theengineeringmage

[theengineeringmage]

Some Girls Do by Jennifer Dugan

An openly gay track star in the midst of a discrimination case and a beauty pageant grease monkey collide in the most unexpected ways. Morgan has been working hard to get a scholarship for college when her preferences are against her school’s code of conduct. At a new school during her senior year, tries to fit into a new environment. Ruby loves working on cars, but with her moms pressure to be a beauty queen, her dreams have been put on hold. Will these two be able to forge their own paths through high school?

I really liked how emotionally vulnerable these characters are. They both have their secrets and insecurities, but it feels more real when they have this back-and-forth in their relationship. It feels like a true tumultuous teenage romance where there are misunderstandings and break-ups and conflicts and impulsive decisions. There is raw emotion and when I think about how they are having these conversations, I see how chaotic and messy their feelings are. It is a nice way to discuss what young love feels like regardless of gender.

Morgan hasn’t felt like she could be as open with her preferences until she joins the GSA club and also volunteers at the community center. The new environment exposes her to a lot of different perspectives that she hasn’t had to deal with. Even if she isn’t in a Catholic school, there can still be prejudice from others based on sexual orientation. It is a truth that I don’t think she really grasped until she listened to why some people are not comfortable being out and proud like she is. It is a big learning experience for her and one that nicely introduces the complexity surrounding being accepted.

Ruby is someone who was used as a substitute to fulfill a dream. She doesn’t love her pageant life, but it keeps her mom happy. This reminds me so much of closeted queer characters in other works. She is meant to be the model, but instead of being the perfect overachiever, she feels the stress of not feeling like she is enough because she isn’t reaching this impossible bar. It feels more realistic that she isn’t doing as well in something she isn’t as passionate about. Her true skill lies in her hands and her mechanic knowledge, but that gets overshadowed by the public face she uses. It is interesting to have a character that isn’t meeting impossible standards and the strain that kind of environment has on someone.

I really enjoyed the read despite how emotional I got with it. It might feel a bit dramatic and trite, but it feels more organic to have a messy love story than one that works out easily. They both just feel human and I love that about the story.

#lgbtq+ #romance #lesbian #teen #young adult #fiction #grease monkey #trackstar #car mechanic #love #understanding #truth #human

[theengineeringmage]

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Convenience Store Woman follows the life of a convenience store worker who has been there for her entire working life. Keiko Furukura finds interest and calm within this environment, copying expressions, mannerisms, and style of her coworkers and customers. As a job right out of school, her family was very excited, but as she is not thirty-six they are concerned that she isn’t reaching her full potential. She hasn’t dated and doesn’t have someone in her life, so they begin pressuring her to date and marry someone, potentially find a more “acceptable” job. Facing criticism for having a convenience store job and struggling to understand certain dynamics, Keiko navigates a new chapter of her life, taking desperate action to fit in.

This story is very interesting in how Keiko views the world. It is based on Murata’s experience from when she worked in a convenience store. It is not explicitly stated, but heavily implied that Keiko is on the autism spectrum. Many of her descriptions or actions are similar to someone who masks their autism, whether conscious or not. Depending on the situation, she will adapt her speech and actions to those around her in an attempt to make them feel more comfortable in her presence. Although many people do this, she takes it to extremes where she also struggles to understand people’s motivations and opinions. It is interesting to see how her brain processes situations differently than I would, which helps me understand her actions.

I liked parts of it. It was hard to connect with the male lead in this story. He was just so sexist and belittling that it was difficult for him to be taken seriously. I’m not sure if it is a translation issue or if this is accurate, but the repetition of how everything relates to the Stone Age gets irritating. I can understand some of his reasoning about how men need to have specific traits to attract women in a similar way that women need to have specific traits to attract me. I just didn’t like how rushed things seemed with their relationship, yet it works with both of their mindsets. It both fits and doesn’t, which makes my brain hurt a bit.

It is an interesting social piece to discuss society and their expectations, no matter how irrational they are. Murata makes a point to acknowledge how others think that working in a convenience story is less important or sophisticated than an office job, but Keiko makes a lot of observations that are important in relation to marketing, supply chain, and efficiency to name a few. She knows the ins and outs of running a convenience store from ordering supplies to positioning items in a specific way. There is a science to it, and she has it down, yet her work is less important than people who are paper pushers. If there weren’t convenience store workers, there wouldn’t be bento lunches ready on time or quick stops of coffee before the morning commute or the latest information on new foods. They do play an important role in our society as convenience stores are on every corner.

I think it is a great read and works well to introduce hypocrisy in society and view situations from different perspectives.

