Review of Volume 4 of Given

 The last Live unlocked Mafuyu’s talent for music. He is progressing at an alarming rate. Mafuyu gets help from an unlikely source: Ugetsu.

This issue explores Ugetsu and Akihiko’s start…

Haruki struggles to understand his dynamic in the band. It is difficult being a non-genius in the band. But Haruki’s role is even more important.

Uenoyama feels a little left out. Mafuyu has been hanging around Akihiko. How do the two overcome this? Can they continue to create music together?

Akihiko hurts Haruki in the worst possible way.

I simply cannot get enough of this manga.

Review for manga Wotakoi Volume 1- 4

 

With the fifth volume coming in September (and yes, I plan to preorder soon!), I decided a re-read was in order.

Believe me, that is no hardship, especially with this manga! It has quickly become a favorite and my go-to manga. It never fails to make me giggle and feel good inside.

Now, if Sentai or Funimation will buy the license for the anime and dub it, so I can own the anime. I’d be happy!

VOL 1
This manga is one of my favorites.
It is one that I often re-visit and re-read whenever the fancy takes me.

This volume introduces the key characters - Narumi, Hirotaka, Kabakura, and Koyanagi.
Narumi is a fujoshi. Hirotaka is a gamer. Koyanagi is into cosplay. Kabakura is a closet otaku.

Narumi and Hirotaka are childhood friends. The two lost touch after middle school until Narumi starts at the company Hirotaka works at. She has one goal: to hide that she is an otaku. Naru and Hirotaka re-kindle their friendship, but they bump it up to the next step: dating. I love how Naru and Hirotaka can read each other. They each know how the other feels just looking at them. Other people cannot read them... and time did not diminish that ability.

Kabakura and Koyanagi overlook the two's relationship and befriend the two.

I so love the antics of all four. They never fail to make me laugh and feel good inside. I especially love all the many anime and manga references. And I absolutely adore Nao-chan, Hirotaka's brother. Even though the latter is a brat towards him.

The anime really follows the manga pretty well

VOL 2

Hirotaka and Naru decided to go out on a date - an anime-free and game-free date. What fun will the two have? How well will they handle this new situation in their relationship!

Nao meets someone who reminds him of his brother. However, this new person has severe social anxieties. Nao tries to befriends Ko by playing games - something he is horrible at. Is Ko a boy or girl! Okay, I have to say this... Nao and Ko are so damn adorable!! They are my favorites!!

VOL 3

Narumi, Hirotaka, Kabakura, and Hana's company has a mandatory trip to the hot springs! How will the two couples handle hiding their relationship from their co-workers. What hijinks will the four get into.

This volume also shows Naru's foray in cosplay thanks to Hana!

Nao is tore up over his misunderstanding with Ko. However, she has been avoiding him and school. Nao turns to Naru for him. Yet it is Hirotaka that provides him a way to patch up with Ko.

Okay, Ko and Nao are so damn cute! He's pure and clueless. She's so awkward and shy! And really, Nao is the perfect guy to understand a hardcore gamer female otaku like Ko. He did grow up afterall with Hirotaka! I so want these two to be a couple already!

I absolutely love how Ko and Hirotaka hit it off. 

VOL 4

Hana and Kabakura decide to take their relationship to the next step… Things are slowly evolving with Naru and Hirotaka! What will their next step be!

They are not the only ones that is evolving. Nao’s presence helps Ko open up a little more.

She runs into Naru on two different occasions, the second with Hana. The two decide to help the social awkward woman buy new clothes.

I do believe Naru is playing matchmaker. She likes Ko. Naru is not the only person who approves of Ko. Even Hirotaka likes her with his brother, which is evident when he remembers her name.

Nao has reached that turning point…. I want these two to become a couple so damn bad! I love to see more interactions with the rest of the group!! They are so damn wholesome!

Review of DL Gardner's RISE OF THE TOBIAN PRINCESS

 

Rating: 4

Prince Arell is the only son of the Cho Nisi’s king. His father’s death forces him to ascend to the throne – a responsibility he is not prepared for. Arell wants to learn the identity of the person responsible for his father’s demise. A beautiful yet reckless princess may provide him with the opportunity. Arell must ignore his heart to exact justice for his people. Can Arell learn to forgive Erika for her crime? What role does he have in the upcoming battle with the Vouchsaver?

Princess Erika Tobias is the youngest child of the Potamian king. She wants to fight alongside her brother to protect their kingdom from the Vouchsaver’s evil. However, Erika blunders in her first skirmish. Her mistake could threaten the alliance Potamia has with the Cho Nisi. Can Erika find a way to make reparation to the Cho Nisi’s people? Or will she be forced to give up on her beloved?

