Strengths: Kind, brave, bold, assertive, altruistic, loyal, honest, loving, caring, humble, funny, witty, adaptable, patient when honing her skills, independent yet works well in a partnership and a team, heart on her sleeve, says what she thinks, always on hand to help people no matter what, learns from her mistakes.Weaknesses: Sheltered upbringing, lacking in education, a little shy, stubborn, temperamental, reckless and runs into danger without thinking, can be distrusting, judgmental, a little jealous of other women and their "glamour".
Powers/Abilities: Makes ropes and lassos out of her long red hair, can ride and tame wild animals with them, and use them to swing, climb, and whip. Horse riding, athletic, acrobatic, healthy diet and lifestyle out in nature. Also likes to read books when they are on hand.Will: Strong.Home/Place of Origin: A fictional wild west setting (called Gothel's Reach when under her tyranny). Raised in Mother Gothel's grand villa and lush gardens around mine camps in a desert.
Occupation: Cowgirl, freedom fighter.
Social Standing: Extrovert.
Ethnicity: Caucasian.
Sexuality: Heterosexual.
Other Trivia: A comic book about a Rapunzel who is a cowgirl and daring action heroine, set in the oppressed, perilous yet enchanting wild Western: it is as exciting as it sounds. Full of action, drama, comedy, emotion, magic, family and companionship. As well as revenge, though that is the least intriguing thing about Rapunzel's story. She is a fully-realized, complex human being - a heroine. One drawback to her is that she is the only white main character in the comic, where everyone else is indigenous. Also appears in the sequel, Calamity Jack, where the focus is on her love interest, the thief with a heart of gold, Jack (not to be confused with Tangled).
Strengths: A prodigy, bright, clever, well-read, assertive, explores, independent, optimistic, a little cheeky, imaginative, friendly, humble, doesn't dumb down to anyone's narrow-minded expectations or back down from a confrontation.Weaknesses: When provoked her temper makes her do unpredictable things, even she has limits and can get emotional distressed, still young and naive about the world, victim of childhood neglect and abuse.
Powers/Abilities: Telekinesis, which wears off at the end of the book, but remains in the film. Is extremely brilliant and gifted without any supernatural powers, especially in English literature and mathematics.Will: Strong.Home/Place of Origin: Buckinghamshire, England. America in the film.
Occupation: Still a very young schoolgirl, with a great future ahead of her.
Social Standing: Extrovert. Introvert when it comes to reading as many books as she can get her hands on.
Ethnicity: Caucasian.
Sexuality: Indeterminate, as she is only six-years-old.
Other Trivia: A childhood hero, who stands up to cruel, stupid, abusive adults who see children as lesser, smaller, weaker, stupider. Knows the right, creative way to punish bad people (i.e. through pranks), and she helps good people. Reaches towards her full potential, never backing down, never limiting herself. A bibliophile always nourishing her mind. Loves a challenge. Apart from her extraordinary intelligence she is like any other child, with needs and wants such as love, kindness and support.
Strengths: Optimistic, extremely upbeat, energetic, bright, positive attitude, confident, friendly, bouncy, very funny, fun-loving, resilient, fearless, smart, resourceful, technical, well-prepared, thinks outside the box, savvy, creative, imaginative, selfless, loves children and animals, adores everyone and everything.
Weaknesses: A little naive, sheltered childhood, overly-positive and finds it hard to take things seriously - like other people might not take her seriously either, keeps insecurities hidden well, too well.
Powers/Abilities: Squirrel genetics: super strength, speed, agility, leaping, climbing, hearing, durance, retractable claws, sharp buck teeth, a bushy tail for balance, and she talks to squirrels. Hand-to-hand combat skills. Regenerative healing. As a civilian she has a college computer science degree and is far more intelligent than one expects.
Will: Strong.
Home/Place of Origin: Los Angeles, California. Moved to New Jersey. Then New York. Attends Empire State University. Family is from Canada.
Occupation: College student, babysitter, Avenger, Green Lakes Avenger, U.S. Avenger, American Intelligence Mechanics member.
Social Standing: Extrovert.
Ethnicity: Caucasian.
Sexuality: Heterosexual.