#Convenience Store Woman #Sayaka Murata #Japan #Japanese #translation #autism #society #pressure #asian #marriage #adulthood #jobs #career #sexism #introspective #nonfiction #bookreview

[theengineeringmage]

The Apothecary Diaries by Natsu Hyuuga and Nekokurage

Maomao, a young woman trained in the art of herbal medicine, is forced to work as a servant in the inner palace. Due to her affinity for medicine, she is tasked to be the food tester, a job most people dread because of the high risk of death. She is also tasked as an unofficial doctor when the imperial heirs are afflicted with illness, adding more tasks to her plate. Although her personality is unusual for someone living in the palace, she finds friends along the way, some in very high places.

I have read through the first 4 volumes and I love this story. I can’t wait to find the next volume! 

She is the definition of an oddball, which is a refreshing change from most protagonists who are trying to fit in. She is unapologetically herself, which can land her into some trouble. She has a very different perspective since she was not thrilled to be picked as an attendant, when most young women think of it as the highest station they could reach.

I think my favorite part of the story is how off she is. She intentionally makes herself more unappealing to other by drawing in freckles, something that is not seen as beautiful in this universe. She also has a masochistic streak, which is very funny to see. She is so interested by poison that she does not care about the possibility of dying. She tastes poisons, savors the pain, and informs the others that there was poison in the food. It is honestly hilarious to see people confront her about this trait, which is mentioned multiple times throughout the story. 

I also admire the rapport she has with her co-workers and her mistress, and the other mistresses of the house. They see her as a breath of fresh air and very bold as a woman. She earns the favor of multiple mistresses, and has caught the eye of one of the high ranking males in the palace. She is an anomaly and they can’t quite figure her out; and no one seems to be able to figure out who she was before she entered the palace.

The art is also very pleasing and sticks to a standard manga look. It had all these gorgeous scenes that truly highlight Maomao, while also depicting these beautiful natural landscapes.

I highly recommend this read to anyone interested in Japanese history, apothecaries, and general fun!

#theapothecarydiaries #Natsu Hyuuga #Kekokurage #Apothecary #Ancient Japan #japanese court #lady in waiting #history #manga #bookreview #booktumblr

[theengineeringmage]

As Old As Time: A Twisted Tale by Liz Braswell

What if we learned more about Belle’s mother? Who is she? Where is she? How do her interactions impact Belle’s life? And why is she important to this tale as old as time?

I love how this story gives background on who Belle’s mother was and how she met Maurice. I love the parallels they show between Belle and Rosalind as they switch back and forth in time and stories. We never knew about her mother and there were fan theories about how her mother might’ve been the witch to curse the beast. These alternative universes offer interesting contrasts to the stories we know.

I love how awkward Beast is in the beginning. He is usually aggressive towards Belle and the only kindness comes from the servants of the house, but this version shows him awkwardly trying to be nice. It is very endearing. It also fits with his personality as a young prince without others to interact with and his lack of social decorum. Instead of a brute, we see someone who lacked guidance and was deprived of those opportunities with this curse.

There is a difference between the flow of the story as it gets broken a lot by the changing of times, but it offers more of a unique outlook that we didn’t get in the movies. There is also more about Belle and her interactions with the servants and it shows some of her more assertive qualities. I already knew she was headstrong, but the movies made it very surface level, but the level of defiance also speaks to her age. She is very snarky and less of the ideal princess she was portrayed as. I probably like that change in character trait more than anything. Her inner strength is something new and refreshing. She criticizes the idea of falling in love so fast, so I think her and movie Elsa would get along. I love this new side to Belle. She is incredibly smart and when she starts piecing things together I admire her more.

I think it is interesting how each retelling of the beauty and the beast is different. Belle’s mom isn’t mentioned in the original animated film. The live action version depicts Belle’s mother dying. The book suggests that she left Belle and Maurice. It is so interesting how each of these variations is important to Belle’s portrayal and her discovery of herself.

This also explores Belle’s and Beast’s relationship in more detail and how they got close. It gives a more behind the scenes feel of the story that we already know. It doesn’t runaway from the scary or difficult truths of the story and creates a completely plausible world where magic existed but was eradicated by fear and power.

I would definitely recommend this to people who want a refreshing take on Beauty and the Beast.

