Book Review: Matilda

Review:  #269
Title:  Matilda
Series:  N/A
Author:  Roald Dahl
Read Before:  yes
My Comments:  I loved it, it wasn't because it had a beautiful, complex, elegant plot, but of the innocence and simple feel of it.  It seemed more like a classic fairytale than a novel with a moving story.  You cared for the characters, and sympathised with Matilda, you might not agree with everything she does, but you forgive her for it, since she’s so young.  The simple illustrations complement the text very, very well, adding a lot to the story.  I wouldn't say there was a lot of humour, but there is a lot of amusing events, that you can't wait to see what’s going to happen next.  I felt the book ended in a rush, if it was closed off more slowly, it would have been perfect.  The most attractive feature of this book is the sheer simplicity of it.

Rating:  6/10

Book Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 4

Review:  #268
Title:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 4
Series:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project - 4th volume
Author:  Osamu Takahashi
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Asuka’s being annoyingly jealous and envious in this chapter, with the typical situation where the heroine mistakes the couple kissing (a.k.a. Shinji and Rei).  What’s more, after Shinji being kissed by Rei at the end of the last volume, its Asuka’s turn kissing Shinji, and it’s just gonna get messier from now on.  At least both heroines have shown their true feelings now… although Shinji, as per a typical protagonist, doesn't have a clue.  There’s the obligatory Valentine’s Day situation that must happen in every single one of these manga, in which Asuka and Rei find ways (and have trouble with) giving the chocolate to Shinji.  The cherry blossom chapter was funny, although Shinji’s dad is definitely weird (yet hilarious sometimes).  I still find it very odd that Rei acts all cool at times and then suddenly very shy when the plot calls for it.  All three protagonists keep getting additional training, but for what?!  And why are they doing what they’re doing, it makes no sense and there’s no explanations (yet) about it.  The bonus pages were worth a laugh, and the ending of the volume makes me want to get the next one as soon as I can.

Rating:  6/10

Book Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 3

Review:  #267
Title:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 3
Series:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project - 3rd volume
Author:  Osama Takahashi
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  I still can't get over the fact that the manga feels very normal, where’s all the weird super awesome events?!  Anyway, the relationship between Shinji and Rei escalates, a lot.  It’s funny and interesting to see how it develops and how they act towards each other.  It’s surprising to see Rei so unsecure, when I had to notion of her coolness from the first volume.  Poor Asuka seemed to never have had a chance, guess Rei is just too mysterious for Shinji to pass up.  There were a lot of funny moments, and a lot of typical moments, yet they all worked.  You could say that the pacing was slow, but considering the content, I’d say its fine.  At this rate, it seems that there’ll be only one or two volumes before Shinji and Rei really get together for real.

Rating:  6/10

Transformers Poses 11

The 11th round of poses of random Transformers.

Autobot Alliance/Hunt for the Decepticons Human Alliance Jazz

Revenge of the Fallen Mindwipe

Prime First Edition Cliffjumper

Generations Scourge

Generations Fall of Cybertron Shockwave

Generations Sky Shadow

Dark of the Moon Skyhammer

Autobot Alliance/Hunt for the Decepticons Terradive

Autobot Alliance/Hunt for the Decepticons Tomahawk

Rage Over Cybertron Megatron

Generations Wheeljack

Movie (2007) Wreckage

Thank you!

Book Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 2

Review:  #266
Title:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 2
Series:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project - 2nd volume
Author:  Osamu Takahashi
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Fairly plain and normal, as in, it seems to be chronicling the ‘typical’ life of a middle schooler, with some mysterious research facility thrown in.  The research part is really off to the side, and isn’t bought up to focus.  Even though it wasn't exciting, I couldn't help but become absorbed in the going on of Shinji’s life, and the people that he’s surrounded in.  I was surprised at how attracted Shinji was to Rei, you kinda feel sorry for Asuka.  The dialogue was funny, and appropriate.  If you’re looking for a paranormal fix, then this manga is not for you (yet), otherwise, very nice.

Rating:  6/10

Book Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 1

Review:  #265
Title:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project 1
Series:  Neon Genesis Evangelion:  The Shinji Ikari Raising Project - 1st volume
Author:  Osamu Takahashi
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Another spin-off/alternate take (?) of the Evangelion universe, and more interesting that I initially anticipated.  The first few chapters (and most of the volume) felt very normal, it was only near the end where the experiments are being teased.  Nothing is explained other than Rei is involved with the experiments at the lab and Shinji just got involved.  I liked the interactions between the characters, and the situations Shinji gets himself in was funny (although it felt too much like a manga in which the focus was the love triangle of the characters, who goes to high school, and one of them’s a tsundere).  I enjoyed it a lot, but seriously, the clumsiness and knack for getting into awkward situations is probably just a tiny bit unoriginal.

Rating:  6/10

Book Review: Deltora Quest Volume 6

Review:  #264
Title:  Deltora Quest Volume 6
Series:  Deltora Quest - 6th volume
Author:  Story by Emily Rodda, Illustrator:  Makoto Niwano
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  This volume covers the end of the quest for the Opal and beginning of the Lapis Lazuli (just the start, where it involves the Rithmere Games).  I finally realise why the manga adaptation feels so weird, it is because the characters don’t act as they do in the book.  Lief and Jasmine lose their coolness, wit and cunning, to be replaced with childish, exaggerated behaviour that is stereotypical of manga protagonists.  It ruins the tension in the story.  The fight against Reeah was okay, diverging a small bit from the books, but it wasn't too satisfying considering it’s the climax of the current arc.  A so so volume overall, the series is not really worth reading.

Rating:  5/10