everyone felt human. Although some deserved more screen-time to be more fleshed out.
What I …
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars.
It’s not perfect, but certainly really really good, especially for a debut novel. And I totally teared up every now and then, and then full-on cried during the epilogue. This author definitely can write.
~
Dìa de muertos is one of my favorite versions of Halloween (very close to Samhain), but finding a book about that, is, unfortunately, very rare and even rarer to have a queer/gay one. Very happy it exists, and that it was our book club’s pick for this month. 🧡
I also loved the slow-burn romance, and although it ended rather cliche, I didn’t mind that much because everything else makes up for it. 🔥 All characters stand out, not just the MCs, have unique traits and balanced strengths & weaknesses. No character was perfect, everyone felt human. Although some deserved more screen-time to be more fleshed out.
What I mostly loved, though, was that the Spanish isn’t translated. Usually when characters say something in another language, it’s written in English (or the same language of the book) and then afterwards added “he/she/they said in [language]”. Not a fan of that, even when I can’t understand the mentioned language. This finally fulfilled my wish! I do know a bit of Spanish, so there’s also that, but I did have to google translate some words. I get that it might be a bit annoying for others, if you just want to read the book in one turn; but I’d rather translate half the book and get the full experience of the cultures, than not. 💝 So, thank you Aiden!
~
There were some small “plot-holes”, where I wished the author would’ve dwelled into more, as it focused mostly on the murder mystery and the romance; as I, personally, am more a sucker for world-building. While there still was lots, it feels like the characters simply accepted the unanswered questions, because it’s some kind of unspoken rule or such. Whereas I love protagonists who question traditions and beliefs. And, of course, as a transgender protagonist, there were lots of traditions questioned, but not enough. For instance: - Why can’t Maritza or the others use human blood, if they don’t want to use animal blood? You wouldn’t need to kill a human to get enough blood for the magic. It was explained why they can’t use their *own* blood, but that was it. Why are they even using chicken blood? Can’t they get it from larger animals, who wouldn’t need to be killed, for some drops of blood? - Why can only brujx return on Dìa de muertos? If an ofrenda is all that’s needed for the spirit to visit earth, then surely you can do that for everyone that’s passed away. Especially since they don’t need to be buried near the ofrenda. At least that works in Elena of Avalor and Coco.
~
Apart from the small plot-holes or unanswered questions regarding the world-building, it was really good and I can’t wait to see more of the author. I already ordered their new book. ✨
Review of 'Asumi-Chan Is Interested in Lesbian Brothels! Vol. 4' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
This volume mostly focused on Asumi's and Nanao's relationship, and Nanao figuring things out.
While I do miss the variety of the other volumes, I still love it, and it's definitely an interesting arc for Asumi. Can't wait for volume 5!
Also, as the author announced in the extras of this volume, the manga is getting an ASMR!! R-18, of course. Available on DLsite. 18+ ASMR isn't really my thing, but I'll still check it out, as I've never seen a manga getting an ASMR before, at least not from those I've read, so this is pretty neat. 👀
- 24.09.23
This volume mostly focused on Asumi's and Nanao's relationship, and Nanao figuring things out.
While I do miss the variety of the other volumes, I still love it, and it's definitely an interesting arc for Asumi. Can't wait for volume 5!
Also, as the author announced in the extras of this volume, the manga is getting an ASMR!! R-18, of course. Available on DLsite. 18+ ASMR isn't really my thing, but I'll still check it out, as I've never seen a manga getting an ASMR before, at least not from those I've read, so this is pretty neat. 👀
Strawberry Panic, the first yuri light novel in North America, is set at Astrea Hill, …
Review of 'Strawberry Panic' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
(This is a review to the manga.)
Similar to "Yuri is my job", the concept is a catholic/christian setting with only girls, who are calling each other "sisters" and that's somehow an intimate way of saying you're together, basically. I don't really know what's up with that combination for yuri stories... I don't mind the religious part, but the incest-kinda-stuff is a bit concerning?
I'm just confused on the world setting, though. It seemed at first that they're normal teenagers, who like to experiment out together. However, there's a competition in July, which is really important and everyone takes it serious and it's all about giving the school a good reputation... but it's so gay. Is it in a world where everyone is gay and it's normal too for christians? Like an AU? Or are the teachers simply completely oblivious to the fact, how gay this competition is? Because they …
(This is a review to the manga.)
Similar to "Yuri is my job", the concept is a catholic/christian setting with only girls, who are calling each other "sisters" and that's somehow an intimate way of saying you're together, basically. I don't really know what's up with that combination for yuri stories... I don't mind the religious part, but the incest-kinda-stuff is a bit concerning?