#book review #Disney #Twisted Tale #Belle #Beauty and the Beast #rose #magic #alternative universe #yafantasy #fantasy #fiction #fairytale #Liz Braswell #Elizabeth Braswell

[theengineeringmage]

Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song-Anime

When highly evolved AIs set out to eradicate mankind, a scientist bets everything on a remnant from the past. Turning the clock back a hundred years, AIs are already an integral part of human society, programmed with specific missions meant to be carried out for their entire course of operation. Vivy, the first ever autonomous AI, is a songstress tasked with spreading happiness through her voice. Everything in her life seems to be going smoothly until she is approached by an AI from the future who enlists her help to stop the disaster that awaits. Vivy’s entire experience gets turned upside down as she is tasked with a century-long journey of changing the future.

This story carries a similar theme to Violet Evergarden. Instead of love, this explores what it means to put your whole heart into something, a characteristic that humans love to express. Literature, music, art, and even science has passion and dedication infused in every aspect of it, showing how people put their whole heart into something. Something that we think is so simple to understand is also such a complex topic for someone who doesn’t have that around them. These stories are ones I love since it delves into human interactions and what we think it means to be human. It breaks down something that we perceive as basic and shows the deeper complexities and levels of understanding that some still lack.

This has such a great soundtrack and complex characters. It has some of my favorite music from anime ever, and that says a lot based on how much I have seen. The finale song is so beautiful and so heartbreaking after the journey she has gone on and it highlights all of the changes that she made as she reflects on her journey. Vivy grows a lot as a character and we get to meet different versions of herself throughout the series as she conquers new tasks and meets new people to influence her music.

The art and animation are also to be admired. There were all these clips of her in fight scenes and they went really hard on the animation when it wasn’t necessary. I was shocked when I was watching because they put so much time and energy into her brief fight scenes. The work on this project was underappreciated and nothing can top how much dedication I can see in this project.

I did have a problem with the whole concept of time and everything since I do not see a probable way to send information backwards in time and to create all these anachronisms. I suppose it is part of the allure. My science brain is always finding issues with these time things, but if it works for the story I can’t be too mad.

Overall, this is one of the better series. It has things a lot of people love about anime. Music, mecha, alternative realities, fight scenes, complex story, deep characters, and more. I highly recommend people watch the series.

#anime review #anime #Vivy #Vivy Fluorite Eyes Song #music #soundtrack #masterpiece #time #scifi #sciencefiction #songstress

[theengineeringmage]

Conceal, Don’t Feel: A Twisted Tale by Jen Calonita

What if Anna and Elsa didn’t grow up together? Frozen is a classic story about sisterly love that transcends time, but this relationship was cultivated over years of persistent contact through Anna. What would happen if Anna got hurt and didn’t grow up with Elsa? How would their fates change?

Twisted Tales are so interesting. I started with this one to see how I would feel about the changes in a story that I knew very well. Frozen was such a big deal, so when there is a canonical AU, I was curious what that would mean for the story telling and the character traits. I was in love with this film when it came out and I am guilty of singing the music from it way too often.

One minor grievance I have is I feel like they used magic as a full justification about why something weird happens without really explaining the action. Actions involving magic have this general idea of will involved, but that cannot be the only reason why something happens. There is at least an unconscious component to it (as seen when Elsa freezes the fjord). Since magic isn’t common in this world, it seems like it can be justified as magic and people just accept it and move on. I can accept the justification, even if I wish there was more look into how magic works (this is something that I feel in the movie as well).

Something that is a bit harder for me to conclude is the same concept that love conquers all. In the movie, Anna and Elsa’s established relationship over the years, even if they didn’t see each other, made a huge impact on how the movie progressed. Anna was constantly talking to Elsa through the door and trying to stay close. It was Anna’s persistence that made Frozen the movie it is. In this one, since they don’t know each other except from when they are very young, it is hard to believe that the same deep relationship remains. People change and their relationships will also change as a result, so saying that two small children will retain that same bond at least 10 years later unconditionally is a bit hard for me to wrap my head around.

I did like what they did with Anna’s personality. They tried to keep her the same cheerful self and very personable by putting her in a position where she would develop the same way. I think the story made her less awkward since she was constantly interacting with other people and wasn’t seeking out the attention she was lacking. This story was more of a change of circumstance more than a change in personalities or key story points. The flow follows the same sort of progression that the movie does, so it doesn’t change much of the arc.

They also made the fear more prominent for Elsa. She was terrified since she has been alone and there wasn’t anyone who could help her or be by her side. It was difficult to watch her suffer in social situations as adults and men try to force her to make decisions she doesn’t want to make, but I think it was because she took on a bit of Anna’s role from the movie where she is acting as the head of this group. 

