Comments on: Lord of the Sands of Time

By: Connie

Connie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:54:13 +0000

Mmm, this was pretty straightforward, and there wasn’t much to chew on thematically. There was some discussion of humanity, and how the messengers had to really believe in humanity and what they were doing since they would never meet the same people again by time traveling, but it wasn’t really handled all that well. It was one of those deep, but not really-type situations that happen in manga a lot.

Of the Haikasoru lot, the one that sounds the most interesting is Zoo by Otsuichi, but that’s a volume of dark fantasy short stories. Usurper of the Sun sounds okay, about a girl that watches a tower being built on Mercury and then becomes a scientist so she can stop that colony from building a ring around the sun. Actually, I’m pretty curious about that one now too, though that one sounds less entertaining than Zoo. I hope it’s thought-provoking instead, or that could turn out to be another really straightforward, sterile read.

I do like time loops, but that’s a little different, and doesn’t set up paradoxes or anything.

By: Sara K.

Sara K. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:42:11 +0000

Since I love science-fiction because it is thought-provoking, I find it harder to enjoy mediocre science-fiction than a lot of other mediocre things. I think the real appeal behind mediocre shojo is that it is so well tailored to its audience that it scores points just by pushing various buttons, which is not so simple a feat with science fiction. Though space opera can get away with mediocrity easier because it relies less on the science part of science fiction. I can enjoy a mediocre Star Trek episode. Speaking of which, one of my favorite Star Trek episodes does use time travel, but it uses it as a means to do something awesome, so I forgive it.

Maybe I’ll try this title. I definitely have not had much foreign science-fiction.

By: Connie

Connie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:01:28 +0000

Sara K.: I like them all okay if they’re used in interesting ways, and I’d have a hard time begrudging 20th Century Boys much of anything. I just don’t like mediocre stories with those plot elements the same way I like bad shoujo.

I did hold back a little, and it gets more interesting as the time travel lines become more clear towards the end, but I’d agree with you, it just didn’t really grab me.

Sylphalchemist: Thanks for the comment, and I’m glad you’re enjoying it. It did seem like most of the other reviews for it were pretty positive, and it really was a well-put-together story, but yeah, it just wasn’t my thing.

By: sylphalchemist

sylphalchemist — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 13:11:32 +0000

Ah, I’m reading this book right now! I’m enjoying it though ^_^;

It’s understandable that some people would like it while others don’t. That’s just the way things are. I found your review very fair. =)

By: Sara K.

Sara K. — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:36:08 +0000

I’m not too big a fan of time travel myself. I prefer the space colonies and androids, thank you.

Actually, your description does not make this sound like a very interesting story, but I realize you may be holding back juicy spoilers.

And, ah, you’re going to have to brace yourself, because one of those three sci-fi things you say you don’t like (sort of) appears in 20th Century Boys.