March Wrap Up

[vampiricprose]

Books:

 

I read 11 books in February. Here's a list:

1. Death Note: Vol 12 | 5/5
2. Death Note: C-Kira One Shot | 4/5
3. Attack on Titan: Vol 4 | 5/5
4. Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino | 3.5/5
5. Attack On Titan: Vol 5 | 4/5
6. Attack On Titan: Vol 6
7. Attack On Titan: Vol 7
8. Mammoth by Eva Baltasar | 3/5
9. Attack On Titan: Vol 8
10. Attack On Titan: Vol 9
11. The Dagger in Vichy by Alastair Reynolds | 4.5/5
    
    

 

Overall, this has been a really good reading month, in intake and ratings!!! Let’s recap:

Death Note:

Death Note is an enthralling manga series that follows Light Yagami, a brilliant high school student who stumbles upon a supernatural notebook capable of killing anyone whose name is written in it. Determined to create a utopia free of crime, Light’s actions draw the attention of the enigmatic detective L, sparking a high-stakes battle of intellect and ideology. As the two geniuses try to outmaneuver each other, the story delves deep into themes of justice, power, and morality.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this manga. While some parts in the middle felt a bit convoluted or over-the-top, the series as a whole kept me engaged. Having loved the Death Note anime, I can now say the manga has also earned a spot among my favorites.

Attack on Titan:

Attack on Titan immerses us in a world where humanity teeters on the edge of extinction. When monstrous Titans destroy his home, young Eren Yeager vows to fight back and reclaim what was lost. Alongside his friends, he joins the battle against these towering foes, determined to uncover the truth behind their existence. As they dig deeper into the mysteries of their world, they are forced to confront terrifying revelations that challenge everything they believe.

This anime is my boyfriend’s favorite, and I’ve found that when I watch an anime adaptation while reading the manga, I gain a much deeper understanding of the story than if I were just watching the show. Right now, I’m somewhere in the second season of the anime, so I’m working on catching up in the manga. Once I do, I plan to read and watch them side by side!

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino:

In this novel, Adina, a young woman from Philadelphia, is convinced that she is an alien envoy sent to study and document human life. As she moves through the world, she struggles with a sense of detachment and the desire to belong, capturing the delicate beauty and fleeting nature of existence on Earth.

 

I already did a review here about this book and I see no purpose in reiterating everything I already said, so I'll leave the link here: https://vampiricprose.dreamwidth.org/12204.html

Mammoth by Eva Baltasar:

 This novel follows a young, unnamed woman who, disillusioned with city life, sets out on a journey to rediscover her dignity and purpose. Her path leads her to an abandoned countryside home, where she embraces a unique vision of motherhood and finds companionship only in a neighboring shepherd. As she navigates the challenges of true solitude, she is forced to confront the raw realities of self-discovery, freedom, and the pursuit of a life entirely on her own terms.

my full review <3: https://vampiricprose.dreamwidth.org/16783.html

The Dagger in Vichy by Alastair Reynolds:

This novel follows Rufus, a young man in an entertainment troupe navigating a far-future France that has reverted to a medieval-like state, with only remnants of past technology remaining. Rescued from execution by the troupe’s leader on the condition that he abandon his criminal ways, Rufus feels an unwavering sense of loyalty to his savior. But when the leader discovers a piece of ancient technology, Rufus is forced to confront a difficult choice—remain loyal to the man who spared him or stay true to his own morals.

My full review where I beg you to read this book: https://vampiricprose.dreamwidth.org/18938.html
 

In Progress Books:

• Asylum by Madeline Roux: a young adult horror novel where we follow our protagonist, Daniel, a socially awkward, adopted teenager, finds refuge in a prestigious summer program—until he learns that his dorm was once a notorious asylum for the criminally insane. As he and his newfound friends explore the institution’s dark past, they uncover chilling secrets that begin to seep into their own lives.
• Attack On Titan: Harsh Mistress of the City, Vol 1: A spin off from the Attack On Titan universe that takes the form of a novel, we follow two childhood friends: Rita, a determined Garrison soldier, and Mathias, the privileged heir to a merchant family. They must navigate their starkly different roles to protect those they care about. As Titans close in and desperation mounts, their bond is tested by the harsh realities of survival and leadership.
• Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare: Set in the Shadowhunter version of Edwardian London, a young Shadowhunter named Cordelia Carstairs returns with her brother to clear their family's name after a devastating accusation. As they navigate the intricate society of Shadowhunters, they become entangled in a web of mystery and adventure alongside their friends. Together, they must confront the dark forces threatening their world and uncover the secrets that lie within the shadows of their own lives.
• The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn: A memoir set in soviet Russia that exposes the brutal reality of the Soviet prison camp system called the Gulag by weaving together personal accounts, historical analysis, and philosophical reflections. Through a tapestry of stories from survivors, the author reveals the inhumanity of a regime that sought to crush the human spirit, while also highlighting the resilience and dignity of those who endured unimaginable hardships.

Total pages: 3206

 

Average rating: 4.13/5

Music:

 

Artists:

1. One Direction | 731 streams
2. Paramore | 447 streams
3. Hayley Williams | 302 streams
4. the Smiths | 289 streams
5. Harry Styles | 274 streams
6. Amy Winehouse | 256 streams
7. Matt Maeson | 248 streams
8. Doechii | 228 streams
9. 5 Seconds of Summer | 182 streams
10. Chappell Roan | 168 streams

Movies & TV:

I watched 6 movies this month: Elvira, the Silent Child, Mysterious Skin, Fight Club, American History X, and Before Sunrise. I liked them all :).

Games:

•  

• Potion Explosion: Digital adaptation of a board game where players collect ingredient marbles to brew potions, triggering chain reactions and explosions to gather more ingredients.
• Merchant of the Skies: Trading simulation game where players captain an airship in a steampunk world, navigating between floating islands to buy and sell resources, complete quests, and build a trade empire.
• Peglin: Roguelike game that combines Pachinko-like gameplay with RPG elements, where players control a goblin firing orbs at pegs to defeat enemies, with each peg hit increasing damage. The game features collectible orbs and relics that enhance gameplay, offering a variety of strategic options and challenges across randomly generated levels.
• PUBG: a battle royale game where up to 100 players parachute onto a map, scavenging for weapons and supplies while fighting to be the last one standing. The game features a shrinking playable area and random events like air drops and bomb raids, requiring strategic survival and tactical combat skills to outlast opponents
• BeamNG: a vehicle simulation game known for its realistic soft-body physics, allowing vehicles to deform and react authentically in crashes and various driving scenarios. The game offers a range of modes, including free roam, time trials, and scenarios, along with extensive customization options and modding capabilities, making it a versatile and immersive driving experience.
• Vampyr: action role-playing game set in 1918 London, where players control Dr. Jonathan Reid, a doctor turned vampire, as he navigates the city's dark underworld while trying to find a cure for the flu epidemic. The game features a complex moral system, where feeding on humans provides power but risks losing quests and relationships, leading to multiple endings based on the player's choices.
• War Thunder: free-to-play MMO military game that combines realistic battles involving aircraft, ground vehicles, and naval vessels from the early 20th century to modern times. Players engage in intense PvP and PvE experiences across over 140 maps, with options to choose from over 2,500 vehicles and participate in dynamic historical campaigns and solo missions.