When I think of Anna and Elsa not being together, I see Anna as more confident with friends to surround her. She would be happy and would probably have better social skills than she has. Elsa would be much more meek, mild, scared, and would not want to lead the nation since she would constantly be doubting her decisions with no one to keep her in check. It is similar to their personalities in the movie, but it is more pronounced without each other. I think this is a great story that provides all the aspects of the original movie that people loved and adds a bit of extra flare when it comes to discussing relationships and backgrounds.

I would definitely give this story a chance and I am looking forward to reading the other stories in this series!

#book review #Conceal Don't Feel #Twisted Tale #au #alternative universe #Canonical au #magic #family #love conquers all #ice #cold #Frozen #Elsa #Anna #Kristoff #Hans #Disney #Olaf #Grand Pabbie #duke of weselton #Jen Calonita

[theengineeringmage]

Daughters of the Moon by Lynne Ewing

Goddess Selene had children with her one love, Endymion. Each one is gifted with a unique ability, but are mortal. This story follows the trials some of her children face in the modern world. From hiding their abilities to running away from the Atrox who are determined to destroy Selene’s children, these girls have a lot on their plate on top of being 17. Vanessa, Catty, Serene, and Jimena have a very complicated world to navigate and they all have to face difficult choices.

This is a book series and I found a compilation that had three of the novels in one, so I read three of the stories. This also means that I haven’t finished the whole series, so some of the review might be premature.

Each character has a very diverse background, personality, and intention behind their actions. Each story focuses on one of the the characters, in this case Vanessa, Serene, and Jimena. Catty is also one of the daughters, but she is not the main focus of the first three stories. They make a rag-tag team of teens that are trying to figure out how to escape from the Atrox.

Something that I wish I got more of in this story is lore or world building. There is such a deep connection to mythology and I would like if that was explored more with the girls. Possibly them discovering secrets of their parentage through mythology and understanding aspects of that. Exploring who they are and who their mother is would be interesting since much of recorded mythology can be taken with a grain of salt. I was surprised that Vanessa wasn’t focused on discovering more about Selene when she found out that she was a daughter of the moon. Vanessa’s personality seems like one that would want to know everything that is happening around her and try to rationalize things with facts.

The Atrox is an interesting entity. They are a group of people who are given certain gifts as long as they are devoted to the Atrox and are willing to destroy the Daughters of the Moon. The Atrox are more knowledgeable about what is happening to the girls (no surprise there since the girls don’t have a set mentor who has gone through all of this before), and use their knowledge to trick the girls. They are known as a group that seduces others with power and immortality, and that all evil stems from the Atrox. It is one reason the girls can’t kill the members of Atrox since that is an evil that stems from Atrox and it will just fuel the group. It is a complicated situation when you can’t hurt someone while defending yourself. They can’t use any weapons either, so the most they can do is try to be one step ahead of the Atrox to avoid as many traps as possible.

There is a sense that destiny is inescapable. I remember reading somewhere that true hope is lost when people believe that their destiny is set in stone. Most people would think this only applies to those with negative futures, but someone who is assured that they will have a great life will lose their drive and ambition to achieve, in the same way that someone who knows that they will never succeed will lose their drive to continue. Two of the girls have abilities that affect the past and future (time travel and premonition). They believe that these points are fixed and that things can’t be changed. Premonitions may come true, but it is not always the final outcome that you see. Traveling to the past to get more information is great, but it is more of peeking into the past rather than jumping since no changes can be made. I feel like having two characters with powers so similar, but still vastly different is a great way to point out their personality differences.

I’m sure if I finished reading the series and if I went into a deep dive of the story some of my curiosities will be settled. This might be one I come back to and do a follow-up if I have time to read the rest of it.

Shoutout to the app Libby for allowing me to check out books from my local library even when I am abroad. As long as you have a library card, you can access your library’s digital books to borrow. It is a great way to read on the go.

#book review #youth #young adult #fantasy #moon #latin #mythical #daughtersofthemoon #Lynne Ewing #teenagers

[theengineeringmage]

Yuri On Ice-Anime

After giving up ice skating, Yuuri Katsuki goes back to his hometown. But something unexpected happens, when a video of Yuri goes viral for recreating another ice skating piece. Skating super star and five-time world champion, Viktor Nikiforov, takes an interest in Yuuri and decides to train Yuri for the upcoming competition season. Now, Yuuri's competitive spark is relit, and he must win.

This is a classic for anime fans. This one season anime has given some of the best characters, music, and scenes. 