Other Trivia: Fact: called the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl for a reason, she is the most powerful Marvel character ever. Has defeated Thanos, Galactus, M.O.D.O.K., and Doctor Doom. More than once. Same applies to Wolverine (whom she may or may not have dated). Started off as a one-joke character in Marvel Super-Heroes #8: Winter Special in 1992, she proved to be popular in the modern era. Her unbeatable confidence and eternally sunny, upbeat outlook on life are refreshing in Marvel comics. Great at parody and meta humour, she can even beat Deadpool at his own game. Has been involved in all sorts of battles - she's been launched into space like it's no big deal. Life is an adventure; she goes with the flow with a smile. Additional points for "plus-size" body positive female representation. Her squirrel sidekick, Tippy-Toe, is her constant, faithful companion. All squirrels ally with her in whatever need, including beating bad guys. In The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Beats Up the Marvel Universe, we see what happens when her ethics and regard for human life are absent in the form of her clone, Allene, who values her squirrel part far more than her human part. She's a soft, charming, cheerful, endearing, hilarious, colourful and infectious superheroine. Aliases: Iron Suit Squirrel Girl, and Squirrel Thor!
A bunch of over-privileged twats fanny around, going about their business, highly likely to end up where they did even if a war hadn't been going on. The author occasionally breaks the already-incredibly dense and over-descriptive narrative to talk about the mechanics of war and his own interpretation on the likelihood of historical events, even though this is a novel and not a history book. Some philosophy is espoused, speculations on human nature and life and death are sprinkled here and there, though they don't affect the barely-there plot to begin with. The rich, attractive main characters (the few out of five hundred we are supposed to care about) meander around having affairs and declaring their undying, superficial love to people they hardly know (ah the classic instant-love cliché that's somehow stood the test of time). There is war, there is life, it keeps going...somewhere...it is all rather dull, with a conclusion that isn't so much as breathtaking and revolutionary as it is pedestrian, aimlessly wandering, long past the point of caring.There, I just saved you 1,358 pages of nothing but boredom and the dread of boredom.It took me a year and three months to finish 'War and Peace'. I know that might not seem very long to some people, but to have this cement block-sized tedium constantly there, constantly waiting for me to read it and finish it, with no end in sight, no release; and every time I sat down with it I found myself always wanting to do something else - anything - read other books, do chores, go out for a walk and enjoy life, anything to avoid this particular chore that's so small yet is such a huge shadow on my existence...it's not fun.I don't like to write negative reviews. Whatever I think of a book I've read, at the end of the day each published work is a little miracle in of itself, and who am I to harshly criticise a piece of somebody else's blood, sweat and tears when I don't know everything about the circumstances of how it was written, and never will? Besides, any bad and problematic book I hate would normally already have negative reviews which say far more and express views far better than I could. But with 'War and Peace', I feel I have to let somebody know of my feelings - mostly frustration - on it, after nearly a year and a half of it taking over my life.So, here's the result; my final thoughts, my release.I'd wanted to quit and DNF 'War and Peace' during the middle, but I couldn't, maybe because I saw it as a personal challenge from which I didn't want to let myself down - to maybe, just maybe, one day say with triumph that yes, as a bookworm, I've read the entirety of 'War and Peace', the longest and greatest book ever written. And it's not like I'm adverse to classics or long novels either - I've read 'The Count of Monte Cristo' in two weeks, and it is one of my favourite books of all time - I just found this classic to...have not aged well.I didn't skim anything, no matter how many times I was tempted to do so, and I tried to absorb and understand as much as possible. I admit I was fairly interested in the characters at the beginning, but as the book dragged further and further onward, with little aim and consequences and un-enticing events, I cared less, not more, about them and their privileged, inconsequential lives. I also admit that I didn't get even vaguely invested in the whole thing until the last 358 pages, where a few exciting stuff did start happening, such as major characters dying, and characters making decisions, learning, and reaching enlightenment on what actually matters. I finished those pages in under a month, about fifteen days. Typical, that it took 1000 pages for me to finally get going.The density, and the descriptions of EVERY DAMN THING with nothing happening (and in the first 500 pages, nothing happens), possibly lie in the fault of the English translation; done directly with not enough of that needed humanity and breathing room required for reading a book this size. It's still a neverending chore to shovel through.It