I'm just confused on the world setting, though. It seemed at first that they're normal teenagers, who like to experiment out together. However, there's a competition in July, which is really important and everyone takes it serious and it's all about giving the school a good reputation... but it's so gay. Is it in a world where everyone is gay and it's normal too for christians? Like an AU? Or are the teachers simply completely oblivious to the fact, how gay this competition is? Because they literally are called couple, have to win together, there are no boys, they will get the status of a Prince & Princess afterwards and serve as idols for everyone else. I need a bit of more world-building.
Also, there's a lot of sexual assault going on...
It ended on a cliffhanger though, and only has 2 volumes anyway, so I might as well finish it.
It is early summer...and a legendary girl has returned to the lush green hills of …
Review of 'Strawberry Panic (manga) Vol 2' on 'Storygraph'
2 stars
So, it literally ends in the middle of the event. They didn't get to the 2nd round. Was the manga cancelled? Because that does not feel like an ending of a series, much rather a cliffhanger for another volume.
There still is absolutely no world-building explained and I haven't even seen a teacher. Makes me wonder if that whole event is just a student thing, and the teachers are completely unaware of that. Might also explain why there were 20+ people on a high tower, with absolutely no safety measures. Nagisa was about to fall to her death even, had someone not rescued her. Seriously, what kinda school is that? No, what world is that? I'm just confused.
Maybe, if I'll ever feel like I need some answers to this, I might check out the anime, but other than that, probably not.
So, it literally ends in the middle of the event. They didn't get to the 2nd round. Was the manga cancelled? Because that does not feel like an ending of a series, much rather a cliffhanger for another volume.
There still is absolutely no world-building explained and I haven't even seen a teacher. Makes me wonder if that whole event is just a student thing, and the teachers are completely unaware of that. Might also explain why there were 20+ people on a high tower, with absolutely no safety measures. Nagisa was about to fall to her death even, had someone not rescued her. Seriously, what kinda school is that? No, what world is that? I'm just confused.
Maybe, if I'll ever feel like I need some answers to this, I might check out the anime, but other than that, probably not.
An Australian schoolgirl who is unable to speak is embarrassed by her father's outlandish dress …
Review of 'Quasselstrippe' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
A nice little book with a positive message, especially when it comes to living with disabilities.
Rowena, or Ro for short, is a mute girl, who lives with her Dad in Australia (her mother died at her birth, her dad is single). They recently moved to a small town and Ro is the new kid at school. Technically her disability doesn't affect her life at all, since she talks in sign language with her dad and writes on paper with others, however, the kids at her new school aren't so happy about it and like to turn her school days into bad memories. And her dad isn't much of a help, as he constantly embarrasses her.
While it may sound like just another school bully story with a protagonist who's disabled, it isn't. Ro knows how to stand up for herself, and, other than hiding in a closet, she doesn't …
A nice little book with a positive message, especially when it comes to living with disabilities.
Rowena, or Ro for short, is a mute girl, who lives with her Dad in Australia (her mother died at her birth, her dad is single). They recently moved to a small town and Ro is the new kid at school. Technically her disability doesn't affect her life at all, since she talks in sign language with her dad and writes on paper with others, however, the kids at her new school aren't so happy about it and like to turn her school days into bad memories. And her dad isn't much of a help, as he constantly embarrasses her.
While it may sound like just another school bully story with a protagonist who's disabled, it isn't. Ro knows how to stand up for herself, and, other than hiding in a closet, she doesn't let her classmates' comments bring her down. Even when she was at a "disability conference", she made sure to not let others control her because they think she's helpless; she told them how disabled people are humans as well and should be treated as such. I really liked that little speech, especially when the president got angry. And she also stood up to her friends' father, when he wanted to cut off the friendship, just because he didn't like Ro's dad and was upset about Ro ruining his "heroism".
It got a bit cliché in the middle, with her dad dating Ro's teacher (plus I didn't ship them), but at least didn't have a cliché ending, so that's good. And also quite emotional towards the end.
Overall it's nice how the book focuses more on Ro's problem with her dad's embarrassing situations, rather than on her being mute. It's a good message, especially for kids, to show that not all disabled people are helpless and have a completely normal life like any other.
Also, Ro has a funny humour and the writing style is smooth. Enjoyable and recommendable for all ages.
Review of 'Karo Karotte und das verschwundene Pony. ( Ab 8 J.).' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
(English review below.)
