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Never Hollowed By The Stare
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  • Home
  • REVIEWS+RECS
    • MANGA
    • BOOK REVIEW
    • SOUNDTRACK
    • QUOTE
    • TRAILER
    • DESERT ISLAND CASTAWAYS
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  • manga,  Uncategorized

    MANGA: Midnight Radio

    May 18, 2019 / No Comments
    43702694

    Midnight Radio – Iolanda Zanfardino

    An intriguingly interwoven tale of four lives changed by a mysterious late-night radio broadcast that wakes them up from their mundane existences. Each tale speaks to different social issues without pandering to a political agenda: LGBT+ rights, racism, social network addiction, and the difficult decision between settling down versus following your dreams. Each tale is told in a vivid, polychromatic illustration style that flows from one character to another and back again in a uniquely identifiable fashion

    Midnight Radio tackled social issues and tried to be meaningful but does not really say anything new. The delivery was flat. It was kind of predictable. I was bored.

    On the upside, loved the polychromatic illustrations! It helped me follow the 4 interconnected stories and it’s nice to look at.

    P.S.

    I received a copy of Midnight Radio from Lion Forge via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

    Rating:
    2 Stars – it’s a struggle to finish the damn book

    Read More
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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Waves by Ingrid Chabbert & Carole Maurel

    January 13, 2019 / No Comments
    40744544. sx318

    Waves – Ingrid Chabbert & Carole Maurel

    A young woman and her wife’s attempts to have a child unfold in this poetic tale that ebbs and flows like the sea.

    After years of difficulty trying to have children, a young couple finally announces their pregnancy, only to have the most joyous day of their lives replaced with one of unexpected heartbreak. Their relationship is put to the test as they forge ahead, working together to rebuild themselves amidst the churning tumult of devastating loss, and ultimately facing the soul-crushing reality that they may never conceive a child of their own.

    Based on author Ingrid Chabbert’s own experience, coupled with soft, sometimes dreamlike illustrations by Carole Maurel, Waves is a deeply moving story that poignantly captures a woman’s exploration of her pain in order to rediscover hope.

    As somebody who has no interest in having children, I couldn’t even begin to imagine the grief and pain couples go through when they’re trying to have a child only to lose them to a miscarriage. I would even be an insensitive ass and dismiss the whole thing with “why don’t they just adopt?”

    Author Ingrid Chabbert shares her story via Waves, a graphic novel about two women trying really hard to have a baby. They were so close to their dream only to have it snatched away. Truly heartbreaking! Theirs is a very moving story about coping with a loss so immense that simply to continue moving is like learning to breathe again.

    “It’s like learning everything over”
    “No choice.”
    “It’s kind of like learning to walk again”
    “Yeah, just as frustrating”

    Their journey towards healing and recovery is reflected on their dreams of being submerged in the sea and struggling to swim against turbulent waters. It was very overwhelming. I would have drowned already. Yet these women kept fighting and their love for each other and the baby remained strong.

    They found support from other couples with similar experiences. The comfort and relief they received from these shared stories was palpable. I’m happy they found reasons to smile again. They also found solace in writing and traveling. The idea that healing and inner peace don’t have to involve prayer to a god also resonated strongly with me

    Waves is an eye-opening experience for me. It reminded me and my callous streak, not to minimize other people’s pain. It showed my pessimistic self that even in their deepest despair people can still find the strength to move on. And in the midst of grief

    “You are allowed to laugh.”

    P.S.

    I received a copy of Waves from  BOOM! Studios  via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Ocean Breathes Salty
    Artist: Modest Mouse
    Album: Good News for People Who Love Bad News

    Read More
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  • book,  Uncategorized

    REVIEW: Watersnakes by Tony Sandoval

    January 4, 2019 / 2 Comments
    41557029. sx318

    Watersnakes – Tony Sandoval

    Mila is a solitary teenager ready to put another boring summer vacation behind her until she meets Agnes, an adventurous girl who turns out to be a ghost. And not just a regular ghost, but one carrying the essence of an ancient fallen king and a mouth full of teeth that used to be his guardian warriors.

    Three-time Eisner Award-nominated writer/artist Tony Sandoval presents a wondrous world of secret places and dreamlike magic hidden in the everyday corners of our sleeping imagination.

    Tony Sandoval’s imagination knows no bounds! Talking octopus. Magical girls. Badass teeth warriors. Awesome stuff!

    Watersnakes is completely bizarre and surreal. The artwork is really beautiful and I love the combination of innocent faces, gruesome deaths and the copious amounts of blood that goes with it. I also love the dreamlike atmosphere and how it throws me off kilter. Several times I had to ask, is this really happening?