almost made me hate reading, which at the end of the day is the biggest crime any novel can commit. I mean FFS, even the epilogue is 100 pages long! And half of it is the biggest info-dump ever of the author explaining his views on war, humanity, power, necessity and free will. What does this have to do with the characters and how they got where they are at the end? I don't know, and 'War and Peace' is not a subtle literature study. Most importantly, I don't care to know.At the end - the glorious, glorious END - when I finally, FINALLY finished 'War and Peace', I couldn't lean back, take a deep breath and let out a cry (not a war cry, I was too bored to do that), like I was expecting to, mainly because I was on my break at work at the time and didn't want my colleagues to see me in such a state.I was still relieved, however. I was free. FREE AT LAST. But then I thought, "THAT'S IT!? That is what my fifteen months of torture led me to!? What kind of way is that to end a supposed epic?!"So yeah, those are my ultimate thoughts on 'War and Peace'. The characters I didn't connect to either - that there are hundreds of them (unless you have an eidetic memory it is impossible to remember them all; to make it worse, most of them have no impact on the narrative whatsoever), and so many having similar sounding names didn't help matters. The casual 19th century sexism ended up being the very least of the reasons to hate the book.I was half-joking about saving you from reading it yourself at the beginning of this review of opinions. Go ahead and read this classic "masterpiece" if you want to. Requiring you have the patience and perseverance of a saint. Maybe it just wasn't for me. Maybe you will look at it differently than I did, and it will change your life.But I will give it this: if 'War and Peace' did want to teach us about the meaning of freedom and how it truly feels when it is taken for granted, it certainly gave me a taste of that when finishing it - for now I can go back to reading again with that feeling of dread now gone. I can enjoy myself once more. There's something to appreciate it for.Except, I do have two Dickens novels to read. Will I manage them, or have the foresight and courage to DNF them before I hate classic literature again? We'll see.Final Score: 2/5
Strengths: Altruistic, noble, ambitious, modest, caring, goodhearted, funny without trying, not above a silly sense of humour, brave when need be, determined to protect people - especially those close to her - and do the right thing no matter what the general and/or cultural consensus is, a relatable teenage superhero (and fangirl).Weaknesses: Uncertain, conflicted, lacking self-confidence, insecure, identity crisis between being a superhero, a normal teen, and a Muslim daughter deeply ingrained in cultural/religious roots that some people she knows (white Americans mostly) don't understand, can be naive, plus an inadvertent troublemaker, goes into dangerous situations headfirst without thinking things through.
Powers/Abilities: Inhuman genetics: as Ms. Marvel, she can shapeshift, change sizes, elongate parts of her body, self-heal, and she possesses super strength, agility and a high endurance. Is very creative as a civilian, such as in making costumes.Will: Moderate to strong.Home/Place of Origin: Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. Family is originally from Karachi, Pakistan.
Occupation: High school student, superhero, Avenger. Also a member of the Champions and the Secret Warriors.
Social Standing: Extrovert - at least she is not as socially-awkward and self-conscious as she was when she first started. She tries, and gets better as she gains confidence.
Ethnicity: Pakistani-American.
Sexuality: Heterosexual (though is not committed to any romantic attachments at the moment).
Other Trivia: The first Muslim superhero ever, and Marvel's first Muslim character to be the lead in her own comic book series. Was a Marvel superhero fanfiction writer before her powers are given to her one night out in town, disobeying her parents' wishes, and she becomes the superhero she's always revered. Stumbling blocks along the way ensue, internally as well as externally. Carol Danvers, the former Ms. Marvel, is her idol. She is also a huge fan of Wolverine and Spider-Man. Her superheroic journey is one of self-discovery and growing up into her own independent hero. She is not just Carol Danvers' mantle legacy. She's young, she makes mistakes, she will be harshly judged no matter how hard she tries to do right by people, she simplifies things and doesn't understand every adult issue in the world, but she will have the innocent underdog's back. She will look out for the ordinary and unprivileged people, and put their needs first, for she has been in that position herself. She has a lot of friends who will help her out in any crisis. Despite some family problems, as is normal for any Muslim and non-Muslim teenager, she loves and respects them and her religion unconditionally. Her race and religion are a fundamental part of her life and background, but they don't define her whole character. She's a much-needed, vital hero, idol and inspiration to everyone, not just Muslims living in either America or anywhere else where they are constantly under racist threat and attack, yet the victims are seen as the threat. Imperfect yet perfect for our times, that is Kamala Khan.