It is a sports anime that explains the intensive training and goes behind the scenes of mens figure skating. I can’t speak for how accurate it is, but the visuals are amazing and the story integrates all the characters well. Each have their own ticks and mannerisms that makes them distinct. Especially the two Yuris. Plisetsky is hot-headed and brash, but his inner feelings are buried deep under his will to win. Katsuki is mild-mannered and gentle, but he has a fire for competition and will not relent until he is at the top. This contrast is shown throughout the series and the writer capitalizes on their differences to make comparisons. Not to which is better, but to how their distinct personalities help them achieve their dreams in their own way.

The music of the series uses more traditional skating pieces and contemporary pieces. Some of the best songs are the ones written for the series such as “Theme of King JJ” which was specifically written for the skater JJ. I love this song so much and I could sing along to it all day. The series chose the perfect song to go with each character and there is something special about each song that unleashed a character’s inner personality. The soundtrack is a masterpiece and the opening for the anime is an iconic piece of weeb history.

The visuals take anime fans to a new experience. There are so many details within the art and the added effects tie everything together. The way that they frame specific moments and how they pose characters to move the story along is incredible. They frame Yuuri and Viktor in so many scenes to show how close they are. There is debate on whether or not they are a canon couple. I want to believe that they are, but feel free to take what you will from the series.

This was one of the earlier anime that I watched when I first entered the rabbit hole. I love this series to much and I could not be happier with what was shown. There is something beautiful about the series in their depiction of emotions and hardships within this extremely competitive sport. I highly recommend watching it or at least checking out highlight compilation videos.

There has been talk of a movie for years, but it has always been pushed back. Will we ever see more Yuri on Ice? I can only hope.

#anime review #ice skating #yaoi #LGBTQ+ #try again #never give in #drunken promise #competition #history maker #never give up #enexpected parnership #precious doggo #Yuri Katsuki #Viktor Nikiforov #Yuri Plisetsky #Eros #King JJ #go for gold! #pork cutlet bowl

[theengineeringmage]

Flight SQ016 by Amanda/A.E. Radley

Emily White is desperate to get out of debt and takes a job as cabin crew in first class. She is on a grueling schedule with multiple transatlantic flights a week, with barely enough time to with her five-year-old son. In struts, Olivia Lewis, a business woman who will be on Emily’s flight twice a week.

If you love romance, awkward social interactions, and giraffes, this is the story for you.

I have loved this story for a long time. I remember when it was published as fanfic and loving reading this late at night. Then I was so excited when it got published. SwanQueen shippers needed this and regardless of who the characters are based off of, this is a great story. It is one of my comfort stories that just makes me happy. I can’t remember how many times I have read this book just because.

Olivia’s character is so interesting, and not just because she is “socially awkward” for lack of a better term. We all experience not saying the right thing or not understanding someone’s intentions. She probably says one of my favorite lines about modern art, and if you read it, please get a laugh out of it the same way I did. It is well-intentioned humor. She sees things from a different perspective and stepping into her mindset gives the story another layer. I understand her because some of her moments reflect some of my interactions with others. The way that Olivia acts with Emily’s son shows how much she tries to understand others and fit into the box that others have made.

Emily is the definition of the strong independent woman. She is that character to a fault. She wants to do everything for her son, but doesn’t want to accept help from others because she wants to establish herself. I get it though, which is another part that makes this story so interesting. She makes sacrifices for others, which is noble, but at the cost of her health and sanity. 

Both Emily and Olivia have very strong personalities that clash at times, but there is intention behind all of their actions. Their conversations are not just surface-level “how are you” but hold value and depth. Their intellect and rationalizations are so important to their characters and their interactions, and I admire how well they work together.

This is a multi-part work, so if you liked it, please read the sequel Grounded and Journey’s End. Also, take a look at other A.E. Radley books or stories by Emma Radley. You can find Amanda Radley at aeradley.com, on Instagram @a_e_radley, Twitter and Facebook.

#bookreview #romance #LGBTQ+ #family #planes #travel #finance #children #giraffes #fanfic turned novel #swanqueen

[theengineeringmage]

Balcony of Fog

In post-nuclear American, a man is left for dead. With no hope on the ground, he meets someone miraculous. A man wanting to escape his horrid life on the ground meets a woman from the skies. They set off to start a new life together, away from their pasts. But the secrets they keep from each other tend to come out in the end.

Thank you to TooFar Media and Rich Shapero for the book in their giveaway. You can find their information at @toofarmedia and @richshaperoauthor on Facebook and Twitter or their websites at richshapero.com and toofarmedia.com.

Onto the review...I wasn’t a huge fan. It might’ve not been my cup of tea, but I don’t seem to understand if there is a deeper meaning. It all felt very generic and standard in terms of story, and nothing interesting. It reminded me of one of the books I would read in high school, where you would have to analyze themes and the juxtoposition it serves with love and power.

