Artemis Crescent: 2025

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

Top 42 Best Three Star and Guilty Pleasure Reads of 2025

Starting from my biggest guilty pleasure reads to the ones I'm least embarrassed about. These books are not "great" or "spectacular", per say, but I like them anyway!

(Okay, rereads are included. It's my list and I can do what I want.)

1. Harley Quinn, Vol. 2: Eye Don’t Like Me by Tini Howard (Writer), Sweeney Boo (Artist, Colourist), Steve Wands (Letterer), Various Artists and Colourists, and Backup Writers, Artists and Colourists - review link here.

2. Batgirl, Volume 5: Deadline by Gail Simone (Writer), Marguerite Bennett (Writer), Fernando Pasarín (Artist), Jonathan Glapion (Artist), Blond (Colourist), Romulo Fajardo, Jr. (Colourist), Various Artists, Letterers - review link here.

3. Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 5: Truly Outrageous by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Gisèle Lagacé (Artist), M. Victoria Robado (Colourist), Various Artists - review link here.

4. When I Arrived at the Castle by E.M. Carroll - review link here.

5. Land of the Lustrous, Vol. 1 by Haruko Ichikawa - review link here.

6. The Courageous Princess Volume 2: The Unremembered Lands by Rod Espinosa - review link here.

7. The Courageous Princess Volume 3: The Dragon Queen by Rod Espinosa - review link here.

8. I Am Lilith by Melanie Dufty - review link here.

9. We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson - review link here.

10. A Song for You & I by K. O'Neill - review link here.

11. Gotham City Sirens: Trigger Happy by Leah Williams (Writer), Matteo Lolli (Artist), Daniel Hillyard (Artist), Brandt & Stein (Artists), Marissa Louise (Colourist), Triona Farrell (Colourist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer) - review link here.

12. Little Witch’s To-Do List by Helen Kemp Zax (Writer), Kiersten Eve Eagan (Illustrator) - review link here.

13. Mimi and the Cutie Catastrophe by Shauna J. Grant - review link here.

14. Jem and the Holograms, Vol. 4: Enter The Stingers by Kelly Thompson (Writer), Jen Bartel (Artist), Meredith McClaren (Artist), M. Victoria Robado (Colourist), Shawn Lee (Letterer) - review link here.

15. The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil by Theo Prasidis (Writer), Staša Gačpar (Artist), Yasmine Pond (Colourist), Buddy Beaudoin (Letterer) - review link here.

16. Monster Crush by Erin Ellie Franey - review link here.

17. I Am Not Starfire by Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Yoshi Yoshitani (Artist) - review link here.

18. She-Hulk By Rainbow Rowell Omnibus by Rainbow Rowell (Writer), Various Writers and Artists - review link here.

19. Swords of Sorrow: The Complete Saga by Gail Simone (Writer), Various Writers, Artists, Colourists - review link here.

20. Steven Universe Volume One by Jeremy Sorese (Writer), Coleman Engle (Artist), Rebecca Sugar (Creator, Writer), Various Writers and Artists - review link here.

21. Adventure Time: Marcy & Simon by Olivia Olson (Writer), Slimm Fabert (Artist), S.J. Miller (Colourist), Mike Fiorentino (Letterer) - review link here.

22. Adventure Time: Marceline by Various - review link here.

23. Adventure Time: The Fionna and Cake Compendium Vol. 1 by Natasha Allegri (Writer, Artist), Jen Wang (Writer), Britt Wilson (Artist, Letterer, Penciller), Various Writers, Artists, Colourists, Inkers - review link here.

24. Spider-Gwen: Smash by Melissa Flores (Writer), Enid Balám (Artist), Alba Glez (Artist), Fer Sifuentes-Sujo (Colourist), Clayton Cowles (Letterer), Ariana Maher (Letterer), Elisabetta D'Amico (Inker) - review link here.

25. Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse by Tim Seeley (Writer), Jodi Nishijima (Artist) - review link here.

26. Revolutionary Girl Utena: After the Revolution by Chiho Saitō (Writer, Artist), Be-Papas (Original Concept), Adrienne Beck (Translator) - review link here.

27. Exquisite Corpse by Pénélope Bagieu, Alexis Siegel (Translator) - review link here.

28. Revolutionary Girl Utena: The Adolescence of Utena by Chiho Saitō (Writer, Artist), Be-Papas (Original Creator), Fred Burke (English Adaptation), Lillian Olsen (Translator) - review link here.

29. Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen by Shea Ernshaw (Original Author), Liz Marsham (Adapter), Ishmael Canales (Artist), Alessio Petilo (Artist), Werner Sanchez (Colourist), Taylor Esposito (Letterer) - review link here.

30. The History of Everything by Victoria Evans - review link here.

31. Batgirl Vol. 1: Mother by Tate Brombal (Writer), Takeshi Miyazawa (Artist), Wayne Faucher (Inker), Mike Spicer (Colourist), Tom Napolitano (Letterer) - review link here.

32. Jessica Jones, Vol. 1: Uncaged! by Brian Michael Bendis (Writer), Michael Gaydos (Artist), Matt Hollingsworth (Colourist), Cory Petit (Letterer) - review link here.

33. Wonder Woman: Agent of Peace, Vol. 1: Global Guardian by Various - review link here.

34. She-Hulk by Mariko Tamaki Omnibus by Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Various Artists - review link here.

35. Batgirls, Vol. 3: Girls to the Front by Becky Cloonan (Writer), Michael Conrad (Writer), Robbi Rodriguez (Artist), Jonathan Case (Artist, Letterer), Neil Googe (Artist), Geraldo Borges (Artist), Rico Renzi (Colourist), Becca Carey (Letterer), Dave Sharpe (Letterer), Frank Cvetkovic (Letterer) - review link here.

36. Millie of the Manor by Karina Evans (Writer), Andrea Bell (Artist) - review link here.

37. Mismatched by Anne Camlin (Writer), Isadora Zeferino (Artist), Jess Lome (Colourist) - review link here.

38. Please Be My Star by Victoria Grace Elliott - review link here.

39. Evil-ish by Kennedy Tarrell - review link here.

40. Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of) by Kathleen Gros - review link here.

41. Zatanna: Bring Down the House by Mariko Tamaki (Writer), Javier Rodríguez (Artist), Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (Letterer) - review link here.

42. The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin - review link here.

My final list of 2025 - Top 103 Best Books Read in 2025 - is coming up!

Tuesday, 30 December 2025

Graphic Novel Review - 'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' by Theo Prasidis (Writer), Staša Gačpar (Artist), Yasmine Pond (Colourist), Buddy Beaudoin (Letterer)

What will be my final review of 2025?

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' - an odd and unique little horror graphic novel that's also historical fiction, set in 19th century Ottoman Greece. All is blood, dirt, soil, superstition, and religious conflicts and divides ~~in the divine~~.

I didn't expect that, but okay.

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' is a dark, murky, filthy, violent and bloody Greek folklore tale (it would be a spoiler to reveal what it is a retelling of) that explores feminism, and dissects religious dogma, and how religious extremism and evangelism is and always has been a tool - a weapon - used to control and manipulate people, to keep them down and downtrodden, by way of fear and mob mentality. It is about how power-hungry, cruel and abusive people in society have always used religion as an excuse, a crutch, and a means to further their own ends and agendas. To twist justice so it serves and benefits them and only them. For they know that through fear they can make people do whatever they want them to, even go back on their own principles.

Mainly it's always been about money - greed - and the evils of capitalism.

Capitalism, like the majority of superstitions, is a scam. An unfortunately effective one that maintains the unfair, unequal status quo hierarchy (myths can be twisted and used to aid in this, culturally and socially), and keeps rich people disgustingly, unnaturally rich and richer still, through profits, by literally any means.

The same universal tactic applies to the patriarchy. Patriarchy and capitalism go hand in hand, in their entirely lies-and-delusions-and-privilege-and-abuse-based economy.

The feminism aspect of 'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil', as written by a man, Theo Prasidis, isn't that great, since the protagonist, Daphne (who doesn't show up as much as she should in her own story, and this is taking into account 'The Priest' and 'The Devil' parts of the comic), is the only female character, aside from a couple of forgettable side pieces tossed in once or twice to give the illusion of extra substance. Daphne has no female associates - her life revolves wholly around men, regardless of any independence the poor, tragic, miserable farmgirl gains.