Der beste Band, den ich bis jetzt von der Reihe gelesen habe! Vor allem das 10. Kapitel ist mein liebstes. "Anwahren" – ein toller Neologismus! Werde ich mir merken.
Die Freunde haben sich immer schnell vertragen und nur wenig geärgert. Und es hatte eine gute message bezüglich Hänseleien – Karo, die nicht mitgeredet hat, sondern Tommy stattdessen versucht hat zu integrieren, und sich zu ihm an den Tisch gesetzt hat, obwohl sich die anderen dann auch über sie lustig gemacht haben. Am Ende konnten alle zusammenkommen und sie haben sich mit den zwei Mädchen aus Berlin vertragen, weil sie die Wahrheit einander gesagt haben. Kommunikation gewinnt, super Message für Kinder! Falls ihr Eltern seid und euren Kindern die Reihe laufen wollt, fängt am besten mit dem Band an!
Bisschen nervig ist nur, dass ständig Kommentare bezüglich dem Verknalltsein, Küssen und Heiraten gemacht werden, bloß, wenn sich nur …
(English review below.)
Der beste Band, den ich bis jetzt von der Reihe gelesen habe! Vor allem das 10. Kapitel ist mein liebstes. "Anwahren" – ein toller Neologismus! Werde ich mir merken.
Die Freunde haben sich immer schnell vertragen und nur wenig geärgert. Und es hatte eine gute message bezüglich Hänseleien – Karo, die nicht mitgeredet hat, sondern Tommy stattdessen versucht hat zu integrieren, und sich zu ihm an den Tisch gesetzt hat, obwohl sich die anderen dann auch über sie lustig gemacht haben. Am Ende konnten alle zusammenkommen und sie haben sich mit den zwei Mädchen aus Berlin vertragen, weil sie die Wahrheit einander gesagt haben. Kommunikation gewinnt, super Message für Kinder! Falls ihr Eltern seid und euren Kindern die Reihe laufen wollt, fängt am besten mit dem Band an!
Bisschen nervig ist nur, dass ständig Kommentare bezüglich dem Verknalltsein, Küssen und Heiraten gemacht werden, bloß, wenn sich nur ein Mädchen und ein Junge unterhalten oder gar Blicke austauschen. Warum wird alles sexualisiert bei Heteros? Und warum können Kinder (Grunschulkinder!) nicht einfach nur Freundschaften haben?
~
Hier aber mal wieder noch ein paar Zitate:
S. 5: "Wisst ihr wer Ostern erfunden hat? Die Zahnärzte! All das süße Zeug sorgt nur dafür, dass wir uns die Zähne kaputtmachen."
S. 36-38: Der Junge wurde für seine vornehmen Kleider ausgelacht, und dafür, dass er allein an einem Tisch saß und nichts sagte. Die Mädchen (6) machten lustige Kommentare, außer Karo, die genug davon hatte. Kurz entschlossen packe ich meinen Teller und mein Glas, stehe auf und setze mich dem Jungen gegenüber. [...] "Der Junge hat mir nur leid, weil er ganz allein an seinem Tisch sitzen musste. [...] Lasst mich also in Ruhe mit den dämlichen Sprüchen, kapiert?" Das ist, wie man mit Mobbing/Hänseleien richtig umgeht. Nehmt Karo als ein Beispiel.
~~~
The best volume from this series, that I read! Especially the 10th chapter is my favorite. "Truthing" is a nice neologism. I'll remember and use that now.
The friends didn't fight often, and when they did, they quickly made up. And it had a nice message regarding bullying – Karo, who didn't talk bad about Tommy, and instead tried to integrate him, and even sat beside him at the table, even though that resulted in everyone laughing at Karo too. In the end, they all talked about it though and even got along with the girls from Berlin, by telling each other the truth. Communication wins; perfect message for kids! If you're a parent and want to introduce this series to your kid(s), best to start with this one!
A little annoying is the whole crushes, kissing and marrying thing, though. A girl and a boy can't even talk or just exchange a look, before someone makes a comment. Why do heteros sexualize everything? And why can't kids (primary school kids!) can't have ›just‹ friendships?
~
But, well, here some quotes I liked: (translated from german by myself.)
P. 5: "Do you know who invented Easter? The dentists! All the sweets only result in us ruining our teeth!"
P. 36-38: The boy was being laughed at for wearing formal clothes, not saying much and sitting alone at the table. The girls (6) were making funny remarks, except Karo, who had enough of it. Shortly determined, I take my plate and my glass, get up and sit across from the boy. [...] "I only felt sorry for the boy, because he had to sit completely alone at his table. [...] So, leave me alone with these stupid remarks, you hear me?" That's how you deal with/stop bullying. Take Karo as your idol.
