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briely's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Trafficking
brogan7's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A visually stunning book. A world fully developed just from the art of it.
The story I found troubling. Deeply dystopian and Shuna's hero's journey is definitely a superhero's journey... which to this reader was a disappointment, there were so many scenes he wouldn't have made it out alive, so how can we have hope for anti-slavery movements?
Also noted, the deeply Westernized characters, which is totally a manga thing but it feels less bearable in the current moment and with a story with such clear Asian roots (clear before you read the translator's note).
I wasn't expecting the level of violence, and I felt for the human-eating ghouls, especially the one whose hand he shot off!
In summary, it's hard to give this text a clear score. It's so gorgeous and so enchanting and at the same time it could have been a more clear parable, it felt muddied by oddness I couldn't understand or place within a framework (the "land of the gods" where no one wants for anything and no predation even occurs--except that human fodder is going into this all-consuming ... what??) It's just so fantasy and so all over the place.
The story I found troubling. Deeply dystopian and Shuna's hero's journey is definitely a superhero's journey... which to this reader was a disappointment, there were so many scenes he wouldn't have made it out alive, so how can we have hope for anti-slavery movements?
Also noted, the deeply Westernized characters, which is totally a manga thing but it feels less bearable in the current moment and with a story with such clear Asian roots (clear before you read the translator's note).
I wasn't expecting the level of violence, and I felt for the human-eating ghouls, especially the one whose hand he shot off!
In summary, it's hard to give this text a clear score. It's so gorgeous and so enchanting and at the same time it could have been a more clear parable, it felt muddied by oddness I couldn't understand or place within a framework (the "land of the gods" where no one wants for anything and no predation even occurs--except that human fodder is going into this all-consuming ... what??) It's just so fantasy and so all over the place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking and Slavery
Moderate: Gun violence
TW: heteronormativeriri78's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Slavery, and Trafficking
books_and_fairy_lights's review
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
It was really great to read Miyazaki's work as a manga/graphic novel (especially as it's the only one he made). The illustrations were stunning and the storytelling masterful. It was, 100%, a quest narrative, but one done really well, with everything flowing pretty swiftly without anything being rushed.
The themes are very Miyazaki too (relation to the environment, greed, ...), and so are the protagonists (strong female, nuanced and ambi uous "hero"). There was no clear cut moral, but rather observations and reflections, from which the reader can take whatever they want, which makes for a super interesting and definitely enjoyable read.
The themes are very Miyazaki too (relation to the environment, greed, ...), and so are the protagonists (strong female, nuanced and ambi uous "hero"). There was no clear cut moral, but rather observations and reflections, from which the reader can take whatever they want, which makes for a super interesting and definitely enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Trafficking
Minor: Gun violence
idesofmarch's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Slavery, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
careinthelibrary's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Trafficking
Moderate: Death, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death and Kidnapping
food insecurity, starvationevieeva's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The art is beautiful in this story and like Stuido Ghibli movies the atmosphere of the story pulls you in. It is wonderful to finally get to read this and see how this story from Hayao Miyazaki's early career would go on to inspire piece in his movies later.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Trafficking and Slavery
mossgoblins's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, Slavery, Murder, Death, Physical abuse, and Trafficking
robinks's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The images are so so beautiful. It was lovely to see Miyazaki’s work in print form, having only watched Studio Ghibli films so far. The story has some gaps, but the images help fill in the blanks. Plus, the ambiguity adds to the ethereal and timeless quality of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Trafficking, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Slavery
silentrequiem's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Trafficking, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Cannibalism