“Sleepytime Warriors: A book to encourage kids to sleep” By Catherine Warwick Review

This comic follows two characters, Luke and Dendra, on their journey in your child’s immune system. These characters/cells get increasingly better weapons to fight with depending on how much sleep your child gets. This comic teaches kids how much sleep impacts their immune system. The comic has spaces to write your child’s name and bed time.

This comic book aims to provide a comforting bedtime story for children, but unfortunately falls short in execution. Despite this comic book’s well-intentioned premise, the book struggles with narrative coherence, engagement, and effectiveness in achieving its goal.

The story in this comic book centers around a group of “Sleepytime Warriors” who embark on nightly adventures to help children embrace sleep. While the concept is charming, the narrative lacks structure and focus, making it difficult for me personally to follow or become invested in the story. The plot feels disjointed, with abrupt transitions that disrupt the flow and hinder the calming atmosphere that a bedtime story should cultivate.

The character development in this comic book is notably lacking. The Sleepytime Warriors, intended to be relatable and comforting figures for children, are presented with minimal depth and personality. Their motivations and roles in the story are not clearly defined, leaving them feeling more like abstract concepts than engaging characters. This lack of connection makes it challenging for me personally to relate to or find comfort in them.

The writing style in this comic book, while attempting to capture a whimsical and soothing tone, often falls flat. The language is overly simplistic and lacks the lyrical quality often found in successful bedtime stories. Rhythmic and poetic elements, which could enhance the soothing nature of the narrative, are largely absent. As a result, the text fails to create a calming or enchanting environment conducive to sleep.

The artwork in his comic book, do little to enhance the overall reading experience. While they capture the fantastical elements of the Sleepytime Warriors’ adventures, the artwork often lacks detail and consistency, failing to convey the warmth and coziness that bedtime stories typically exude. The visual style does not engage picky readers such as myself, further diminishing the book’s impact.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant issue I had with it. Since this comic books scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially significant moments. This inconsistency disrupts the soothing rhythm that a bedtime story should maintain, making it difficult for me personally to relax and unwind.

Despite this comic book’s shortcomings, the book’s concept of using imaginative adventures to encourage sleep holds potential for future development. With a more structured storyline, deeper character exploration, and enhancements to both language and visuals, subsequent versions could better capture the calming and engaging experience that bedtime stories aim to provide.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Snowflakes on Christmas Street” By Ivy Pembroke Review

Meet Jack, the Christmas Street dog. Abandoned by his previous owners, he’s looking for a new family to love. Then there’s seven-year-old Teddy, who is not impressed at having to leave everything he knows behind in America because his dad, Sam, wanted to move back to England. Single father Sam will do anything to make his son happy again – and it looks like Jack might have a way to help. Jack also loves Bill, who has lived on Christmas Street for ever. Bill hates the way his street has changed over the years. He used to know everyone who lived there, but now he’s just the grumpy old man next door.

Once again another Christmas book which didn’t work for me. I think it just me being the problem when it comes to Christmas books, since am extra picky than normally when it comes to Christmas books and movies. 

The plot in this book is all over the place. The main character in this book is a dog and at times it made me very confused because the dog thinks and feels like a human being instead of a dog. Which really didn’t help me getting into the plot of this book because every few pages I needed to close this book and think about what was happening because I was so confused.

The plot in this book predictable story weighed down by cliché characters, clunky dialogue, and saccharine sentimentality. The biggest problem I had with this book is the plot being overstuffed and underdeveloped. The plot of this book has too many things happening but all of those things which is happening in this book feels very underdeveloped like the author wasn’t that into this book to make it actually good.

The conflicts in this book appear and resolve with almost no real tension, as if ticking off boxes on a Christmas-movie checklist. Which really made me feel like the author didn’t want to write this book but was interested in getting the paycheck from publishing this book so he just ticked off boxes on the generic Christmas movie / book list.

The characters, who should be the heart of a community-driven novel, feel more like cardboard cutouts than real people. All of the characters in this book have very generic personalities which cam easily be described with “the lonely one”, “the grumpy one,” “the kind neighbor” and so on it goes. Their emotional growth often comes in the form of sudden, unearned epiphanies rather than believable development. We are told they’re changing much more than we are shown it through meaningful action or nuanced interaction.

