Miriam Fonseca

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alicia Jasinska's “This Fatal Kiss” is a dark fantasy that, on the surface, seems to have a promising plot set in a small village. The author does a fantastic job of creating an immersive world with an intricately written ambiance while providing elaborate descriptions of the environments that assist in setting up an interesting background for the story.

One of the most remarkable aspects about this book is its inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters, especially where some key characters are bisexual. It is significant because it makes visible those who are often absent from this genre. However, having numerous characters with the same sexual orientation feels unnatural and may give an idea that it's too much focused on this attribute at the expense of other qualities.

Though strong, the story's pacing is uneven—rising and falling between sections of high tension and slower ones that fail to produce suspense instead diluting any urgency in the plot which made me find it hard to be involved in this tale deeply enough.

Additionally, the plot itself is not always consistent. Some elements and subplots are introduced but are not sufficiently developed or resolved, leaving loose ends that were frustrating for me and lead me to think there might be a second book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I just finished reading “Pupposites Attract,” and I immediately fell in love with the simplicity and charm of this story. As someone who adores dogs, I found myself really connecting with the situations presented, especially the dynamic between the two main characters and their completely opposite dogs.

Hono Natsuna's art is subtle yet full of expression, perfectly capturing the personalities of the dogs and the emotions of their owners. The humor throughout the story is light and spontaneous, leading to plenty of laughs and “aww” moments. The reading experience is smooth and well-paced, allowing me to get fully immersed in the story without feeling rushed.

What I enjoyed most was how the narrative highlights the everyday joys and challenges of having a dog, along with the growing relationship between the characters. Even though the plot follows a somewhat predictable path, the execution is so charming that it didn't lessen my enjoyment at all.

That said, I recognize that for those who prefer more complex plots, “Pupposites Attract” might feel a bit too light. But for me, that's exactly what makes this manga shine: it offers a pleasant, heartwarming story, perfect for unwinding and enjoying.

Overall, I loved “Pupposites Attract” and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light read, especially if you're a dog lover like me. I'm excited to see how the story unfolds in the next volumes!

Este livro definitivamente não é para mim. A premissa era interessante e, no início, até estava a gostar, mas algumas partes começaram a deixar-me realmente desconfortável. A romantização da violação foi o ponto em que percebi que não conseguia continuar. Além disso, achei contraditório o protagonista liderar uma organização para ajudar mulheres e crianças vítimas de tráfico, enquanto ele próprio persegue e abusa de uma mulher. No fim, simplesmente não consegui conciliar esses elementos e decidi dar DNF aos 42%.

Edit 22/03: Decidi continuar esta leitura porque a autora até escreve bem (inegável), gastei dinheiro neste livro e estou demasiado curiosa com o plot da bisavó. Se entretanto, gostar um pouco mais deste livro edito a minha review.