#5/5 Stars

[twogeeseinatrenchcoat]

Spiritfarer Rant (It's Long)

Yeah. It's what the title says. I've been playing Spiritfarer a lot more recently, just wanted to share some shit my brain thought of. As a reminder, this is random shit I think of as I'm writing it and essentially rambling. Take all of my game analysis with a grain of salt. That said, play the game and be absolutely destroyed emotionally by the frog uncle.

(Putting the tldr here so people don't have to scroll)

Tldr: Spiritfarer is an excellent game that you should absolutely play. It pays attention to detail, has amazing characters and storylines, and is never boring for more than a few minutes (in my experience).

Holy shit this game is good. If you haven't played it yet (and don't mind getting absolutely destroyed emotionally by a cozy game) absolutely recommend. Absolutely. Play it. And face the consequences dear god this game is sad.

And that's coming from a person who is just so emotionally detached to media. I cannot remember the last time I cried over a book. (it was years ago, I remember exactly, I'm just a liar. Long story short, Xan from She Who Drank the Moon) The only spirits I cried over were Gwen and Stanley. (I think I cried over Stanley? Not sure.) But if the standard of the game is "I only cried twice playing this," you know that's sad. And honestly, It's kinda expected, what else can you really expect with a game about ferring spirits to their death while simultaneously being their therapist and friend?

But it's done so well. So well. I think this concept is so hard to pull off, and to pull it off to the degree that Spiritfarer does is insane. The attention to detail, the meticulous story-crafting, the way they made sure that every single character gets a backstory---even Stella's (the player) backstory is played out so well.

MINOR SPOILERS

Like, who came up with the genius idea of her sister coming on board and them traveling around and going through a photo album of Stella's life? Give that person a raise. And the way that the backstory isn't even revealed until relatively late in the game? I loved that. It's not thrown in your face, it plays out at your pace, and the whole shit with the owl and Lily and just ahhhh I loved it! Play the game.

SPOILERS OVER

Also, the way the game is interesting even when you aren't actively doing anything? There's almost always something to do. If there isn't, they give you something to do. You can always redo your boat design to eliminate those gaps again. You can always build more farms, you can always fish more, you can always do more.

And yes, it could get repetitive after a while, but they have quests! They have so many different and unique storylines for each spirit! And there's unique houses and flowers and likes and dislikes and preferences and personalities and gifts and emotions and moods and they even have different fucking hug animations! It's not just "oh there are people on the boat but they're just kinda there." NO. They are present at all times!

You'll be flying by and see someone call out to you. You'll be on your way to grab some crops and Beverly will give you some fireglow and tell you to make something spicy for her! You go onto an island and you see Atul picking berries! You go talk to Gustav, give him some food because he's hungry, hug him, talk to him and he gives you a vase! They are present, at every moment. Even with a large ship, an endgame ship with only a few spirits on it, it still feels full because you talk to them. You interact with them. You give them food---and you better not give Buck milk, because he's lactose intolerant, or Bruce and Mickey, well anything aside from junk food really, or Elana fine dining food---and you talk with them, and you share moments with them, you bond with them, and then suddenly they're gone.

Suddenly they're asking to be taken to the Everdoor because their time has come and you're devastated. Because now the character that you've spent so much time talking with, bonding with, enjoying talking to and interacting with, whoever it may be, is gone. And holy shit if that isn't one of the best representations of grief and loss that I've ever fucking seen I don't know what is. Now take that with a grain of salt because I don't have experience with grief or loss, and I can't speak for people who have had that experience. This game knows what it is, it knows what it wants to do, and it does it so fucking well. It lets you bond with these spirits, let's you get to care about them, learn their backstories, see how it affects them, how they change, and then you have to lead them to the afterlife, where you'll never see them again.

When playing the game, it really feels like every single detail is thought out, planned, cared about. The islands are amazing, the scenery is beautiful, have I mentioned the art style? It's amazing. I think the only game that could really beat it in terms of stunning art is Gris, but Gris belongs in a fucking museum sooooooo...