The dialogues in this book is another weak spot of this book. Because much of the dialogues reads as stilted and unnatural, heavy on exposition and light on subtext. People speak in tidy moral lessons and neat declarations instead of the messier, fragmented way real conversations unfold. This not only breaks immersion but also amplifies the book’s already heavy-handed message about community and kindness. The themes themselves are worthwhile; the delivery feels like being repeatedly hit over the head with a tinsel-wrapped hammer.

The pacing in this book drags on and on without an end. And the scenes in this book are very very repetitive. There are a lot of “cute” moments that seem included purely to be heartwarming, yet because the groundwork for genuine attachment isn’t laid, they end up feeling forced rather than moving. By the time the inevitable big emotional beats and festive set-pieces arrive, they feel obligatory instead of earned.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You #001” By Jinushi Review

Meet Sasaki, an overworked, middle-aged office worker. His days are marked only by the passing of more unrewarding corporate drudgery. Smoking helps take the edge off, but other than that, the only bright spot of his day is when he goes to the nearby supermarket and sees Yamada’s smiling face. So, one evening after yet another exhausting day, he heads to the supermarket to find he missed Yamada’s shift. Dejected, he decides to go find a smoking area but discovers there isn’t one to be found. Just as he’s about to leave, a girl in a biker jacket named Tayama asks him to join her at a secret smoking area!

This comic book aims to explore themes of nostalgia and connection in a mundane setting, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering a compelling narrative. Despite having an intriguing premise that could delve into introspective storytelling, the execution lacks depth and fails to engage me personally.

The story in this comic book centers around a chance encounter behind a supermarket, where the protagonist frequently meets an enigmatic companion. The creators of this comic book attempts to create a slice-of-life narrative that captures the quiet moments and unspoken bonds formed in everyday life. However, the plot feels stagnant and fails to develop the characters or their relationships in a meaningful way. The lack of progression leaves the narrative feeling empty and repetitive.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist and their companion are introduced with minimal background or personality, making it difficult for me personally to connect with their experiences. Their interactions, intended to be intimate and revealing, often come across as superficial and bored. This lack of depth makes it challenging for me to invest emotionally in their story.

The artwork in this comic book, while competent, does little to elevate the narrative. The illustrations capture the setting with a straightforward style, but the lack of dynamic expression and creativity in the art fails to add any significant emotional weight to the story. The visual presentation is serviceable but lacks the distinctiveness needed to enhance the narrative’s themes or mood.

One of the primary issues I had with this comic book is its pacing. The story moves slowly without building tension or interest, resulting in a narrative that feels tedious and meandering. The absence of a clear direction or purpose in the plot contributes to a sense of aimlessness, making it difficult for me personally to remain engaged or find value in the story.

The dialogues in this comic book are minimal and lacks the depth needed to develop the characters or advance the plot effectively. Conversations between the protagonist and their companion are often mundane and fail to reveal any significant insights or emotions. This lack of engaging dialogue further detracts from the overall impact of the story.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“The Best American Series 2017: 16 Short Stories & Essays” By Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Review

The Best American series is the premier annual showcase for the country’s finest short fiction and nonfiction.  This special edition contains selections from the following 2017 Best American Short Stories edited by Meg WolitzerThe Best American Essays edited by Leslie JamisonThe Best American Mystery Stories edited by John SandfordThe Best American Nonrequired Reading edited by Sarah VowellThe Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy edited by Charles YuThe Best American Travel Writing edited by Lauren CollinsThe Best American Science and Nature Writing edited by Hope JahrenThe Best American Sports Writing edited by Howard Bryant  Each volume’s series editor selects notable works from hundreds of magazines, journals, and websites. The special guest editor then chooses the best twenty or so pieces to publish.  This unique system has made the Best American series the most respected – and most popular – of its kind.

I gotta admit that the only reason why I have read this book, is because it was free on amazon for kindles. So here I am reviewing this book after I tried and failed reading this book. But as always I will explain everything in this review.

This book involves 16 short stories and essays. I made it halfway through this book before I decided to DNF this book. Because all of the short stories and essays in this book are super boring and uninteresting for me at the very least. 

The short stories and essays in this book are about fiction, science, science fiction, sports and travel. Which are the topics which I tend to enjoy in books. But all of the short stories and essays in this book are very shallow and narrow. Which really made it seem to me like the authors of those short stories and essays in this book weren’t even interested in their short stories and essays to make them actually good.