Review of 'Karo Karotte und der liebste Hund der Welt. ( Ab 8 J.).' on 'Storygraph'
3 stars
(Read it in german. Find the german review below.)
Sweet story – who doesn't like stories about dogs (unless they're sad). Glad the friends could talk about it in the end; it was unnecessary anyways, although relatable and kinda valid.
The parts with the crushes was too annoying though. Could someone please make it a rule to change the way boys are raised? Seriously, I can't even more. It's so stupid how they fight for girls because of a simple crush, that won't last more than a week anyways. Which also was shown in the barbie movie. Just stop! It's not even funny anymore.
Well. Here a funny quote I liked: P. 120: "What should we sell anyway?" "Everything we don't need anymore." "Then I'll sell my three brothers." Valid.
~~~
Süße Geschichte – wer mag denn keine Geschichten mit oder über Hunden (außer es ist traurig). Bin froh, dass …
(Read it in german. Find the german review below.)
Sweet story – who doesn't like stories about dogs (unless they're sad). Glad the friends could talk about it in the end; it was unnecessary anyways, although relatable and kinda valid.
The parts with the crushes was too annoying though. Could someone please make it a rule to change the way boys are raised? Seriously, I can't even more. It's so stupid how they fight for girls because of a simple crush, that won't last more than a week anyways. Which also was shown in the barbie movie. Just stop! It's not even funny anymore.
Well. Here a funny quote I liked: P. 120: "What should we sell anyway?" "Everything we don't need anymore." "Then I'll sell my three brothers." Valid.
~~~
Süße Geschichte – wer mag denn keine Geschichten mit oder über Hunden (außer es ist traurig). Bin froh, dass die Freunde sich am Ende vertragen konnten; der Streit war ja auch etwas unnötig, obwohl schon verständlich (bin mit meinem Hund auch manchmal so...).
Die Szenen mit den Crushes der Jungs war aber nervig. Könnte irgendjemand mal endlich eine Regel einführen, dass die Erziehung von Jungs schleunigst geändert werden muss? Ehrlich, ich kann nicht mehr. Und das ist noch eines der harmlosen Dinge. Ist aber schon echt dumm, wie Jungs (und Männer) für ihre Crushes kämpfen, welche es noch nicht mal wollen und die Gefühle halten sowieso nicht mehr als eine Woche. Was auch perfekt im Barbie Film gezeigt wurde. Hört auf damit! Es ist nicht mal mehr lustig.
Naja. Hier noch ein Zitat, das ich lustig fand: S. 15: "Was sollen wir denn verkaufen?" "Alles, was wir nicht mehr gebrauchen können." "Dann verkaufe ich meine drei Brüder." Passt.
England im Jahr 1852: Der Biologe und Samenhändler William kann seit Wochen das Bett nicht …
Review of 'Die Geschichte der Bienen' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
Who would've thought that DreamWorks' Bee Movie would hit that hard. When will they start showing it like a documentary in schools?
On one hand, this book just made me afraid of the future. Afraid of a future like this. If the 3rd world war won't happen, pretty sure this dystopia is inevitable. People care more about making unethical AIs, which do not help the planet in any way, even if it were ethical. What are you gonna do with a robot, who can draw, in 10 years? Sell generated images, while everyone is desperately looking for food? And, because of this stupidity humans are currently living in, I say we totally deserve that karma. Bring it on, bees, time for you to disappear completely and for humans to slowly die out.
~
Now, for the actual review of the story.
William: My least favorite story. Incredibly sexist and just …
Who would've thought that DreamWorks' Bee Movie would hit that hard. When will they start showing it like a documentary in schools?
On one hand, this book just made me afraid of the future. Afraid of a future like this. If the 3rd world war won't happen, pretty sure this dystopia is inevitable. People care more about making unethical AIs, which do not help the planet in any way, even if it were ethical. What are you gonna do with a robot, who can draw, in 10 years? Sell generated images, while everyone is desperately looking for food? And, because of this stupidity humans are currently living in, I say we totally deserve that karma. Bring it on, bees, time for you to disappear completely and for humans to slowly die out.
~
Now, for the actual review of the story.