But she is clearly a smart, passionate, bold, angry, funny, snappy and wilful teenage girl, who longs for an unconventional life - for freedom. She is aware of who is toxic and who genuinely wants the best for her, in friendship, and she will call them out, and distance herself from those who see her as a drain, a nuisance, and a burden. They are not worth her time, and she knows it.

She is not a "strong female character" because she uses a sword occasionally.

"Idiots! You let a delusional priest control not only this damn village, but your minds too." [...] "Shame on you! There's no real faith in you. There's sickness. You're sick!"

Whatever your definition of "feminism" is, and even setting aside the concept, women like Daphne have always existed. And will continue to exist, no matter who doesn't like it, and who will want to revive the archaic and barbaric tradition of beating down, destroying, suppressing and oppressing women and their human and goddess spirits. It will be a fruitless and pointless effort, and oppressors and censors are desperate and pathetic.

'The Girl, the Priest, and the Devil' is too short and rather underdeveloped. However, I like its atmosphere and relevant messages. Daphne, while making the best of her situation, and finding her freedom wherever she can, is miserable, and so is everyone else in her bleak, dour society and world, due to religious control and trauma on a stranglehold, and village superstitions. The graphic novel reflects this brutally.

Slight spoiler: beneath its surface - its title, its dark, gritty, grisly artwork and events - there isn't anything actually supernatural in it, unless you count the ambiguous moments, such as Daphne asking random animals to tell her stories, and they do. It works exceedingly well for the kind of story the comic wishes to tell.

Read Theo Prasidis's note at the end, as well.

Never fall in line with fascism. Never follow anyone who wants to divide humanity by capital, and through lies, deceit, fear, and violence. Never follow anyone who wants humanity to suffer, period.

Have a happy, loving, compassionate, and free and just 2026, everyone.

Final Score: 3.5/5

Thursday, 25 December 2025

25/12/2025

Happy Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.

This year with my family, I watched two DVDs alone in my room - The Wizard of Oz and Spencer. You could not have more different tones of films. I watched various Christmas films this December, and those two were what I was building up to, apparently.

Isn't it funny that my favourite Christmas present this year is socks? My dad had two pairs custom made for me; they are book-themed and have my name and me as a cartoon on them, as well as words like, 'Shhh, I'm reading' and 'Yes, I do need all these books'.

I do wish everybody a happy and festive day, with your loved ones.

Be giving, generous and charitable.

Love and take care of everyone around you, all year round. Be kind and compassionate every day.

🎄🤶☃❄❅❆⛄🎁💌⭐🌟✩

My favourite Christmas reads (that have nothing to do with Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Fairytale Hairdresser, Heartstopper, or superhero comics):

A Christmas Carol

The Little Match Girl Strikes Back

The Christmas Carrolls

Tinsel: The Girls Who Invented Christmas

The Princess and the Christmas Rescue

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Snowman

Monday, 15 December 2025

Graphic Novel Review - 'High-Class Homos: Volume 1' by Momozerii

'High-Class Homos' (hell yeah with that title) is a cute, queer AF fairy tale webtoon, full of royals and class divides and other socioeconomic issues, and enjoyable, likeable, memorable characters. There is class rep, disability rep, homo rep, and trans rep.

It looks like a cutie-pie, childlike, childlight, cartoony princess tale (and make no mistake, the manga-esque art is adorable, soft, colourful and bright), but it contains sex references and F-bombs, so be warned. With that said, though, the first line from Princess Sapphia, "THIS IS BULLS**T!", has the only censored swearword, which is very odd.

'High-Class Homos' is also like the overrated-in-my-opinion YA novel, 'Gwen & Art Are Not in Love', only it's funny, far more good-natured and far less meanspirited. The webtoon contains good surprise twists - including a surprise witch!

Sapphia (clever naming there) is such a no-effs given, lazy, raunchy, pretty, pink feminine lesbian princess - she's a sapphic playgirl princess! A gay, pink-haired Princess Peach with a prosthetic leg! - who goes though meaningful development. I admire her for her totally unconventional attitude, and becoming aware of her privilege and learning how it affects others of a lower status than her (once it's shouted at her by a potential love interest, that is), and that includes the homeless. She actually makes the effort to try to do something about it. This rich, selfish, stupid, oblivious arsehole has it in her to be sweet, kind and thoughtful.

Princess Sapphia is not that privileged and spoiled, since as a royal she is still forcibly closeted and

sheltered. She is no freer than any "peasant".