The writing in those short stories and essays are of course different from short story to short story and from essay to essay because all of those short stories and essays in this book have been written by different people. But I gotta admit that the first short story in this book had the best writing out of all the short stories and essays in this book. All the writing styles in each short stories and essays in this book felt like I was reading a high school textbook because in my opinion those authors behind the short stories and essays in this book didn’t care enough to make those short stories and essays fun or interesting. 

The first half of this book wasn’t even half bad, but the second half of this book where I had DNF-ed this book felt like reading a mix between a high school textbook and a social media post which annoyed me. Because if I wanted to read a social media post I would have opened instagram and do my reading there. 

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Trenchcoats, Cigarettes and Shotguns Vol. 1: Introduction” By Chuck Brown Review

Introduction to Trenchcoast, Cigarettes and A new kind of crime family begins to emerge in New York City. One that uses ancient satanic rituals to gain the speed, strength and other attributes of demons. When the demonic mob murders the friend of a mysterious hit man named Trypp, he begins to leave a path of death and destruction to avenge her. With this bloodlust he also begins to embrace the darkness lurking within his soul.

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And I’m gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview aims to deliver a gritty, noir-inspired tale but unfortunately falls short. Despite its intriguing title and potential for a hard-boiled narrative, this preview struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this preview attempts to immerse us as readers in a world of crime and intrigue, drawing on classic noir elements. However, the plot quickly becomes muddled and lacks direction, failing to establish a cohesive storyline. Scenes jump erratically which have left me personally confused and disconnected from the narrative. This lack of clarity severely undermines the potential for an engaging and immersive experience.

The character development is a significant weakness in this preview. The protagonist, presumably a tough, world-weary figure typical of the noir genre, is presented with minimal depth. His motivations and personality are barely explored, reducing him to a cliché rather than a compelling character. The supporting cast fares no better, serving as flat archetypes without meaningful contributions to the plot or the protagonist’s journey.

The writing style in this preview while attempting to capture the terse, gritty style of noir fiction, often falls flat. The dialogues in this preview lacks the sharpness and wit necessary to elevate the narrative, coming across as forced and uninspired. Conversations serve more as exposition dumps rather than organic interactions, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character exchanges and meaningful development.

The artwork in this preview, though capturing the dark and moody aesthetic of the genre, does little to enhance the overall reading experience. The illustrations often lack detail and dynamism, failing to convey the tension and atmosphere that the story demands. The visual style, while thematically appropriate, feels generic and does not engage readers, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing of this preview is another significant issue I had with this preview. There are scenes in this preview that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for us as readers to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The absence of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem, which have left me without a satisfying sense of direction.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Kamakura Monogatari #1” By RYOHEI SAIGAN Review

Kamakura Monogatari follows the mystery writer Masakazu Isshiki and his young bride, Akiko, on their heart-warming life in Kamakura–but it’s not all fun and games! Masakazu and Akiko get caught up in a series of mysterious events on right after another that require all their wits and sleuthing skills to solve. Full of mysteries and romance, this charming story was chosen as the grand prize winner in the 2015 Manga Translation Battle, and was even turned into a movie in 2017!

This comic book aims to transport us as readers to a world of mystery and intrigue, but unfortunately falls short. Despite the potential this comic book had for an engaging narrative set in the picturesque town of Kamakura, it does struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this comic book attempts to blend everyday life with elements of the supernatural and the mysterious, centering on a writer who encounters various oddities in Kamakura. While this premise holds promise for unique storytelling, the plot quickly becomes disjointed and difficult to follow. The narrative lacks a clear direction, jumping from one vignette to another without establishing a cohesive storyline, leaving readers confused and disengaged.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist, a writer supposedly drawn to the mysteries of Kamakura, is presented with minimal depth. His motivations and personality are not fully explored, reducing him to a passive observer rather than an active participant in the unfolding events. This superficial treatment makes it difficult for me personally to connect with or care about his journey.

The writing style in this comic book introduces elements of mystery and intrigue, but the execution is uneven. The dialogues often feels stilted and lacks the wit or charm needed to bring the characters and their interactions to life. Conversations serve more as exposition rather than meaningful exchanges, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character interactions and narrative development.