One big reason that I stopped playing Animal Crossing was because I felt like I was progressing too slow, wasn't getting enough done, or there wasn't enough to do. (Not saying Animal Crossing isn't a great game, just that it's not for me) Spiritfarer never has that problem. If a character storyline isn't progressing, work on another one! Stuck making a material? Move onto another project. Have too much time on your hands because your boat moves too slow? Gather more materials, talk with the spirits, make sure to stock up on their favourite foods so they're happy, or even take a break. There's never much of a lull, and while there are moments---mainly when sailing between islands---in which you can be bored, log off! Or just wait it out, it's never really more than a few minutes. For every quest that wants you to go somewhere and do something, there'll probably be one that wants you to make something: make a house, upgrade a house, make a production building, make this or that for one of Francis's errands, the list goes on.

And if you ever get bored with the main quests, or they're too complicated, or you can't find something (Henry the Acetate, I'm looking at you) (but I googled it for that), then there's civilian errands! You can do shit for the people in the towns if you want. Deliver records to these places, go through this mine, deliver a letter from Hummingberg to Nordsee. One of my favourite pastimes is cooking. I don't know why, but I just love cooking in this game. So, I've been trying to completionist it. (I won't, I'll give up 3/4 the way through and call it good enough) But even so, it just goes to show. There's really never a long period with something to do. The game stroked just the right balance between giving you things to do and giving you free time to do what you want.

I think I should end it here before this gets too much longer. But yeah! That's pretty much all of my thoughts on Spiritfarer. (Not really, but all of the ones for now) Amazing game, 5/5, absolutely recommend. (Please sponsor me Spiritfarer I would be great at it)

[camreadsum]

You guys were right!!

The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi!!!!!!!!!!!

Buff Pirate mommy, are you kidding me?! It's like this book was written for me specifically!!

Sister Shanon, MashaAllah, the woman that you are!!!

[tuverras]

only notes besides criminal june erasure (junora, i missed you so bad): eyelashes line was not from henry, "cornbread knows my sins henry," "then fucking have me," and "america: he is my choice" lines not being included because they would have worked, and the fact that the film was not at least two hours longer

[enfinizatics]

me watching poor things: she’s so me, i’m also mentally ill

[phoebepheebsphibs]

I saw you like draxum angst, so you might like this fic lol

https://archiveofourown.org/works/52107817

So I read the fic and I really liked it! It was interesting to see Draxum at a low point like that, and I definitely related to the memory issues he had. (I have ADHD and I’m constantly forgetting stuff. The whole “goes to check the oven but ends up getting water from the bathroom” bit felt really familiar. 😅)

I enjoyed the idea that Draxum still deals with injuries from the armour; it was a good point and it was investing to see how he dealt with that.

I also found it interesting that he called April (and not Mikey) to help. It made sense that he would call someone closer to assist, though I assumed he’d request Michelangelo since he probably feels the most comfortable around him. I completely forgot that he and April are neighbors and even something along the lines of friends, so it was cool to see that relationship again.

All in all, 5/5 stars, would recommend!

[isabelreads7]

El Invencible Verano de Liliana

Un libro desgarrador que todos deberían leer, nos hace ver como las personas pueden estar en riesgo sin que nos demos cuenta y de lo horrible que puede llegar a ser. Habla también de el duelo y la constancia de su presencia, genuinamente todos deberían leerlo y conocer a Liliana.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

5/5 stars

[s4no]

DELWTE THIS!

quick everybody point and laugh :)

[floralsandstrawberries]

things we hide from the light by lucy score 🌷💕

[crawledthru500]

TMNT: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

dir. Jeff Rowe

Star rating: 5/5

edit: lowered to 4.5/5

(spoilers free -- review under the cut)

after Spiderverse, i have loved almost every single animation to use that style. this is absolutely not an exception!!! the art style is BEAUTIFUL, it uses it perfectly. it creates this gritty atmosphere, almost sketch-like, but i feel like sometimes that can be it's downfall. some scenes were hard to follow, or i guess i just didnt understand what i was looking at?? more specifically in the fight scenes.

speaking of the fight scenes, they were fucking INCREDIBLE. i have a specific scene in mind but i'm keeping this spoiler free. i think this style needs to be used more in action animation!!!!!

i cannot get over how FUNNY this was. it had NO reason to be this charming and endearing. every character felt natural, every interaction thought out with care and love. the turtles and their relationships with each other and Splinter is probably my favorite rendition of their dynamics !!! Superfly as a villain was fucking HILARIOUS. every line made me laugh. my theater also really loved the comedy in this.