Odette and Marla, characters who make up the palace servant, maid and cook class, also make up the love triangle with Sapphia, and are great in their own right - what dark horses they are! The knights Percival and Lucas are nice and sweet, and like the rest of the cast they have deeper layers to them. Prince August, the other gay lead alongside Sapphia, his best friend (though nearly everyone is gay here), is comparatively less memorable at the moment, but he's getting there. He's a bookworm and the shy, quiet type, so how can I dislike him?

What a group of lovelorn yet positive and outgoing friends these darlings make! Of course the mysterious, badass gothic (and lilac) witch Luna, and her flying green frog mascot familiar Merlin, should join them soon!

What a nice touch, too, that no kings or queens are actually present in the story yet.

Everyone, but especially fans of 'Cursed Princess Club', 'Princess Princess Ever After', 'The Prince and the Dressmaker', 'The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich', 'Les Normaux', 'Unfamiliar',

'Rainbow!', 'I Shall Never Fall in Love', 'ROADQUEEN', 'Mismatched', the YA novel 'Red, White & Royal Blue', the picture book 'Cinder & Ella', and the anime 'Revolutionary Girl Utena', and those desperate for explicitly queer Disney princesses, princes, knights and servants already - you need to read 'High-Class Homos', online or as 'Volume 1' in paperback. It is a webcomic with promise.

We'll see if I'll read the second volume when it comes out.

psst, Percival's 'Cinderella' dream sequence is a brilliantly funny highlight. High-class homo hilarity!

Final Score: 4/5

Monday, 8 December 2025

Book Review - 'The Witching Hour' by Jennifer Harris (Writer), Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)

Something cranky this way comes...

It's "the witching hour", with the emphasis on "witching", and it's about getting a crying, cranky baby to sleep, told through a witchy aesthetic and lens, and I adore it for it.

'The Witching Hour' is a witchy family picture book that has lovely art, nature, a hollow tree house, cats, rabbits, bats, spiders, owls, woodpeckers, mice, fairies, brooms, herbs, puppets, pink poodles, the crescent moon, two witch mums with bulbs, fruits and acorns for hats, and a helpful (similarly hatted) older sibling for the crying baby at the witching hour.

I love the aesthetic the most, and the idea is charming all on its own.

It's a cosy and familiar little fantasy book, for children and parents. There definitely could have been more to it, but I like it as it is.

'Anything can happen in the witching hour.'

Hooray for LBGTQ+ witch family books, for the holiday seasons - Halloween and Xmas, and every equinox!

Final Score: 3.5/5

Book Review - ''Twas the Night Before Pride' by Joanna McClintick (Writer), Juana Medina (Illustrator)

''Twas the Night Before Pride' is a sweet, beautiful, bright, inclusive, vitally important, magnificent and triumphant LBGTQ+ picture book for children. It is loud and proud in its love and educational factor.

The lovely, enchanting rhyming, the history lesson of the queer community and Pride (in the US) up to the current era, and the most wonderful family and acceptance theme make it the ultimate comfort read.

I wasn't sure about the simplistic and cartoony art at first, but it's part of its love and comfort aesthetic for children, and it does what it sets out to do very well. With charm. And pride.

It's all about love, which is what the world will always need.

It will always need drag, and gender nonconformity, too.

It will always be our responsibility to choose kindness, compassion and empathy.

Read another recent LBGTQ+ children's picture book review of mine, 'My Shadow is Pink', here.

Plus 'A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo', 'And Tango Makes Three', 'My Magic Family', 'The Answer (Steven Universe)', 'The Big Day (A GIANT celebration of love)', 'Power to the Princess: 15 Favorite Fairytales Retold with Girl Power', 'Maiden & Princess', 'Prince & Knight', 'Prince & Knight: Tale of the Shadow King', 'Heather Has Two Mummies', 'Molly's Family', 'Cinder & Ella', 'Love, Violet', and 'The Witching Hour'.

From the ''Twas the Night Before Pride' blurb: A glittering celebration of queer families puts Pride gently in perspective—honoring those in the LBGTQ+ community who fought against injustice and inequality.

'Pride’s... a day that means “Together, we are strong!”'

Happy Christmas and Pride, everyone.

Final Score: 4/5

Artemis Crescent