The End Begins… tw:// suicide, graphic violence Seungbae has hit rock bottom - but things get a lot worse when he receives a phone call informing him The End Begins… tw:// suicide, graphic violence Seungbae has hit rock bottom - but things get a lot worse when he receives a phone call informing him of Chief Kwak's suicide. Seungbae isn't convinced that Kwak killed himself, though. In fact, he's pretty sure he knows who did kill Kwak, Fueled by anger and grief, Seungbae sets out to put Sangwoo behind bars once and for all.
Holy. Shit. That was an incredibly dark ending. This story is an extreme, bleakly depressing, depiction of Stockholm Syndrome. Once the young man who has been held captive, Yoon Bum, appears to finally be saved… Of course all he can think about is his captor, Oh Sangwoo. Will he be able to see his beloved Sangwoo one last time? That’s going to be a difficult, especially if Sangwoo’s horrific crimes are discovered here…! This is how this most twisted, fucked up, “love” story, concludes.
“With Tokyo Blade all wrapped up and his crusade for vengeance quelled, Aqua is unsure what to do next. Sensing his strange mood, Ruby invites him to “With Tokyo Blade all wrapped up and his crusade for vengeance quelled, Aqua is unsure what to do next. Sensing his strange mood, Ruby invites him to join B Komachi for three days in Miyazaki as they shoot the music video for their first original song— and Kana certainly has no objections to him being there! The journey will be Aqua's first time seeing his former home since being killed and reborn. With mixed feelings about the future mingling with shadows of the past, the trip to Miyazaki promises to be unforgettable...”
Reading Oshi No Ko as and when the physical English volumes are released. I know this manga series has ended now, and I know people have been left feeling underwhelmed by the ending, but I’m trying to not let this cloud my judgement or enjoyment - because with the art style and storyline - I think this might be one of my all time favourite manga. ...more
Flicked through my copy of Everyday Folklore that I was gifted for Christmas, and will definitely be coming back to it throughout the year, through thFlicked through my copy of Everyday Folklore that I was gifted for Christmas, and will definitely be coming back to it throughout the year, through the different seasons. This almanac takes inspiration from folklore across the world; be it animal or plant lore, love predictions, zodiac, supernatural, food, festivals, anniversaries, divination, the weather, or of luck. It will help the reader become more in-tune with, and curious of, what is happening around them. For those of us who are already familiar with the subject of folklore, not all of it will feel like brand-new information, but it is nice how it is presented to us here. ...more
A lovely Disney Animated Classics retelling of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. It originally started as a three-page poem that Burton wrote wA lovely Disney Animated Classics retelling of Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas. It originally started as a three-page poem that Burton wrote whilst he was employed at Walt Disney Feature Animation. It quickly became a classic, blending Halloween and Christmas together. This book is illustrated with original concept art, sketches, and paintings from when the movie was in production. I am a huge fan of stop-motion animation, so naturally love the finished movie so much, and it’s nice to see the behind-the-scenes artwork whilst reading this beloved classic. There are some extra details written about the production of the film at the end of the book as well for those interested.
Reading about your interests; be they casual, or avid, is good for the mind, body, and soul. 2024 has been a really tough year for me, both mentally aReading about your interests; be they casual, or avid, is good for the mind, body, and soul. 2024 has been a really tough year for me, both mentally and physically, that my brain has somehow convinced me that I *feel* hexed/cursed. Self-cursing is definitely a thing, and I need to find some inner peace. My entire body is constantly drained, and stuck in a perpetual bad-health cycle. The section covering familial/generational curses was really interesting. I was kindly gifted two(!) copies of this book, so if anybody else would like my spare copy (and you’re in the UK) please pop me a direct message with your address, and I’ll send it out to you! ...more
The Dead of Winter was a good, short, read - for in between other Yuletide-themed books. For me, a lot of the information around creepy Christmas folkThe Dead of Winter was a good, short, read - for in between other Yuletide-themed books. For me, a lot of the information around creepy Christmas folklore wasn’t new, but it was still interesting overall. Sarah Clegg’s writing style is concise and at times humourous, especially in her footnotes. This is definitely for those of us who enjoy all things horror during the winter season. Traditions and folktales from all around the world are discussed here, from Germany’s fearsome Krampus to the skeletal Mari Llwyd in Wales. No stone is left unturned as the ancient darkness is let in…!