Dystopian fiction is a very popular genre. It is easy to think of a world that seems so far from our reality as it makes fun of a certain aspect of society. This fiction doesn’t give me that same detachment, where it is a fantasy world until they jump to the sky civilazation, which I am still not clear on. I want that fantastical aspect that makes it interesting, something so unique that the world revolves around. I don’t know where these people came from and why they are not separate beings from those on the ground. It all just seemed fuzzy and unengaging.

The characters seem very flat. There isn’t any depth for me to grasp onto and say that I can sympathize with them or really make them feel human. Even the protagonist has some very heavy flaws that make it difficult to get a full image of his personality beside power hungry and angsty. So much angst. If I wanted that much angst, I would read teen fiction.

There is love of power and a power in love. Check. Power can be corrupting with those searching for it. Check. This is a male power struggle. As it is in other stories as well. I don’t have a “wow” factor that I can say makes this a great story. I am honestly at a loss.

There are some interesting aspects, like a magical pool that can remove memories, but it seems contradictory in its usage. Remember the things you want to forget and when you emerge, you will not remember those specific memories. I feel like it should be the opposite, but that is just how my brain wants to process that.

#bookreview #giveaway #fantasy #dystopian #power #love #corruption #coalmines #newworld #clouds #vapour people #water #gods #lightning #storms #post-modern society #magic? #Rich Shapero #TooFar Media #Balcony of Fog

[theengineeringmage]

Violet Evergarden-Anime

I apologize for not keeping up with this blog as much as I should’ve. Going back into learning was a harder transition and I find myself lacking time to devote to really enjoying a book. I’ve decided to expand the scope a little to be on other forms of media. I haven’t had the time to read, but I have been watching some things with friends when we get together and there are some titles that I really think are noteworthy. I hope that is okay for now, but I will read when I have a break and share my thoughts on those, so don’t worry.

Without further ado, I wanted to talk about Violet Evergarden. For those who have not seen this recommended on their Netflix, this is the story of a girl who lost both her arms in the war and will now be entering into society without much experience interacting with normal people. She was raised to fight and that was all she knows because the only person who showed her kindness was the Major. She now has a new mission: discover what “I love you” means.

I will say now that you will cry during this. Not many things have made me cry, but this really pulls at heartstrings and explores what people say and what they mean. Violet has a lot to learn about life, but she is doing the best she can to live her life. They explore human emotions, memories, compassion, healing, and love. Love is what pushes everyone to make their decisions in this story, but it comes from a good place.

The quality is one of the best I have seen. The details they put into it both in appearance and the subtle sounds is brilliant. The way they dealt with having mechanical parts and made the style similar to steam punk is really cool. It moves so smoothly and I can’t help but get lost in the scenery. The story is so well layed out for people to explore that it makes it worth it.

My favorite episode was 10, which features a mother and daughter. I think this one made me more emotional because of how that relatinship can mean everything to a person and that we need to just tell the people that we love, we love them. I don’t want to spoil the episode, but it is very sad, but has a sliver of joy in it. You really value what message they send about love and how time effects that.

The music is on my top 10 favorite soundtracks. I have almost all of the songs saved on a playlist, whcih is really nice for studying. I don’t speak Japanese, but I can just feel the meaning in the tone of the songs. They also use a typewriter sound effect, which is quite unique and fits the story well.

Currently they have one season, a special, and a movie. Within the past month, Japan released their second movie, so I am hoping for that to be released in the US soon. Please check it out and tell me what you think!

#anime #post-war #letters #series #wholesome #love #relationships #mail #we don't say what we mean #what is love #memories #caring #love transcends #post office #Netflix #Violet Evergarden

[theengineeringmage]

Melody of Sorrow by AnaKris

This is not a novel, but a manga. I’ve been on a bit of a manga and anime binge since they are a bit easier to finish than a full novel or anything. I’ve read a lot of them, but this has to be one of my favorites.

Melody of Sorrow by Anakris follows the relationship of Haru and Kotomi. They are both looking for universities to attend and deciding what they want tot do with their futures. Kotomi has been having odd dreams from her childhood that she can’t remember clearly SHe was in an accident that caused memory loss. There is a little girl in her memories that she can’t quite place. Who is this girl? Why is she famiiliar? What was their relationship? Was she important? Will she find her?