    Despite the languid looking art, the pacing is fast and the story telling is not bogged down by too much dialogue. The talky bits were concise and to the point but they also had some snappy humor. The events of the story simply happened here and now and there is little backstory. But even with all the weirdness, the plot is easy to follow. Mila and Agnes were wild, adventurous girls with a streak of crazy. Yep, shipping them!

    Watersnakes is a gothic horror graphic novel that sucks you deeper as it gets creepier and creepier. When the ancient king appeared, he asked to be taken to the water while doglike monsters hunted them. The warriors prepare to fight. The battle was fierce and took a heavy toll. The fields were red with blood.

    We are already dead…You can only see and feel the projection of our energy like the light from a dead star.

    Hold on to your teeth!

    P.S.

    I received a copy of Watersnakes from  Diamond Book Distributors  via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: On+Off
    Artist: Maggie Rogers
    Album: Now That the Light is Fading

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    August 8, 2018 / No Comments

    Fence #6 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    After an unexpected defeat, tensions run high among the fencers of Kings Row.

    Coach’s genius move at handling crushed egos.

    “You can’t call me zero anymore.” 

    Good job, Nicholas!

    Rating:

    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits  

    Soundtrack: Better Now
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    Album: Youth

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38892114-fence-6)

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    May 13, 2018 / No Comments

    Fence #5 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    Seiji’s calm is badly rattled over a lost match and his mysterious past begins to come out.

    In this fight, I’m team Seiji but I must admit Aidan made the devious smart moves. Damn him and his mind games!

    P.S.
    Seiji’s mysterious past?!! OH, YES!

    Rating

    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Under Easy
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    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38312083-fence-5)

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    March 3, 2018 / No Comments

    Fence #4 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    Nicholas begins to overthink everything as he struggles to prove he deserves his place at Kings Row.

    Poor Nicolas!

    Rating:

    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: To Darkness
    Artist: Mumford & Songs, Laura Marling & Dharohar Project
    Album:

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38090191-fence-4)

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    January 29, 2018 / No Comments

    Fence #3 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    As Nicholas works to become a better fencer, Seiji takes an unexpected interest in his journey.

    Getting really good and getting really queer. Hints of Nicolas’ parentage, OTPs and cannons, crash course on fencing and of course, cliffhangers.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Competition
    Artist: Matt Pond PA
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    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37554812-fence-3)

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    January 27, 2018 / No Comments

    Fence #2 – C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    As Seiji and Nicholas struggle with their living arrangement, the competition heats up.

    I’m feeling the heat! Lovely meeting the rest of this wonderfully diverse gang.

    Rating:
    4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bits

    Soundtrack: Campus
    Artist: Vampire Weekend
    Album: Vampire Weekend

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36501268-fence-2)

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  • book,  Uncategorized
    December 2, 2017 / No Comments

    Fence #1 – 

    C.S. Pacat & Johanna the Mad

    Sixteen-year-old Nicholas Cox is an outsider to the competitive fencing world. Filled with raw talent but lacking proper training, he signs up for a competition that puts him head-to-head with fencing prodigy Seiji Katayama…and on the road to the elite all-boys school Kings Row. A chance at a real team and a place to belong awaits him—if he can make the cut!

    Nothing we haven’t seen before in sports anime but I’m curious to see where C.S. Pacat will take this comics. Can’t wait for #2!

    Rating:

    3 Stars – not exactly setting my world on fire but I liked it

    Soundtrack: Falling
    Artist: Haim
    Album: Days are Gone

    (source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36064768-fence)

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲—𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬.

COVER REVEAL: Shaken and Stirred by Lilly Atlas



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/cover-reveal-shaken-and-stirred-by-lilly-atlas/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
10 Jun

NEW RELEASE BLITZ: The Spy by Mell Eight (Excerpt & #Giveaway)


https://books2read.com/the-spy

https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/10/new-release-blitz-the-spy-by-mell-eight-excerpt-giveaway/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Unrequited love can make you blind.

COVER REVEAL: Doink by Crea Reitan



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/cover-reveal-doink-by-crea-reitan/

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neverhollowed Never Hollowed By The Stare @neverhollowed ·
9 Jun

Sometimes growing up means growing apart in this queer take on As You Like It featuring first loves and friend breakups, from award-winning author Julia Drake.

BOOK TOUR: Lovesick Falls by Julia Drake



https://neverhollowed.com/2025/06/09/book-tour-lovesick-falls-by-julia-drake/

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