William: My least favorite story. Incredibly sexist and just very stereotypical characters with little to no personality. Edmund is one of my most hated characters – not just this book, but generally, from all the books I've read – and all I wanted was to get an eraser and just erase him from existence. It was agony reading his name and whenever he was just slightly mentioned. Thalia too, actually. I wanted to like her, but she was such a flat character – basically written as the perfect mother, who always sides with her kids, while the father does nothing but punishing them. While, yes, William wasn't much of a father, Thalia was pathetic. She should've kicked Edmund out of the house long ago. At least Edmund got the ending he deserved, but the people around him, who suffered because of him, deserved way better. Charlotte, my favorite character, also at least got what she deserved, although not enough. She deserved more.
Apart from that, it was interesting to see William following his passion with the bees and how it served as a base for the storylines in the future. These were only short bits though and the slice of life with his family problems were not in my interest, and just seemed unnecessary. A book about bees, but 70% is about misogyny. Rating: 2 stars.
George: Didn't like it much either, but it was better than William's. A little less sexist, but still stereotypical gender roles. Emma (George's wife) pretty much didn't have any other role, except for cooking and crying and wanting to move to Florida and being a good mother, while George was the bad father. Well, he wasn't bad per se, but he never showed emotions, except when he was angry and needed to show that he's the man in the house, and he only knew his son objectively, yet still felt like he knows the best for him, although he doesn't know him at all. Tom, his son, was a nice character. I liked how he called his father out. He's pretty much the only non-stereotypical character in this book.
Story-wise, it wasn't that engrossing to read. Maybe because it plays in our time, more or less. It only really got interesting when it was revealed how they are connected to William, but even that was short and close to the end. Rating: 3 stars.
Tao: The most gripping storyline and what kept me going. Maybe it's because she's from the future, an unknown place, something more exciting to explore and dive into. Maybe it was the way her chapters were written – like a thriller. I love reading stories, where I can make lots of theories and Tao's chapters were exactly that. Although I figured out what happened to her son pretty quickly (well, at least it was one of my theories) and it was pretty obvious anyway, it was still compelling to read, and trying to get answers to her questions, together with her.
It didn't start to be a thriller until the 100th page or so, and was rather boring in the beginning. Unnecessary family life, it felt as if I was reading a hetero rom-com, without the comedy part. And even without the romance part, as there was no romance, really. Rating: 3.5 stars.
~
As you can see, all stories were more about family problems and sexism, rather than bees, which was very annoying, but I guess I get it. While the title may say "the story of the bees", it's not supposed to be a documentary or a Wikipedia article of bees. It's supposed to show how humans and bees are connected, how much our lives are intertwined, how much of an effect they have on our lifestyles. And every lifestyle includes family problems. If that's what Maja Lunde wanted to show, good job. If not, well, I don't know then.
I'll still rate it 4 stars because it's an important matter, but story-wise and based on my enjoyment it would rather be 3 stars.
I do love, though, how the three protagonists are connected – apart from the bees, of course.
~
Page 456 was a bit difficult to read. As an artist, at least. <spoiler> I can't even destroy my old drawings, as cringe as some are. Imagine destroying ones that are over a century old and no one else knows about them. A family heirloom, a historical piece. Even if they're technically worthless. Just as worthless as this paragraph for this review. </spoiler>
Review of 'Our Teachers Are Dating! Vol. 4' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
What a beautiful and warm journey. Best part is that the author got herself a girlfriend & a cat, thanks to this series. Goals.
There was a bit of drama here with Asuka's parents. Realistic drama, not exaggerated. Unsurprisingly, it all ended well and they found a middle ground; but yeah, with the rather immature drama in the other volumes, that took me aback for a moment (in a good way).
I found it a bit of a quick progress in this volume, as the other volumes were rather slowly, and there was just suddenly so much happening, with all the new characters being introduced. And, I mean, getting married after just about a year? That is quick, even for a happy world like the author created here. But it does work for this particular series, somehow. And the wedding was cute. I also loved how they were both wearing …
What a beautiful and warm journey. Best part is that the author got herself a girlfriend & a cat, thanks to this series. Goals.
There was a bit of drama here with Asuka's parents. Realistic drama, not exaggerated. Unsurprisingly, it all ended well and they found a middle ground; but yeah, with the rather immature drama in the other volumes, that took me aback for a moment (in a good way).
I found it a bit of a quick progress in this volume, as the other volumes were rather slowly, and there was just suddenly so much happening, with all the new characters being introduced. And, I mean, getting married after just about a year? That is quick, even for a happy world like the author created here. But it does work for this particular series, somehow. And the wedding was cute. I also loved how they were both wearing gowns. Usually you have one wearing a suit, and the other a dress, but not here. Nice having some representation for two feminine lesbians as well.