I feel that there were not enough scenes about Arell or the Cho Nisi people. I would have loved a little more exploration on the Cho Nisi’s culture and their magic system, unless the author plans to do so in future books. I understand and empathize with Arell’s trepidation about ascending the throne. He thought his father would rule longer than what he did. Arell took that for granted and shirked his heir’s duties to learn and observe.  I like Arell’s dedication on becoming a good monarch. He had to learn by trial and error, but he insisted on learning his background.

Erika came off as too self-absorbed and selfish. I understand her need to prove herself, especially since women’s stations are different. I feel that she took things to the extremes or too far. I admire Erika’s determination to make amends to the Cho Nisi. She may be a princess, but that did not exempt her for making reparation.

RISE OF THE TOBIAN PRINCESS is the first book in D.L. Gardner’s fantasy romance series, SWORD OF CHO NISI. I know that first books always start out slow. They must set up and introduce the author’s unique world. However, certain parts felt like it dragged on and on without any real purpose. I commend the author on her worldbuilding skills. She did a wonderful job creating a world so different from others in the genre, especially the magic.

LAUGHING UNDER THE CLOUDS, volume 2 review

 

The Kumo brothers ( Tenka, Soramaru, and Chutarou)  ferry criminals to an inescapable prison located in the center of Lake Biwa.

There is more to Tenka than he lets others to see. He adores (and protects) his younger brothers. However, a murderer brings danger to the Kumo’s world.

Who are the Yamainu? What exactly is the Vessel of Orochi? And what does it have to do with the three Kumo brothers? And what has Tenka been keeping from Sora and Chutarou?

Tenka is a riot! He enjoys playing the fool, but that is just a façade. Tenka is quite shred. But it is all to protect and look after his brothers – who need him and rely on him.

Sora is frustrated with his life. He strives to be strong like Tenka, but his brother refuses to properly teach him. He wants to be Tenka’s equal. It is tough living beneath his eldest brother’s shadow. What secrets will he learn? Who will teach him to be strong?

The anime follows the manga pretty good. Yeah, some of the scenes are switched about. I wanted to read the manga just to see if there were any scenes that did not make it into the anime. I cannot wait for the next installment!

SKIP BEAT, the manga

 

I have been binge-reading eleven volumes – the 3-in-1 version- of the manga, SKIP BEAT. I checked out the first volume from the library. It was enough to get me hooked. I had to know more!

Unfortunately, my library did not have anymore. So, I started buying the 3-in-1s. I bought all of them except volume 12. It is proving to be elusive. People who are selling their copies for exuberant prices. Please, VIZ, bring out some more of that volume!

As I mentioned, I got hooked. I had no more books in my book queue, so I started. Okay, I held out hope that by the time I got to Volume 12, the copy I ordered would have shipped.

SKIP BEAT follows a 16-year-old girl – who has been spurned and dumped by the boy she loved. She had sacrificed everything for Sho Fuwa while he pursued his music career. Kyoko vows revenge; however, to achieve it, she must into showbiz.

In her quest, she runs into Japan’s number one actor: Ren. The one-man Sho despises above all.  Ren does not make Kyoko’s transition into showbiz easy. He dislikes her reasons for being there.

Kyoko must learn to love again. So LME’s president puts her in the Love Me section. Kyoko really grows in each volume. Hate still drives her, but she finds something she enjoys: acting.

And she’s good at it. Ren, and his manager and others, helps her hone her craft. I really do not want to give out spoilers so… 

My review for the manga And Yet, You Are So Sweet

 

Review: 

AND YET, YOU ARE SO SWEET is such a sweet and wholesome romantic manga. I really adore these types of mangas.

This one had a KIMI NI TODOKE and SAY, I LOVE YOU vibe – where the main female lead is awkward, unpopular and average, and the main lead is handsome and wildly popular.

Maaya Kisaragi musters up the courage to confess to her crush. Unfortunately, he rejects her and then mocks her on social media. Kisaragi wants to find a new boy to crush on.

Chigira overhears Kisaragi’s woes. He is the most sought-out boy in school. Chigira empathizes with her and proposes she obsess about him.

I like that Chigira sees the real Kisaragi. He does not seem interested in a person’s outer appearance but to the person within.

I got en electronic copy through Netgalley. I plan on buying a hardcopy to add to my growing manga collection! I cannot wait for Volume 2.

Review of Donna Grant's OF FIRE AND FLAME

 

Rating: 4

There is an adage that states “there are two sides to every story”. However, in this tale, there are three sides: Rhiannon, Constantine, and Erith, aka Death.

The story revolves around Rhi and Constantine’s break-up. It goes into great deal how the situation affected each one. The emotions each one underwent.

Erith also learns a valuable lesson that actions have consequences, even if she means well. I like how even a goddess can learn important life lessons.

OF FIRE AND FLAME is book 18.7 in Donna Grant’s popular paranormal romance series, DARK KINGS. It is more of a prequel, a chance for the author to delve further into Rhi and Con’s backstory.