Strengths: Friendly, kind, honest, optimistic, noble, practical, energetic, brave, does what she likes, doesn't care what others think of her, takes no nonsense, headstrong, altruistic, protective, stands up for people, aspires to heroism.Weaknesses: Naive, easily manipulated, quite shallow, clings to a childlike view of things, rejects some gender roles whilst unwittingly granting others unquestionably, too open and trusting, impulsive, the subtexts of the adult world elude her until it is too late.
Powers/Abilities: Fencing, gifted in swordsmanship and dueling. Regularly exercises and plays sports such as basketball, tennis and baseball.Will: Moderate.Home/Place of Origin: Japan.
Occupation: Ohtori Academy student, Rose Crest Duelist, Champion Duelist.
Social Standing: Extrovert.
Ethnicity: Japanese.
Sexuality: Bisexual.
Other Trivia: A revolutionary heroine for her time: as a girl who starts off her fairy tale as a traumatized orphaned "princess" supposedly saved by a mysterious prince, then going on to reject traditional fairy tale gender roles and aspiring to be a prince herself (but only in the idealistic sense, since she does like being a girl); and as an unconventional "magical girl" in anime. She is a "prince" unfixed from gender, helping those unable to help themselves, saving the weak and oppressed. However, over the course of the series she learns the downsides of the prince role, masculinity, and how these patriarchal ideas manifest into adulthood as toxic, male entitlement and corruption. It is often exhausting, taxing, and horrific. A sexist and sexual abuse of power ensues. People will try to force her into the princess role of accepting feminine clothing, jewelry, and manners, making her a damsel in distress submitting to the will of men. This infringement of the revolutionary girl, in a game of masculine power dynamics as befitting childish stories, will go so far as her becoming a victim of statutory rape. She learns what growing up means and doesn't mean - what is illusion and what is not - as the mystery of the Ohtori Academy Student Council and World's End is revealed to her. And one thing she learns about herself, developed overtime at the school, uninhibited by society's fixed, archaic gender roles, is of the nature of a sexual awakening. Her relationship with her outwardly more feminine opposite, the abused and enslaved Rose Bride Anthy Himemiya, whom she is also engaged to, is the key to everything. Revolutionary Girl Utena both subverts and conforms to certain gender stereotypes, demonstrating the positives and negatives of both masculinity and femininity. Put simply, she is a well-rounded, real girl not easily fitted into a limiting social box.
Strengths: Fearless, unstoppable, assertive, thick-skinned, high endurance, energetic, high IQ, computer genius and prodigy, self-sufficient, doesn't care what others think of her, justice seeker.Weaknesses: Anti-social, distrusting, lonely, thoughtless, mostly cold towards people, no boundary she won't cross when seeking justice and revenge.
Powers/Abilities: Expert hacker, mathematical genius, eidetic memory, thinking inside and outside the box when solving crimes, master of improv and self-defense (i.e. boxing), motorbike rider.Will: Strong. Home/Place of Origin: Stockholm, Sweden.
Occupation: Freelance surveillance agent, Milton Security private investigator, researcher, hacker, writer.
Social Standing: Introvert.
Ethnicity: Caucasian (possibly - is described as pale, with Russian ancestry.)
Sexuality: Bisexual.
Other Trivia: Also known by her online pseudonym "Wasp". A survivor in every sense. Was created specifically to highlight and hopefully put an end to systematic violence and hate against women all over the globe. Almost like a superhero in how often she survives traumatic, near-death experiences; including a bullet to the brain, and being buried alive (which she digs herself out of, whilst the bullet is still in her brain). She's a female Byronic hero. A victim of child abuse, sexual abuse, sodomy and rape. She comes back from her horrific experiences damaged, but not dead: she wants coldblooded justice not only for herself, but for every woman raped, harassed, and otherwise mistreated by powerful men in society. Petite, with the appearance of a typical goth adolescent (she's in her twenties), but those foolish enough to cross her regret it sooner or later. She will dig up dirt about anybody in no time at all. Helps peel back corruption in society; exposes the criminals hiding behind corporations and government positions. Possibly has Asperger Syndrome. An all-around misfit, but not really a psychopath or a sociopath as she is so often labeled in-universe. Her character is made to defy labels and fitting into easy social boxes. Extremely hardhearted and capable in what she does, yet there is human vulnerability in her. Her twin sister, Camilla, is apparently her exact opposite in personality, so the reader is told...