It turns out that this is the sequel to Cross Heart by AnaKris. I read Melody of Sorrow first without knowing about the prequel. I was a little lost, but I could still follow the general premise and the story. It focuses on trying to get someone to remember, but not telling them directly. It means more if the person remembers themselves, especially when it is a shared past.

I really loved both of their personalities and the journey that Kotomi and Haru go on together. They support each other unconditionally and care for each other as if they are the most precious thing. In the end, they both find something that they didn’t realize they lost. Reuniting for the last time.

You can read the manga here: https://tapas.io/episode/378266  The art is also by AnaKris found here: https://www.deviantart.com/anakris/art/Melody-of-Lost-Childhood-613644151 Please give it a read and read Cross Heart. I’ll definitely be reading Cross Heart after how much I love Melody of Sorrow. Stay up to date on my latest stuff by following this blog or following my IG under the same name.

Have a great week!

#manga #love #LGBTQ+ #Yuri #music #growing up #college #future #childhood #piano #soccer #sky #sequel #memory loss #memory recovery #trauma #reunions #Cross Heart #AnaKris

[theengineeringmage]

Tardy Bells and Witches Spells: Womby’s School for Wayward Children by Sarina Dorie

This is a complimentary copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

How much of fate is really set in stone? This is the first book in the Womby’s School for Wayward Witches Series. Clarissa finds out that she has magic after an event occurs at a travelling fair. News about the past is revealed and Clarissa and her family deal with the news. This drives a serious wedge in Clarissa and her sister’s relationship, causing Clarissa to feel even more alone than before. A student about Clarissa’s age offers to teach her magic. Her choice now becomes be normal and safe for the rest of her life or learn magic and risk everything.

Clarissa is who most of us were as kids. We believed in fantasy and read Narnia religiously, and we always want to be part of that world. Believe me, I was a lot like her when I was younger with a love for mermaids, unicorns, and magic. Anyways, Clarissa always was fascinated with magic and fantasy. She goes to this travelling fair in town with her family, and something dangerous is revealed that changes the course of the future. Clarissa will be the villain of her story and to her family. 

This seemed more like a basic, oh look at this different story, kind of style, but it deals with mental illness if only a little. We follow Clarissa when she is older and in her therapist’s office retelling all these events. She is trying to convince herself that none of it was real since it is so far fetched, and that is what she was told to say. Even though she is older and goes through all these hardships, she is still childish and has a simplistic idea about what is good and bad. I think that adds to her character since most people in trauma grow from it, but she still acts her age, which is refreshing.

I didn’t connect as well as I did to Clarissa as I have to some other characters, but that doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. There are a lot of moving pieces that take a bit of thinking, but it is honestly a really engaging read and great when you have some free time.

I think the rest of the series is going to be a whirlwind and I honestly can’t wait to read more.

Thank you for reading! I hope you are all staying safe right now and taking some time to breathe. Follow me on Instagram @theengineeringmage​ or follow this blog to get notifications for when I post next.

#magic #powerful #destiny #future #dreams #determination #secrets #therapy #guilt #family #school #friends #denial #witches #dangerous #death #bullying #nerd #geek #Narnia #teens #drama #Sarina Dorie

[theengineeringmage]

We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

When the fate of the world is in the hands of a teen who the world has never treated kindly, revelations about relationships and communication come up. The world has beaten Henry Denton down time and time again, but he has a choice: push the button and save the world or don’t push the button and let the world restart. It is a tough choice for a lot of people since the world seems to be descending into chaos already and morality is a big factor in human evolution.

I do want to warn that there are some potentially triggering events for people, so please be aware of mentions of suicide, rape, bullying, and other things relating to those ideas if they do act as a trigger.

This tells of the 144 days leading up to the end of the world. Henry’s choice is given by aliens, which people believe he made up and is crazy. The entire student body bullies him by calling him “Space Boy”, the group led by his f-buddy. He is also physically assaulted for being different and believing in aliens. He never had an easy life, so his last 144 days on Earth are spent talking to different people and understanding their perspective on life.

I thought this was very relevant for 2020 even though it was published in 2016. Would it be better to let the world reset or should humanity get more of a chance? Can humanity fix the world? What should be believe in and fight for? These questions are all about morality and it had me thinking about if I would save the world after everything we have done. All the horrible things we’ve done to the environment and each other has led us to a point of destruction. It made me think about my life and the way that I see parts of myself in Henry and why I can see where he struggles.

#teen #Young Adult #YA #bullying #highschool #space #aliens #LGBTQ+ #relationships #love #hate #choices #morality #suicide #assault #rape #family #Shaun David Hutchinson

[theengineeringmage]

We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

What happens when you are groomed to be the perfect model for your role in society, but are blackmailed to be part of a revolution? What happens when you don’t like the way the world is run? How far would you be willing to go for change? We Set the Dark on Fire is a novel that reflects certain parts of our society and highlights the problems that are very relevant. Mainly, the unequal power between classes, and the almost extreme expectation for heternormativity and patriarchy. 

The totalitarian aspect of society is heavily based on the myth that started this soceity. One city meant to be superior to everywhere else in the world because they are protected from a supposed curse due to dueling Gods. 

This story sparked my self-righteous anger, and made me check my thinking of the world. The society is sexist and disrespects those who are of a different station, as well as police brutality in the name of the republic. I thought all of this was terrible and I felt anger for the treatment of everyone in this society, and then I saw that I don’t get that angry at our society, even though it has all of these characteristics. In reflects a lot of society, and initially being published in 2019 means that there are a lot of modern references in the work. As this has been a growing issue recently, there is a lot of attention on how we have failed people in society.

I think this is a really strong representation about a world where there is very heavy emphasis on one aspect. Our unlikely hero is probably one of my favorite type of hero. Someone who just wanted to do the best she could for herself and her family, but being dragged into a war between people. She doesn’t want to get involved in anything that could cause her problems, but she is aware of the problem and that creates this back and forth within her conscience. 

Definitely give this a read! If you want to stay updated, check out my Instagram page to see what else I’ve been up to!

#fiction #governement #politics #morals #allies #rebels #people vs government #expectations #patriarchy #dissent #chaos #secrets #forgery #facade #major sketchy business #unlikely allies #economic disparity #legends #society #rebellion #fire #spark #dystopian #faith

[theengineeringmage]

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickman

Shout out to HCLA and the US Space and Rocket Center for rewarding me with this book during jeapordy.

You think kids now are creative, but think about the buzz that came with the idea of space exploration. Kids would watch with excitement as NASA and the US government would release information about the space race and their technology projects. This inspired a young Homer Hickman to work with his friends to create a rocket to make their town proud. With the encouragement of each other, their teacher, and some mine workers, they prove that anyone can do anything if they work hard and have passion.

As inspiration for the movie October Sky, Hickman writes a compelling story about his experience growing up with the NASA Space Program. It tells the tale of him and his friends creating their own rockets to launch after learning about NASA and their missions with Apollo and Saturn. They faced hardships both for being so young, lacking resources and knowledge, and for living in a small town. Everyone knew everyone’s business, so it is hard to concentrate when everyone shares their opinion on your work.

The teacher that supported him reminds me of my chemistry teacher. She is one of the best people that I know and was there for me when others weren’t. Even if she was having trouble herself, she always took the time to help me with anything. I am forever grateful for her and all she has done for me.

This W.D. Weatherford Award winner is great for any age. It is a little dated for me, but it gives me an idea about what my dad was thinking when he was growing up. He would tell me stories about how he was building rockets and making rocket fuel in his backyard. It puts into perspective how far engineering had come, and how much further we can take it.

#memoir #biography #space #NASA #rockets #friendship #perseverence #teachers #school #nonfiction #innovation #inspiration #STEM #Apollo Missions #Saturn Rocket #Space program #October Sky #book to movie #Homer Hickman

[theengineeringmage]

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

Family curses? I don’t know but there is something going on with the string of bad luck Violet experiences. Violet is sent from bustling New York to the small town that her ancestors founded. The young starlet ends up working at an aquarium where she is lacking any work experience. She learns to make a few new friends her age, and learn about her past. 

She moves to Lyric after an incident that causes stress on her family and allows her a chance to move away. She doesn’t know anything about this town, except that she has some relations with the founder. It is based on an old legend that is woven into her family history. She encounters some kids her age that form this rebel squad. While not a conventional group, they have been with each other through it all. They do all these crazy things together and find companionship in their kindered spirits.

I really enjoy Violet’s character. She refuses to live with labels. She is someone who just wants to be with other people and does not base a relationship solely on gender. There are mentions of past expereinces with other people when she was in New York, but they are never solely based on one gender. She doesn’t define herself as anything other than a person who likes certain other people. 

Although her relationship in the story moves fast, it is a ultimately about love of friends and family. These relationships she made here and different from when she was back home. She felt like these would be ones that would last, and ones she would be happy with in the long run. It really is a beautiful story, that I recommend to all readers.

#LGBTQ+ #music #love #relationships #family #wlw ships #korrasami #friendship #legends #ships #ancestors #lost treasure #aquarium #crushes #teenagers #young adult #Julia Drake