Search

Search only in certain items:

    Star Wars

    Star Wars

    Will Brooker

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    Book

    The release of Star Wars in 1977 marked the start of what would become a colossal global franchise....

Mob Psycho 100
Mob Psycho 100
2016 | Action, Animation, Horror
7
8.3 (3 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Pretty Different But Pretty Cool
Mob Psycho 100 is an anime tv series adaptation produced by Bones. It was created by ONE, directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, written by Hiroshi Seko and licensed by Crunchyroll. The English Dub was released by Funimation in 2016, a live-action adaptation premiered in 2018 and second season in 2019.


Although he looks like an unassuming person, average middle school student, Shigeo Kageyama, is actually a powerful esper with immense psychic powers. He lives his life under a constant emotional shackle to keep from losing control of his power. To help learn how to control his abilities, he works as an assistant to a self-proclaimed psychic, Reigen Arataka, who is really a con-man. As he struggles to live a normal life, trouble keeps pushing his emotions which threaten his power to break through its limits.


This anime was way better than I thought it was going to be. At first the look of the characters and the personality of the main character didn't really draw me in. In fact I almost didn't watch past the first episode, but I'm really glad I did. Not only did this series have some awesome battles and cool concepts/ideas, it was really funny and humorous. I remember laughing out loud at a couple of scenes that were just ridiculous but seemed to fit in a way that accentuated the vibe of the show. The supporting characters were very interesting as well, his mentor, his brother, and even a ghost Dimple. All had their own charm and redeeming characteristics for all their flaws. This was a really fun show and very different from most mainstream anime. Equally funny and dramatic but with good action. I give this a 7/10.
  
40x40

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Ace of Spades in Books

Jul 22, 2021  
Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A dark thriller that delves into racism
Devon and Chiamaka are both Senior Prefects at Niveus Private Academy, a super elite school for the wealthy. Chiamaka has been working her entire life to attain success and popularity at Niveus, while Devon, a scholarship student, focuses on his music. The only black students in their school, they aren't exactly friends. But then the two of them suddenly become the target of Aces--an anonymous texter and bully who seems determined to ruin their lives. Aces knows all their secrets, ones that could destroy everything they've worked for. This seems beyond a high school prank. Who is Aces and what do they want?

This was a very hyped book and while I enjoyed it, it didn't live up to the hype for me. This is a really rare opinion, so please take it with a grain of salt. It got better over time, but I had a hard time getting into it, finding it slow and choppy. The plot seemed disjointed and when the big twists are revealed, they seem off with the earlier pieces of the story. I understood the concept, but couldn't really see how it all related, or believe that it all worked together so seamlessly.

The book certainly is timely and its themes of racism and hatred are strong and well-done. It's terrifying because it's true, so to speak. You'll feel for Chia and Devon, though I found myself wishing I knew more about them and that their stories didn't jump from one place to another. Perhaps taking a step back, seeing the tale as an allegory, helps more, but even then I'm not sure (trying to avoid spoilers).

Overall, this is an interesting story, but it was jumpy and made some crazy leaps at times. 3.5, rounded up to 4 stars here.