The artwork in this comic book while capturing the serene beauty of Kamakura, does little to enhance the overall reading experience. The illustrations often lack detail and vibrancy, failing to convey the atmosphere and energy that the story demands. The visual style feels dated and does not engage the picky readers as myself, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant issue I had with this comic book. Because this comic book have scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The lack of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem, which have left me without a satisfying sense of direction.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Ninja High School Vol. 2 #1” By Ben Dunn & Pat Duke Review

It’s the return of series creator Ben Dunn to NHS! But is it the same NHS? Fast-forward a few years and enter the world of Ricky Feeple. He’s just trying to get by at Quagmire High School, but who can study when your girlfriend’s a super hero… a female ninja wants to fight you to the death… and an alien lives in your spare bedroom!? It’s a whole new cast of characters along with plenty of the old favorites, ready to delight longtime fans and new readers alike – and all in full color!

This comic book aims to capture the charm and humor of its quirky premise but unfortunately falls short. Despite the potential which this comic book had for a fun, engaging narrative, it struggles with coherence, character development, and overall execution.

The story in this comic book is set in the unique world of Quagmire High School, where ninjas, aliens, and other fantastical elements coexist. While the premise offers ample opportunity for creativity and excitement, the plot quickly becomes muddled. The narrative lacks a clear direction, jumping from scene to scene without a cohesive storyline which have left me feeling lost and disconnected from the characters.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist and supporting cast are introduced with little depth or motivation, making it difficult for me personally to connect with or care about their journeys. The lack of clear character arcs or relatable traits further detracts from the potential engagement with the story.

The writing style in this comic book fails to capture the humor and charm that the series is known for. The dialogues in this comic book often feels forced and lacks the wit needed to elevate the comedic elements. Conversations serve more as filler than genuine interactions, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character exchanges and meaningful development.

The artwork in this comic book while reminiscent of classic manga-inspired styles, does little to enhance the narrative experience. The illustrations often lack detail and consistency, failing to convey the energy and vibrancy that the story demands. The visual style feels dated and does not engage picky readers as myself, further diminishing the impact of the narrative.

The pacing in this comic book is another significant problem I had with this comic book. Because this comic book has scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression. The lack of a clear narrative arc further exacerbates this problem.

Despite its shortcomings, the concept this comic book had of a high school filled with ninjas and other fantastical elements holds potential for future development. With a more structured storyline and deeper exploration of character motivations, subsequent issues could better capture the fun and excitement inherent in the premise.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“1UP: Manga One-shot” By Iver Animation Review

The mind is central to everything we as humans do. It is an eden, one that must be kept free of monsters (Fear, Sadness, Anger and other negative emotions). But what happens when those monsters are allowed to run wild? Friends Rin, Katana and Iko find out when they play the 1UP programme for the first time in this manga one-shot.

This comic book attempts to capture the excitement of gaming culture but unfortunately falls short. Despite the potential which this comic book had for an engaging story, the one-shot struggles with execution, character development, and narrative coherence.

The premise of this comic book centers around a gamer who unexpectedly finds themselves inside a video game world. While this setup holds promise for creativity and excitement, the plot quickly becomes disjointed and lacks direction. The narrative feels rushed, with a series of events that fail to build a cohesive story, which have left me feeling confused and disconnected.

The character development is notably lacking in this comic book. The protagonist is introduced without sufficient depth or backstory, making it difficult for me personally to connect with or invest in their journey. The supporting characters, who could have added richness to the narrative, are similarly underdeveloped, serving merely as plot devices rather than integral parts of the story.

The writing style in this comic book fails to capture the essence of gaming culture, often relying on clichéd dialogue and superficial interactions. Conversations feel forced and lack the authenticity needed to bring the characters and their experiences to life. This deficiency detracts from the potential for dynamic exchanges and meaningful character growth.

The artwork in this comic book does little to enhance the reading experience. While some panels capture the vibrant energy of a video game world, the overall style lacks consistency and detail. The illustrations often feel flat and uninspired, failing to convey the excitement and immersion that the premise demands.

The pacing of this comic book is another significant problem I had with this comic book. The story moves at an uneven pace, with scenes that either drag without purpose or rush through potentially important moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression.

