Tag: Opinion - Page 4 - Pending Plays

The front cover of "Bog Myrte" by Sid Sharp on the right: Beatrice, in a red dress, a round woman with brown short hair, is standing in the left bottom corner on a hill. She's surrounded by many green to blue hills and trees. The hill at the top looks like a hill, but is actually the green head with two eyes and hands that are holding onto the other hills, looking curiously down to Beatrice. On the left, the german back cover is seen. Text: "Die gutherzige Beatrice möchte ihrer Schwester Magnolia, die immer friert, einen Pullover stricken. Von Moor Myrte – einer Spinnenfrau, die im Wald lebt und sich für dessen Erhalt einsetzt – kriegt sie ein Zaubergarn geschenkt und macht daraus einen magischen Pulli für ihre Schwester. Aber anstatt sich über das Geschenk zu freuen, möchte sich Magnolia am Pulli bereichern und befiehlt Beatrice und den ihr helfenden Spinnen, noch viele weitere zu stricken. Was, wenn Moor Myrte das herausfindet? Sid Sharps erstes Buch »Der Wolfspelz« war für den Deutschen Jugendliteraturpreis 2024 nominiert."

Bog Myrtle – Children’s Book Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago02 mins

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Very sweet! And quite unexpected, especially the ending. Although also nice to have a different kind of happy end for a change. I love that …:

Cinnamon Soul – Book Review

Arden Skye9 months ago9 months ago17 mins

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A crime fantasy book that technically reads like a youngster’s adventure, yet the themes and language are definitely for adults.

"Oni Press is proud to present, in the tradition of Faceless and the Family, Eisner Award–nominated creator Matt Lesniewski’s carefully crafted tale of rejection, loss and loathing—now in hardcover for the first time. Who hasn’t, at some point in their life, felt misunderstood, outcast . . . alone? This is the constant conflict and plight of our eponymously named protagonist. Everywhere he travels, he is met with violence and disgust. But will his trip to the big city, where he hopes to go unnoticed amongst the masses, be any different from the places and experiences he’s had previously?"

The Freak – Graphic Novel Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago13 mins

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It was much more the story that kept me reading than the art. I find the latter to be rather mediocre, beginner-like. Not the impression the cover gave.

On the left, the back cover. Text: "Sometimes it's easier to disappear into a sci-fi novel than to deal with the disappointing people in your life! The solo debut of writer/artist Kazimir Lee is an atmospheric and profound coming-of-age story about a Malaysian-American teen trying to carve out her own identity in the uneasy space between friends and family."  "Masterful... Azar's earnest struggle to bridge emotional distances is something every reader will relate to." -Rebecca Mickey Mock artist of Compass South and Salt Magic. "Low Orbit is a tender and evocative graphic novel about the pain and joy of all our relationships. You will be drawn into Azar's world with every page. An exquisite debut." -Tillie Walden author of On a Sunbeam. A purple background with objects around the text: a muffin with a candle lying next to it on a plate, an entry ID for an event reading "4-DAy-PASS, star", a pirate-like figure can be seen running in a galaxy; a charger; a moth; a crescent moon and a branch with leaves. Below the ISBN with other info: TOPShelf PRODUCTIONS $33.99 CAN ISBN-13: 978-1-60309-552-5 52499 9781603 095525" TOPSHELFCOMIX.COM On the right, the front cover. The protagonist, Azar, can be seen floating in the air above a purple-lit village at night with a river flowing in the middle. Azar is wearing baggy clothes, has a short pony tail, a phone attached with a charger to her trousers, and is wearing glasses, while being immersed into a book. A bright, yellow moon in the top right corner with the title "Low Orbit" by KAZIMIR LEE in the middle of it.

Low Orbit – Graphic Novel Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago04 mins

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After the sci-fi novel became part of Azar’s story, I was sure there was gonna be a twist in there somewhere, like she’s in a coma and then she’ll swim through the world of the novel, which will help her later on in real life…

"Veronika is 24 and tired: of her crummy boyfriend, of living with her parents, of feeling stalled out while everyone else moved on. With a new job coding software for a “wellness” company that makes brain-boosting energy drinks, she finally has a chance to turn things around. At this rate, Veronika may never feel tired again! But as she gets more comfortable with the office and the people in it, Veronika stumbles upon surprises in the dark that leave her questioning everything she thought she knew about the world… and about herself."

The Well – Graphic Novel Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago04 mins

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A slice-of-life story that turned dark and intriguing quite quick and kinda unexpected (pacing-wise). In a good way. I loved the daily life parts, and the …

The front and back cover of "Indigo" by Chi-Ho Kwong and Chi-Kit Kwong. Blurb: "Ella is a reporter for an occult magazine, living what appears to be a normal life. She’s not the best at getting along with people, but she has the special ability to sometimes know what other people are thinking. She also possesses an extreme sensibility which enables her to communicate with plants and animals. One day, Ella learns of the strange death of her college professor and beloved mentor, who seems to have committed suicide by starving to death. Instinct draws Ella to investigate the real cause of the professor's death, which gradually unfolds a series of mysterious incidents which surpass Ella’s wildest imagination. As she investigates further, Ella encounters people who slowly guide her closer to the truth, which causes alternate forces to try and stop her pursuit. With help, Ella overcomes all odds, and in the process discovers she must fulfill her destiny and decide the fate of humanity, Earth...and the universe."

Indigo – Manhua Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago02 mins

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Another story that inevitably shows there’s no point in life. And yet, at the same time there is, if you want one. A never-ending wonder of: Why? And then what?

Title, right: "mga walang pangalan pero andyan (those without names but are there) by Archie Oclos." Left: "Frolicsome, wanderers, and said to have nine lives—these are the characteristics of the leads of this story. Whitey, the combo, pirate, princess, and the batman, they are the six cats we will be following in Those Without Names But Are There by renowned street artist and muralist, Archie Oclos. cat, street, journey. Three words only. For every illustration. For every page. A few meows, several little rustles, while witnessing the journey of the said cats to the city. Join them in slipping through twists and turns: from the jeepney terminal, cafeteria, vulcanizing shop, condominium, grocery store, and other such alleys. What is it that they see from where they’re standing? What is it that we experience as creatures braving the streets?"

The stray cats of Manila – Book Review

Arden Skye9 months ago10 months ago02 mins

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Interesting. Creative. Empathetic.

The front book cover of “Hi, Earth” (by Elizabeth Pich, Jonathan Kunz) on the right side: Planet earth, sitting on a chair surrounded by fire with the blue sky in the back. On the right, in the background, plastic waste can be seen lying on grass around a garbage bin. The back cover of “Hi, Earth” on the left: A blue sky with fire at the bottom. The sun is shining and grimacing in the top right, behind a 4-panel comic strip. Text below: “This hilarious and bittersweet collection of comics from the webcomic War and Peas pays tribute to a subject near and dear to us all: PLANET EARTH. With comics told from the point of view of animals, icebergs, trees, plastics, aliens, horny flowers, and a teenage praying mantis named Timmy, Hi, Earth packs a Noah's ark-size cast into just over one hundred delightful pages. These sweet and apocalyptic comics celebrate the wonders and weirdness of Earth even as we hurtle toward an uncertain future-roasting our human folly while also creating moments of wonder and appreciation for our beautiful, fragile, messed-up planet.” Andrews McMeel PUBLISHING® www.andrewsmcmeel.com 2025 JONATHAN KUNZ AND ELIZABETH PICH $16.99 U.S.A. ($22.99 Canada) ISBN: 978-1-5248-9829-8 51699 9781524 898298 Printed in China

Hi, Earth – Comic Review

Arden Skye10 months ago10 months ago02 mins

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Funny, yet tragic. I mostly wanted to cry to these, but the morbid humor works well enough to even make me laugh away my tears.

The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness

ivetafox10 months ago10 months ago03 mins

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The Black Bird Oracle is the fifth book by Deborah Harkness, following the Bishop-Clairmont family. The series is a supernatural romance which explores the relationships between the different supernatural species. So far, the series has been a hit and the Black Bird Oracle is no different. This story focuses on the paternal side of the…

You are a sacred place – Graphic Novel Review

Arden Skye10 months ago10 months ago02 mins

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“People are places, and you are a sacred place.”
A letter to those who are fighting depression and need some hope in their life.