my theater was filled with a CLASSROOM -- i am NOT JOKING -- of young boys. their reactions made this movie that much more special, especially the black kids that saw themselves in the turtles. there was a scene where they were using AAVE (which they use throughout the movie, but im thinking of a specific scene) and i could hear them gasp with excitement. although this representation was not targeted for me, i felt it in the audience. it was very sweet

the soundtrack was incredible, such perfect songs with perfect scenes to go along with them!!!

after having a rough time with mental health, i took a hiatus from the movie theater (once my comfort place) and this was the perfect, lighthearted movie to come back to. i am so glad i forced myself to get outta the house lol <3 i even took my Donnie plush with me that i got when i was a kid :]

[f1lm-fanat1c]

credits from iron claw, 5/5⭐️

[horror-thrillerbookreviews]

You Will Be Mine - Natasha Preston

Welcome to the Valentine’s Day special!

5/5 Stars

This read was wonderful! My goal was to finish it before Valentine’s Day and it was quite the read! I loved the style, the story sucked me and it made me very anxious about what would happen next! It was definitely one of my favorite reads so far.

[linsvibe]

Sorcery of thorns

DISCLAIMER:

♡ I do not give a shit if you do not agree with my opinion on various books.

♡ I have the right to block anyone who annoys me.

♡ If you do somehow think that I deserve to be blocked because of my opinion do it straight away don’t comment about it I don’t care.

♡ My reviews contain spoilers so read at your own risk.

Long time no see! When I say I'm a slow reader I actually mean it, I haven't finished a book since I finished Manacled (I was too depressed to read anything else). Anyhow THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ!!!

I loved the plot, the characters (especially Nathaniel loml and Silas), the world building, the cover, everything. Nathaniel's and Elisabeth's relationship is pure gold I love them. Nathaniel's and Silas' bond goes beyond just a bargain and I'm obsessed. Speaking of relationships, I truly wish we could have seen more of Silas and Elisabeth, because they're lovely.

The chapters were the perfect length in my opinion, not too long, not too short. I have nothing to complain so this review will be sort because usually I complain very very much (oops).

Anyway 5/5 stars tyvm see you tomorrow (or next week in case I forget) for my review of the novella (also loved that one). Highly recommend this book especially if I like you.

[unable-to-unask]

'𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒔𝒕' 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

-----------------------------------------------------

"Wʜɪʟᴇ ᴀʟʟ ᴛᴏᴡɴs ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜᴇɪʀ ɢʜᴏsᴛs, Rᴀɪɴᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ's ᴡᴇʀᴇ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ. Tʜᴇ ɪsʟᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀᴅ ᴀ ʜᴀʙɪᴛ ᴏғ ᴋᴇᴇᴘɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ʟᴏɴɢ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ɢᴏɴᴇ.

Aɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ Fɪɴᴄʜ Cʜᴀᴍʙᴇʀʟɪɴ sᴛᴇᴘᴘᴇᴅ ғᴏᴏᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ Rᴀɪɴᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ, Mᴀɪɴᴇ . . .

𝗜𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗿."

--------------------------------------

5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

It takes so much for me to rate something a five-out-of-five, but seriously? This book is amazing. Everything about how they approach lesbian themes, to supernatural/creepy themes, to gore. Oh, it makes me feel how it is intended. If you're a fan of horror, I would really recommend this book. The plot twists are something that had my mouth open— and how this book goes from 1 to 100 quickly with the gore is flattering. What else can I say . . .?

Oh, yeah, Selena is a bi queen and Finch is a lesbian queen. Take that as you will, and I would GENUINELY recommend reading this in one sitting. <3

Page number: 350 pgs.

Author (c): Kayla Cottingham

TW (TRIGGER WARNING)s:

Gore

Teenage cringe

Creepy description tellings

(No, not putting lesbianism as a trigger, fuck off if you're homophobic) Romance [Both straight and gay]

Cults

Suggestive themes (not that much, no smut or anything

Gay panics 😻

[i-merani]

Finished reading TBK and the verdict is

[pino-san13]

The book was 5/5 🌟

Need the other two books now, preferably yesterday

[itachi86]

ooh oouib was excellent. i mean i could've used more cooper but it was still really great. it was really funny and the new plot was exciting and kris being the dad of the group made my day