Despite its shortcomings the concept in this comic book of blending gaming elements with a narrative holds potential for future exploration. With a more structured storyline and deeper character development, subsequent works could better capture the thrill and complexity of gaming culture.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Street Fighter Vol. 2: Introduction” By Ken Siu-Chong Review

Introduction to Street Fighter Vol. 2: Based on the most popular fighting game ever – Street Fighter! Featuring the beginning of Ryu’s journey around the world, Cammy’s quest to discover her past, Chun-Li’s investigation into the Shadaloo-controlled Hong Kong underworld, and the first appearance of fan-favorite characters like Adon and Fei Long, this is a story no Street Fighter fan should be without!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And im gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview attempts to capture the excitement of the classic video game series but unfortunately falls short. Despite the rich potential of the Street Fighter universe, this preview struggles with narrative coherence, character development, and engaging artwork.

The storyline in this preview which should be driven by the vibrant energy of the games, is instead plagued by disjointed events and a lack of clear direction. The narrative feels like a series of loosely connected scenes rather than a cohesive plot, making it difficult for me personally to become invested in the characters or their journeys. This lack of structure severely undermines the potential for an engaging story.

The character development is notably lacking in this preview. Iconic figures like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Ken are presented without depth or nuance, reducing them to mere caricatures. The opportunity to explore their motivations, backstories, and relationships is largely missed, resulting in a superficial treatment that fails to resonate with me and possible with other picky readers as myself. This lack of depth makes it challenging to care about their struggles or triumphs.

The writing style in this preview does little to elevate the material. The dialogue often feels stilted and serves more as exposition than genuine interaction. This approach detracts from the potential for dynamic exchanges between characters and fails to capture the intricate relationships and rivalries that are central to the Street Fighter universe. The writing lacks the wit and intensity needed to bring these iconic characters to life.

Even the artwork in this preview which is crucial for capturing the dynamic action of Street Fighter, falls short. The illustrations lack the energy and fluidity that fans expect, with action sequences that feel static and uninspired. The visual style does not effectively convey the intensity and excitement of the battles, which is a critical element of the franchise’s appeal.

The pacing in this preview is another problem which this preview has to face. The story moves at an uneven pace, with scenes that either drag without adding value or rush through potentially significant moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it difficult for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5

“Street Fighter IV Vol. 1: Wages of Sin – Introduction” By Ken Siu-Chong Review

Introduction to Street Fighter IV Vol. 1: Wages of Collects the original Street Fighter IV #1-4: UDON’s Street Fighter IV comics are now available!! Newcomers like Crimson Viper, Rufus, Abel, and Seth battle fan-favorite characters including Sakura, Dan, Akuma, and more!

Let me start this review by saying that this one is just a preview for the entire comic book. And I read it because I wanted to see if the full comic book was worth the money and time I would spend on it. And im gonna give you the answer for that at the end of this review.

This preview aims to capture the vibrant energy of the beloved video game franchise but unfortunately falls short. Despite the rich lore and dynamic characters of Street Fighter, this preview struggles with narrative coherence and character depth.

The story in this preview attempts to weave together various plotlines involving iconic fighters like Ryu, Chun-Li, and Ken. However, the narrative feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction. Instead of a cohesive storyline, readers are presented with a series of loosely connected events that fail to build meaningful tension or engagement. This lack of structure makes it difficult to become invested in the characters or their journeys.

The character development is one of the major shortcomings of this preview. While the Street Fighter series is known for its diverse and intriguing characters, this adaptation offers little in terms of personality or growth. Iconic figures are reduced to mere caricatures, with limited exploration of their motivations or backstories. This superficial treatment significantly undermines the potential for a rich, character-driven narrative.

The writing style in this preview lacks the depth and nuance needed to bring the Street Fighter universe to life. The dialogue is often stilted and serves more as exposition than genuine interaction, which detracts from the potential for dynamic character exchanges. The opportunity to delve into the intricate relationships and rivalries between fighters is largely missed.

The artwork crucial component for capturing the dynamic action of Street Fighter, falls short in this preview. The illustrations lack the energy and fluidity that fans of the franchise expect, with action sequences that feel static and uninspired. The visual style fails to convey the intensity and excitement of the fights, which is a critical aspect of the Street Fighter experience.

Pacing is another significant problem this preview has to face. The story moves at an uneven pace, with scenes that either drag without adding value or rush through potentially significant moments. This inconsistency disrupts the flow and makes it challenging for me personally to maintain interest or fully grasp the plot’s progression.

So will I buy and read the full version of this comic book ? I don’t think I will. The main reason behind this is how poorly this preview was very uninteresting for me personally.

I Give This Book 1 / 5