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Always
On a cold, rainy evening, a woman comes home to find an unexpected guest. Her old lover has been waiting for her and wants to spend the night. As they settle into a normal routine, he asks a question that he's never asked before... and suddenly the illusion of comfort and warmth is shattered.
Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2020
About the author
S. Yumi Yamamoto
3 books24 followersSophia Yumi Yamamoto grew up telling stories to herself and her friends. In her teens, she was introduced to internet fandom, and fell down the rabbit hole until she began writing stories for the first time. While those stories perhaps weren't worth telling, they were the gateway into a love of writing and exploration that continues to this day.
She has been published in 'Live Life: A Daydreamer's Journal', 'A Thorn of Death', and the literature blog 'Words, Pauses, Noises'. Her most recent release, 'Always', is a comic based on a short story she wrote (Illustrated by Danni Wei).
She also runs a YouTube channel critiquing story elements in all forms of media, discussing writerly things, and having fun reading.
**I am not open to friend requests, as this inhibits others from reviewing my work on Amazon and Amazon-liked accounts**
She has been published in 'Live Life: A Daydreamer's Journal', 'A Thorn of Death', and the literature blog 'Words, Pauses, Noises'. Her most recent release, 'Always', is a comic based on a short story she wrote (Illustrated by Danni Wei).
She also runs a YouTube channel critiquing story elements in all forms of media, discussing writerly things, and having fun reading.
**I am not open to friend requests, as this inhibits others from reviewing my work on Amazon and Amazon-liked accounts**
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 10, 2019
I honestly don't know what to say about this comic except that I was sold from page one.
This was intense, atmospheric and really heartbreaking. The truth is every time I read the story (I've read it three times so far) I see something else behind the art and the story. I don't know if it is just my brain playing tricks but I believe this story will resonate differently with everyone.
It's really impressive how intense and how invested you feel after just a few pages. And that feeling stays even if the story is short.
I'm so proud of the author (yes I'm lucky as I can call her my friend) but you both, the writer and the artist did an incredible job, believe me!
This was intense, atmospheric and really heartbreaking. The truth is every time I read the story (I've read it three times so far) I see something else behind the art and the story. I don't know if it is just my brain playing tricks but I believe this story will resonate differently with everyone.
It's really impressive how intense and how invested you feel after just a few pages. And that feeling stays even if the story is short.
I'm so proud of the author (yes I'm lucky as I can call her my friend) but you both, the writer and the artist did an incredible job, believe me!
December 3, 2019
First, I am going to admit that I’m entirely biased because Yumi is a close friend who I adore. That being said, holy crap are you in for a treat if you choose to pick this up (which you should.)
Yumi weaves a heartbreaking story about two people who can never quite reach one another. The writing mixed with the gorgeous illustrations by Danni Wei is poetry on the page.
It’s a shirt, quick read so I can’t go into detail without giving away the entire story, but you won’t regret picking up this beautifully sad story.
Yumi weaves a heartbreaking story about two people who can never quite reach one another. The writing mixed with the gorgeous illustrations by Danni Wei is poetry on the page.
It’s a shirt, quick read so I can’t go into detail without giving away the entire story, but you won’t regret picking up this beautifully sad story.
June 1, 2020
(Full disclosure: I am good friends with the author)
I would categorize this is story a "Graphic Poem." It's short and it speaks as much between the lines as it does in them. The art is great and leaves a lot to the reader ponder. Highly recommended!
Please support a fellow Booktuber/Authortuber!!!
I would categorize this is story a "Graphic Poem." It's short and it speaks as much between the lines as it does in them. The art is great and leaves a lot to the reader ponder. Highly recommended!
Please support a fellow Booktuber/Authortuber!!!
June 24, 2020
[Disclaimer: I'm friends with the author]
This is a really short read, but there's a lot of emotion behind it! And the art is absolutely gorgeous!
It's a quick read that I definitely recommend!
This is a really short read, but there's a lot of emotion behind it! And the art is absolutely gorgeous!
It's a quick read that I definitely recommend!
March 14, 2020
We follow as a woman comes home to find an old lover has returned to her. This may be sounding like a story you’ve read before but this takes a different twist. The day to day routines we have fall into play a part here and we start to learn about both characters. Why has he stopped by? What is their history?
I have to admit at first I wondered the direction the story would take and had thought that this might have violent trigger warnings attached. However the twist in their past and the themes pulled in a completely different direction. I found the title Always appearing throughout and this one word really stirs your mind, it pulls you to notice the word placement. People always leave was a throughout. It is clear that to survive both characters have had to close their emotions and she in particular then reacts in a triggered way over time. The illustrations are stunning (black and white in this arc) and I think they work well with the direction of this story.
I would like to see more from this author. I would have wanted to see more development for the both characters. We learn the male characters backstory and once we do it is brushed upon, I think if the story had been longer that would have lead to a better understanding of his life choices. I felt that everything needed more depth and development - from the conversations between the two of them to the story itself, more of a connection between the characters and more of a plot. The atmosphere was lacking and in places it felt rushed. I have to be honest here this is a low 3 star. I think the illustrations combined with the intention is what makes this, in my opinion, a 2.5 to 3 star.
