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readingnows@bookwyrm.world

Joined 5 days, 13 hours ago

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2025 Reading Goal

18% complete! Lia has read 9 of 50 books.

reviewed The Sandman: Book One by Neil Gaiman (The Sandman (DC Black Label), #1)

Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, Chris Bachalo, Mike Dringenberg, Malcolm Jones: The Sandman: Book One (Paperback, 2022, DC Comics) 4 stars

As the story begins, an occultist attempting to capture Death to bargain for eternal life …

Review of 'The Sandman: Book One' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The story opens with an occultist attempting to capture death and bargain for eternal life instead of trapping her younger brother Dream. After 70 years of imprisonment, Dream, also known as Morpheus, escapes and goes on a quest for his lost power items. In his treacherous journey, Morpheus encounters Lucifer, John Constantine, and an all-powerful madman.

I found this quite complicated. It may be a little complicated.

This book contains some extremely brutal issues. I wasn’t familiar with the backstory, so some parts of book one were unclear to me. What is the story behind John Constantine? What is the role of the Martians in this arc? In the comics, there are stories that do not seem to relate: ‘Calliope,’ a kitten’s dream, and Nada’s arc that seems nonsensical to me.

Afflicting himself to get the Dream Lord, Nada rejects the Dream Lord because their love violates nature. Didn’t she …

Stephen King: You Like It Darker: Stories (2024, Scribner) 2 stars

Review of 'You Like It Darker: Stories' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

This isn’t something I wish to discuss. There is nothing good about You Like It Darker: Stories by Stephen King.

This collection features some excellent tales; however, one stands out. Most of the remaining chapters are middling to poor, filled with the usual late-King flaws: laughably anachronistic dialogue, tangential real-world events (covid, in this case), and overly described mundane details.

Despite the book’s title, the story is not that dark. It’s not what I expected when I read the title. Instead, it’s mainly a noir crime thriller with supernatural elements occasionally. The stories do have dark moments, but is it “darker” than King’s usual work or any of the incredible horror writers currently working, including King’s own son? The answer is no.

Ultimately, it’s best to skip this book.

reviewed Black Butler, Vol. 2 by Yana Toboso (黒執事 [Kuroshitsuji], #2)

Yana Toboso: Black Butler, Vol. 2 (2010, Yen Press) 3 stars

As high society's social calendar opens up and the Season draws to a close, London …

Review of 'Black Butler, Vol. 2' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

With the Season coming to a close, fear grips London. Somebody has stalked women of the night and painting the town red... with their blood. “Jack the Ripper” seems on everyone’s lips - and as such, Queen Victoria requested Phantomhive. When Queen Victoria summoned Ciel Phantomhive to London to clean up this madman’s mess, Sebastian, his exceptional butler, poured him tea, polished his silver, and... investigate a serial killer. It doesn’t take much for the young earl to sort this out mystery with his aids. One question remains... can he handle the shattering truth?

I found this book to be all over the place. It begins with Ciel’s incompetent staff and Sebastian fixing all their mistakes as usual, and then suddenly becomes a murder mystery where Ciel has to cross dress at a party. Despite disliking the predictable villain and storyline, I commend the pairing of a potentially interesting character. …

reviewed Black Butler, Vol. 1 by Yana Toboso (黒執事 [Kuroshitsuji], #1)

Yana Toboso: Black Butler, Vol. 1 (2010, Yen Press) 3 stars

In the Victorian ages of London The Earl of the Phantomhive house, Ciel Phantomhive, needs …

Review of 'Black Butler, Vol. 1' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

n Pseudo-Victorian, Ciel Phantomhive is a twelve-year-old, Earl to the Phantomhive household. Owner of a famous toy factory, and Queen Victoria’s faithful servant with tremendous responsibility on his shoulders. Fortunately, his loyal butler, Sebastian, was ready to carry out his young master’s wishes. Apparently, there is nothing Sebastian cannot do. Some may argue He is too good to be believed.

Black Butler is a manga with slow pace and lowbrow humor. Readers will find this story disappointing. The plot is not driven by a strong narrative, and the character development is lackluster. The story’s unrealistic situations and characters hinder reader engagement.

Considering the series’ beginning, it’s shocking to see how effectively the setting and characters are introduced, even though the plot in volume one ends on a less exciting note.

Almost all side characters were painfully dull and superficial. In summary, Ciel has a guest over and Sebastian serves dinner; …

Olivia Muenter: Such a Bad Influence (2024, Quirk Books) 1 star

Review of 'Such a Bad Influence' on 'Goodreads'

1 star

In comparison with her younger sister @evelyn, a lifestyle influencer, Hazel Davis is drifting: she’s settled in her career, living in a city she hates, and less successful.

Despite Evie’s multimillion-dollar career, Hazel is still protective of her little sister and skeptical of everyone wanting a piece of her: Evie’s followers, her boyfriend and influencer adversaries, and their opportunistic mom. Evie’s disappearance during an unsettling live stream horrified Hazel, proving her worst instincts correct.

In order to unravel the truth about Evie’s disappearance, Hazel plunges herself into the darkest corners of her sister’s world to gather clues. Hazel knows Evie better than anyone… Right?

This book is a waste of time. I wish I could rate it 0 stars. How do I even begin?

Although there were so many potentials in this book, it was so boring! As I read, I kept waiting for the plot to pick up speed …