”You can be late for many things in life, but you should never keep an adventure waiting…
The Snow Dragon is a gorgeously illustrated children’s book a”You can be late for many things in life, but you should never keep an adventure waiting…
The Snow Dragon is a gorgeously illustrated children’s book about a girl named Phoebe who lives in an orphanage, with her sausage dog named Herb, and is waiting for her Miracle Day to arrive (to be adopted ...more
From the questionably worded opening, I knew that I, Gloria Grahame probably wouldn’t be a book for me, but I stuck with it as this was an ARC sent toFrom the questionably worded opening, I knew that I, Gloria Grahame probably wouldn’t be a book for me, but I stuck with it as this was an ARC sent to me by Netgalley. The narrative had so much potential to be interesting, the writing style was very unique. This is about an ageing Professor, Denton Moulton, who fantasises about being an old Hollywood actress named Gloria Grahame. It feels as though he is objectifying this character through a male gaze, despite Denton being gay, and it is stated that this character is not a closeted trans woman. In fact it seems quite anti-trans/ transphobic at times, which is not what I hoped when selecting a book from the LGBTQ+ category. The creepiness of the Professor towards his young students is just very off-putting and comes across as lecherous. It’s as though he is using the Gloria Grahame persona as an excuse to act this way. He is wanting his student to perform a stage show based around Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis poem - again, for creepy reasons. Maybe we as readers are supposed to despise Denton? The author is apparently a drag queen, so I wish they had angled the story from that perspective. The Drag scene is very interesting and has lots of talented performers. When requesting this, that was the kind of book I hoped it to be, so perhaps I went in with false expectations.
Awarding 1 Star, simply because it has to have a star rating on NetGalley. And as I was reading, I saw glimmers of how good and different this story could have been, but the negatives far outweighed the positives here....more
The Smallest of Bones is a decent, short, poetry collection themed around different bones in the human body. The descriptions were well-written, but tThe Smallest of Bones is a decent, short, poetry collection themed around different bones in the human body. The descriptions were well-written, but the poetry mostly consists of only a line or two, a few words. This style of poetry has been very much “in style” since the social media age has boomed. It depends if the reader prefers this style or not to how much they will enjoy it. All down to personal preference. I do wish there had been some more details here, as the writer’s longer form writing was so gorgeous. It is only around 70 pages long. This collection is ”an offering to those struggling to find power in the darkness” - this concept is very thoughtful and beautiful.
Thank you to Netgalley/the publisher for the ARC. ...more
Thought I would have finished Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell quicker, but it was the right decision to take my time with it and reaThought I would have finished Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell quicker, but it was the right decision to take my time with it and read it between other books. Parts are quite heavy, as Deryck Whibley opens up about the grooming and sexual abuse he suffered at the hands of a mentor/ somebody else who was in the music industry the same as him; in a band that he admired growing up. That takes strength to admit that this person who helped Deryck’s band, Sum 41, hit the big time initially, was also seemingly a manipulative monster. Sum 41 are currently on their final world tour as a band, and I went to see them in Manchester, so thought I’d pick up this book to read to learn the history of the band and the experiences of what it was like being in an early ‘00s Pop Punk band, who had fame thrust upon them - queue the usual sex, drugs, and rock & rolls. These young lads from Canada were suddenly performing festivals and sharing the stage with their heroes, like a whirlwind. But at what cost? This follows Deryck’s highs and lows of being the frontman of a world famous band - from flings with Paris Hilton, a marriage to Avril Lavigne, to the time he almost died around a decade ago due to alcoholism. I had almost forgotten just how big a band Sum 41 were in the ‘00s, even though I had discovered them in my youth - through their song In Too Deep being used in movies and their music videos being on MTV & Kerrang TV.
This is actually my favourite volume of My Dress Up Darling so far! It perfectly encapsulates everything that is loveable and enjoyable about this serThis is actually my favourite volume of My Dress Up Darling so far! It perfectly encapsulates everything that is loveable and enjoyable about this series so far. The scenes where Gojou and Kitagawa go to a love hotel together for a cosplay photoshoot is my favourite - they are so adorable and awkward together ...more
Feeling torn over The Honey Witch. On one hand I do think it’s generally well-written; a magical story that covers some themes well - like grief, and Feeling torn over The Honey Witch. On one hand I do think it’s generally well-written; a magical story that covers some themes well - like grief, and the importance of both independence/self-confidence & friendship. On the other, some of the elements of story did feel somewhat predictable and the pacing was kind of all over the place. This is always a shame when there is so much potential there. Of course I was drawn in by that gorgeous, cottagecore, cover - who wouldn’t be? ...more
Creepy. Weird. Eerie. Hauntingly beautiful. Don’t Let The Forest In had me gripped right from the start with its wonderfully-written prose. The cover Creepy. Weird. Eerie. Hauntingly beautiful. Don’t Let The Forest In had me gripped right from the start with its wonderfully-written prose. The cover art is absolutely a visual representation of what’s to expect inside. It leaves you feeling grief-stricken and bereft, rare is it for a horror novel to tap into the reader’s emotions this deeply, and in this way. It’s filled with teenage angst, and queer-longing by the main character, who is trying to repress his sexuality because he wants to maintain being a wallflower. My only (very slight) critique is that it does take some time to get into the main, horror, plot; but once it does, it’s filled with gorgeously creepy illustrations and dark poetry.
Wow. There is such a heartbreaking twist near the end, and then that emotive ending. I feel like re-reading this knowing what I know now would push me to rating it the full 5 stars, potentially. Also, I can’t be the only person who fan-cast Troye Sivan as Andrew, right? As soon as it said that the character was Australian. ...more
Sarah {needs active mutuals!} ♡
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