Trigger warnings - this may be mild but the theme of switching off your feelings and living in that dull and heightened place is apparent. There are some dark themes in the past of the male character.
Arc received for an honest review.
I have to admit at first I wondered the direction the story would take and had thought that this might have violent trigger warnings attached. However the twist in their past and the themes pulled in a completely different direction. I found the title Always appearing throughout and this one word really stirs your mind, it pulls you to notice the word placement. People always leave was a throughout. It is clear that to survive both characters have had to close their emotions and she in particular then reacts in a triggered way over time. The illustrations are stunning (black and white in this arc) and I think they work well with the direction of this story.
I would like to see more from this author. I would have wanted to see more development for the both characters. We learn the male characters backstory and once we do it is brushed upon, I think if the story had been longer that would have lead to a better understanding of his life choices. I felt that everything needed more depth and development - from the conversations between the two of them to the story itself, more of a connection between the characters and more of a plot. The atmosphere was lacking and in places it felt rushed. I have to be honest here this is a low 3 star. I think the illustrations combined with the intention is what makes this, in my opinion, a 2.5 to 3 star.
Trigger warnings - this may be mild but the theme of switching off your feelings and living in that dull and heightened place is apparent. There are some dark themes in the past of the male character.
Arc received for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
This book is shorter than expected but it was lovely. The story, the art...
I wish there were more. Nonetheless, it was quick, effortless and raw.
I wish there were more. Nonetheless, it was quick, effortless and raw.
April 6, 2020
Pick this up on a whim.
So I saw someone talk about this graphic novel and I don't know what it was about it but I just wanted to give it a chance. This book is basically about a romance that has slowly continued to die because the guy continues to leave and come whenever he wants. While the girl stays put so he has somewhere to come to but this has forced her to die a little inside. No he is not into drugs or anything like that but it is a serious reason why he can't stay and in his mind he is protecting her. Though there is always a point when you need to decide whether you are going to stay in a person's life or not and stick to it.
So I saw someone talk about this graphic novel and I don't know what it was about it but I just wanted to give it a chance. This book is basically about a romance that has slowly continued to die because the guy continues to leave and come whenever he wants. While the girl stays put so he has somewhere to come to but this has forced her to die a little inside. No he is not into drugs or anything like that but it is a serious reason why he can't stay and in his mind he is protecting her. Though there is always a point when you need to decide whether you are going to stay in a person's life or not and stick to it.
December 15, 2019
I received a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all the artwork is *gorgeous* and I plan on ordering a print version to display on my shelf.
The art style fits the tone of the comic, and I think the way this particular night plays out between the two old lovers, the way one question interrupts their familiar routine, unfolds beautifully.
I do wish we knew a little more about why the woman feels the way she feels -- and honestly that's my one real complaint. I just want more! A decision is made in the end, and I would have liked to see how that plays out.
Either way, it is an enjoyable piece of short fiction and deserves a spot on your shelf.
First of all the artwork is *gorgeous* and I plan on ordering a print version to display on my shelf.
The art style fits the tone of the comic, and I think the way this particular night plays out between the two old lovers, the way one question interrupts their familiar routine, unfolds beautifully.
I do wish we knew a little more about why the woman feels the way she feels -- and honestly that's my one real complaint. I just want more! A decision is made in the end, and I would have liked to see how that plays out.
Either way, it is an enjoyable piece of short fiction and deserves a spot on your shelf.
December 28, 2019
Ahh! What a lovely quiet story.
What I absolutely adored about this was the intamacy of the moment.
And it really is just a moment
What this story is is a snapshot in time, a conversation between lovers, and you get to be a fly on the wall and eavesdropper in a private conversation that is oh so real. The art is beautiful and this book can be read in a whisper with nuanced metaphors throughout.
Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
What I absolutely adored about this was the intamacy of the moment.
And it really is just a moment
What this story is is a snapshot in time, a conversation between lovers, and you get to be a fly on the wall and eavesdropper in a private conversation that is oh so real. The art is beautiful and this book can be read in a whisper with nuanced metaphors throughout.
Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 30, 2020
It was much shorter than I expected. It's been a while since I've read a comic/graphic novel. I really enjoyed always the best thing about it was the author's use of suspense and the graphics. The pictures is so awesome when reading it. I was really impressed with how much Yumi got in such a short comic. There was a few thing that confused me but if it's meant to be a series the it's fine because I assume the correct is coming. If this is it then I'm somewhat disappointed.
It was just so much fun to read and now I have so may questions. I guess the ended should have been expected but I'm still sad.
It was just so much fun to read and now I have so may questions. I guess the ended should have been expected but I'm still sad.
May 13, 2020
Even though this is such a short comic, there's so much packed into it. There's so much between the lines and such a deep back story that we see glimpses of, and it's such a fascinating snapshot into the life of this couple. Definitely worth the read, I thought about it and wondered about everything long after I finished it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews