Review for Jil Hashikura's HONEY BEE & LEMON BALM: SWEET MOMENTS

 

HONEY BEE & LEMON BALM
SWEET MOMENT
Boys Love Manga

 

  

AUTHOR:
Jil Hashikura

RELEASE DATE:
October 13, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798888777626

RATING:
3.5

 

 

Former yakuza Kaoru Mitsuya and florist Yuichiro Shirouzu are now in a relationship. But, they have yet to take the next step: sex. Kaoru struggles to hide his frustration, while Yuichiro deals with his insecurities. Will a possible rival drive them further apart? Or will he push Yuichiro to grow intimate with his younger lover?

This one-shot sequel disappointed me. I expected to see Kaoru and Yuichiro experiencing the honeymoon phase of their relationship. However, six months have passed, and nothing has really changed between them. Yuichiro still behaves skittishly towards any advances Kaoru attempts.

I thought the new character introduced in this volume would elicit Yuichiro’s jealousy. Instead, he accosts Kaoru at every turn with Yuichiro becoming aware of it. I expected Yuichiro to misinterpret the situation or get mad. Nope, he seems to have become introspected. That is what frustrated me the most. I have this feeling that the new character will be paired off with Yuichiro’s younger brother.

 

 

Review for Sherrilyn Kenyon's HELL'S HALF ACRE

 

HELL’S HALF ACRE
Paranormal

 

  

AUTHOR:
Sherrilyn Kenyon

RELEASE DATE:
August 18, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Heber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0GR2BXMY8

RATING:
5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

 

 

Luke Teivel, the son of Lucifer and a Hellhound Alpha, is a detective for Infernal Affairs. After he and his new partner solve their first case, another quickly arises. Meanwhile, Luke must wrangle his closet demons back to where they belong and discover who released them. To add to his workload, someone has placed a bounty on Sorcha. Are these three incidents connected? And can Luke protect Sorcha from the unknown forces threatening her?

Detective Sorcha O’Malley is settling into her new position at Infernal Affairs – and adjusting to her new partner’s idiosyncrasies. On top of their latest case, she volunteers to help Luke track down his escaped closet demons. When Sorcha encounters a sinister being bent on taking her, she and Luke discover someone has put a mark on her. Can she and Luke uncover who placed the bounty on her? Is it tied to the ancient power within Sorcha?

Luke makes this book – and series – so entertaining to read. He is now one of my all-time favorite characters from Sherrilyn Kenyon. His antics and sharp wisecracks always amuse me. I never know what to expect from him or his mouth. I like that Luke is slowly evolving. He is aware of the changes and what sparked them. What I adore the most about Luke is his protectiveness towards his partner Sorcha. He is aware that she is his weakness, and he will not let any godly or supernatural force harm her.

Sorcha is an interesting enigma. She is gradually learning that there is far more to her than even she understands. Whatever that is, it baffles her supernatural partner and his ancient friends. I like how Luke is rubbing off on Sorcha, especially his warped sense-of-humor. And she is inadvertently influencing change in him. What I adore the most about Sorcha is that she knows there is more to Luke than his evil heritage. She knows that it does not define him.

HELL’S HALF ACRE is the second book in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s new paranormal series, INFERNAL AFFAIRS. Fans of both SUPERNATURAL and LUCIFER will enjoy this series. It shares the same type of elements. There is even a Supernatural reference, which made me smile. I recommend starting with the first book, HELL TO PAY. It establishes the characters, the setting, parts of Luke’s history, how he and Sorcha got paired up, and other pertinent details. I read this book in a single sitting because I honestly did not want to put it down. The story has the author’s trademark snarky humor that is reminiscent of her early Dark Hunter books.

Speaking of Sherrilyn’s DH books, Acheron and Simi make an appearance. I squeed in delight. It proves that INFERNAL AFFAIRS does tie into the Dark Hunter world. We even get to meet Ash and Tory’s son! I really enjoyed Simi and Helly’s friendship. Those two are so alike that it spells trouble!

Review for Osamu Tezuka's "BLACK JACK DELUXE 1"

 

BLACK JACK DELUXE 1
Medical drama manga

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Osamu Tezuka

RELEASE DATE:
November 3, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Kodansha Comics

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781647296155

RATING:
4

 

 

Black Jack is an unlicensed doctor with unparalleled medical skin. Desperate people still seek him out regardless of the fact. Although many view him as mercenary because of his outrageous fees, that judgement is far from the truth. Black Jack has his reasons for charging so much.

I have heard of Black Jack – what die-hard anime fan hasn’t? However, I never got around to watching the anime (the movie or OVAs). And finding the mangas to read is difficult, unless you have money to burn. So, when I saw the Deluxe edition on Netgalley, I decided to see for myself what all the hype was about.

The art style is old school. I would say it is pretty standard for the era in which it was first drawn. It did take me a while to grow accustomed to it.

The story section includes only selected chapters, which do not follow a structured plot. It instead offers fragments of Black Jack’s exploits. One chapter explains how BJ got his scarred face and why its upper portion is a different color. Another one reveals what inspired him to become a doctor. Several of the chapters end with dark twists.

All-in-all, I can see why this mangaka is so popular. And how his work helped shape manga into what it is today. The art style may not be to my tastes, that did not stop me from appreciating them.

Review of Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor's "THE SCOTSMAN"

 

THE SCOTSMAN
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Sherrilyn Kenyon (alias Kinley MacGregor)

RELEASE DATE:
July 21, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Oliver Harber Books

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
B0H22PFCPK

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

 

 

Ewan MacAllister is haunted by his brother’s death and his own role in it. On the anniversary of that loss, he wakes from a drunken stupor to find a beautiful maiden standing over him. Her story echoes the one that once brought trouble to his family and clan. Ewan is determined not to repeat the past. Nora’s demeanor may annoy him, but she stirs something in him he thought long dead. Can Ewan forgive himself for his role in his brother’s death? And will his honor cost him the woman he loves?

Nora ingen Alexander of Canmore is determined to escape an arranged marriage. She seeks Ewan’s help to flee to England to be with her aunt. Nora finds a drunken bear of a man weighed down by sadness and pain. When gypsies kidnap them, she decides to help Ewan break free from his emotional anguish. He does not match Nora’s ideal husband, but she cannot resist the pull between them. Can Nora help Ewan overcome the past? Or will he force her to marry a man she does not love nor want?

Ewan’s past is tragic – not as much as his older brother Sin’s but close. I sympathize with the teenage Ewan who fell victim to the wiles of a manipulative woman. The guilt that incident wrought plagues him no matter what he does. I understand Ewan’s reasons for not wanting to repeat past mistakes. He has already caused enough trouble and suffering to his family and clan. What I love the most about Ewan is his patience with Nora. Her constant talking irritates him at first, but he gradually finds peace with it. When others malign Nora because of it, Ewan is quick to defend her.

Nora charmed me instantly. She is not the usual type of heroine that I generally like and prefer. Nora is a chatterbox and endlessly curious, and I feel that only adds to her appeal. Plus, her sunny disposition acts as the perfect contrast to Ewan’s silent, brooding demeanor. What I adore the most about Nora is her determination to help Ewan heal from his emotional pain. First, she appeals to his chivalrous nature to stop him drowning his sorrows in drink. Then Nora reasons with him – something his brothers and mother could never do.

THE SCOTSMAN is the fourth book in Kinley MacGregor’s historical romance series, BROTHERHOOD OF THE SWORD. It was first published by Avon in August 2003 as TAMING THE SCOTSMAN. The series is being reissued with new titles and redesigned covers. I remember this story. There are some parts and details I have forgotten. That is the nice thing about re-reading, especially after so much time has passed (since its first release), the story feels new. I enjoyed it just as much now as I did then. My opinions and feelings remain unchanged.

Couples from the prior books (Sin and Callie; Braden and Maggie) do make appearances. Sin made me laugh at one point (I almost woke my husband up with my laughter). His acerbic quips always amuse me. I love the MacAllister brothers’ fierce loyalty to one another. Hurt or threaten one of them, and the others will come for your throat.

Review for Nibedita Sen's "CRITICAL ROLE: CHILDREN OF EMPIRE"

 

THE MIGHTY NEIN: CHILDREN OF EMPIRE
High Fantasy

 

AUTHOR:
Nibedita Sen

RELEASE DATE:
November 11, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9780593874295

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.nibeditasen.com/

 

 

Arcanist Caleb Widogast and Cobalt Soul Expositor Beauregard “Beau” Lionett belong to a ragtag band of adventurers – who have already saved the realm from an ancient arcane relic and a Leviathan. They join forces to uncover the source of a corruptive rot tied to the Cerberus Assembly and the Empire. Beau confronts obstacles within her order, and Caleb is faced with betraying those he once cared for. What new threat will they face? And will Caleb and Beau enlist the aid of their party’s members?

I have always had a soft spot for wounded, tortured character types. And Caleb fits that mold perfectly. I like the fact that he is trying to move beyond the horrors of his past and the things he has done. His relationships with the Nein and Essek seem to have helped him begin to heal from the trauma. Caleb is also Beau’s ideal counterbalance. He often reminds her of the value of patience and the softening of her acerbic tone. What I love the most about Caleb is that he still faces difficult moral dilemmas, especially when he must confront the possibility of hurting people from his past.

Beau annoyed me in this novel. She came across as hot-headed, abrasive, and impatient. It often felt as though many of the problems she and Caleb faced stemmed from her sharp tongue and impulsive choices. Several moments in the book left me thinking “Urgh!”. I know that is part of who she is, but I expected her time with her Mighty Nein companions and her lover to have tempered those traits or softened them.

I am a huge fan of high fantasy. Forgotten Realms and Dragonlance novels were some of my all-time favorites. They introduced me to authors that I try to follow and enjoy to this day. It is no secret that I struggle to find similar books that capture the essence of the genre that I like. Critical Role delivers on that front. My only small complaint is that a few terms in the book feel too modernized for a fantasy setting. It occasionally pulls me out of the story.

THE MIGHTY NEIN: CHILDREN OF EMPIRE is set within the Critical Role world of Exandria. I do not follow the podcasts or read the comics – though they are on my “to buy” and “to read” lists. However, I have watched the first season of the Prime animated series. CHILDREN OF EMPIRE is my second foray into a full-length novel set in this fantasy realm, with TUSK LOVE being the first. From what I understand, CoE takes place after the campaign. The author does an admirable job of summarizing important bits of Mighty Nein exploits that allow me to follow the story easily.

I wonder if it is just me… When it came to the dialogue, I could hear the Mighty Nein’s voice actors inside my mind.

Review of Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hinako and MaDaug Hishinuma 's SHADOW WARS: SON OF SHADOWS

 

SHADOW WARS – SON OF SHADOWS
Fantasy (Middle-grade fantasy)

 

AUTHOR:
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Hinako and Madaug Hishinuma

RELEASE DATE:
August 18, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Blackstone Publishing

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798200751051

RATING:
4

AUTHOR LINK:
https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/

 

 

Ryuichi is the son of two gods with a destiny he does not yet understand. He is dealing with the emotional and physical aftermath of his battle with his father. Ryuichi is not alone but joined by an unlikely group of companions. An ancient evil creature – one with ties to his parents – threatens both the nether and human realms. To defeat Orochi, Ryuichi will need his father’s help, so he and his friends travel to the nether realm to find them. Can Ryuichi unlock his true potential in time? Or will he lose far more than he bargained for?

Since I did not read the first book, I cannot remark on Ryuichi’s growth as a character.  I like that he is still plagued with doubts. Those self-doubts do cripple Ryuichi on occasion, so he is not this overly confident hero who can do everything perfectly. His companions rally around him when he needs them most. They both protect and teach Ryuichi what he needs to know about himself and his destiny.

SHADOW WARS: SON OF SHADOWS is the second and final book in a Japanese fantasy-adventure duology by Sherrilyn Kenyon and husband-and-wife team Hinako and MaDaug Hishinuma (fyi – MaDaug is Sherrilyn’s son). I have not read the first book, but I was still able to follow the story without any problems. I could tell that I had missed out on some important worldbuilding and background information. I do recommend starting with the first book to better understand the overall picture.

I noticed that the writing’s tone differed from Sherrilyn’s paranormal and historical works. There is no romance (well there is but it was secondary, minuscule in nature)– or steamy sex scenes. Yes, there are some witty funny parts, but they pale in comparison to her other books. Perhaps that is Sherrilyn’s co-authors’ influence – not that I am complaining. It worked with the story’s setting.

Fans of Japanese lore and mythology will enjoy this series. Oni, yokai, kitsune, and Shinigami are but some of the creatures that are in this book. There were some Japanese terms that I recognized and some that I had to look up. I felt they strengthened the atmosphere of the time period and setting.

The duology’s vibe reminds me of Forgotten Realms’ LEGEND OF THE FIVE RINGS: CLAN WARS. I have not read that series since a friend introduced it to me in 2000. Sadly, I did not finish it. I may even own a few of the books (they are put away in totes).

Review for THE MIGHTY NEIN: STORIES UNTOLD anthology.

 

THE MIGHTY NEIN: STORIES UNTOLD
Fantasy

 

  AUTHOR:
Betsy Aoki – Kiri Callaghan – Dani Carr – Mae Catt – Mike Chen – Rein Chupeco – Nino Cirpi  - Nadia El-Fassi – Chase K

Foreword by Taliesin Jaffe

RELEASE DATE:
August 11, 2026

PUBLISHER:
Random House Worlds

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9798217298488

RATING:
4.5

 

FIGHT FOR THE SOUL by Betsy Aoki
Rating: 4

Uk’otoa, a leviathan, is the son of the Cloaked Serpent. He seeks to escape his prison and take revenge on those who sealed him away. Uk’otoa believes he has found the perfect pawn in a certain half-orc sailor… But, the Wildmother is determined to thwart his plans.

This story is the behind-the-scenes narrative of Uk’otoa and the Wildmother’s conflict over Fjord. I like how we get the villian’s point-of-view. I am always a sucker for a good fantasy story where a god (or demon) tries to influence someone to do their dirty work.

 

THE FALL WILL KILL YOU by Kiri Callaghan
Rating: 3.5

Essek Thelyss is an arcanist obsessed with his research into dunamancy. After dining with the Mighty Nein, he considers the path that led him to that point. The mistakes he has made, the motive behind his choices, and the consequences that may follow. Are the Mighty Nein truly his friends? Or are they merely pawns to be used?

I had a difficult time getting into this story. I understand that Essek is conflicted. His constant back and forth on certain things really boggled the story’s pacing. At first, he views the Mighty Nein members as friends he could trust and rely on. Then Essek questions their motives and such. His guilt over what he has done… only for him to justify his actions. By the end of the story, I felt relieved that it was over.

 

STAY ALIVE – Dani Carr
Rating:4.5

Dairon is an expositor for the Cobalt Soul. She worries over her young and impulsive student, Beau Lionett. Dairon believes Beau should not be burdened by the odd companions traveling with her. Oddly, she recalls her own troubled path, the one that landed her at the Cobalt Soul. And the boundless patience of her teacher. When Dairon teaches Beau the next step in her training, she realizes what those companions mean to the monk.

I like the little glimpses we get of Beau. True, the story focuses more on the teacher than the student. However, I feel that Beau showed some kind of growth from the beginning of the story and the end. I like that Dairon did not want to constrain Beau like the others in the Cobalt Soul did. She instead wanted to see what the monk could do without things weighing her down.

SUPER WEASEL –Mae Catt
Rating: 5

What a nice change of pace! The story’s format is comic book style. It follows the adventures and hijinks of Jester’s pet/furry friend.

I zipped right through it. It is such a quick yet amusing read. And the art is drawn wonderfully!

 

DREAMS OF DROWNING – Mike Chen
Rating: 4.5

Avantika becomes a pirate – or a merchant sailor as she calls it – to escape her former life. She keeps a low profile abroad the ship to avoid unwanted attention to her superiors. That is until Vandran, a fellow shipmate, proposes mutiny. He introduces Avantika to Uk’otoa, unknowingly setting her on the path she will later follow.

Based on the first story, FIGHT FOR THE SOUL, I assume Avantika eventually becomes a villain the Mighty Nein must face. I do not follow the podcasts, streams, or comics (the latter yet), so I am unfamiliar with her character. I do not think she has appeared in the animation yet. This did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.

The story delves into Avantika’s start in piracy (that is how I see her as), and how she comes to know the leviathan, Uk’otoa. At intervals, there are flashbacks to Avantika’s childhood with her grandmother regaling her with stories of a fearsome god or monster.

 

WORTHY – Rin Chupeco
Rating: 4

Astrid is a Volstrucker – an elite assassin of the Dwendalian Empire. She and Eadwulf are sent to investigate a certain ruin and eliminate the threat. Before they depart, their leader (Trent) leaves Astrid with a cryptic remark. As they delve into the ruins, the past keeps creeping into Astrid’s thoughts.

The story is set two years after the incident involving Bren/Caleb’s family. Though the story focuses mostly on Astrid’s inner dialogue, it does show what happened to Bren. Her conflicted feelings for Bren, how his mental breakdown affected her, and Trent’s motives. I like that Astrid has some doubts about Trent. She is not a mindless devotee.

 

RESPECTFULLY – Nino Cipri
Rating: 4.5

Pumat Sol is an enchanter and owner of a magic shop called Invulnerable Vagrant. He returns from a journey expecting chaos, but he finds his three clones handling everything well. What troubles Pumat is that they have allowed the Cerberus Assembly to assist with the shop in his absence. When two katari flee into his shop with Assembly lackeys in pursuit, he inadvertently helps them.

I remember this character, and his shop, from the animation. He never really left much of an impression on me. Honestly, Pumat is one of those characters I would not give much thought to. However, I did enjoy this story involving him and his clones. I can understand him being bent out of shape concerning them. How they adapted in his absence. And the initiative they took with the shop. And, I like how the Mighty Nein influenced Pumat to change and adapt, to see the Assembly in a different light.

 

DELICIOUS –Nadia El-Fassi
Rating: 2

Isharnai is a hag known as the great Prism Sage. She feeds off the misery of the people she made contracts with. Isharnai reflects on her encounter with Jester, the blue-skinned member of the Mighty Nein, over a cupcake.

I struggled with this story. The characters and the story’s premises did not interest or grab me. Honestly, I found it incredibly dull and boring.

 

THE RUBY’S GENTLEMAN – Chase K
Rating:4.5

Marion is a celebrated courtesan known as the Ruby of the Sea. Babenon Dosal is a Zadash crime boss called the Gentleman. They reunite only to be separated once more when someone threatens Babenon. He sends Marion back to the Chateau to protect her from harm. They exchange secret notes with Marion urging him to share his life and difficulties with her.

A cute story about Jester’s birth parents. It shows how they met, why they were separated, and what brought them back together again. I love that Marion and Babenon’s romance began with a book, and the small notes they wrote within its pages. And I adore how their romance picked up like no time between them have passed.

 

 

I have always loved fantasy. Sometimes it feels like my idea of the genre does not always seem universal. When I think of fantasy, worlds like Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, and Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar come to mind. I am so done with Tuatha De Danann and fae this or fae that. I want elves (drows, sylvan give me variety), dragons, unusual creatures, sorcery of all kinds.

Fantasy does not seem to be written that way anymore – which saddens me. That is until Critical Role. I would like to thank everyone involved in CR for giving this fantasy lover something to look forward to again! I have been enjoying this world immensely.

I am not up to date with The Mighty Nein. And I do not follow the podcasts or the like since they are not my thing. The comics are on my “want to read list”, once I finish buying and reading Vox Machina. Now I have watched the season on Prime (and eagerly awaiting Season 2), along with VM. I have read and enjoyed TUSK LOVE – which is set in that world.